First Day of School

School started August 22nd. Bennett is now in the first grade and Jacks has started kindergarten. I can't believe how big these boys are getting! They were both pretty excited for school to start. I heard many conversations in the backseat of the car with Bennett giving Jacks the insider information he would need to survive.  School is 8:05 - 3:05 for both of them.  It's amazing how much I feel I can accomplish during the day while they are at school, however, a small part misses having them with me... Except for when I need to run to the store.  It's enjoyable having only one child to contend with during the shopping experience.

A sweet moment: We were in Riverton buying some school shoes two days before school started. After we made our purchases we headed to the car. Jacks got into his seat and buckled up and I noticed he was a little teary eyed. I asked him what was wrong and he said he was nervous for school because he was shy and didn't know the other kids. Bennett who was sitting in the seat next to him, before I could say anything, he had his arms around Jacks trying to comfort him.

I do have to admit, I cried a teeny tiny bit when I dropped Jacks off at his classroom.  As we walked into the school, Bennett yell "See ya later" and ran off to his class before I could even blink.  Jacks tried to ditch me also at the kindergarten hall, but I held on tight...for his sake, of course.

Jemma will start school on September 4th at my preschool, but I thought for once in my life I would be on top of the game and get the 1st day of school photo out of the way 2 weeks early. Pretty clever if you ask me. She has been so excited to wear her school clothes and fix a lunch everyday this week as we've gone over to the preschool to get the class ready.  She loves being around the other kids and can't wait for them to come back to school.

Construction

 

July 23rd:  Digging a trench across the road to connect the sewer line to our lot

 

 

July 26th: The beginning of excavating the house

 

 

August 6th: The forms are put in and ready for cement

 

 

August 7th: The next day the cement truck comes and begins to pour cement

 

 

August 10th: The cement walls are in for the basement

 

 

View from the back yard

 

 

Soon they will be bringing in the dirt to fill the front yard all in...about 6 feet of fill dirt

 

The Hike

The Hammond family and Grandma Julie followed us to Lander for a visit after the 4th of July.  While they were here we went on a hike up Sinks Canyon to the waterfall.  It's a pretty hike that many people take around here.  While we were there some high schoolers came up and slid down the "rock slide" into the pool of mountain ice cold water.  Bennett decided that's what he wanted do.  Matt told the boys that if they could jump into the water, swim to the waterfall, and back they could go down the slide.  None of them lasted 10 seconds in the frigid water.  But they all sure did entertain us thoroughly as they stripped down to their underwear and lost all bravado as they took a dip in the water. 

July 4th

The 4th of July was suppose to be spent in Lander Wyoming, but plans changed when the state of Wyoming issued a fire ban.  The weather has been so warm and dry with no moisture since Memorial Day weekend.   Fires have been ragging all over Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado. 

The kids and I had been in Highland Utah visiting Michelle and her family for the past week.  Matt came to spend the holiday with us and take us back to Wyoming.  We all decided that the 4th of July just wouldn't be the same without fireworks so we changed course and headed to Logan Utah for the firework show.  The kids loved it.  They all thanked us for letting them watch the fireworks, which of course made it all worth it.

After the show we headed to the car to make the trip to Grace to spend the night at Matt's parents' house.  As we slowly trudged through traffic we discovered a huge piece of metal in our tire.  We made it to the Walmart parking lot and after unloading our packed car we put the spare on, repacked the car and once again were on our way to Grace.

After a long night we woke and headed to the Soda Springs parade and mini carnival.  The kids had a blast.  Especially when someone drove by in the parade and threw out handfuls of nickels.  Something I have never witnessed before.  At the carnival,  a booth was giving away stuffed animals to every kid that went through, which was also a hit with my kids.

Later that evening we finally made it back to Lander safe and sound.

Fire

We decided to take the kids up to Worthlin Meadows Lake for a cookout. They all love to be out in the woods acting like little wild animals...and are apparently pyros also.

Summer Dance Clinic

Ms. Tricia did a couple of dance clinics this summer. Jemma picked to participate in the Lala Loopsie clinic and the Prince Charm School (she picked by pointing to the pictures on the registation form). She had so much fun. She sure loves to dance!

Annual Zoo Trip

The kids and I started our summer vaction in Idaho. Matt and I took the kids over for Memorial Day weekend.  The Hammonds came and the Nulphs were there, all to help clean out the storage unit...in the pouring rain.  It rained all weekend!  So when the rain cleared the kids and I opted to stay in Idaho while Matt went back to Wyoming for work.  While we were there the kids begged to go to their favorite place... Tauphaus Park Zoo. All the kids were so well behaved. I believe this is the first time I've actually enjoyed being at the zoo with the kids. I even want to take them again!