The last and the first

It's that time of year, when our lazy days of hanging around the pool and splash pads comes to an end. An end to popsicles and park days. Lazily sleeping in and having no schedule.
Yesterday was our last day of freedom before school started. We played at the park and splash pad. The kids ate popsicles outside and played. We had a great afternoon. We always look forward to these lazy kind of days. And they have come to an end all too soon.

We were gone a lot this summer and maybe that's why it's gone so fast. I feel like school just got out a few weeks ago. I think we need at least another 3 weeks of summer and fun. But knowing us we'd try to go on another vacation. I just love these kind of summer days. I have to remember them and how much fun we've had. Come February we'll be really wishing for days like this.

Today was the first day of Kindergarten for our little buddy, Price. He was so excited. He's been asking everyday if it was time for school yet. This morning he woke up at 6:15 and wanted to get ready for school right then. I did convince him to wait, but he's been looking forward to this day for so long. And I've been dreading it.

When we got to the school he tried to just jump out of the van and go in by himself. But I insisted on taking him to his class. Once there he put his stuff away and sat in his seat and started coloring. A lot of other parents were there taking pictures and comforting their children. I said, "See ya later" and he waved me off. So I guess he's big and ready to start school.
I'm not as sad as I thought I'd be. I'm actually really proud of him that he is ready to go off to school and is excited. I guess this means he's growing up and is ready to do things on his own.

Brigham City

Another yearly tradition at the end of our vacation is for Jeremy to go play golf with his friend Toby and me and the kids go see my friend Kylee and her boys.

This year we got to go on a trip down memory lane and visit my childhood home of Brigham City. It's so weird to go back there. A lot of things have changed, but then again a lot of things are exactly as I remember them. The house I grew up in is for sale, too bad we're not looking to relocate. It would be a great to live there and be so close to Kylee and her boys.

We took all the kids to a picnic at Pioneer Park. Jacob did not want his picture taken. I think my kids drive him crazy and he didn't want to be bothered with pictures. He is a funny boy and cracks me up so much. He is the spitten image of his Uncle Taylor, even is voice sounds like Taylor's. Too funny.

He was telling me all about the planetarium that is mom took him to and how they had a scale replica of the solar system. He said "not scale in distance, just scale in size". He's only 4! I don't even think Price knows what the solar system is.

Kylee squared (and Brynlee). Both of the Kylees together. And my Kylee is wearing an outfit given to us by the other Kylee. Both are too cute (love your hair Kylee Ann!)

Alec also didn't want his pic taken. Ky was trying to talk him into it. That's why her lips are so Angelina Jolie like here. Sorry Ky!

We had a great picnic at the park, best sandwiches ever. And then I stole some kid's football and kept telling him to go away when he tried to come take it back. Luckily I did finally realize the mistake and gave the ball back, but what I meanie I am!
I also got to see where the temple is being built and the new high school they are building. Ahh, the sights of BC!

More Idaho Fun

The kids made a haul while we were in Idaho. They get spoiled by grandparents and aunts and uncles. I think they just come to expect that when we go there they will get a ton of stuff. We are very grateful for how generous all the relatives are. Hopefully our kids know how lucky they are.


Brynlee and Amayah playing with some makeup. Every 3 year-old girl's dream; putting on a ton of crazy makeup.

Great Grandma Hodson and Kylee. She and Grandpa came up to IF for the weekend. It was so great to see them. We wish we lived by them so the kids could go to her preschool.

The kids and Gma and Gpa Hodson. We always love seeing them. It was fun to be able to see 4 generations of the Hodsons all together.



As usual I was horrible about taking pictures. Especially when we were at Jer's mom's house. But I guess we were too busy having fun. The other highlights of the trip include:
-Swimming in Pocatello at Ross Park pool. Don't get me started on us having to drive to Pocatello for fun, but it really was a great time and a really great pool (very clean bathrooms!) And Jeremy also say a girl he knew from high school. Which is pretty funny because on Sunday we had to go to a far away church just so no one would recognize him (he thinks he's going bald and doesn't want to see anyone he used to know).
-Our yearly tradition of bowling at Bowl-ero. I did great (we had the bumpers up, though) and I just love that they have shoes that fit Brynlee; they are so cute!
-We had a picnic at Iona park with the fam and the Laybourns (our Lincoln, NE friends who just moved to Idaho)
-I got to each coconut shrimp tacos from Cafe Rio and Chocolate Peanut Butter ice cream from Farr's.

