Our Favorites Weekend

Earlier in the week, I had several friends ask what we were doing for the long weekend. I was feeling a little sorry for myself because other than going to Twin Falls for the day, we hadn't been on ANY trips all summer. So, I decided that we would have a "Favorites Weekend" and do all of our favorite things. We started the "favorites weekend" right after school with making snow cones and then going to the pool. I also thought this might be our hottest day of the weekend and I was right. Dad met us at home with pizza and TWO Friday Night Movies. We watched Hannah Montana's Concert and the new Ariel movie. We love Friday night movies!! Benjamin LOVED the concert as much as Sarah and stood in front of the TV most of the show with his microphone singing with Hannah. Maybe his nickname "Jamin" will payoff someday.

Saturday morning we played prize Disney Bingo and got some really fun prizes. (We learned how to play prize bingo at Nathan's work. Every time you get a Bingo you get to pick a wrapped gift and open it in front of everyone - all the old people ohh and ahh so our kids do that as well.) Then we got ready to go to the movies. We all drove to the Dollar Theater on the other side of town and Sarah and Mom went and saw Kit Kittredge. Sarah and Mom LOVED the movie!!!! Then it was Dad, Andrew and Spencer's turn to see a movie and they saw Kung Fu Panda. They also LOVED the movie and came home to show us their karate moves that they learned. (Poor Benj, got to do errands and take a nap in the car.)
On Sunday, we went to church and then had a little quiet time. We love having friends over for a meal on Sunday, but before we could invite someone over, we were invited over to some friends house for dinner and to celebrate their youngest's first birthday. Fun, Fun!!! My friend, Kaye made THE BEST deep dish pizza I've ever had and she so sweetly game me the recipe....so, if anyone is interested...maybe I'll post it...wait...I'll ask Kaye first if it's okay. She also let our kids have 3 cupcakes each...yes, she is a favorite for them and me since she shared her recipe.
Monday consisted of several favorites for everyone. Nathan loves to work in our garden and our yard, so he did a little work in both. I love to bake so I made whole wheat bread and chicken noodle soup (it was a total soup day as it was cool and breezy - perfect September weather). The kids played with each other, went on a hike with Nathan and then we all went to the zoo.






It was a very busy weekend full of our very favorite things, but our very favorite part was being together!!!!

Bounteous Harvest

Nathan, Spencer and Benjamin went over to the garden and came home with this...

It just amazes me that you can put very small plants and seeds into the ground and then have so many delicious vegetables and beautiful flowers be the product. I have loved having a garden this summer!! I am so grateful that our prophet has counseled us to have a garden as I not only see the benefits on our kitchen table, but I can feel the benefits to our family when we have spent time and worked together. I am grateful that we have been able to get to know the Whitings better and hope to be more like them - they are extremely generous and kind to our whole family!!
We are truly blessed!!

First Day of School

Today was the first day of school for Sarah and Andrew. They were VERY excited and are thrilled with the teachers they got. They were especially excited as their friend Anne won a limosine ride for the first day of school. They picked up Sarah and Andrew a little after 7am this morning and drove around the neighborhood picking up other friends. They got to the school around 7:45 so we could take our traditional picture by the Hidden Springs Charter School rock and get to the playground before the bell rang. It was super fun of Anne to include Sarah and Andrew and I'm not sure how any year after this will compare. (Thanks to the limo driver for letting our cousins go for a little ride as well!!)

Maybe some of you are wondering how Spencer and Benjamin did on the first day of school...well, we went to the pool with friends in the morning and had a great time. Then came home, had lunch and then they both took a nap so their mom could blog - YEAH!!!!! I think we were all ready for school to start again!!

Last day of Summer Fun!!

I know it's not the last day of summer, but since it was our last day before school starting to have some fun we decided to head to the Whitings and swim. Our friends, Dawna, Joe and baby Owen came too and we all had SO much fun!! It was a great way to end our summer!!
If you can't tell from the pictures, baby Owen is absolutely darling and our kids are pretty smitten with him!! Thanks so much Dawna for taking pictures of our cute kids!
A few side notes: When Nathan did the cartwheel off the diving board, Benjamin laughed and laughed - he thought his daddy was really funny! Spencer is REALLY swimming now and we are all so excited for him! Way to go - Spencer!

Sarah's Theme

Today was our last day to have Anne and Natalie so Sarah decided that she would do the "theme" for our day. We did have our final swim lesson this morning and then a fun pool party to follow. After getting home from swimming Sarah told all the kids that they would be pretending to be pirates today and had them find a hidden treasure map that she had made the day before. They followed the treasure map and found a treasure. (She rode her bike to the merc yesterday and bought some candy and gum for the treasure.) Then they watched the movie Peter Pan II and ate their candy. After the movie, she brought out some "treasure boxes" that they all decorated with crayons and stickers. She did a great job at putting together a "theme" day and now Andrew wants to do it next.

Neighborhood Visitor II

Last night, I decided to ride my cute bike to the post office to get our mail. On my way home, on the side of the blue house (on the corner of Shafer and Hidden Springs Dr.) right in front of me on the sidewalk was a SKUNK!! I immediately slammed on my brakes and said a prayer that went something like this..."please don't spray me, please don't spray me, please don't spray me!" The skunk looked at me and then went back toward the house toward the bushes. I waited awhile and then continued thinking he would be hiding...but, as I rode by he was waiting by the house watching me and I rode ever SO fast. I am very happy that this story has a happy ending....I didn't get sprayed!!!!! (This is not the actual skunk. I didn't have a camera on me, nor do I think I would have taken the time to take a picture.)

Spencer's Fourth Birthday!!

Sunday was Spencer's 4th birthday!!! We celebrated with opening presents and eating a lot of yummy cake and food! He had a Little Pet Shop party on Monday afternoon with his many cute friends. Nathan did all the games - which everyone enjoyed! Spencer got so many fun presents and I think he had a great birthday!! All the celebrating really wore him out as half hour before the party...Spencer decided that he needed a short power nap (thus, the cute picture of him asleep on his bed) I can't believe how grown up Spencer seems now that he is 4!!