Random Catchup Fun!

Meet Johnny Jumper - my friend!

(I really tried to post a cute video of him jumping in it but it keeps failing for some reason and I'm out of time so hopefully I'll try again later and it will work)

I can't believe James is 8 mths old already! Time just seems to be flying by before we know it he'll be going off on a mission! But till then we're trying to enjoy every second of this little guy's smiles and gentle spirit he brings to our home! A lady at church said to us today how cute he was and that every time you look at him he just smiles right back at you - every time! He really does and it brings such a happiness and calmness to our family and home - we love this little but chunky guy so much! I weighed him the other day and my scale showed him at 20lbs already, I thought to myself that can't be right but I wouldn't doubt it one bit he is HEAVY and already starting to grow out of his 6-9 mth clothes, soon I'll have to put him into 12 mth clothes but hopefully not too soon :( I always get sad anytime he grow's out of certain sizes of clothes and diaper's it's a reminder of how big he's getting and just makes me sad :( But he's healthy and happy so that's really all that truly matters!

Fishing the Fall Festival way!

Last month Brooklynn's new school throw's a Fall Festival every year and it's there biggest fundraiser for the year! There's indoor games in the classrooms, bouncy houses and slides, obstacle courses and tons of outside games, bake sale, auction, food, cotton candy, popcorn and lots of people! The kids loved it and had a blast! Grandma and Grandpa Hirschi came by to check it out for a little bit w/us to! It was a big success and a good way for me to get some much needed hours of my time and service to the school as well! Here's a few fun photos of that night!

Brooklynn w/her friend Ashley!

Sweet - you mean I get to have ALL of this!?!

Which it was way too funny - Spencer LOVES his candy so I thought he'd eat all of that for sure! Oh no one or two bites later, yuck I don't like this - say what?!? Spencer not like sugar!!! I think it was the texture, no complaint's from mom and dad that's for sure :)

While I was away this month on my Arizona trip dad was in charge so that is why you see two cats in the house and on the couch -- I guess when mom is away the mice will play! But of course the kids loved it! They were cat sitting for Chuck & Ginger that's where the kitten is from. We are pretty sure it's Jessie's kitten. Jessie went missing this past summer in Bear Lake for 2 mths, then when he suddenly reappeared to our yard he came from the field behind our house there. The next weekend we were there when Brian was on the four wheeler w/the kids he found this kitten in the field all alone. There was a black cat we always saw around in the field as well all summer so here's our theory! Jessie and this black cat got married ;) had babies and of course he couldn't just up and leave her while she was pregnant and then had his babies - so after a few wks of helping her and taking care of the kittens he said ok I've done my job, got to get back to my family before they move back to Logan, which we had by that time but still came on weekends! So crazy how the timing happened! So here's a kitten that looks exactly like Jessie and so of course Brian wanted to keep it - but there was no way I was giving in this time, NO WAY! So Chuck and Ginger took it and their kids love it! So we still get to see it but don't have to own it :) Mom is HAPPY!

And Abby had a little playmate for a bit to!

Waiting for the parade in Bear Lake to begin!

One of my favorite shot's of him :)

So fun to see some old and dear friends too!

Bloomington Lake Hike

These pictures are from the second weekend of September! I can't remember what they called it but it was the first year Bear Lake has had it and it was something fun to do in Bear Lake after the last big summer weekend! My friends the Watson Family came and stayed there for a week in a condo so I got to see them a few times! Mama Jan and Deanna came to our house and visited for a bit Labor Day Weekend. And D went w/us on a hike to Bloomington Lake w/Randi's Family! That was a lot of fun! Then the next weekend  I got to see the rest of the Watson clan, papa Joe, Shauna and Tim and their cute kids! Good times and good memories - I don't get to see them too much so it was really good to see them all in our neck of the woods :)

Arizona Memories...

This year General Conference was quite different then I'm used to - usually we spend it at the hideout w/Brian's family in St. Charles or here at home and sometimes w/my family from Washington! But this year I had the opportunity to spend it in AZ w/all the Hirschi women - aunt's, cousins, sister's, mom's, sis-in-laws and NO kids! Well other then the 3 nursing babes of course but they were so good the whole time it felt like it was still 'just the girls'! It was James' first airplane ride and my first time in Arizona, well more then just the airport anyway! Made so many fun memories and got to meet and get to know people in Brian's family I've never met or seen much! Some came all the way from Canada, Colorado & Oregon! We had a lot of funny stories to tell, yummy food, swimming at Krista's pool, fleet markets, more food, General Conference in between everything else and getting to see Aunt Colleen's new house and witness her pure gratitude and happiness to finally have a place close to her kids! Such a beautiful moment :) Some of the hubby's came but stayed w/Grant at their new place and only crashed at Angela's house on Sunday evening but fun to have them there! Then at the end of the trip Brian's cousin Laura decided to shave her head!! Some thought she was crazy and some scared for her but she is so adventurous and has always wanted to and thought it would be cool to do it in the midst of all her family! So she did it and it was definitely great entertainment and will always be remembered! Fun times!! Oh ya and I think I offered my home for the next one since everyone decided they want to make this a tradition every couple years! Sorry babe but it looks like it's happening - It will be lot's of fun though and I love hosting things and having a house full - that's what homes are for to be filled w/good people, good food and good times! Thanks to Angela for hosting it this year and I can't wait till we do it again - at my place :)

My first airplane ride - I was a really GOOD boy!

