Basketball Camp

 A young man in our ward did a basketball camp for part of his Eagle Project.  In the morning the girls got to go.  Sarah was not too happy about it (she get quite shy when she is going someplace to is not familiar with) but they both came home super excited and loved practicing.

 Seth got to go in the afternoon.  It was a much smaller group so they got some one-n-one instructions from the local college basketball team. Seth came home completely stoked and loving everything he learned.

 At the end they drew names to see who would win a basketball signed by the team.  Seth won and he carried that ball around with him for a solid week.  He thought it was pretty awesome and Sam was excited to see him showing more interest in playing ball.

First Day of School

I know this is a long time in coming but hey I'm finally doing it!

The kids started school on the 7th of September and have been loving being back in school.  I am loving the routine and time I am able to spend with Luke (after a long internal battle we have decided to keep him at home this year instead of sending him to preschool--long story).

Seth started 6th grade with Mrs. Thompson.  So far she has said that he is great in class (a huge relief because last year he was the "class clown" and didn't like to pay attention to his teacher).  He is loving art class and being more independent.

And gosh, doesn't he look so old?  I can't believe he is growing up--I mean his food intake should give me a clue but still 6th grade?!!?

Sarah started the 3rd grade with Miss Owings.  After a few rough first days (mostly because of lack of sleep) she is loving being a school.  Especially because her best friend is FINALLY in class with her (her words not mine).  Her teacher thinks she is amazing because she always sits and listens and hardly ever talks in class (and if she does it's at a tiny whisper).  That is so funny to me because she talks all the time at home and always have so much to say to us.

Kathryn started 2nd grade with Mrs. Archibald.  She LOVES going to school and loves that she is able to have a dance class.  She is our little dancer and loves to show her "groove" any time there is a song playing.  She FINALLY got to be in a class with her good friends and she is loving being with them all day.

Now Luke and I are entertaining ourselves at home most days and I for one am loving the routine.  Luke loves to talk my ear off and make up all sorts of games for us to play.  His speech is improving dramatically and I am excited that he is talking so much better.  I think he is also loving the one on one attention and hopefully I am not spoiling him too much!

Family Photos

 My cute sister Jessica took some family pictures for us while we were up visiting.  

 I think they turned out great!

 I love that one.  Especially because they always say "sicky, wicky" when they see us kiss.  But like I always tell them--would you rather us be kissin' or us be fightin'!

 They love to laugh together and I love that this captures what I see on most days when these two girls play.

Thanks Jessica!

Day 6 at the Grandparents

Saturday was a day the kids had been looking forward to.  There is a little town by my parents that has the best pond for feeding ducks.

We took some of the grandkids there and fed ducks which was very entertaining for them.  I don't think my kids remember the last time we did it so they thought it was pretty awesome.

Sam was just hanging out waiting for the kids to get done playing.

Then it was back to the house to get ready for the BSU game.  We made lots of yummy food and then had lots of fun with everyone watching BSU beat Geaorgia.

And finally it was some picturing taking of the grandkids.  They weren't super excited but at least for posterity sakes we have one!

And of the course the weekend can't end without some water fun and some yummy watermelon.  We had a great time!

Day 5 at the Grandparents

 This was a very exciting day for Sarah and Kathryn.  They had been begging to go ride the neighbor's horses and they were very kind and let us come over and give it a shot.

 Sarah wanted to ride all by herself and was a little put out that she couldn't but she loved it anyway.

 Luke thought it was pretty cool and even let the horse eat oats out of his hand.

 the kids told me I should go for a ride so Luke and I had a turn together :)

Then that afternoon me, my mom, my 4 sisters, and my sister-n-laws all went for a girls night.  We went and saw "The Help".  Love it!!  The book was still better but the movie was pretty good.  Made me cry my eyes out.  Afterwards we went out to a yummy dinner were we laughed and enjoyed out night with no kiddos.  Thanks ladies!

Day 4 at the Grandparents

 One thing that we love visiting the Farm is all the animals.  Uncle Ben and Aunt Maria have chickens and they are a favorite with Kathryn and Sarah.  So we thought we would take a ride to their house and check out their animals.

Plus we are trying to teach Seth how to drive the 4-wheeler and he thinks it's pretty awesome.

 They also have a cat (bob) and a dog (shera) that Sarah and Kathryn love also.  They could spend many hours at their house playing and loving on the animals.  I'm glad because it gets it out of their system and they are less likely to ask me for more animals.

Day 3 at the Grandparents

 What a long, exhausting, fun day--at least for the adults.  We were up and out of the house by 8:30 that morning to start on the traditional McIntyre corn freezing event.  And it's truly an event.

Everyone helped pick and shuck, including the kiddos.  They did pretty good especially because we were feeding all the shucks to the cows.

After that it was time to start the "process".  We had lots of help (my sisters, sister-n-laws, and my aunt). I just have one question though.  Why is corn so darn sticky?  Okay I know the answer but still...it makes clean up a chore.  But the best part was that my dad sent up one of his workers to do the clean up for us, nothing could be more heavenly than that!

 Emily and Jessica were in charge of the cooking and dumping into the cool off water.

Sweet bucket huh?  We usually use a trough for animals but the kids get into it and get soaking wet so my dad cam up with this and it worked great.  Can you see how full it is?

Then it was on to cutting.  We use to use electric knives but after being shocked by them and them getting too hot to handle we resorted to good knives.  

I love this picture of my mom's hands.  They work so hard and represent so much!

My mom's sister was able to come help us the whole time and we had a great time reminiscing.  

And then it wouldn't be a McIntyre event without several trips to Maverick for pop because fountains are way better than cans.  Right Tara?

 From this it went into bags (230 I might add) and then it was feet up and lounging for the rest of the day.  We were bushed but I'm so glad to have this yumminess in my freezer!