dancing kids

Grace and Jack started dancing to the music on one of their shows and asked if I would take their pictures. They were taken on Garrett's first day of school, perhaps little celebratory dance to have a Garrett free zone? hee hee

This is one of my favorites, it looks like Jack is trying to be a little gangster, yo!

first day of second grade

Now, I realize that these pictures are a little bit late coming, but we just got our internet service all connected at the new house.

The traditional front door pics. Notice the fabulous new, coordinated outfit from Grandma Barb.

All the kids at the bus stop. There was only one other mom there, and I was the only one taking pictures. Garrett informed me when he got home from school how embarrassing it was that I was there taking pictures. Hopefully, next year he forgets and I can keep getting the first day of school shots.

is this what it means to be a boy?

I had absolutely no idea how truly different boys and girls were until Garrett arrived into our family. I have gone my entire life without a broken bone, stitches or even an emergency room visit. Garrett, on the other hand, has become quite the expert.

The Friday before school started Garrett came home holding a rag to his head. Apparently he had fallen on a rock and hit his head. So, I loaded all the kids and headed to the Instacare. Garrett was TERRIFIED that he might have to get stitches or staples in his head.

After about 40 minutes in the busy waiting room, we finally got to see someone. Garrett was tearing up a little bit as they were scrubbing the cut. The Dr. told him he would have to have some staples and Garrett was stressed out. First they gave him a couple of shots of novacaine, which made him start to cry. Grace asked him if he needed her to hold his hand, so sweet.

Then they said they were done putting the staples in. Garrett was in shock, he could not believe that he had 2 staples in his head and he had not felt a thing.

He had to keep the staples in his head for a week and he was not allowed to go swimming or wash his hair with shampoo until they were out. So much for the last weekend of summer!
By the way, he has no lasting effects from the staples at all. A few hairs were pulled when the staples were removed, but that is all.

utah state fair - rides

I can't believe how much the rides at the fair cost! But it was fun to watch the kids on the rides. Grace was pretty brave and went on some of the bigger rides with Richard and Garrett.

Garrett went on the Pirate ride all by himself. It was really short, but he said it was kind of scary.

This is the ride that takes you really high, then drops you really fast to the ground. Garrett and Richard went on this as the last ride of the night. Garrett really wanted to go on it, but I think that coming down he had other ideas. I wish I could have gotten a picture of his face, it was pure terror!

utah state fair - animals

The kids had a great time on the pony ride. I was worried that Jack would be scared, but he did just great.

The animals were more interesting to the kids than anyting else. We could have stayed in the goat house all night, except for the smell :( Grace has no fear with the animals, Jack had a little hesitation before getting too close to anything.

jack coloring

jackcoloring2.jpg, originally uploaded by clairesmama.

swimming at the scera pool

We went to the Scera Pool on Tuesday with Grandma Barb and Rebecca. The kids had so much fun, I don't think Jack or Grace has ever been to a pool like this before. Jack kept wanting to jump off the edge to me. I could barely get him back on the edge before he jumped again. Garrett spent most of his time on the waterslides, unfortunately my camera died before I could take any pictures of him coming down. We were at the pool during nap time, and it finally caught up with Grace and she fell asleep on Rebecca's lap. Overall, it was a very fun, very tiring, day at the pool!

happy 25th birthday maggie!

grandma barb's redneck pool

Grandma Barb and Grandpa Mike ripped out their old bathtub and put it on the back porch. Grandma filled it up and the kids thought it was a great swimming pool. Grandma Barb also enjoyed a little dip, but I am forbidden from showing those pictures.

fourth of july at grandma barb's

summer fun at the park

happy anniversary mom and dad!

Happy Anniversary to Mom and Dad! Congratulations on 32 wonderful years!

Grace took this picture of Jack watching Scooby Doo. I think it is just so cute!

the many faces of gracie

Grace brought the camera to me and said "Take my picture mom." So, of course I did.

playing

Playing in Dad's pontoons.

yuck!

Almost everyone at our house has had the flu this week, so I don't have any cute pictures to post. Hopefully we will all get feeling better and I can get some cute ones to share.

happy birthday to kimber!

Kimber Stoddard * 2005