First Day of School - 2013

Today marked the first day of school at a new elementary school for Emma and Samantha.  With the move to our new home, it also meant the decision to switch to a closer school or stay with our old one where they have always gone.  We left it up to the girls and they decided they wanted to switch.  They are now attending Island City Elementary.  Both girls have been super excited for school to start up again.  Emma is in FIFTH GRADE now and was put into Mr. Weimer's class (which is who she wanted).   

Sam is in THIRD GRADE and is in Mrs. Goodwin's class - this is also the teacher that she wanted.  Because they both got the teachers they were hoping for we knew we were off to a great start! 

Unfortunately, Clara had to stay behind.  She really missed her big sissies today! 

Starting the new school also means that they are now riding the bus.  We haven't ever done that before but when the girls got off the bus this afternoon they were happy and said that the bus ride was great!

Both girls said that they had a wonderful first day and they can't wait to go back tomorrow.  As a parent, it makes me happy that my kids are excited about learning and for the adventures they have ahead in the coming year!  Go Rams!

Temple Attendance

It's not very often that Mark and I have an opportunity to attend the temple but this past weekend we made the two hour trek to the Tri-Cities to do some sealings together.  Living in La Grande means that we are part of the Boise Temple district but we always go to the Columbia River Washington temple because it's a little closer.  Plus, my sister Hollie lives there and she is an excellent baby sitter!  We had a few names that needed to be have their sealings completed and it was a special experience to kneel across the altar and hear our family names.  I'd like to think that they were jumping for joy on the "other side" and excitedly accepting that their ordinance has been taken care of.

Interestingly enough, we saw several couples from our ward who also decided to attend at the same time we did.  What a treat!  Every time we go I feel peaceful, rejuvinated, and inspired.  It will probably be another two or three months until we can get there again but for now, I can remember what a great day it was and mark the calendar for our next trip!

Lots and LOTS of Yard Work!

Ever since we moved into our new home, we knew there was lots to do to create the yard that we are hoping to have one day.  It has taken soooo much work on Mark's part - back breaking work for that matter - and he has done an exceptional job.  He has cleared and tilled and hammered and hauled rocks and trimmed from early in the morning until late at night.  The good news is that it is starting to take shape!

He took out all of the raised garden beds that were here previously.  That was a huge job in and of itself as the previous owners had used chive plants as ground cover.  They were a bear to pull out!  Once that was done, he tilled the entire area to prepare for the garden we will plant in the spring.  The yard is filled with big rocks that were used for landscaping purposes.  Mark collected a large amount of those rocks and created an area to hold our blueberry plants.  It looks really lovely.

It was important for us to have the girls help out with some of the projects.  We had an afternoon where we all spent several hours assisting in the effort:  The family that works together, stays together!!!

He even found an area for me to keep all of my potted herbs which I am really proud of!

This past weekend he created another area that is holding our strawberry plants.  It too, is surrounded with flat rock and really adds to the beauty of the yard.

The other major project was clearing out brush and chive plants so we could add some extra grass and extend the lawn by four feet.  Mark also tilled that area and cleared it of sticks and lots of wood chips.  Then he hauled in extra soil and laid grass seed.  It's been a week of constant watering of that area of the lawn but the grass is starting to come up and will be ready in no time!

It's really coming along quite nicely and we are anxious to continue on with the projects and have the area all ready for our garden next year.  We already have lots of plans of what we will be doing.

The other night I was sitting outside on the deck and everything looked so pretty - especially with all of the solar lights we have throughout the yard.  I counted my blessings and felt very grateful for my husband who is working so hard.... We hope you will all come visit soon!

Campout

One of the best things about summer is being able to go camping!  However, having a two year old means that we have had to put that activity off until she is old enough to not create chaos at a campsite.  So..... Mark thought it would be a good idea to have a campout - but have the campout in our backyard!  The girls were thrilled!  He set up our big tent and our camping chairs and decided to sleep outside with them.

Except for two hours during the night when Mark was so uncomfortable he couldn't stand it anymore, everyone slept well.  In the morning he surprised the girls with donuts and orange juice and let them keep the tent up for another night.  I think that qualifies him for the "Best Daddy Award!"  Another fun memory made.....

Happy Birthday Clara

It's hard to believe, but our little Clara turned TWO recently!  To celebrate her special day, we did lots of things with family and friends.  On her actual birthday we went to the waterpark with Uncle Jon and his family which was great fun!  Unfortunately, I was so engrossed in the day that I neglected to take ANY pictures!  What was I thinking?  She absolutely loved being in the water, going down the kiddie slides, and spending time with her cousins.  The next evening we had our friends, The McIlmoils, over for cake and ice cream.  Their daughter is Brittain (Clara's best friend) so we wanted to celebrate with them.  I made a yummy jellow cake with fruit topping.  It was a hit!

Clara is still getting used to using her own silverware.  We just let her go for it, and it ended up being quite messy!  At least she enjoyed eating it!

We just let the kiddos hang out in the backyard and play while the adults visited and then we had presents.

We got Clara her own lawn chair that is just her size.  She loves sitting in it.....

And her big sister Emma got her a little tea set so she can have "tea parties" with her dollies.

Samantha got her a big bouncy ball which all the kids loved.  Here is Brittain - she wasn't too happy about not having her own ball.  Too cute!

Clara's last present was a little pop up tent that is just the size for her and Brittain.  They can go in there together and hide and giggle...... love it!

Happy Birthday Clara!  We love having you in our family!

Fair Accomplishments!

Emma did such a good job with her first experience at fair!  Her 4-H group held a rewards ceremony to show all of the ribbons that each girl was awarded.  There were ribbons galore!

She won seven blue ribbons and two Reserve Champion ribbons!

One of her blue ribbons was for some blueberry jam that she made.... YUM!

She wanted a bulletin board in her room to hang all of her ribbons and she is already planning on what she will do next year!

Good job Emma!

Cousin Time!

Recently we had the chance to have my two nieces up to La Grande for the weekend.  They live a couple of hours away so we don't get the chance to see them very often.  We had a Girls Weekend - going to the farmers market, getting pizza, and playing in the water in the backyard!

Lillie loves her cousin Emma and Emma took great care to spend quality time with the little ones....

After dinner, Uncle Mark set up a tent in our living room and we watched the newest American Girl movie with LOTS of popcorn!

It was such a fun weekend - we love our extended family so much and always look forward to spending time together!