The State Fair

T>This was our 2nd year going to the state fair as a family. Each year they have all you can eat ice cream for three dollars, and we eat always get our monies worth. We have gone with the Hargreaves each year and love it so much we hope to make it a permanent tradition.

First day of school

Welcome to the life of a teenager. McKinley started the 9th grade this year.

Jade started the third grade this year. Lilli was so glad to be going to school all day with the rest of the kids, she is in the 1st grade.

This is Gavin's last year in elementary school, he is the big 6th grader.

And yes, this is me on the first day of school. I am really enjoying having the house all to myself during the day.

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Gavin has joined a scout troop in Provo, it is troop 999. Summer camp started this past Saturday. Matt being the awesome father that he is, volunteered to drive some of the boys up to camp. I am not sure exactly where it is but I believe that it is somewhere near the Uintas. I have to admit that I have been a little nervous letting him go but I know he will have a ton of fun.

I wonder what Gavin is thinking in this picture?

Does Matt appear to be oozing stress?

Jade is starting to want to be all grown up. She wants to stay up late with the older kids, watch the same movies as them, and do her own hair. Lilli is just trying to keep up with her. So this morning I heard the two of them in there bathroom arguing over who's turn it was for the brush, and who was going to go and get the piggy's. I hope that these two will always be the best of friends.

Jade gets a little stressed while doing her hair, she asked Lilli if she could leave because she was being to noisy.

I imagine that the future also holds a few fights as well. I am just happy that they want to do there own hair, because I had to force McKinley to do her own hair when she was 12 years old.

Crazy Kids

It was red ribbon week at the kids school a few weeks ago. They wear a red wrist band and do some different activities each day of the week. One day was crazy hair day, and the kids had a lot of fun with it.

Jade hair is half curly and half straight.

Lets just say that Gavin would not be a very good girl. He was almost in tears before I finished his hair.

Lilli wanted her hair the same as Jades. At the end of the week they pledge to be drug free.

Jade entered her piano piece that she composed in the Reflection contest this year. Jade was chosen as one of the finalist to move onto the next level. Jade named her song The Sunset.

Gavin did the same thing and was also a finalist. His song is named The Rainstorm.

Halloween and Pumpkin fun!

This was our 2nd year doing the pumpkin patch. As I watched them grow this year I didn't think that the patch look to great, but much to my surprise we had over 360,000 lbs of pumpkins. We were able to sell them all to the Red Barn. I love picking the pumpkins because they are all so unique. This year we found the butt pumpkin and Gavin couldn't resist putting on some underwear and taking a picture.

Halloween Fun!

Just few things I wanted to get written down, before I forgot them.

Jade finally lost her top tooth last month (about one week before school pictures).

She was so excited to find that the tooth fairy brought her two dollars. It was only a week later when her other top tooth was pulled out by her Dad. Jade thought it was a little weird when the tooth fairy only brought one dollar for that tooth. We told her that the tooth fairy must of been on a tighter budget that week. This reminds me of a story I would like to share about my sweet Jade. Matt, McKinley and Gavin sell peaches at the Murry Farmers Markets each fall, every Saturday. I noticed that Lehi was starting a Farmers Market so I decided that instead of the girls and I staying home we would go try our luck at this new market. It was a slow start but that was good for us as we were just learning. After our day of selling is over we head back to the farm to count our money and get paid. Robert asked the girls if they worked hard, and Jade said yes and they only fought a few times. So Robert gave them each two dollars. Well the next week when Robert asked if they worked hard, of course the answer was yes and this time he gave them each one dollar. Jade thought about it for about 1 minute and then decided that she would remind Grandpa that he gave them two dollars last time. It made me laugh just a little, and yes Grandpa pulled out his wallet and gave them each another dollar.

I am always telling McKinley that she is so lucky to have Gavin for a brother. She is always getting him into one thing or another. In these photos she has him helping her put curlers in her hair. I also think that he is pretty lucky to have her as a big sister.

So this summer I had a mental lapse and decided to let McKinley drive the van to get some cucumbers from the farm. It was a little scary but more trying on my patience. I used to think potty training and learning to read were the hardest things to teach your kids, but driving has to be added to that list.

First Day of School! Couldn't come fast enough!

I sound like a horrible Mother, but summer was so crazy this year, and I was ready to get the kids back in school and on a schedule. I also think that the kids were ready for a break from their Mom.

McKinley is in her 2nd year at Payson Junior High as the big 8th grader. McKinley HATES to ride the bus to school and gets lucky sometimes when she can catch a ride with her cousin Austin. She is still focused on getting straight A's. A few of her classes are math, English, social studies, Spanish, and choir.

Jade is a in 2nd grade this year. Jade has two teachers, Mrs Monroe and Mrs Garrett. In the past she has struggled with holding her pencil correct and writing neatly, but is doing so much better this year. Jade is one of the youngest in her class and probably the only one who hasn't lost her top two teeth yet. Her top tooth is loose and I keep telling her to wait to pull it out till after school pictures on the 18th, but she is trying her hardest to get it out.

Gavin is in the 5th grade this year, and his teacher is Mrs Francom. I hate to brag (not really) but Gavin is one of the best 5th grader with his multiplication facts. I always refer to him when I need numbers added. Gavin still loves to play sports at recess and eats school lunch almost everyday.

YES my baby is in Kindergarten. Lilli goes to afternoon kindergarten and her teacher is Ms Rowley. I decided to take her to school on her first day, instead of sending her on the bus. Lilli was so excited for her first day at school until she got a little nervous. She wanted to go to Kindergarten but didn't want me to leave. After a few tears and explaining that I was to old for Kindergarten she bravely went in and had a great day, and hasn't look back since (and neither have I).