It went by quick and it always seems like we don't have enough time to fit in all that we want to do and see. But a great trip overall.

Grandpa's farm

The kids are so spoiled when we visit grandparents. Since their birthdays are in the summer they usually get their presents when we go out and this time was no exception. They made a haul wherever they went.

At Grandma Artice's they love playing with the cats (those poor cats) and playing the WII. I think we're going to have to break down and get one soon; either that or move closer to Grandma. They also love that Grandma reads them books and plays puzzles with them.

At Grandpa's they could play outside for days. If you know Brynlee then you know that this is her kind of pet. One that doesn't move or breathe.

Jer's mom has a half dead cat and everytime Bryn has to walk by her she screams so when she asked to do this we were all shocked.

She got on without making a peep and had the biggest smile on her face while she rode. She would't pet the horses nose when she got off, but she would have rode for hours.

This year Price finally got to learn to rope a calf. These poor calves. First the guys castrated a couple of them then they had to be away from their moms while the kids roped them. I felt bad for them and for the moms who just had to watch their poor babies.
But Price had a great time and actually roped them a few times.

The highlight of the day had to be riding 'Class'. He was so excited and had such a great time. I wish he could have done it more.


The kids also got to feed the fish and drive the swivel bikes at Grandpa's.

Idaho

We survived our trip out to Idaho and returned home safely. Our house was still here (I'm always paranoid that it will have burned down) and we are somewhat sane after our 1400 mile trek. We usually leave at like 3 am and that makes travelling with kids so much easier. Well, easier for me. I don't think it's easy for Jer to stay awake when we're sleeping. This trip he had a Dr. Pepper (which he never drinks) and listened to ESPN radio. I think he's trying to get me back for all the HGTV I make him watch. I even started having ESPN dreams while we were driving and I actually liked listening to Colin Cowherd. Thankfully we made it home before I was brainwashed too much.

Jeremy did his yearly camping with his dad. They go up to the Tetons and around Yellowstone and camp. I don't get much details other than they had a good time and they aren't really roughing it in Greg's 5th wheel. I think it is bigger than our first apartment and a whole lot nicer. So I will assume they had some great male bonding and leave it at that.

Grandma Artice took a few days off to hang out with us. We took the kids to the Idaho Falls zoo. I like that it isn't too big so you aren't there for hours and hours. You can spend an hour or 2 there and call it good.
Grandma and the kids. The other little girl is our soon to be neice, Amayah. We toted her around most days. She had a great time with her cousins and Bryn loved having another girl around to play with.



This is at the Youth Jam that we went to. They had all these different things set up and then they had sticks that the kids hit them with. Price of course loved it, but he loves anything musical.

Brynlee loved hula hooping. Usually I complain about it being too hot in Idaho when we go, but this year it was too cold. We needed jackets most mornings and I don't think we had any days that it got up over 85.

Poor Price. He was so tired and he has nothing to lean on to. But this makes travelling long distances so much nicer. Otherwise all I hear is "I'm hungry", "I need to pee" or other squabbling.

Another plus for this year is that Jeremy has shortened his camping with his dad to about 2 1/2 days. With Kylee still waking up at night it's nice to have him gone only a couple of nights. Plus Brynlee woke up when he was gone too. She'd get in bed with me and want me to tickle her neck. That can get a little old at 4am.

Bad Attitude

We are in Idaho visiting Jeremy's family for a week. We do this every year and every year I complain and try to find a way, ANY way to get out of going. I think Jeremy finally got sick of all my whining and told me he would go without me. Wahoo! Finally a year off.
I love Jer's parents. They are great to us and I always really like seeing them. I don't like driving 1400 miles to have Jeremy go off for a week of "guy time" while I watch the unruly kids. Don't get my started on all my reasons for not wanting to come, but him going off for a week of fun and rest is the main reason. So when Jer presented the idea of my staying home I was thrilled. Then I really thought through what that would entail. It would mean that the kids would not get to see their grandparents. Jer's dad and stepmom hadn't seen Kylee yet and really how often do our kids get to see their grandparents when we live so far away.

