Trip to Palo Duro

We usually go to Palo Duro canyon during spring break, but we didn't go this year since we went to Oklahoma City.  When we asked the kids what they wanted to do for Labor day they all agreed on Palo Duro.  We were excited to go and got up early, packed a lunch, and headed out.  We realized when we got there a lot of other people had the same idea.  We had to go further into the canyon than usual to find a spot for lunch.  After lunch we decided to do the Lighthouse hike.  It was 6 miles round trip and we figured that wasn't too bad.  Everyone started out excited, but two miles into the hike Ryan and Abigail were done.  I decided to head back with them while the rest finished since they were so close.  It was 102 degrees, and there are very few trees and the water was all dried up for the year.  It was a long two miles getting back because Abigail refused to walk so I had to carry her the whole way, and Ryan thought he was going to die and wanted to be held, but I couldn't hold both of them.  Ryan asked why we said this would be fun when it was just hot and tiring.  I was thinking the same thing by the end.  The older kids and Jeff made it to the top and they said it was beautiful.  Tyson said it wasn't really fun, but more rewarding to know you had finished it.  I think we all agreed going in the spring is a better time of year at Palo Duro than the end of Summer.  Here are a few pictures of the occasion.

Ryan and Abigail Start Preschool

Ryan and Abigail both started preschool on Tuesday.  I wasn't sure how Abigail would do since she has not even stayed in Nursery by herself yet (I am a Nursery leader).  Walking into school she was all smiles and so was Ryan.

We took Ryan to his class first.  He was excited to see all of his friends from the year before.

Abigail was not as excited about her class when I told her she would be staying without me.  Here is the picture of how she looked when I left.

 I know these two teachers well and I knew she was in good hands.  I left her and went to help out in the Library.  I was anxious to see how she had been when I picked her up.  They said she was crying really hard and Miss Ginny said, "Look at Abigail's cute dress."  Abigail looked at her, stopped crying and said, "It is not a dress it is a skirt."  She didn't cry again the rest of the day.

The real test was on Thursday.  Ryan woke up with strep throat.  I debated about even trying to take Abigial without Ryan going in with her, but she happily went.  She didn't cry once and was sad on Friday when I told her she couldn't go to school.  Maybe I will get a few hours without any kids for the next 9 months.  I haven't had a day without any kids at home in 13 years.

Where Did You Get That Blond Hair?

Ryan went on a "date" with Jeff and I last night.  He chose to go to the Mall to a jumping jungle place.  While we were at the mall I took advantage of the opportunity to have Jeff get a new wedding ring.  His fell of a while ago and I hadn't ever gotten him to a jewelry store to get his finger measured again.  While we were there the lady asked Ryan, "Where did you get that blond hair? Is it from your Mom or your Dad?"  He looked at her and said, "I didn't get it from either of them I got it from someone who lives in Heaven."  She asked who that was and he told her he got it from Jesus.  She thought the answer was so cute that she had him tell one of the other workers where he got his blond hair.  After he told the other lady he looked at me and said, "Don't they know that's where everyone gets their hair from?" 

Justin Turns Eight

Justin turned eight this week.  Since we had his party a few weeks ago it felt like he was already eight, but it wasn't official until Thursday.  We celebrated his birthday with breakfast in bed and opening presents.  For dinner that night we went to Texas Roadhouse.  I had just been visiting teaching earlier and one of the people I visit teach told me fried pickles were her favorite food and the only place you can get them here in Lubbock is at Texas Roadhouse, so we tried some fried pickles.  We weren't a fan of them, but they weren't quite as bad as I thought they would be.  Justin's main gift was a Nintendo DSi.  He has enjoyed playing with it since his old one broke a few months ago.  Justin is a joy to have in our family.  He enjoys playing with everyone.  He is the link between the older and the younger in our family.  He loves to play with his older siblings, but he also enjoys helping Ryan and Abigail play and being in charge of them.  We are so happy he has chosen to be baptized in a few weeks.

Opening presents

Justin blowing out the candles on his pumpkin roll, we were all sick of traditional birthday cakes at our house.

First Day of School and Second Annual No Manners Dinner

The three older kids started back to school today.  Emily and Tyson are both the oldest of their schools.  They were not really looking forward to starting school, but they all came home very happy with the first day.  They all think they got great teachers.  I think this is the most positive first day of school we have ever had at our house.  Here are some pictures of the kids on their first day.

Emily is starting the 8th grade.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tyson is starting 5th grade his teacher is Mrs. Pitcock he also has Mrs. Cooley and Mr. Garza

Justin is in the 2nd grade.  His teacher is Ms. Windom

The thing I am liking so far is the fact I have not had to fill out any papers yet.  I know they will all be coming tomorrow in their folders, but it has been nice for a day not to have to deal with them.  I am not sure if they haven't gotten the procedure books from the district yet or what is going on because a lot of times we have to sign those on back to school night.

After school we had our 2nd annual no manners dinner.  It ended (or should I say started) in a huge food fight.  We had chicken and rice with jell-o and squash.  The object to this dinner is they can do what ever they want with the food, and they don't have to eat anything they don't want to eat.  Needless to say, I was the only one who ate squash, but it does make a good thing to throw since it is kind of slimy.  Here are a few pictures of everyone.

Jeff getting ready for the meal with his "nerd" glasses on.

I think Ryan enjoyed the food fight the most.

Abigail spent the whole time on the trampoline so she wouldn't get dirty.

After the dinner part we ended with a pie eating contest.  We had mini cherry pies. 

Jeff was the winner

I think Justin was the messiest

Or maybe it was Ryan!

Gracie enjoyed eating up the mess (the clean up was much easier this year than last year!)

Abigail enjoyed being cleaned off even if she didn't ever get dirty!

 

Abigail Turns 3

Abigail had her birthday on Friday.  She was so excited to finally be three!  She got the breakfast she wanted, but she didn't get it in her bed because we had guests staying at our house who didn't get in until late the night before, and I didn't think they would want us singing happy birthday by their doors.  I think it was a better way for a three year old to eat breakfast anyways.

She loved opening her presents.  She got some dress up clothes, an ice cream shop, a My Little Pony play house, and a gum ball machine.  She also got another dress up dress from Grandpa and Grandma Cluff.

She wanted a purple cake with butterflies on it (you can't really see the butterflies in this picture.)

Tyson gave her the gumball machine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We will have her "kid" party this week with a few friends.  She wants to get the water slide out.  I guess it will be good to have out one last time this summer. 

I Love My.....

I came home from taking Emily to choir practice and I found Abigail singing this song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vxcs21VWfbU