A Family Trip

Brent and I have been talking about going on a camping trip for a while now. Then one night we decided to make reservations and just do it! And we are soo happy we did. This was an amazing trip. Kids had a blast and didn't want to leave on Sunday. We packed our truck leaving behind the TV, video games, barbies, toys, beds, the HEAT and headed for a weekend of doing nothing but being together and enjoying the beautiful state we live in.

Our days were spent jumping off rocks, hiking (well at least for brent and I, kids did more of sight seeing from our shoulders), playing in the dirt, trying to stay warm, collecting sticks, talking to fellow campers, telling stories, enjoying a thunder storm, chasing squirels, shooting stick guns and what ever else we felt like...sometimes nothing!

Nana managed to stay girly and clean even when we told her she had to pee on the dirt. The first few attempts were a struggle then she realized it was fun, until the temp dropped then not so fun! But by the end of the trip she was happy to announce that she pee'd on the dirt like Yukon. Andrew was the extreme opposite, peeing in the COOL! We had to keep an eye on him, peeing in the dirt meant to him anywhere there was dirt, he had to be designated "appropriate dirt"

Our campground was well guarded with the shooting boy and the lookout girl

Ear licking competition....dont ask! Brent won hands down :)

Andrew's First Day of Kindergarten

On July 30, 2009 Andrew entered the world of higher education. No more nap time, no more morning cartoons with a bowl of cereal and juice, no more staying in PJ's til mid afternoon and no more life as we knew it. He's absolutely taking it in stride.
Because this is coming just a wee bit late, I'll start from the beginning. He was soo excited to be starting school. We picked....or he picked out his outfit (he has to look "cool") and off we went. I'm not promising any tears at least non from the 5 yr old. I may have shed a few but restrained until the doors closed and I was standing there alone leaving him behind where he was more than happy to be. He looks forward to everyday...even the during the weekend he is asking to go to school.
Currently Andrew is doing awesome better than Brent or I had even expected. He's reading very well and has excelled two levels of reading since starting school. He loves homework although it takes a lot of patience to keep him on task! His teacher is in love with his charming personality and fashion sense. In all we are very proud of how well he has adjusted to this new stage of his life.

Standing outside the classroom

A little nervous/excited/tired
Home after the first day with his award for surviving :)

Nanaboo...

a day with her tummy ache...not so happy anymore

Look..No Training Wheels

His very first attempt at no training wheels...

and he crashed....

Mr Patience was getting frustrated so I took over..

He took off but couldnt turn..

Gave him few tips on turning and off he went...Never crashed again. Unless he had to turn. He does great in the grass, where he can make very W---I---D---E turns.
I thought I was going to get crashes on video. Instead he picked it up right away so all I have on video is him riding in straight lines. Yeah Andrew...we are proud of you!!

Trip to Salt River

Nana Swims!!!

Well this is completely out of order and I still have more weekend pictures but wanted to share the excitement. Now in the grand scheme of life this may be a small step for most kids, but for Brianna this was huge. She participated in her first swim lessons!!! It all started this weekend when we enrolled her she was totally ready talking about playing with the other kids blowing bubbles...on and on. Then came this big day...this morning. She was completely excited she picked out her bathing suit, flip flops (aka bip bops), towel everything. Still talking about how much fun she is about to have. Fast forward to the swimming pool, we are now waiting our turn to find out which class they are in...she's still excited. Then they say her name "brianna Durbin class 2 right here" and the expected happens, swimming isn't so exciting anymore. She's done now wants to go home and have nothing to do with anything we were just so excited about. Long story short she gets in via a life guard and alot of "i want my mommy" maybe a tear or two. I tried so hard not to cry but the look on her face was nothing short of agony for me. But with the help of another mom...i made it too!! She loved it and "claims" to want to go back!
Nana swimming with her teacher

oh and Andrew did well too. Although he spent more time keeping a watchful eye on Brianna. Wish I took a picutre but it was soo sweet, he was telling his class that his sister was at her swim lesson.

More Projects....Paint and Wires...

Ceiling fans are up and the family room and kitchen area is about 95% painted. Minus the parts that absolutely can not reach due to my arm length and Brent refuses to paint. So the next willing body with arms longer than mine, that comes to visit maybe handed a paint brush...aka Dad..