My World

Hayden's First Day of School

So we didn't close on our house until the same day as Hayden's first day of school. These pictures were taken at my good friends house who let us stay with her until we closed and could move. We ended up staying there 3 nights.

So with a heavy heart I got up and got Hayden ready for his first day of school. He was so excited after seeing everything in the open house the day before.

He didn't even notice our mixed emotions as we are sending our baby of to the big world. He was ready to go. My heart was pounding and I was a little nervous but that was about it until we got to the school.

Then the glossy eyes began and Travis repeats over and over again "Wow this is hard" and all I can bring myself to say is "Yeah."

We watch him show us how strong he then his teacher comes to have them all line up and we just stand there. Shouldn't we stop this crazy lady from taking our child, WHAT ARE WE DOING JUST STANDING HERE? I'll tell what we are doing.... starting to let go. He was all smiles waving good bye on his way through the door and we mimicked him and smiled and waved back. The drive to the closing was silent as we tried to get our emotions in check. Finally time comes to pick him up and he runs and gives us the biggest hug ever and tells how it was the best day ever and he loves school. Ok so maybe we did make the right choice after all. We sure love you Hayden.

Windsor Fair

Here we are again our annual trip to our favorite fair. Not too crowded, although there was a little more people this year than normal, maybe the secret it out. Just enough entertainment for everyone. The tilt a whirl is one of my and the boys favorite rides. I shift my weight just right and get us spinning so fast our heads are glued to the back and they love every second and to be honest so do.

This year they had bracelets so the kids go to ride whatever they wanted as much as they wanted. It was so nice to just be able to say yes of course you can ride that, and that, and that .....

Can't skip the classics. The kids love all the rides they take after me in this.

This is also a favorite we do again and again every year.

If I remember correctly Hayden won this race. Quite pleased with himself.

Hayden is getting so much better at trying new things. Food and petting animals. He didn't like it but at least he tried.

Coy as always loves touching and petting everything he can get his hands on. It was so nice this year. The boys just stayed near. They know better, the only one we had to worry about running away was Grady and he is so attached he usually doesn't go far.

Grady loved these ducks. My parents got such a kick out of him this year. He is at that perfect age for the fair where he is finally old enough to notice, but it's all still new.

I hope we can go here every year for a long time. It's a tradition we will remember always.

Coy's 4th Birthday

Coy's Birthday was a hit. It always is. August is the best time for a birthday. Everyone is done with their vacations and getting ready for school, but it's too early for holiday crazy. Lucky kid had a really big show.

Our old branch was dissolved so we started going to a new ward, so we had friends to invite from the old and new wards. It was so much fun and we want to first of all say a big thank you to every one who was ably to come and celebrate with us.

First I tried my hand at a home made pinata, since the only pinatas I could find were a lot of money. Of course after the fact I was informed of some cheap ones. Oh well I learned a lot and will actually do it again and better next time. Can't get any cheaper than free news paper a couple cups of water a balloon and water.

Travis thought I made it too thick but one good whack from this kid and we had to tell him to back off so the other kids would get a chance. He was pretty pleased with himself as he should be.

Coy was so excited to have a pinata, I have a feeling it will be an ongoing thing for every party now. Hayden's too. Birthday are my thing, I love doing them for the kids.

Hayden taking a good couple whacks at it, ugly I know but functional.

I also made this pin the bat on the Batman. Not bad considering it was free hand and I am no where near an artist. My motto is if the birthday boys is happy I'm happy. And you can bet Coy was happy.

I found a cake pan that can do Batman and Superman, which I as very excited about. You can expect to see a Superman down the road in this exact same pose. This cake was particularly fun because I got to make it with my girlfriend Amy. I showed her the very few things I know how to do with cakes. Now we both want to take a decorating class. We will see.

Coy wanted another good look at his cake before he blew out the candle and we cut into it. He was so excited about his Batman party.

Lighting the one candle I could find. I forgot all about them and had either packed or lost our candles in the midst of the move. He didn't care that their was only one, such a good boy.

I'm not surprised with all his hot wind that blowing out one candles was no problem.

I can't believe he is four all my guys are getting so big. When Coy's birthday hits it feels like the beginning of a roller coaster of birthdays and holidays. Get ready for school, Halloween, my birthday, Thanksgiving, Hayden's Birthday, and Christmas, take a breath, Grady's Birthday. I know I know we all have the same scenario don't we.

Coy's one and only gift from us, aside from the party which I consider a big gift in and of itself. He loves it, it's Mario Party 8.

Coy also got a new V-smile game and some great Batman pajamas which I think were the hit of the night. They came with a cape and every thing. He loves them.

He got a ton of stuff what a great birthday for a great boy. He is really starting to understand the importance of obedience and has always been snugly and loving. Life just wouldn't be the same without Coy. We love you buddy. Happy Birthday.

Kite Flying

We got a phone call from a friend who has tons of fresh green beans and can't possibly pick them all, and wanted to know if I wanted some. Hmmm let me think fresh, yummy, and free vegetable? Count me in. So off we went and filled two buckets.

The kids helped and it turned out to be a good time despite the crazy amount of mosquito's. As I was looking around admiring her beautiful lot of land I dawned on me that there was a perfect kite wind and no power lines.

It also occurred to me that I had a kite in my van. So we seized the opportunity and spent the next hour or more flying a kite.

Grady got such a kick out of the whole thing. Squealing with delight as he now sees Dora in the sky. Eventually he got bored with just watching and had to give it a try.

Coy eventually got bored of the kite and took out my phone to take some of his own pictures and actually got a pretty good one of the kite.

Hayden and Coy are pro kite flyer's trying, and sometimes successfully, to make it dip and scoop. Running a little or pulling the string when the wind lets down. We all had such a great time. What an unexpected treat.

Nap Time?

Sometimes I wait just a little too long.

Girls Camp

This year I was able to attend Girls Camp for out Church. It was so much fun and inspiring. I have never felt the spirit for such a long consistent time. It gave me a whole new perspective on what it means when the Prophet says we can have the spirit of the Lord with us always. The girls were great and a big thank you to the number of people who helped me with my kids so I could attend. Experiences like this only solidify my testimony in the gospel. It can't be wrong when it makes me feel this way.