Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day weekend we had planned on going to Utah to see my sister Lori bless their new baby boy, Carson. However, due to needing new tires on the van, getting four children ready for school, and high gas prices, we were unable to go. Instead, we decided to stay home for the weekend.

It is always tradition that Bryon's mom's side of the family has a huge family reunion at Bryon's Grandpa Perry's house about ten minutes from us. They always roast hot dogs on a firepit and then everyone brings a salad or a dessert. The reunion this year was very well attended. My kids always have a blast playing with all their cousins and extended family. Bryon's two sisters from Utah drove up with their kids for the reunion and to spend the weekend.

Bryon's mom invited us down on Sunday. Bryon's dad had a hair-brained idea for the older grandkids to sleep outside in the tent with him. We went down Sunday afternoon. Bryon's dad grilled hamburgers out on the grill for dinner. It was cold and rainy all day. The grandkids ended up sleeping on the floor of the new addition because it was to wet to sleep outside. Bryon and I spent the night to save on gas from having to go home and coming back down on Monday to pick up the kids. It was fun. We haven't done that since moving to Idaho 11 years ago!

It was fun to just hang out and visit. While we were together, we were able to take a picture of the ALL the grandkids with Grandpa and Grandma.

Logan's First Day of School

Logan didn't start school until after Labor Day. He will also be in the same school that Bryon works at. He will be attending the Preschool program. He will be attending on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. He was so excited for his first day of school. His teacher is the same as last year, Miss JoAnn. There are also two aides, Miss Melanie and Miss ReNae. He will also have some of the same friends in his class that were in his class last year. When I went to pick him up after the first day of class, Miss JoAnn informed me she was so thankful for Logan and Tristen that knew the routine and were trying to hard to get the other kids to follow the rules.

First Day of School

School this year came all too soon for me.

It is hard for me to believe that Sam is in the fourth grade. He is going to the middle school. It is just across the field from his previous school. I am still not sure how to feel about the whole thing. I think it is the words "middle school" that has me freaking out a bit. Sam's teacher is Mrs. Singleton. She is a younger (I say that because we figure she is about our age!) teacher with a strong suit in math. Sam is very excited. I know he won't admit to it but I think he is a little nervous about going to a new school. This year he will be in a school where his dad won't be just down the hall. He has done it before for Kindergarten through second grade. However, last year I think he got used to his dad being right there and everyone knowing him as "Mr. Kennedy's son", that this year is a little different for him. I think we got used to having Bryon right there to follow up on assignments and help him get his homework if he forgot it. So it will be a big adjustment for all of us.

Conner is in Kindergarten this year. Last year he went to preschool only two days a week and longed for the days when he could go to school every day. Now that day is here, he isn't sure about wanting to go to school every day. His teacher is Mrs. Clinton. Mrs. Clinton is a "seasoned" teacher which is what we wanted for Conner. Conner likes to dance to the beat of his own drum and we were looking for someone that could make him toe the line! We are so glad that Mrs. Clinton is the one to help him do this. We aren't sure if she is as happy as we are! Mrs. Clinton is a great kindergarten teacher and we know that Conner will learn a bunch from her.

Since Sam has moved on to middle school, I think Bryon is happy to have another son around that he can occasionally see in the halls or classroom.

First Day of School

Celebrate Youth day 08-19-2008

The town here has a really big back-to-school party the day before school starts. The party is held in one of the parks here in town. THere are booths on various things and each booth has a game for the kids to play. The kids come away with all these toys they won at the various games. There is a climbing wall, huge inflatable toys for the kids to jump on, and free train rides around the block. The school district provides a free dinner. There is music, and free treats (popcorn, Creamies, and cotton candy). My kids look forward to going each year. It starts in the early afternoon. The raffle drawing and the big motivational speeches given by the two superintendants is given at 6:00 p.m. That is followed by a dance for the older kids.