This is how we were every 4 hrs - glad we were all on the same schedule!

The girls that made it from Brian's immediate family

Swimming at Krista's pool - so nice to cool off in the AZ heat!

Swimming w/papa Hirschi!

Aunt Susan feeding me my first waffle!

YUM YUM...

Widmer girls making the most delicious waffles and cinnamon sugar syrup ever!

Laura - before...

Me getting to do my honor's...

Laura - after... She's w/her cousin Tiffany who's had her's done for a few yrs now!

Just us and all our craziness!

Group Hug!!

Love this one, James and Zaxton wrestling!

Me and my little buddy :)

Father Son Campout

By the looks of his face he is a happy kid!

Last month Brian had the opportunity to take Spencer to the father son camp out for our ward up at Green Canyon! It was Spencer's first time w/his daddy as a BIG boy and many more times to come I'm sure! Brian was so excited and really wanted to take James w/him too but mama had to put the knix on that one since he's just a baby and still 'relies' on his mommy for food!! But maybe next year we'll see! Thinking 3 is the right age for that stuff though, sorry babe! Who know's he'll probably beg and I'll probably give in -- only time will tell! Anyone else have suggestions on what age dad's should start taking their boy's to these things, do you think I'm crazy to want to wait till 3?!?!

Well anyway they had a dinner, went on a hike, played in the fire (which now that's all Spencer wants to do is put sticks in the fire and play in it whenever we have one) then they got up early had break feast and was suppose to go fishing but the lake/pond was gone when they got there, so weird -- I think they were fixing it or something but Brian was bummed so they got home at 9am, so early I thought I'd at least have until noon but no dice the boys were back! Brooklynn was at her dad's that weekend so it was just me and the babe, but once he was in bed for the night I just watched some of my show's and had a fun little surprise from my great friend Becky who was helping me stay away from my evil cookie dough craving - Thanks friend, I think I must be honest though I did it - yup I'm coming clean I tried the drink you told me to do and I ruined it w/too much lemon or something so I said screw it I'm making cookie dough! I can't believe I am doing this - but hey we all fall every so often, right?!?! I've been wanting to tell you for so long so well here it is :) Just so we're all clear I am trying to lose weight so we are partner's in crime and she was helping me be strong which worked for a while but not the entire night! Please forgive me!!

Yup a VERY happy kid!!

And there he is learning how to play w/a stick in the fire!

Finding new buddies on the hike!

And here's the empty pond/lake whatever it is!!!

Preschool Begins!

On the way home from his first day of school - all smiles!

Wow Spencer is in Preschool, what an adventure this has been for him! We've been having a bit of a roller coaster ride w/this boy! I am hoping it is just and 'age' thing and will get better w/time - which I'm sure it is. I know he LOVES going to school because he always comes home happy and excited but some mornings are really rough for this little guy when it's time to leave the house or go into the school. He seems to have the worst time if daddy takes him cause oh boy he doesn't want to leave his daddy or the big truck of course! Also we carpool w/my neighbor and we've had some days where he has a hard time leaving and getting in her car - it's just a big transition for this little guy going from being at home all the time w/mommy to leaving twice a week to a different place that his parent's aren't at I guess! I'm hoping next year we don't have as many or any meltdowns like we do right now! Plus I know it's still the beginning of the school year and I'm sure it will get easier and more familiar for him as it goes! He started in September so not even a month ago yet so there is hope I know!

He get's to do tumbling on Tuesday's and Swimming on Thursday's at the end of the time he's there so I like that a lot where he's getting some extra curricular activities done and getting his energy out! He always comes home tired and ready for a nap which makes for a happy mom :) He also comes home singing the alphabet song and telling me all about the letter's he's learning, it's so cute! I know he's loving it it's just getting him out the door sometimes! We are so excited for this new adventure in his life and hope he develops a love for learning during the process!!

This is our carpool buddy, Bronson!

His first day picture!

Back to School...

Talking to her dad on the way to her first day!

When we got back from our Washington trip Brooklynn started school that next morning at her new school. We decided to try out Thomas Edison Charter School for a couple years and see how it goes for Brooklynn! So far she loves it! She is in the fourth grade now - just unbelievable to me that she's so close to middle school already just makes me so nervous! This school also doesn't have bus systems so we carpool w/some neighbors which works out great! She loves that b/c she hated riding the bus!

