Olivias graduation from Preschool

The evening started out okay until the shoes had to go on. She really wanted to wear flip flops, she wears flip flops everyday, I did not think it was a lot to ask for her to wear nice shoes. As you can see by the picture, I got a look like how can you make me go out in public like this! She forgot all about it when we got there. She sang her heart out, smiled, posed and loved all the attention.

Wolf Flats

This summer me and the kids went exploring and found this wonderful place along the snake river called Wolf Flats. We stopped and built a fire, talked and enjoyed the quiet and beauty of the river, roasted marshmellows all just 15 min. from our house.

Ethan my pitcher

I know I am posting a lot today, but I have been sick for a week and this is as good of time as any to catch up on my blog.

I love watching my kids...Sarrah with competition dance team, softball and skiing, Olivia with dance and skiing, Gabe with baseball, football and snowboarding and Ethan with baseball, football and snowboarding.

I need to take my camera more, but I find I'm so wrapped up in the games that I forget to take pictures or video. I was watching Ethan pitch to Jeff (I won't catch for him, it stings and hurts!) and I was noticing his facial expressions. I had my moms big lense for awhile so I was able to get some shots of him pitching.

Thinking about our Farm.

We have a farm in Tetonia Idaho, near Driggs. We love going there to relax and enjoy peace and quiet, float the river, fish, ride motorcycles, horses and the dogs love all the manure! At night we wind down with a beautiful sunset on the Tetons, and then spend the night listening to fox, cyotes, and owls. In the morning we wake up to an amazing sunrise.

The joys of gardening!

First, I love the new fresh dirt in the spring after I have tilled it to a beautiful soft milk chocolate fluffs, I love to walk barefoot in it and feel it run between my fingers.
I hate weeds!
Planting is not as exciting, but I do love when I start to see my new little babies poking their heads out of the milk chocolate fluffs.
I hate weeds!
I love the day when I go out to check on things in my little piece of heaven and see that I should have brought a bowl.
I hate weeds!
I love sitting down and eating a dinner of grilled onions, greenbeans, potatoes, carrots, zucchini fresh from our garden.
I hate weeds!
I love sharing my garden goods with neighbors who don't garden.
I hate weeds!
This year I planted a flower cutting garden. With the crazy weather this year, I did not have the success I thought I would, but I did get several beautiful bouqets of flowers and cute little hitch hikers (ladybugs).
I hate weeds!
I also planted corn for the first time, and tonight I had corn. It was wonderful! I only got 6 ears at 6 inches long each, but they were sooooo good!
I hate weeds!
I also started harvesting sunflower seeds.
Did I say I hated weeds????

Mozart is in the house!

Olivia decided that she wanted to learn to play a song on the piano. I put up a note and key helper, wrote out the keys to a song and showed her. She plays is over and over. My other kids showed interested too, jumped on it and got them started on piano lessons, the excitement fizzled out fast. I would love one child to play the piano!

Back to School

On the first day of school dad gives each of the kids a blessing and then we drive them to school. On the way out of the neighborhood my sweet Jeff says "Well mothers are rejoicing everywhere right now" My kids asked why? Is there a party for just moms today? In my mind I'm thinking yes, each one of us is having our own celebration. Wow what did I not do???? I cleaned, sewed, read, exercised, watched a movie I wanted to watch while I folded laundry. It was glorious! However, it was sure nice to see their faces walk in the door later. Then the fighting, teasing, carpooling craziness began!

Olivia started her last year of preschool. She informed me she did not understand why she could not go to kindergarten with all of her friends. She said, "Mom, I can write my name, I know all my shapes, numbers, colors, letters, and I have to go back to Preschool." Reminding her that she is still only 4 does not seem to help.
On the second day of Preschool, she reminded me that she was almost 5 and almost in Kindergarten, that I no longer needed to walk her to her cubby in the school, that I should wait by the gate if I needed to, otherwise I should just go because she can do it herself. So my last baby does not need me anymore. Everyday I wait by the gate not because she needs me to, but because I need to.
After 14 years of constant company, I am finally able to go to the bathroom without an audience. I love my 4 little snuggies and I am REALLY enjoying my quiet time, but I sure miss them while they are gone.