The weather was perfect this year: not too hot! We spent a couple of hours at the party. We had to leave by 5:30 so that we could get to Sam's soccer game by 6:00.

We have a family back-to-school tradition. I have some school lunch trays. I fix a traditional school lunch. It is usually corn dogs, tater tots, applesauce, green beans, no bake cookie and a carton of milk. I have black construction paper on the table and then write on it with chalk so it looks like a chalkboard. The kids love it! So after Sam's soccer game, we came back home for our traditional Back-To-School Dinner followed by Father's Priesthood Blessings.

It was a great night. I am having a hard time believing that it is time for the kids to start back to school.

Celebrate Youth Day

Burley 08-12-08 to 08-17-08

My sister, Lori, was in Burley for fair week with her three kids. I was very wishy washy about when exactly I was going to go home. I wanted desperately to go home and get my hands on that darling new nephew of mine. I also wanted to give my children a chance to play with their cousins that they don't see that often. The only hang up is Bryon started his school contract that week and the earliest he could go to Burley was late Friday afternoon. I decided at the last minute to leave Tuesday night and if Bryon could find a ride to Burley he would join us later in the week, if not we would see him Sunday night when we got home.

Of course it was late by the time I left Rexburg on Tuesday night. We didn't even get home until 11:00. You would think they kids would have slept most of the way. They hardly slept at all. They didn't fall asleep until Masacre Rocks which just means they are sound asleep by the time we hit Burley and it is hard as ever to get them out of the car and into the house.

Wednesday we went to the parade. The kids had a great time and the temperature was just right for a parade. Wednesday night we all went to "cow cutting". My mom really enjoys this event. Sam & Conner bumped into the two neighbor boys from Rexburg. I think all the kids were so surprised to find each other in Burley. We kept telling them that both their Grandparents live just down the road from each other but I don't think it registered until now. They had a great time playing together.

Thursday afternoon we met up with my mom in the late afternoon in Twin Falls. My mom had some work meetings and was already in Twin Falls. Lori and I wanted to get some school shopping done. I had tried to do a little in Idaho Falls on Tuesday but didn't have much success. We only went for a couple of hours but with eight children seven and under that was about one hour and fifty minutes too long. Sam had gotten up early that morning and went fishing the whole day with my dad and brother-in-law, Mike. He had an awesome time. Thanks dad for taking him. He sure looks forward to it and it is all he talks about for days after. I was able to find quite a few things during our shopping excursion.

Friday my sister, Lori; my mom; my niece, Katie; and I went for pedicures. Alyson had to work. I had never had a pedicure before. I loved the experience. I guarantee it will not be another 33 years before I go again. I already have plans to find out how much the beauty colleges around here charge. Friday night my mom watched Natalie and Logan while my dad, Sam, Conner, and I went to the rodeo.

Saturday morning we got up early and was at the Twin Falls temple by 8:30. It was the last day for the Twin Falls open house. We had tickets for later in the day but decided to try to go before the big rush. We were glad we did. We timed it just right. Our tour was fantastic. I swear my children don't realized how fortunate they are. I look back and I was able to attend two temple open houses growing up. This was also my children's second temple open house. However, Sam has been three other times to be sealed and to witness the sealing of his siblings to Bryon and I. I have been so glad for these open houses so that we can rediscuss some of the things that happened the day we were sealed as a family as well as discuss the special feelings that we feel there. The Twin Falls temple is very beautiful. It reminds me quite a bit of the Rexburg temple. Saturday afternoon, Bryon was able to find a ride and meet me in Burley. Saturday night we went up to the fair, yet again, to look at the exhibits.

Sunday we went to church with my parents, had a delicious dinner and then headed home. My parents have a beautiful yard. One of my favorite things to do while in Burley is to sit on their patio and enjoy their yard. While I was home, we ate almost every meal outside so it was very nice to be able to enjoy their yard.

Thanks mom and dad for such an enjoyable weekend!