Fun in September

Janie writes the best notes.

Being silly at Target

Chet and I would go for a walk around the Rec center after dropping off Ty at preschool.  It was fun to have one on one time with my buddy.

A Halloween decoration scared Chet at Costco.

I found Janie like this on the couch while her three brothers were wrestling and being wild.

Watching Bubble Guppies

Janie expressed her feelings through writing

Fun swimming at the Rec Center

Preschool field trip at Trader Joe's

Blake's Baptism

Blake was baptized on Saturday September 17th at 10 a.m.  Both sets of grandparents were there.  Newel's brother Kevin and wife Tina came from Cincinnati.  Blake waited two months for us to be settled before he could be baptized.  He was so excited and eager.

For the baptism program, Newel spoke on baptism, and my dad spoke on the Holy Ghost.  Janie sang a song with two of her friends from church.  While the three of them were up there singing, Chet walked up and held Janie's hand and just stood there throughout the song.  It was too cute.  Both Grandma's took turns taking Chet out during the talks because he was a little wild.  

Blake did great.  He is such a good boy and always trying to do what is right.  I was so proud of him for wanting to be baptized.  Blake was extra extra nice to his siblings on his baptism day because he didn't want to mess up.  He is a great example to his younger sister and brothers.

First day of Preschool

For the past year, Ty has been telling me how he doesn't want to go to school and that he just wanted to stay home with me.  Suddenly it was time for him to start preschool, and he was ready and went no problem.  He is growing up.  He is going to Shining Star Preschool on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 9 to 11:30.  He loves it.  When I pick him up it takes him a minute to warm up in the car, but then he gets going and tells me all about his day.  After a few days of going, his teacher whispered to me "Ty is very very smart."  He loves doing his homework and bringing in something to share each week that starts with the letter they are learning about.  Chet cried the first morning we dropped Ty off, but we are enjoying our one on one time.

Box Car

Blake had a Cub Scout box car derby race.  He created his at the very last minute--next year we will be more prepared.  They had to race around three laps while taking pit stops with his crew who had to tie his shoes, wipe his forehead, and give him a drink of water.  He was all smiles.

First Day of School

Blake and Janie started school the Monday after we moved into our house.  They go to Dover Elementary School.  Blake is in third grade and his teacher is Mrs. Meyrose.  Janie is in first grade and her teacher is Mrs. Hull.  They take the bus to and from school.  The bus picks them up first, bright and early at 7:07 a.m.  They do get dropped off first after school which is nice.  So far so good, they seem to be doing great at school both academically and socially.

Moving In

We were all very anxious to get the keys and move into our new house on Thursday August 18th.  We were supposed to get the keys around 5 p.m.  The kids and I were killing time by eating lunch at Olive Garden.  Once it was time, on our to the house, the song "Welcome to My House," came on the radio and the kids were even more excited to sing it.  (Their older cousins taught this song to them from the radio and they love when it comes on).

Once we were inside, we quickly realized that the air conditioner wasn't working.  It ended up being broken for six days.  Those two days of move in were so hot and humid.  Eric was working the Friday when the movers started unloading.  The kids and I were stuck at the hot hot house without any toys, fans, or tvs.  It was pretty miserable.  It was better the next day when Eric was around so we could leave and go to Robek's and grab smoothies.  The temperature cooled off a little the next few days.  And luckily it wasn't too expensive to get the AC fixed.  The toys and bikes and tv were the last items to be unloaded Saturday afternoon.  We ended up sleeping an extra night at the hotel to have a cool place--and I was so grateful to have the option.

We had the carpets cleaned Thursday night, the night before the movers started unloading.  Because there was not good airflow without AC, the carpet was taking longer to dry.  The basement carpet was especially wet and it started to stink.  We borrowed extra fans and an extra dehumidifier which helped.  We kept windows open throughout the house to help dry out the carpet.  This backfired when there was a quick downpour of rain that had us running throughout the house cranking each window closed.  The front four rooms of the house suddenly had wet carpets again.  We just couldn't win!

Saturday night we all went to the Cheesecake Factory to celebrate moving in and our 12 year anniversary.  Here are some pictures of Chet being funny.  He was dancing and being silly and kept making us all laugh.