10 years

My beautiful Marin is 10 years old.  I can remember the day so clearly that we brought her home.  Lots of tears, hugs and mixed emotions on that day.  I was so excited to get her home that I put her in the car seat the wrong way.  Off to a great start as a new mom.  She and I have become so close these last few months and I am so grateful to have her in my life.  She really wanted to have a friend birthday party again, against my better judgement.  She loves her friends and was really looking forward to it.  There were a few hitches in the night but I reminded Marin that too many personalities in one room can sometimes be hard. Dad showed up with a turtle and she promptly named it Dribble.  I don't mind the turtle, it is quiet and can't run away from you unlike the blasted dog! Next year Marin has decided she will invite a few friends to do something a little more special for her birthday.

For Jo

Moving is the worst.  I think it's even worse when you actually move to the house next door.  800 trips back and forth.  We are moved in and happy to be here!! I don't have any decor out yet, so it looks pretty bare.  See if you can find Greyson hiding in one of the pictures. Hehehehehe

sunshine and a rainbow lake

Me and my camera do not have a good relationship.  We probably went to Rainbow lake to swim and fish 800 times this summer and I had so much crap to take with us, sadly the camera stayed home alone.   But each time was uniquely exciting.  Greyson discovered he can tread water in his life jacket.  Flash loves to jump in and swim, get out and shake off then jump in again.  Ashton realized a "waterproof watch" does not mean it can float.  Marin can still move like a mermaid in the water.  Mesa shared in some rare fish tales.  Aaron caught a few tiger muskies.  I actually got a tan line on my feet from the sun this year, it was a hot summer.  And not having air conditioning was a little annoying.  On many occasions my children witnessed mom opening the freezer and inserting my head!!  The kids made a diving board out of a plank of wood and some heavy rocks.  I was sick of hot dogs by the second week of June so we became more creative with our meals this summer.  We love Rainbow Lake and we will be sad when we have to leave it behind!

Girls only on the lake!!

My wonderfully busy sister invited me to come to Williams Lake with her and the kids.  I don't think I have been to Salmon in 13 years. What the @#$%???  So, I was excited for a little adventure.  Aaron had the boys so it was just us girls, a lake, a cabin and a boat.  We had a great time.  The weather was so nice and Mesa really liked the boat.  She didn't mind the breeze in her face or the sun.  Marin was brave and tried everything and I (against the nagging voice in my head) decided to try wake boarding after about 6 years.  Well, the song "the old gray mare ain't what she used to be" kept playing over and over in my head.  I about had a heart attack getting in the water the first time. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.  I squeezed my rear into a wet suit and honestly couldn't breathe it was so tight.  But I got up and wake boarded like a frightened deer in the headlights. Poor Brock needed some manly support.  He was severely outnumbered.   Deanna is a great speed boat driver!  Good memories!!

Worth a shot

I get really motivated to do something that I know in the back of my head will probably be a disaster.  But I ignore the little voice.  This was one of those times.  We packed up the truck with bikes and the bike trailer, drove for just a little bit and attempted to create a memory.  Marin's bike tire was flat by the time we got to our destination and Mesa was already a little annoyed.  Greyson bike helmet didn't fit and Ashton's chain keeps falling off.  SUPER!  I asked Aaron to find a flat stretch of road, but obviously we have different ideas about that.  Greyson squished in the trailer with Mesa and she hates being crowded.   Marin got on Ashton's bike and Ashton rode on the little contraption that can be hooked to mine.  Aaron has a nice road bike and my ancient mountain bike has one gear...horrible.  It felt like I rode for 5 minutes and I was done.  Going back downhill was great.  And now I can't download the picture, typical.

Review cont.

Mesa loved school this year.  I only made one trip to the school rather than several like the year before.  She had given herself a bloody nose and was a little too upset.  She came home at least once a week with a sweet note or a picture in her bag from someone in her class.  One girl even came up and gave Mesa a hug and kiss when she saw her at the store.  She absolutely loved her aide this year, Mrs. Stoddard.  She threw a fit one day when her aide wasn't there and she had a substitute.  Mesa has always been able to sense true compassion and kindness.  And I am so happy that Mrs. Stoddard is going to be the librarian at the new special needs school and Mesa will still get to see her.  Mesa has almost outgrown the bath tub because of her long legs.  She has been horseback riding this summer and loves it but comes home quite tired and sore.  I am so excited for the new school being built for all the special needs kids.  They will be getting new equipment and even a swing that will suit Mesa.  She loves when Aaron and I lay in bed with her and cuddle.  She is a wonderful blessing to our family.

 Last but not least, Greyson.  Describing him is difficult.  He is a tazmanian whirlwind of energy, spunk and curiosity.  He actually asked me today how to spell Teradactyl and I don't think that's how you spell it.  He is funny, defiant at times, very smart and has an amazing vocabulary.  He already has great interest in achieving things and wants to be involved in everything.  He wasn't a big fan of preschool this year, I think he just went for the toys.  He still has another 2 years at home before starting kindergarten and I better find something challenging for him to do.  He loves going to gymnastics and has been putting on his soccer cleats and shin guards to run around outside.  He absolutely will not pee outside. Weird!  He hates doing chores so it has become a powerful incentive to behave.  But he is dang adorable and I love his big, brown eyes.

A year in review

Marin was in third grade this year and in a new school.  It was her first year at Lincoln and I think she was a little nervous.  Her teacher told me that she is really quiet in class and very polite and kind.  Marins loves being creative.  Right now she is making bookmarks in the shapes of animals.  She made a piggy bank out of a liter bottle a few weeks ago.  If she has a few minutes of spare time, she is either reading or drawing.  I was so excited when she agreed to take violin lessons. She has even given a verbal mmmmmmkay to taking singing lessons. I am really excited for that!  She can sing well, but hates when people are looking at her.  This summer she is going to Alpine, Wyoming for a girls camp and taking a horseback riding course.  She was a trouper and tried out softball this year.  I think she played for social reasons only.    Aaron coached the team and it was quite the experience.  We are amazed constantly by her creativity and she is so excited that we have been approved to be a foster family and has high hopes that she there will be another little girl in the house.  She was asked to be the hare in the Aesop's Fables and loved hop, hop, hoping around for her part.

    

Ashton was in first grade this year, in the same class as Mesa.  He enjoyed school more than last year.  I came to volunteer once a week in his classroom.  Aaron and I took turns running pacers with him, he was proud of himself for reaching his goal of 50 miles.  He has loved making new friends.  He is reading very well and he is my biggest helper around the house.  We have read all the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books, although I do not like how lazy the kid in the book is.    I have realized that Ashton gets embarassed by things I was not aware of, like when I talk about him in front of other people.  He has actually taken me aside and told me not to do that! Ashton did really well in baseball this year and it was exciting to watch him play.  He had 4 premolars pulled last week and after coming home with 4 teeth for the tooth fairy, he realized one of his baby teeth was loose and pulled it out.  I don't know any kid who has lost 5 teeth in one day.  He went through a whole bottle of Tylenol with codeine because of the pain.  He still likes to be tucked in at night and uses a head lamp to read books in bed so he doesn't wake "the monster."  He is growing up way too fast.  Ashton has asked for a pocket knife because now he is big enough to have one and he also wants a suit for church!