First Day of School 2010

School is here! School is here! School is here! Should I shout that one more time?

Not too sure who was excited more this year, Aleana, Trent or ME. This summer has been long. Of course it was busy enough - which made it impossible to establish a good routine. And I have to say that is what I really miss - a good routine...you know, one with normal lunchtimes, nap-times, chores, dinner, and the ever-very-important bedtimes. Sigh.

Then, the kids go to school. And it seems that I miss them more than any routine. That's motherhood - seems like I would get used to it, but I don't.

Back in Kindergarten, we'd ask Trent to set out his clothes for school. He did it his own way. Now he's in the second grade and is still using the same method. His clothes have to be lined up in order, and he puts them on in that order too. The things this boy comes up with. Of course, Aleana was super excited to go to the 5th grade that she took a page from Trent's "set-out" method and followed suit.

Ahhh - the classic pose in front of the door. They have to stop this, this growing and getting older thing. Not only does it remind me that I too am growing older, but it makes me have a twinge of guilt for wishing the summer would just end. Now.

I changed my mind. Can I have my summer back? At least for another week, or until I recover from my "school" amnesia and remember why I thought this school thing was a great idea?

Circus

Family Circus has it right. Really. This summer has proved that to me time and time again. This Giles clan is all about being a circus. My kids have too much energy. Why, oh why can't they share some with me? Is that too much to ask?!?

Thank goodness we have a backyard.

And a back door that I can close.

And things for them to climb on.

And for the fact that there were no major broken bones, cuts that required stitches, or heads that needed to be MEDICALLY (key word) examined.

And to truly be a circus, every family needs:

A Monkey...

A dog that can do tricks...

Side Show pets...

Human Tricks - aka "Human Bowling" (at least that what slip-n-slide means to Trent)

And of course, one cannot forget about the CLOWNS - at least these particular ones don't scare me (although they may scare the waitress that has to serve our family at a restaurant, or the babysitter - but that's another story...)

I Love my Circus. I love the summer. And I love the fall.

Family Fair

Mindy (Tracy's sister) and Vance with their girls were able to swing by and visit on their way back from Yellowstone. It was really nice to have them come, and we tried our hardest to sell the idea of why moving to Boise would be perfect them (not like we had to work that hard - Boise speaks for itself). While they were here, we went to the fair. It was really nice, and something I think our little family will make a tradition out of and go every year. We spent about 8 hours there looking at all the animals and exhibits, not to mention enjoying the fair food. You'd be surprised what they manage to put on a stick. We didn't even take them to the rides until the very end - and they were allowed to pick only 2 rides (great motivator for good behavior I might add). We probably would have stayed longer, but Hannah developed a fever of 103. Other than that, it was an awesome day (so awesome that we didn't remember to take a lot of pictures).

They loved the baby goats. They even named them. Don't ask what they names were, I can't remember.

Taking a water break: The kids with their cousins, Whitney and Kelsey. Poor Hannah and her flushed fever cheeks.

Thanks Miller family!

Through Aleana's Eyes - Dog Days of Summer

Two Christmas' ago, we got Aleana a camera (nikon cool pix s210). I have to say, it has been a great purchase, especially this summer. Aleana gets bored. Let's face it. Two kids who still nap, another who needs some sort of quiet time, and a nursing baby means that the afternoons in our home are quiet, and well, boring. So when Aleana had her fill on reading, I would encourage her to take her camera outside and try to take some pictures. I have to say, I am impressed. She does a great job. All of these pictures are untouched. No photoshop/editing was done. She has learned to use all the different little functions on the camera. Smart kid. Good photographer.

In this segment, it's all about the dog. Guess that's what happens when Sasha is the only other animal in the backyard. She makes a good subject :)

Aleana's Eyes - Nature

Nature segment. I love seeing things through her eyes. Even the smallest weeds all of the sudden look beautiful. Again, all this "nature" was found in our backyard.

Aleana's Eyes - through the aquarium...

In this segment: Our aquarium. One of her fish (she named it, but I can't remember), and her frog (again - there's a name, just not sure what it is)

Ol' Silver City

Tracy had to be at some sort of cattleman's meeting in Silver City, ID (not to be confused with Silver City, NM - which we have also been). So we tagged along. The weather was great and so was the drive. We got to see a lot of gorgeous scenery which made me fall even more in love with Idaho. The only way to get to this historical town (which is only open to the public from April to October) is by dirt road/4-wheel drive. He was able to take a nice big truck (Ford F350) that fit all of us. Tracy loved the off-road drive, and Hannah kept asking for more bumps, as I tried not to cry when we rounded the curves on the side of a cliff on a one-lane dirt "road".

All the buildings looked like this. Since this town is classifed as "historical", no changes can be made to the buildings without permission from the BLM. No buildings can be added. These homes that are standing have been passed down though the families for generations. It's really cool to look at what it was like to live 100 years ago.

This is just outside the little restaurant that serves pie. Neat little place. Of course, no indoor plumbing.

Love this pic.

The kids played in the creek while Tracy was in the meeting. What I really liked was the humming birds. They were everywhere, and they weren't shy. As the kids were getting muddy, one little humming bird must have thought I was interesting. It kept buzzing right up to my face and just looking at me, and not for just a split second either. It would just hover there. I have never had that happen before. Aleana was jealous. I wish I had a camera at that moment - but this picture that I got later will have to do.

Random

Random pictures that I love.

Licking the brownie spatula. Not sure if she was so happy because it was her turn, or because her getting a turn made Trent mad.

If there was sound to this picture, you would hear her snoring.

Making homemade ice cream - Thanks Grandma Giles!

Just a great picture. Love the dimples, love the baby, and love the man holding the baby.

Hannah and Grandpa Giles

Reading a dictionary, and enjoying it. Weird kid. :)

Luke 4 months

4 months old and still growing. He's a big boy, and doesn't show any signs of slowing. He now weighs 19 pounds. No wonder my back hurts.

Bath time. So relaxing.

Still suffers from reflux...but that doesn't stop him from playing.

This is the look I see at least 4 times a day. He knows what's for dinner. :)

Joining in the celebration at Aleana's b-day. Just shy of turning 4 months.

Love pictures like this.

Time for solids. Rice cereal. Yummo.