Corn Maze with Cuzzies

 

We could be shoveling poo somewhere and as long as we are with the cuzzies, that's still what our boys would want to do. We have a new tradition of going to a corn maze with cuzzies before Halloween for Family Home Evening. I think we need to change that because the corn maze is SO EXPENSIVE!!!! It's ridiculous. We will have to find something else for our tradition. We had a great time as usual with the cuzzies, however. Maybe next year we can find somewhere to shovel some poo...for free.

Halloween 2009

 

Indiana Jones, Batman, and a grouchy spider. Jack was counting down the days to wear his Indie costume. He had a whip that was confiscated many times for misuse, but what did I expect? Evan is Batman. That child puts on a costume and he is immediately in character. So funny. Drew didn't know what the heck was going on, but it involved a lot a of candy so he just went with it. We went across the street to our neighborhood trunk or treat and then Targhee took them to do some door-to-door stuff. We thought they should learn how to pound the pavement like we had to when we were kids, right?! None of this 200 pieces of candy in 10 minutes crap. We had to work for it! Anyway, it was a very fun night and the amount of candy consumed in subsequent days was abhorrent, but hey, Halloween comes but once a year.

See Jack Read

 

Our Jack is loving Kindergarten. He has a wonderful teacher and it has been a great experience for him so far. He is always thinking and talking about the things he is learning. He loves to ask me math questions and how to spell things. I had to take a picture of this that I found on the kitchen table. Spelled out in Cheetos.

Our First Soccer Season

 

I am behind on some of the posts I have been wanting to do. In September and October we had our first experience with soccer for Jack. He had a great time. His coach was very patient and Jack saw him as some sort of celebrity figure. Jack asked me at one point if "Coach" was really his first name. There was a lot of rolling around and wrestling, throwing of grass, and some soccer was played. Jack really liked playing goalie and he volunteered a lot for that position. Kindergarten-age soccer is truly something to behold. We can't wait for next season.

We Will Miss You, Brad

 

Targhee's father passed away Saturday morning from injuries he received in a car accident. We love him and will miss him so much. Thank you to the friends and neighbors who have shown us so much love and support during this difficult time. His funeral service will be in our ward building here in Clinton on Friday, October 23rd. The viewing at 10:00 AM and the funeral at 11:00 AM. The address is 1800 N and 3000 W. Anyone who would like to attend is welcome.

Amazing Weekend

 

We were so blessed to have a friend of mine visit us for our church's General Conference weekend. His name is Victor and he is from a family that I knew in Spain on my mission. He has been studying in New York City and was able to come out to Salt Lake for the weekend to attend the conference. The experience was really special for our family. As you can see in the collage above, we took him to Snowbasin to ride the tram. He was able to attend the Priesthood session Saturday night with some other former missionaries and then I had tickets for the Sunday morning session. There we met up with another friend from that same town in Spain who is now married and living in Provo. It was so unbelievable to me to be sitting in the conference center with thousands of people enjoying the meeting while sitting next to these two amazing Spaniards from so far away, but with the same testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Carmen Mari, the other friend, had served a mission there on Temple Square and we took a tour after the conference session. I have always loved the feelings I have there, but it was especially significant to be there with these friends. I think Victor enjoyed the experience. We miss him already. Our boys would not leave him alone! They loved playing with him and talking to him. Jack cried the next morning when he woke up and Victor was gone. I feel very strongly that these friendhips will continue forever. Victor's mother was a very special person to me on my mission and when I left, I just couldn't believe that would be the end of our association. Now all these years later that friendship has been renewed and our families are drawn together again. After this weekend with these people and after hearing the words of modern revelation, I feel so much love for my Savior and for His restored gospel. I know that it is for everyone and that He can work miracles in our lives and make so much more out of us that we could ever be alone. Thanks, Victor for letting us enjoy this great experience with you!

My Newborn is One!

 

Targhee always tells me, "He's not your newborn anymore." I have decided that I will always refer to him as my "tiny newborn" even when he is 15 years old. One of my favorite aunts would call her youngest daughter that long after she was a big girl and I thought it was hilarious and wonderful. This was his birthday party and we had a big dinner for family to celebrate. I made leg of lamb (from the very animal Targ's grandpa raised.) It was lots of fun to get together to celebrate this little cutie. He had been really sick during the week, but as you can see, he was well enough to take down a slice of birthday cake. He has definitely been our most challenging baby. He is not a great sleeper and when he wants something he yells as loud as he can until he gets it. I am usually so run down with three boys that it works. He knows this and has me completely worked over... and the cycle continues. So, here's to you, Baby Drew, Drewbinski, Drewzilla, my Tiny Newborn. You keep us on our toes. Click on the collage to see his cuteness up close.

Teddy Goes to School

 

Evan is going to grow up thinking that his name is Teddy, since most of our family calls him that. He went to preschool for the first time this week and did very well until he got outside and realized that the neighbor, who's child is also in the class, would be picking him up. He cried all the way home in their car. (Sorry Dave & Steph) He is a tender child who depends a lot on consistancy. OK, and he is a HUGE mama's boy. He didn't cry at all today, though, so that's good. This post is pretty lame, I wish I had something funny to say about the situation. Hmm. That's all I got.

SuperEvan

 

Evan has this cape he loves to wear. He also has this little girlfriend he loves to play with. I saw him walking her home wearing only his underwear and cape and before I chased him down to put pants on him, I had to run for my camera. Evan makes me laugh every day. He is the most affectionate child and I can't get enough of his hugs and kisses. He also likes to sing songs about his love for me. OK, so his singing is somewhat painful. Sometimes only dogs can hear him when he hits his high notes, but it is all music to my ears. I know he gets away with a lot more than he should, but when I do get upset with him he just cries giant tears and begs me for forgiveness. I can't bear it. It is all I can do to follow through with whatever punshment I had planned because he seems so truly penitant. I also noticed that he says, "On your market, get set, go." Like piggie went to market. What a little gem of a boy.

Kindergarten Boy

 

 

Jack is such a big boy. This was his first week of school and he did very well. He only let me walk him to school the first day and then he went by himself the rest of the week (we live right across the street.) I dropped him off that first day and then took the other boys jogging and I cried briefly, just thinking of this watershed moment. He is an old soul who was SO ready for school. He really likes his teacher, Mrs. Phillips, and will give me details about the day only if I pry them out of him (I'm sure that's how it will be with 3 boys.) Yesterday I left the computer on with music playing and the screensaver kicked on with all of the pictures that I have saved on that computer. Evan came and found me and said, "Mom, Jack is crying. I think he is sad." Jack was sitting there watching the pictures with the music playing and crying. I asked him why he was sad and he said the pictures of our family make him cry because he loves our family so much. He said the one that made him cry the most was one when Drew was a tiny baby because he was so cute. I was surprised that he would be affected by that. I wanted to write that so I will not forget it. My friends with older kids have been telling me that once the first child starts kindergarten, time seems to go more quickly than ever.