So I gave in and decided to go out to Idaho, yet again. I guess I finally realized that this is my fate and it is just our inevitable summer ritual. Now matter how much I dread it. (I mean hoping for a natural disaster instead of wanting to go is how I feel).

So on the ride out here I was excited to spend time with Jeremy and the kids but not too excited for what the rest of the week would hold. But as I saw my kids' reaction to seeing their grandparents it hit me. THIS TRIP IS NOT ABOUT ME. This trip is about my kids seeing their grandparents and getting to know them better and if I prevent that in any way, I am doing both groups a HUGE disservice. It just melted my heart when Price sprinted over to his grandpa and jumped in his arms. Then as they went around the farm Price was SO excited. He was totally in his element. I don't know how we'll get him home. And when they saw Grandma H. they all yelled her name and came running for hugs. I wish I could capture those moments in pictures and remind myself of why I come here.

I also realized that by changing my attitude I could change how this whole trip turned out. I could be a sour pickle and have a horrible time or I could make an effort to have fun and plan some things to do and actually enjoy my time here. I don't know why that was such an epiphany for me, but it was.

So for our first whole day here we had a GREAT day. We took the kids to this Youth Jam Festival. They had all sorts of crafts for the kids to do and then they had musical instruments for the kids to play and a drum line playing. The kids had a great time. I think there were too many things to make with paint and glitter, but the kids liked it and I don't feel guilty throwing them away now that they are asleep. We then hit Cafe Rio for a little pork tostada (how can I be in a bad mood there?) Then tonight I was able to go to the temple. I think that was what made the biggest difference to me.
So hopefully this year will be a turning point for me in my attitude for coming here. I know it won't always be a bed of roses, but hopefully I won't get the urge to vomit when I think of coming. And hopefully I can take this lesson and use it in different areas of my life.

Our week in a nutshell

Another busy week here. It's funny, I had nothing really planned for this week. I guess that was a good thing because a lot of things popped up and I was able to do them all.

The biggest and best news is that Brynlee is now pretty much potty trained. Hallelujah! So nice, she just needs a few reminders. She has a tendency to get too busy playing and forgets to go. But we only had 2 accidents and I am loving only having 1 kid in diapers. She is also now able to buckle herself into her car seat. What a difference that makes! She is on her way to even more independence (and she definitely has the attitude to match).

Price has been super helpful. He takes the trash out to the curb without my even having to remind him. We are going to miss his helpfulness when he's off to school in a few weeks. I will not miss him teasing his sisters or asking if Brynlee has to take a nap.

We made it to the Y quite a few times this week. For me to work out and also so the kids could swim. Only 1 more punch and I get my t-shirt (our Y gives away prizes in the summer if you come so many times). It's amazing what I will do to get a prize. And it helps me keep my sanity when Jeremy is working long hours.
The kids did great swimming. Price has been able to practice a lot this summer and now swims by himself and loves to do cannonballs. Brynlee is almost ready for swim lessons. She'll hold on to the wall and kick and will let me hold on to her while she kicks around the pool. She is working on jumping in by herself. Then hopefully she'll be ready to take lessons without too many fits.

We had a treasure hunt on Wednesday. Price loves dressing up like a pirate and drawing treasure maps. So we decided to have a real treasure hunt that took them around the house and yard and then they found a little treat. It wasn't the most creative of hunts, but at this age they are easy to please.

On Tuesday Chick-fil-A had kids night. We went and had fun jumping in the bounce house, coloring, playing bean bag toss and seeing the Chick-Fil-A cow. My favorite part was Brynlee giving me directions on how to get to "Chick-Pel-A". We also saw a few friends from church and I got to actually have some adult interaction (yeah!). But of course our kids are too spoiled and didn't want to eat their free ice cream.

Jeremy was working out in Dubuque (an hour and a half commute) so we didn't see him too much. Pretty much everynight we had church stuff going on so we didn't see each other too much.

Relief Society was on Thursday. It was a great night; we had dinner and a wonderful lesson about feasting on the scriptures. I really like that it's gone back to monthly RS meetings. A great way to get out and have some girl time. Although Jeremy did try to call and ask when I was coming home. I'll just have to turn off my phone next time.

Today we were able to go to the Y together and work out. And just have a lazy day around the house together. Throw in a baptism and a viewing last night and it's been quite a week. It just makes us that more ready for a little vacay to Idaho next week.