Mountain Home cabin weekend

Last Thanksgiving, my parents rented a lake cabin for our family to celebrate Thanksgiving. However, due to an ice storm and three babies being born we just now got around to actually using it. It was worth the wait! The cabin was HUGE! It had 6 bedrooms, one for each family and then one big one with 6 twin beds for the kids. There were two kitchens and two large family rooms along with a beautiful back deck and a view of the lake. So peaceful! We all met up there (even Lyle got to go!) Friday afternoon and stayed until Sunday afternoon. We had tons of food and a chili cookoff! Dad rented two fishing boats. Here are some random pics of that fun weekend.

Proud little boy

Luke kept asking me last Friday if I had checked the mail and if I saw a red card in the mail. I had no idea what he was talking about and kept brushing him off. Apparently this is what he was talking about:

Lyle pulled it out of the mailbox Saturday night and put it on the table for Luke to find. I wasn't home when he found it but Lyle said he grinned ear to ear when he saw it. When I walked through the door that night, he came running to me to show it to me. It is a card from his teacher that she sends out when she notices a child being pretty good. She apparently alluded to the fact that someone was going to be getting it in the mail that Friday at school. Luke said he just knew it was going to be him, "especially because she said 'he' was being a very good student." He said that his friend Lily whispered to him that she thought it was going to be him too. He was soooo proud! Made me read it to him about five times! The next morning he walked into the kitchen holding it and said, "Hey Mom, remember when I got this in the mail'" ha! Yes, Luke, I remember and I am so very proud of you!!

Back to School: 3rd grade and Kindergarten

The kids started back to school on August 13th. Going back to school is always a little sad for me. Seeing them enter a new grade reminds me of how fast they are growing up...I mean 3rd grade and Kindergarten! Are you serious??
Ella and Luke were excited to get going again. Getting new uniforms, shoes, back packs, lunchboxes and school supplies (Geez, school is expensive!) always helps ease the pain of summer being over. They woke up bright and early Wednesday morning. Ella said she woke up numerous times that night looking at the clock seeing if it was time to get up:) They jumped up and were ready to go before I even got dressed!! We quickly took our pics outside before we headed out.

These kids are such good friends it amazes me. They truly are best friends.

Oh my sweet Luke! How can you be in Kindergarten already!! He has a great class this year. His teacher, Mrs. Branson, seems very sweet and he has lots of buddies in his class. He is going to have a great year! Lots of sweet Kindergarten memories!

Ella also has a good class. Mrs. Kennedy is hard but sweet. She is really focused on teaching the kids and helping them learn to pay attention to details. This is a big step up for Ella. Lots more homework and responsibility. She loves it! 

Ella and Luke picked out back packs that matched. They always do that kind of stuff. They have matching soccer shoes too.

AB was excited about the first day too can't you tell??

After a good breakfast and some sweet notes from daddy, we headed off! Making the first of many, many trips back and forth to school!! I could make this drive in my sleep!!

First we dropped off Luke in his room. I promise the kids were not as scared to go back as they look in these pics. They look like they both are about to throw up!!

I am so proud of you, Luke!! You are going to have so much fun!!

Then it was on to Ella's class....upstairs!! Third grade is upstairs with the big kids! Very exciting stuff let me tell you!

Its so hard letting you go, sweet Ella, but I know you of all people will do awesome! I'm so impressed with you! Love you so much!

Then I made the lonely trip home with a lump in my throat. The kids are ALWAYS with me so I feel so weird with out them.
But I wasn't sad for long because I got to spend the rest of my day with this adorable little girl! I am only working two days a week now so I get lots of time with just her and me. It is fantastic!! I can't tell you how much I love being with her!

I think it is going to be a good year for all of us! A very busy year, but a really great one too!