Pumpkin Patch - Preschool Trip

(Oct 2011) - For the first preschool field trip of the year, we went to the Quey Pumpkin Patch. The kids loved it. There were bins of grain to dig in, bales of hay to climb, pumpkins to pick out and a corn maze to conquer. It was a kid's paradise...not so good on the allergies though :)

Group pic - Mtn Home Mama Preschool

Luke still has his texture issues...he did NOT enjoy the grain bins. He would get as close to the edge as possible and cry...poor kid.

He did, however, like playing with toys on solid ground. :)

Pumpkin Patch Mug Shot.

Hannah - 1st day of "pretty-school"

(Sept. 2011) I can't believe my sweet little Hannah is big enough for preschool. Kind of makes me sad. She is just too excited and has informed me more than once that it's not "preschool", it's "pretty-school". Silly girl.

This year we are doing a co-op preschool, where us mommies are taking turns being the host/teacher for the kids. I swore I would never do this kind of preschool because I really struggle being "fun" for the preschool age. But it does save me at least $70 a month...so I guess it's worth the pain :)

Cinerella Story..er musical

I was going through my blog and realized that there was a few drafts that I never posted. This is one of them.

At the end of last school year (May 2011) - Aleana had the opportunity to be in her school musical called "Cinderella Story". All the kids worked very hard during recess, lunch breaks and after school to get this production ready. Aleana did such a great job. She played the head coachman/mouse. Definitely a proud mamma moment!

Bottle-be-gone

Another back post...

(Sept 2011) - Luke is officially bottle free! He has been, by far, the easiest to wean. I just let him decide...and he actually decided right! (Tried to let my other kids make up their own mind when they were "ready" to go to the sippy cup, but eventually they needed some "cold turkey encouragment" ).

In memory of you, Mr. Nuk bottle (the only brand Luke would touch), here are a few pics of how much I appreciated you...

Go ahead - try to take it away...I double-dog dare you...guess he wasn't quite ready on this day...haha

Helmet Head

(Aug. 2011) - Luke is obsessed with a helmet. Well he was for about 3 days anyway. He had to have it on, and then take it off, and then make me put it back on...and then make me take it off. And once he gets his mind set on something, it gets challenging to get him to think anything else. It's a good thing he's cute :)

Portraits - Hannah Banana Bear

Mindy at Red Rocks Photography Studios did an amazing job. The entire kids' photo-shoot was taken in either our backyard or in the neighbor's front yard. I can't believe what she was able to do and I can't wait to get these up on our wall. I love my kids!

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Hannah Bear

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Miss Aleana Mae

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Luke Boy

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Trent-ers

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Brotherly Love

We hadn't intended to take pictures of the both of the boys together - this was just kind of impromptu during the transition between their little sessions. I am sure glad Mindy was able to capture it though. It sums up what it means to be brothers/bothers :)

Bloopers

Now what would a kid-picture-taking experience be without bloopers? I am always tempted to buy prints of the crazy shots - they make me smile and the expressions are usually the ones that I am used to seeing plastered on their um sweet (for the lack of a better word) little faces :)

Shoshone Falls

So we decided that the summer road trip just wasn't enough sight seeing. We hit the road again - but this time only to Twin Falls, ID (which is about 1 1/2 hour drive from the house). We were getting a little too antsy and wanted to see some sights that were a little closer to home. Why Twin Falls? Because that is where the Shoshone Falls are located. It is touted as the "Niagara Falls of the West". It certainly didn't disappoint. Although I have never been to the Niagara Falls, so I can't really compare. They were beautiful. As luck would have it, we picked the one day that decided to be a balmy 104 degrees. By the time we made it to the falls - the kids were tired. And hot. And thirsty.

Before seeing the falls - we went swimming at Dierkes Lake, which is part of the Shoshone Falls Park. I was prepared for lake swimming AZ style - so I was pleasantly surprised to see how nice the lake was and the park/beach as well. The kids swam and played in the sand for about three hours - which might have been the reason for them being tired at the falls. Could have planned that one a little better.

Dierkes Lake

It took Luke a little while to get warmed up to the whole swimming and sand thing...but once he caught on, he had a blast. I had a blast watching him discover sand and rocks and how to throw them.

This pic cracks me up...some of the looks he gives us...too funny :)

I really loved how they had a little barrier - and a swim/beach area for the little ones...it made things so much easier. Hannah loved getting sand everywhere and then going in the water to wash it off. Silly kid.

Aleana and Trent having too much fun

Finally got them to come in close enough to get a few pics...of course in-between efforts of them trying to dunk each other...:)

Luke spent at least an hour letting me find rocks for him to throw :)

This kid really loves dirt.

Loves his Daddy's hat.

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Shoshone Falls

Soooo hot...look at all our red faces...

After being in that lake water, that hat has got to stink...

Love the little rainbow

This pic looks so scary to me...like Luke is about to fall out...but he is nice and securely strapped in. Still can't help but cringe every time I look at it though.

We loved Shoshone Falls and have plans to go back next summer...