First Day of School - Gavin

Gavin started his first day of second grade today. I drove him to school and walked him to his line outside and said good-bye. I'll sure miss my little dude while he's away. Seems like he was short changed summer, but we'll just have to make up for it during his multiple 3 weeks breaks throughout the year. Love you my little man! Blow second grade up!

Back to School Open House - Gavin 'n Reese

Reese and Gavin had their school Open House. Reese met with her new Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Karren whom we just think the world of. We are really excited and feel blessed to have her this year.

Gavin's 2nd grade teacher is Mrs. Scarborough. I have heard good things from her, but have my reservations. We shall see. Either way, let school begin! Tomorrow morning July 26th @ 8:25 am! Too bad Daddy is missing out being in Philadelphia this week!

Summer Pool Time

We've spent every day of the last week at the pool. We've got to get in the last of the summer wet fun as school starts TOMORROW! Crazy.

Caden and I may make a few more trips before he starts school on the 17th of August, and then I'll have a little ME time ALONE for a few hours. Haven't had that for the last 8 years! This should be GREAT!

Pioneer Day - Utah

Pioneer Day (July 24th - A Utah Holiday) this year was spent having fun with the family. We took care of some errands in the morning and then headed over to our friends Sean and Brynn to help them move into their new home! We were late and missed an opportunity to help but we sure enjoyed checking out their new fabulous HOME! Can you believe it, Brynn?!? Congrats!

We ate lunch at The PIE Pizzeria and then let the kids play in the fountain just outside.

We did a little shopping in the air conditioning during the hottest parts of the day and then headed up the canyon above the State Capital to light a few fireworks and stay until night to watch firework shows all over the valley from the hill tops.

After our own fireworks we walked to a park and let the kids play while we camped on the hill side waiting for it to get dark and the firework shows to begin.

Caden took this picture of the moon. He loved that it was whole and reminded me of when he was younger and would call it a "moon ball". Toddlers and balls.

Gavin laid in the grass crying that he wanted to go home and was dying of starvation (didn't want anything in our cooler).

Christopher was actually quite tired of waiting for the fireworks and he and Reese got a little crazy together. We ended up waiting until 10:05 pm and then left b.c we were just all pooped out and exhausted. It was a fun day. Mostly b.c the kids loved lighting fireworks again! TWICE in one month they get to celebrate with fireworks! Definitely a perk to Utah living for them.

Bug Explorers

This summer the kids have been big into Utah bugs. They get library books and research online different bugs they have found and always have a bug container with some type of bug inside. They feed them what is recommended in books/online and generally care for them. These 6 weeks of summer 5 of them have been "exploring". We've got such a great safe neighborhood for such an activity and for that I'm grateful.

Picture of the kids praying mantis they captured. A week later the insect is still alive. They released him back 'into the wild' yesterday. Too bad I didn't get a picture of Caden's "waterproof bugs" that he brought with him to Washington for the 4th. They were actually just beetle bugs that he put in water. Caden - These are water proof bugs that like the water and like to pretend that they are dead.

Poor "waterproof" bugs.

Loopy Wheely

Gavin and Reese had their dental work done. They were so doped up on their oral sedation and nitrous oxide they had to be wheeled out. I was very appreciative b.c they couldn't walk on their own.

The dentist had to slice Gavin's gum to take out a piece of root from his baby tooth that was still up there blocking passage way for his permanent tooth. They also ended up pulling the tooth beside it as the roots to that tooth were blocking passage. Geez. Will this kid ever get a break? No. He has so much crowding that he'll need work for the rest of this life. Good thing we've invested in a great dental plan! Orthodontics next!

Bear Style

Bear got into Reese's closet and Daddy's sports gear and came up with this combo. It was quite cute.

MYO Kabob Night

Make your own kabob night was a hit. The kids were finally excited about not just grilling veggies but actually eating them! Yay!

Best Day Ever...Relived

We went back out on the boat the other weekend. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera in the car while we were out. It was another best day ever. Christopher went out on the wake board and kicked it! He was great!

The kids were too cute and really enjoyed themselves.

Thanks again J & C! Can't wait for our next best. day. ever.

The PIE - Pizzeria

We found our favorite pizza place here in Utah. The PIE. This summer I'm really working on making Utah our home away from home and nothing does that better than warm weather and FOOD.

Christopher and I took the boys out one day for a little food adventure and found The Pie. Seriously, so good.

After lunch the boys went outside to visit the fountain.

This spot just may be our favorite at the moment. Besides, it's right next to Material Girls, so, you know.

Dental Barn Time

The kids had their 6 month check up. We found a new pediatric dentist here in Utah that we love. The dentist was a higher priority to us than finding a pediatrician at the moment b.c of the kids history and teeth. If you've read our blog for any length of time, you will remember how jacked Gavin's teeth are and we have to make it a priority to have regular check ups and sometimes every 3 month check ups.

Caden had his first cavity. He goes in this week to get it filled. Reese also had one and Gavin had NONE. First time EVER. Probably helps that all his teeth are capped/crowned. However, his right front tooth is caught up on his side tooth and wont come down. So, he's gonna get that worked out.