Fun in First Grade!

It's official... Morgan's a first grader! I'm struggling with this one more than Kindergarten. Who knows why, but I think it's just because my little peanut is turning into a 'big kid.' While I am insanely proud of the 'big kid' she has become... sob, sob, I'm missing my baby!

Aidan will be in Kindergarten next year, so this was our last "Morgan's first day of school so let's play." We played our hearts out and we were both exhausted by the end of the day!

First grade! Pretending to be nervous. I must admit, we have one very, very tired kid on our hands...

There's the girl we know!

Ryan made Morgan's first day lunch and I found this in her lunchbox. Silly notes are reason #3414 why my kids are luckiest little people on earth to have Ryan as a daddy.

A visit to the great-grandies...

On our way back from the ocean, we swung through Eastern Washington to give Bob and Dolly some loving. Our number one patient, Bobby-Bob had just received a pacemaker, so it was good to see his smiling face.

And Morgan thought it was really good to see Raechelle and learn some new cheer-leading moves!

And Aidan thought it would be good to put on the 'hard sell' and try to talk Grandma into letting him have this red hat.

Still in the red hat.

When I saw this, I knew we'd been in the car just a tad too long.

More Ocean Shores!

Hours and hours and hours were spent playing sports on the beach...

And why wouldn't the kids have S'mores for lunch?

Aidan has mastered the art of 'stinkerness.' He's such an imp when it comes to doing whatever you want him to do! Like smile for a picture!

Lots and lots of kite flying. Barbie kite did pretty well with the big dawgs.

Who are these old kids posing with Ryan and I? Hmmm... Don't know, I could have swore it was just yesterday I had these buggers in my buddha belly.

Road Warriors!

I have to admit, I'm pretty proud of the kids and I. The three of us have "road tripped" before, but this one was the biggest. 22 hours round trip and we still had smiles on our faces at the end. The kids were fantastic and when they weren't, well, that is what earphone and an audiobook are for, right? We loaded up and headed to Ocean Shores (or Ocean Chores, if you are Aidan) to stay at Mema and Papa's condo. We detoured through Portland and stayed the night with Liz and saw college girlfriends and then met Ryan and family for some fun in the sun.

We brought the sun! It was gorgeous weather... A great reward for the kids for sticking through the drive!

I had to catch up on some paperwork while the kids played and met some new friends...

The view from Mema and Papa's condo. They have been coming here since Ryan was just a little dude and I can see why...

Daddy and his boy!

Papa and his girl!

McCall

Oy vey, I'm behind on my blogging again... I guess that what's a lot of work, a lot of fun and a lot of summer will do to you! But I have to get these things documented! A couple of weekends ago, we spent more time up at the Hamilton cabin! Fun times and memories were made...

The weather wasn't too hot to begin with on Saturday morning and early afternoon, so while the dads entertained the monkeys with some horseback riding, Karen and I enjoyed an adult beverage at the Shore Lodge (or maybe two!).

Why wouldn't you do a little surfing in Idaho....

Or have your dog pull you in...

This little imp continues to steal his mommy's heart!

And this little firecracker continues to shock and amaze! Water-skiing? No problem!

Lucky Peaking Camping...

What do you do when it's 100 degrees? Hit the lake of course! We had such a fun weekend camping up at Lucky Peak and I think we might have spent more time in the water than out... I'm sad to say that I don't have a picture of the BIGGEST part of the trip, Morgan water skiing! Not only water-skiing, but one handed, back and forth in the wake and waving at everyone who went by her! I promise to get pictures of it next time, her smile was a mile wide...

As we were getting ready to go, Aidan slapped on the hand-me-down reusable swim diaper we inherited from the Fosseen's and announced he was ready for the beach. He said I could take a picture of his outfit if I promised not show anyone this picture. Well, mommy's a liar, sorry kid, I can't help myself. When he got to the lake, he got really embarrassed that he was pantless. Well, sorry kid, but technically, you kind of were. I love this kid, his entertainment is priceless.

Jumping, jumping, jumping. A collective sigh of relief was released from Ryan and I when the Bordners came on Saturday. We are not nearly as fun (or energetic) as her buddy Ryder. And if I had to answer one more question, I think my tongue was going fall out of my mouth from the constant "answering" I had to do!

And Aidan has mastered the art of jumping off the boat. When he showed Ryder, he got a "good job buddy." That just about made his year!

A quick moment of Morgan not talking... Don't worry, it was a really quick moment.

Aidan, on the other hand, enjoys a little contemplative time. You know, time to think about what outfit he can put together or what costume he'd like to throw on.

And there was lots and lots and lots of inner-tubing. This certainly won't be our last weekend excursion to the lake!

Sun Valley!

A couple of weeks ago, we had a very special treat... Seeing Kelsey and family in Sun Valley! Kelsey is responsible for letting me know where Idaho was on the map, with our spring break fun in this town. We had so much fun seeing them and Kelsey's boys confirmed for me once again, there is nothing cuter than a little boy with a Southern drawl.

Daddy and Aidan on quite possibly the best little putting green in the world. The kids could have played for days and days...

Janelle, Kelsey and me!

And the gaggle o' kids! Great times and we're counting down until we get to see this fantastic family again!