Evans Gate House...Halloween Decorations

 The little skeletons are SO cute. 

 I priced out a bench (similar to above) at Gate House and on SALE it was $1400.  I found this little number at World Trade Market for $380.  Woop Woop!  Saving money all over the place (although, John still calls it 'spending'.)  And yes, that is carpet in our dining room which will eventually be replaced with wood or tile.

 Little pumpkins, hanging bats, skeletons - spooky!

This is my favorite...they are lighted branches that I can use for Christmas too.  Those little dangling things are bats, however, Cam insists they are BIRDS. 

Teaching a 3 year old to ride a bike...

 Look at him go!  He is hilarious - he kept trying to turn around.  I guess this is what I look like running - DORK!

 Stud.  So, the secret to successful bike training on 2 wheels (in my limited knowledge, as Cam is only my second) is the PADDING!  He has knee pads, elbow pads, hand pads and a helmet.  He didn't fall today but when he does I have a good chance of getting him back on that thing.  It took us 15 minutes to pad him up (because it has to be 'perfect'), he rides for about 20 seconds, we un-pad him and the cycle starts all over. 

 Storytime by the fire

 Blaykers

Carson told the coach he wanted to play by himself against the other team.  He is confident!

Mario Wii Galaxy Birthday Party

Carson turned 6!  He wants to be 8 so he can play tackle football (how does he even know this stuff?)  When I asked him what he wanted to do for his party this year he actually said he wanted Chase (my cousin who is the QB for Lone Peak) to come over and throw the football to him.  So, the Wii party was  the runner-up party theme this year...

The Invites...Wii remotes from thick stock paper (thanks Jill for the great idea).

It said, "Wii request your company for Carson's 6th Birthday Party"

 Carson's school doesn't allow treats (which is fine by me!) So, they ask you to create a board that they display in the class all day and at the end of the day one or both parents (in our case - John and his parents) went in a talked about all the things Carson loves.  It was great and I think Carson felt really special, especially that his Grandparents came in for his BIG Day!

The finished product

This is me trying to create Mario out of Fondant for Carson's cake (I ask myself 3 times a year why I do this to myself - it starts out like a really fun thing and then I start to get a little overwhelmed and then I drink a diet coke, make more frosting, roll more fondant, turn my pantry upside down looking for edible cake kind of things and finally I just have to stop and start cleaning up the kitchen. 

Wiiiiiii...(that is Mario - just in case you can't tell)

Wii Super Mario Galaxy Birthday Cake

 I hired the 'Utah Party Truck' for the party - it was an AWESOME babysitter for 15 plus kids.

 My grandma eating Five Guys Hamburger & Fries!  She seriously is the BEST.  She brought Carson a football for a present and it was the perfect gift.

 Tyler Wii'n out.

 What a great business - this guy must love his job!

 The kids diggin' in!

 Hayes just ate Mario's head!

We did Make a Wish again this year instead of gifts (except from grandparents and John & I).  We got him a new bike (hopefully he grows into it).  

Thanks everyone for bringing or coming to Carson's party.  He loves having his friends and cousins over - you all make it perfect for him.

You might Laugh your EWE off...

 

Randy and Tyler - Randy jumped in the back of the truck! 

Sliding Rock

 Shannon and Jill took Carson and group to Sliding Rock

 Shannon said Carson went by himself and loved it - I guess it was FREEZING

 Group shot minus Jill and Cory

 cute

Carson was so happy to spend the day with Hayes

Sugar Booger Lunch Bags

These lunch bags are so adorable and functional.  Carson wanted the space one, Camden wanted a pirate one and Crew got dinosaurs.  While at Whole Foods I found some little zippered pockets for sandwiches and snacks with monkeys and other animals on them.  They also had some great Bento boxes that I can use for pistachios and other fun little treats.  

Good Earth has little containers with icepacks that attach to the tops of the lids which are great for fruit.  Carson loves eating lunch at school, and so far hasn't complained not getting hot lunch - hopefully I can keep it that way.  

Let me know if you have some good lunch ideas...we are only 2 weeks into the year and I feel like I am already short on ideas.

Something is missing...

I was in Jackson while this big event occurred...Carson was at school when it 'fell' out.  The Tooth Fairy came that night and left $5!  WHAT?  I told the fairy (during one of our secret telepathic conversations) it will be a few hundred dollars per child by the time they all fall out.  

Carson has been trying to 'lose' a few more teeth to get some more money. 

Little Bugger had his FIRST real day of Pre-school...

 Pre-school

 He wanted to bring his lunch and stay longer.  We also had to narrow his show and tell down to 2 things vs the 5 he had packed in his backpack.

A little shy with his teacher, Mrs. Dollar.  She gave them chocolate silver dollars on the first day - so I think Cam will be just fine.

Fly little bird...

 ...Your children are not your children.  They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.  They come through you but not from you, And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.  You may give them your love but not your thoughts.  For they have their own thoughts.  You may house their bodies but not their souls.  For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.  You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.  For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday...

~From The Prophet by Kahil Gibran~

 Look at him...he is fearless!  Carson loved his first day of kindergarten today.  I was worried the curriculum and the long days would be a huge challenge, but maybe I was more worried for myself than him.  He has flown the nest - wings WIDE open.  I don't think he will ever look back - as it should be.  I knew this day would come...I remember holding him at a week old, we were both crying, he was crying cause he always cried and I because I knew this day would come.   I guess it could be worse - he could have hated it!  I love you so much CarsonBugs...and NO you can't have hot lunch! (How many times do I have to make him watch Jamie Oliver?)

 ...and then there is Camden.  He starts pre-school tomorrow, but we went for a little orientation today.  I thought for sure he would be THE one that would just need me and want me - NOPE!  Cam was 100% pissed that he couldn't stay and that I came in the school (to meet his teacher along with all the other parents) with him.  He is a BUGGER.  Not sure where Crew was for the photo opts this morning but he also went missing at Cam's school.  Literally, every teacher and every parent was searching for him.  They found him in one of the back classrooms ready to start school.  Seriously?  Maybe school just is way too much fun.

 There is Crew

Molson and BauerSox

Seattle...Red Sox Game

 John and I did a quick trip to Seattle for some seafood, friends and a Red Sox game.  We had a really nice time and got to enjoy some great weather.

Bainbridge Island

 Pike Place Market

 We brought home some HUGE legs, salmon, tuna and clams...Gary and Cheer came over for a yummy seafood dinner last night.

 Red Sox game at Safeco Field!  We had amazing seats.  Tony and Tamlin joined us for the game and took us to dinner on the water.  It was really a lot of fun.  Thanks for showing us around.

Waldorf Astoria Park City

 Cam getting ready to go to Park City

 I forgot their footballs so they were playing 'imaginary tackle football'

 Canyons courtyard

 Top of the Gondola

 Our room (they all have full kitchens which I LOVE)

 Lobby

Pool area...I love this hotel.  It is small, the rooms all have kitchens, the service is top notch and they have a newer restaurant at the top of the Gondola called The Farm that was really great!