a day of "firsts"

Connor finally got to go to his first day of Joyschool

Dylan went to his first day of preschool at Watch Me Grow Preschool.

Sam surprised us all and started clapping for the first time today.

It is crazy how fast my kids are growing up, but so much fun watching them learn new things.

Connor keeps reminding me that he "goes to preschool for 4 year olds" and "I'm almost 5 mom, remember?"

As for Dylan he "goes to a new preschool for 3 year olds." 

Samantha is scooting and rolling all over the place.

I love the feeling of a new school year starting. 

This week has been so much fun watching the boys get ready for school.

They are so excited and can't wait to make new friends.

a few more pictures of Dylan on his big first day:

eating a healthy breakfast to start their day
{along with trains, superheros, and a Christmas mug of milk}

Dylan with Grandma Smith and Miss Julie

 Dylan was so excited for his first day!

Best Buddies!

Joyschool

Yesterday Connor went to his first day of preschool.

Today Connor was supposed to go to his first day of joyschool.

{yes, he is doing preschool at Watch Me Grow, and Joyschool with some kids in the ward}

However, 30 minutes before go time, I was brushing his teeth and fixing his hair, 

and with chattering teeth he said, 

"Mommy, I'm cold and I don't feel good."

then the tears poured down his little cheeks.

I took his temperature: 101.0

Connor didn't get to go to joyschool today.

I was so sad.

He was so sad.

Looks like we will have to try again on Thursday.

post edit: After a dose of Tylenol and some serious lounging,

Connor is feeling much much better bouncing off the walls.

watch me grow--take two

Connor started his second year of preschool today at Watch Me Grow Preschool. He has been so excited to see Miss Julie and Grandma Smith! He is getting so big and I am so proud of the sweet little boy that he is.

 Dylan, of course, Connor, Grace and Paige with Miss Julie and Grandma Smith

 Connor I am so proud of you. I know that you will do awesome this year in preschool. You are a good friend and a great big brother. I love you so much.

Daddy Daughter Time

I thought I would share with you all a little precious moment I got to share with my daughter. It's moments like these that melt your heart.

6 month comparison: Samantha Connor Dylan

                                             

Fish Lake 2011

This last weekend was full of the following:

fishing

tangled fish lines

butterfly catching

sparkly fish bate

restless nights

junk food

dr. pepper

camp cooking

crap-tastic mattresses

rustic cabins

critter infested walls

dark-silent nights

bug spray

sunscreen

family time

baseball

crisp mountain air

lots of laughing

mattress jumping {for the boys}

and the best weekend of camping ever

Paul and I decided to go on our first camping adventure as a family. We booked a "rustic cabin" at Fish Lake. I think the word "rustic" was a nice way of saying "old-critter infested-don't-mind-the-rat-hole-in-the-door-cabin!" We stayed for two nights and the boys loved having "our very own cabin." It was definitely old but it had the necessities...running water and mattresses to sleep on!

Thursday we got there around 6:30 pm so we decided to just cook dinner and chill for a bit before going to bed. We brought a little gas grill to cook on but it kept blowing up on us so we opted for some real camp cooking. The boys and I gathered fire wood so Paul could get a fire going to cook our hotdogs, steak, and potatoes on. 

After dinner, which took longer than we planned, we got bundled up and hit the sack for the night. Friday morning we got up early--who am I kidding? Paul and I didn't sleep a wink....The boys got up early so Paul got the fire going so we could have pancakes, eggs, and sausage for breakfast. Dylan and Paul also got in a little bit of fishing...and a ginormous mud hole! After lunch we went for a drive and got some fishing in Paul spent an hour untangling and retying fishing lines. The boys had fun fishing throwing rocks and dirt into the lake. {so much for catching any fish} Friday night Paul's dad and two sisters, and my parents, joined us for dinner at Bowery Haven restaurant near Fish Lake. After dinner we played in the cabin, told stories, and then called it a night.

Saturday morning we got up, ate a little breakfast and headed down the mountain. While camping with three little kids is a lot of work, seeing them have so much fun together made it all worth it. Can't wait to go again next summer!

6 months

It has been 6 whole months since our baby girl, Samantha, joined our family. She is just too much fun to have around. She loves her brothers. All they have to do is jump around and laugh at her and she giggles and coos at them all day. I took her in for her 6 month check up and so here are her stats:

weight: 16.9 lbs
height: 26.5 inches
which puts her in the 75th percentile for both.

Here are some of the latest and greatest things about our baby girl:

She is sitting up

Loves to chew on everything

Eats anything I give her

Gets so excited to drink from a cup

Loves applejuice in a sippy

Blows raspberries {when she gets really mad}

says momma {when she gets really mad}

giggles at her crazy brothers

rolls all over the place

She really is so much fun to have around. I can't take her out in public without being stopped a million times so people can ooh and ahh over her awesome curly red hair. I think people are so shocked to see a red headed baby with so much hair, even though it's falling out in the back.

We feel so blessed to have her in our home and are doing our best to soak up the crazy fun everyday. Her brothers love her so much. Paul is so cute with her. There is nothing like seeing a daddy hold his baby girl.