I've really started seeing a change in her this school year, don't know if it's the school, the grade change, her getting older or not having the negative attitude b/c of the bus but whatever it is we are loving it! She helps out a lot more at home (which is partly my fault that she didn't before I needed to be better at teaching her) but I am now and it is working out great! She helps out w/her brothers a lot, not always w/a willing or nice attitude but more so now then before! Homework was a big challenge in August and into September but it is slowly getting a lot better and she is learning the new phonics system this school uses that she has never used before slowly but surely! We just had her conference w/the teacher and it was very positive and uplifting! Her teacher seems very nice and Brooklynn likes her a lot! As she sais it's her 2nd favorite teacher - I really don't think any teacher will beat out her 2nd grade teacher Mr. Bushman she adored him and he was really good w/her! But she seems to be coming in a close 2nd place ;-) She's getting A's in History, Homework, Reading (not surprised), Science and Writing! B's in Spelling and Grammer and her Math and Phonics are her downfalls but the teacher wasn't worried too much especially since she is learning at 5th grade level so she really skipped a grade, even though she's in 4th grade at this school they learn a grade level higher than normal so I know she'll catch on to the Math and Phonics it's just going to take some time! Poor girl she got her Math skills from her mama (I was really bad at it) but we'll get her there! Also socially she is doing great her teacher said which is a big improvement from Greenville last year so that is so good to hear as well! We are so proud of her and the strides she is making, I can't believe she'll be 10 (double digits) in just 3 short months :( My baby is growing way too fast! But that's how life goes and we just move along w/it :) 

Summer Fun in Washington!

I know my posts are all backwards and not even close to being in order but bare w/me, I'm lucky to even get them posted at this point :) So for a month in July & August I got the opportunity to go home to Yakima w/all the kids and spend time w/the cousins and my siblings and parents! My favorite part is that my kids built so many memories w/their cousins that they don't get to see very much, growing up I was around mine ALL the time so it makes me sad they don't get that much time w/my side of the cousins but spending a month w/them will definitely make up for a lot of lost time, I'm hoping maybe we can do it more often in the summer's - the kids LOVED it! Now having 11 kids and 8 adults in the house for that long does get stressful at times but soooo worth it! Thanks to my parents and siblings for letting us crash there and kinda make your life a little different for a bit and giving up your rooms for us - we are so grateful and love you tons :)

We did a number of things while there and just to name a few - swimming, playing in the sand, biking, bounce house, going to the park, church activities, BBQ's, Birthday's, day trip to Tacoma to see Great Grandma & Grandpa Penning (my grandparents), Library, playing outside, playing games, shopping, eating, cooking and the list can go on and on -- Thanks to dad and the fam that lives w/him for working long hours and really hard at doing all the Landscaping in his yard and getting the pool set and up and ready, he really wanted it done so his grand kids could enjoy it this summer and they got it done and it was GREAT!

Aunt Rachel and Silly Spencer

Horsing around w/cousin Danny!

They all had a blast in that pool!

Papa w/the grand kids!

Sisterly love...

Juan Pablo and Spencer

Our beautiful kids!

She loves this boy to death!

Brian was not there until the very end of our stay and we all missed him so much! But he had to keep the business going which he is so good at, we love him for being such a great dad, husband and provider! It was the longest time we've all been apart from each other, it was 3 wks apart then he came out for the last week of our stay and joined us in Oregon for the coast and then we went back to Yakima for a few days so Brian could visit there and see all the fun changes at my parents' house and help dad w/the deck! Thanks B for being so understanding and willing to be apart from us for so long so that our children could build such great memories to always remember :)

Sorry for the picture overload but there's so many fun pics I just have to share them :)

I got to be there for Lindsey's 26th Birthday!

We headed to Tacoma for the day to visit our grandparents and celebrate all the July Birthday's!

Mine, Grandma, Lindsey & Danny all had July Birthdays!

Our little tree climber...

Danny's been waiting for this bow for a LONG time so he was very excited to get it!

My special grandparents but we're missing our Brian in this pic :(

My bestest childhood friend - we had our babies just a week apart!

The hand holding was just the sweetest thing ever!!

Spencer was so stinkin cute w/his papa and wanted to be just like him!

What a memory they'll all remember :)

The kids used their imagination and were building forts out of the deck supply grandpa had...

Naturally Nicki was the cheerleader on the side, love that girl!

Poor Brooklynn stepped on a nail so that ended the fort making!

Spencer and Chase

We went to the Cemetery to visit my grandma and grandpa!

ALL the cousins together - so fun!

Found this shirt at the Yakima Walmart and just had to get it!

My dear friend from back in the day - Rest in peace Darren, I was so glad to of found you!

We caught dad slacking on the job ;) he works so hard, gotta love him!

James first time in a pool - daddy got to do the honors!

He was so relaxed in this thing - he loved it :)

Well that's it - I've probably lost most of you half way through this but that's okay! It's documented and that's all I wanted. Here's to many more summer memories in Washington and hoping I get to do it again sometime - it was the GREATEST!!!