How's this for a post??

I realized today that the reason I haven't posted anything in a while is because I just really don't like blogging.  Horrible I know.  But, I love to check out what other people are doing and wish that people would update their blogs more often.  How Hypocritical right?  So I decided to just do one post of some of the things we have been up to.  

Jax started preschool.  I realize he looks like a goober but.....pick the battles.  For the most part he loves going and I am really happy with his teacher.

Ryker turned 8.  This is his 8 stack of pancakes.  I have other pictures of his birthday but this is all you get.  You should know that he had a rockin' awesome birthday party with about 15 kids.  It was cool.  He also (of course) got baptized.  I need to get those pictures of Dallin's camera.  (I know bad mother.  Don't judge I am not a picture person) 

Jax and Joc put on sunglasses and play "teenagers".  I have absolutely no idea where they got this but I just don't mess with something so funny.  Well Lorilei wanted hers on too.  As well as the bandanna. (the others had one too)  Then she chased them outside to play, but they were going to a friends house.  She stood there looking down the street says "where's the guys?"  It was really cute.  I was kind of sad that she was alone and still wanted to play, but come on.....she is funny. 

Ryker finished his first season of accelerated soccer.  He really loved it.  He is a VERY competitive kid and in this league they keep score and have real refs and are strict about a lot of things that seem silly.  Ryker played goalie every game for the first half.  I also got nervous when the other team was kicking it towards him.  That is a lot of pressure for a 7/8 year old.  I would hold my breath and pray that he would block it, if only so he wouldn't get mad at himself.  He did AMAZING! (if I do say so myself)  Yes, sometimes the other team would score, but he blocked a better portion of them.  His coaches were great.  They weren't the kind of coaches that yell and get mad because something wasn't perfect.  So all in all it was a really great experience for him.   Can't wait for Spring season!

BOO-YA 

We went to Cornbelly's.  The kids had fun, but I hate crowds.  They make me crazy and grumpy.   Here are some of the things we did. 

Last night we carved pumpkins.  After Skyler and I got started we decided to see if we could get some reinforcements.  (9 pumpkins to carve)  So Steve and Sandy came over and helped and entertained.  My arm was completely dead by the end.  After only one melt down we got all 9 carved and out on the porch.  SUCCESS!  Ryker and Reagan got to do carve theirs.  (Ryker all of both and Reagan some) I think that was the highlight for them.  Glad I only do that once a year. 

So there is my lame post to kind of give you an update.  Hope you enjoyed.  Now, update yours!!

PEACE!

First day of school

Ryker and Reagan started school on the 22nd. (1st and 2nd grades) They also started in a NEW school. That was a little nerve wracking for them but they did great and came home really excited.


(Lorilei wanted in on the action. I thought I had a better picture than this of them together. Oh well.)

Ryker is still so protective of Reagan. (well when it comes to school he is) It is very sweet. Reagan did come to me and say that Ryker won't let her walk to her class alone and she wants to. So I had to have a talk with Ryker and let him know that his help was appreciated but she is big enough to do it alone now. He just doesn't want her to be scared. I hope that friendship lasts forever.

They are doing great in school and are adjusting again to the schedule. (they have been super tired and grumpy with all the stuff going on)

Jaxon starts preschool tomorrow.

Toothless 6

Little Miss toothless Reagan turned 6 a couple of weeks ago.

Isn't she cute.....

The day before her birthday she got her hair cut. Love it.
On her Birthday she had a birthday party that included making bracelets, painting nails, playing WII dance kids, getting prizes (a bow and lip gloss) and candy from a pinata, and eating cake. She had a great time. But alas, my camera died and I didn't have time to switch out the batteries in the chaos. Just know it was great.

Two days later, she started 1st grade. Where does the time go.....

Backyard Bonanza

This year I had the genius idea of tearing apart the backyard and making it more usable.  It was kind of like a hill back there and all the water would pool in one spot and then make a really lovely swamp.  Real fun for the kids.  Needless to say, we never used it.  In the 2 years we lived here we avoided the backyard like the plague.  Well, I got sick of it.  I spent my days looking out the back window envisioning what I wanted it to look like.  And since I have such an amazing husband, he said "whatever you want dear", or something like that.  So I told him what to do and he found the cheapest way to do it and away we went.  

I didn't get any real before pictures so you get a slightly begun before.

One day I went out there and started digging where I wanted my retaining wall/garden to be.  That is when we found out that there was/is a pipe going through that backyard.  Super.  Ironically the pipe was in the exact right spot.  We dug out in front of it and then where the pipe is a back towards that back fence would be raised.  So the above pictures are of the boys digging it out to start to make it level.  We took out 2 truck loads of dirt.  

Then we built my pretty wall (sigh).  Skyler and I went out there one day and knocked that sucker out in about an hour.  Boo Ya!  I was pretty proud.  I still am in fact.  It was exactly my vision.  

Then we brought in dirt.  Well compost.  I needed some good stuff for all the loveliness I had planned.  This was the kids favorite part.  Dallin had a small wheel barrow that was a perfect size for Ryker.  He sure felt macho.

He would give directions to my mom and then he would let one of the kids get in and he would give them a ride back to the truck. 

Come on Mia, more than that.  He was a little demanding.  Hey bud, you get up there and scoop it.  Geeze.

Reagan of course wanted a turn too.  That was a little scary.  Everyone survived though.

After the compost was in we finished taking out the bad dirt to make it completely level.  Next we got sod.  That is when I fell in love.  (okay that might be a little dramatic.)  That is when it looked almost finished.  

Oh the loveliness.  I planted vegetables on the one side and then did flowers in the rest.  Everything is growing  wonderfully.  

I love being in my backyard.  It makes me happy.  

You should know that the pictures do not do it justice.  So you should come over and hang out with me.  :)

Not pictured:  we put pavers under the deck and then have our sandbox under there.  The perfect spot for the kids to play.  

We never would have been able to do this without help from our family and friends.  Especially Mom and Dallin for the many times we used their truck and them to drive it.  

THANK YOU EVERYONE!