Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Myan Art

So what did I do with my time while Carter was in preschool? I took my little sister to the Myan art exhibit at the Kimball Art Museum. Kendra is majoring in art education, like I did, so she shares my love of art. I thanked my mom for finally giving me someone who I can go to art museums with. She replied, “That is the reason why I had her.” It really was fun to see the exhibit with Kendra.

First Day of Preschool

Carter is in preschool! I am not sure who was more excited, me or Carter. I sometimes wonder if there is something wrong with me because a lot of my friends are crying when they drop off their kindergartners and preschoolers. I am cheering. I love my kids, but I love them more when I have some breaks from them. Carter will go two days a week for four hours. I am in another co-op. There are six of us and we take turns teaching. This year we only have boys in the class. I am sure it will be a little crazy, but I am sure Carter will have a great time. I am also sure I will enjoy my eight hours a week. These will be my first kid free hours in seven and a half years.

Monday, August 30, 2010

First Dance Class

Renée is starting dance. She and Sydney are in an hour and a half class once a week at King and Roberts. She learns ballet, tap, and jazz. Renée has been counting down the days until she got to go. The class didn’t disappoint and she can’t wait to go back. Too bad next Monday is a holiday.

Swimming with Aunt Kendra

Kendra wanted to work on her tan, so we spent the afternoon at the pool. After the kids came home from school, Kendra played with them in the water. She is such a great aunt and my kids adore her. They play a game called Colors. Kendra holds the kid and they guess a color. If they guess wrong, they get dunked. If they guess right, they get flipped. I am not sure who made this up but they all enjoy it.
Kendra catching some rays.
Swimming at our pool.
Renée and Kendra in phase one of the colors game.
Renée guessed right!

Saturday, August 28, 2010

The Feed Store

My youngest sister, Kendra, came to stay a week with Alycia and I before heading off to BYU Idaho. Our first stop was the Feed Store. We had to feed her some proper BBQ.
Excuse Alycia and my hair.  We went straight to the airport from the water park. 

Weekend Waterpark

Having season passes, we haven’t spent too many weekends at NRH2o. Alycia and I usually went about twice a week some time between Monday and Thursday. Now that school is in session, NRH2o is only open on the weekends. We spent Saturday morning at the water park and it wasn’t even too crowded. We took these photos with the underwater camera. The quality isn’t great but we are able to take pictures anywhere in the park.
Syd and Renée sitting on Sam in the lazy river.
Gavin relaxing in the lazy river.
Carter and Trey playing in the wave pool.
Sam and Renée getting washed to shore.
Blake and Gavin hanging on in the wave pool.
Our beautiful girls.
Carter only want to ride with me.  I have no idea why he has a life vest on.  This was the only time this summer.
Renée and I rode the Green Extreme together.  It is the first drop of the ride.  See what I mean about taking the camera anywhere in the park.
Blake and Gavin underwater.
Gavin underwater with his eyes wide open.
Alycia, Trey, and Nick enjoying the lazy river.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Swimming at Vista Meadows

Alycia and I take turns going to each other’s neighborhood pools. Friday after school, we went to one of the Vista Meadows pools. We ended up staying for three hours. Alycia was there for two and when she was about to leave, Sam came, so we stayed another hour. My kids sure love to swim with their dad.
A very wet Carter.
Gavin after sliding down the railing.
Poor Renée
Renée likes to paint with water.
Fun with dad.
This is impressive because Gavin is pretty heavy.
Loving spending time with Dad.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Jenné & Jace

Jenné and Jace drove through the night to spend a day with up before going home to Utah. They arrived early Wednesday morning, like 5am, and then spent the day with us. They enjoyed jumping with Carter and Trey. They took Gavin and Blake to the batting cages. Jace even got a makeover by the girls. That evening, Alycia and I made pork and naddles, a German family recipe. We had to give Jace a taste of some of our family recipes. They were on the road the next morning. It was sure great visiting.
The best kind of birth control:)

Monday, August 23, 2010

First Day of School

Gavin is starting 2nd grade and Renée is starting kindergarten. It is hard to believe that two of my kids are in school already. Poor Carter is all alone with me. Both of my kids were super excited to start school. Renée has been asking me for weeks, “How many more days until school?” She got really quite the morning she went, but when she came home she yelled, “I love kindergarten!”
I have mixed feelings about the kids going back. I look forward to having a schedule again and having some time to myself, but I have loved our carefree summer of swimming and going to the water park. I didn’t shed a tear when I dropped off Renée and neither did she. As I reflect, my little kids are getting bigger way too fast and they are at great ages right now. Too bad I can’t freeze time just for a little while.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Before we dropped Jenné off at the airport, we took her to Uncle Julio’s. It was sure nice visiting with her.
Jenné, Alycia, and me

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Meet the Teacher Night

Gavin and Renée got to meet their teachers. We were thrilled to find out that Renée has Mrs. Logsdon, who was Gavin’s kindergarten teacher. Gavin has Mrs. Cooley but she will be out on maternity leave until November. He will have Mrs. Averion as a long term sub.
Mrs. Logsdon will be Renée's kindergarten teacher.
Mrs. Cooley will be Gavin's 2nd grade teacher.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

NRH2o with Aunt Jenné

My sister, Jenné, came to Texas for a few days while her husband was selling pest control in Louisiana. One of our adventures was at NRH2o.
Sydney, Aunt Jenné, and Renée sliding together.

Gavin about to make a splash.
Carter loves this slide because it is his favorite color.
Aunt Jenné with all the kid.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Destin Photoshoot

While in Destin, I set up a tripod and used my remote to take some family pictures. It is really hard to take your own photos because you can’t take pictures as quickly and I have no idea what my kids look like.