We ended the summer with a camping trip to Copenhagen that included a day at Bear Lake and one at Minnetonka Cave. Then Olivia and I spent three days at girls' camp together. It was so much fun! I loved spending time with her away from home with the other girls from the ward. We shared many fun, spiritual moments together. When we returned from camp we headed right into rodeo weekend and FAMILY! For the next week and a half straight we spent days and nights together with Dave's brother Kelly's family who were here for their annual summer visit from Texas. Only this year it was a little tricky to "hang-out" at the farm together because Dave's parents are in the middle of a grand remodel project on their home. We shared many dinners together (with the flies) in the red shed. It didn't bother the kids though. They loved the time together with cousins. The night we tearfully said good-bye to Kelly and Tabi we joyously welcomed Bryon and Mindy's family who are moving back from Texas! For three days we then headed to Boise for a short trip while Dave sat in meetings and the kids and I went school shopping. We didn't get very much shopping accomplished, but it was good to have a short break away together.
Upon returning from Boise we started into the county fair. Once again the kids and Dave had lots of entries and earned quite the sum of ribbons and money. Shaylee and Olivia each completed 3 4-H projects and out of those projects they got 4 top projects! At the state fair they each received 2 top projects also and Olivia won the junior division top record book. Dave entered his photography this year and won the overall award at our county fair and then at the state fair he placed 1, 3, and honorable mention in the advanced amateur division. Taite however took the cake. The night before entries were due he was kind of pouting because he didn't have anything to put in the fair. I suggested he pick stuff out of the garden and enter them. He went out and picked red tomatoes, green tomatoes, beets, beans, carrots, zucchini, cucumbers, red peppers, green peppers, apples and a gigantic sunflower that was about 10 feet tall. Then he had Dave looked through the pictures and they found two that he had taken when he went on a 4-wheeler ride with Dave. He actually won 2nd and 3rd with the photos and he garnered many ribbons (mostly reds) with his produce and earned $63.00!! He was in heaven!
At the completion of the fair came school. This year Olivia is in the hardest year (or so everyone says) in our school district. She has to complete a 50-bug bug collection and a 35-plant plant collection. For the bug collection you have to make sure and have 50 bugs that belong to 8 different orders. We had the whole family in on collecting bugs! At first we didn't think we would ever get enough to finish the project, but with lots of help and hours of her and Dave labeling and pinning the bugs, her collection was completed at the end of September. She had 224 bugs and earned 1260 out of 500 points! I have to tell you that she and Dave get all the credit for this project! The leaf collection is quite the project too. Luckily, we have a lady in our ward that took her and quite a few other kids the first week of June to begin gathering for the collection. The hardest part of the collection is that they have to not only have the leaves, but the roots of plants and the flowers and seeds! It actually ended up being a fun project for the family because we ended up spending many Sundays driving around looking for plants that she needed. The collection is turned in and ready to be graded this coming spring. Along with lots of homework Olivia is very involved in a competitive soccer team and loves playing the piano. This keeps her busy along with Young Women's activities too.
Shaylee is in 5th grade and loves it! Right now she is getting straight A's and stresses out if she gets a bad grade (anything below an A. Not sure where the change came from, but she is really doing well this year. She still has lots and lots of friends and is always asking to go play with someone. She is playing volleyball right now and loves it. We are considering putting her on a club team, but she has to make the decision volleyball or basketball. Of course I am all about the volleyball, but Dave is all about baskteball so we will see what she decides. She is also playing the piano.
Taite is in second grade and seems to enjoy school for the most part. Of course, homework isn't the funnest, but hey what kid would rather do homework than be outside in this beautiful weather playing. He decided he needed a break for a while from sports so he is my pal as I drag him from volleyball to soccer games.
I too am back in school teaching 4th grade. I absolutely love it! Our school district went to a 4-day school week this year so we have extremely long days, but the kids and I adjusted quickly and look forward to our 3-day weekends. It is nice to have Fridays to catch up on errands, cleaning, and laundry. Then, on Saturday we can chase from one game to another and spend time doing things we love.
We have now entered FALL! What a beautiful season. My favorite thing to do this time of year is to go for a nice morning/evening run in the crisp fall air. I love our valley this time of year because of all the beautiful colors on display. Of course with fall comes hunting season also. This will be Shaylee's first fall of hunting season for small game. Olivia is hoping to shoot her first deer this year. She has been out once, but no luck. Dave too will be found in the mountains this time of year - actually from now until about April - chasing some animal or another.
Love the post. Samantha and I read it together. We are out of school today for PT Conferences. Kids are doing good getting mostly 4's and some 3's (A's and B's). It was fun to be with G&G for the weekend last week. We'll post pics on our blog soon. Can't wait to see ya'll for Thanksgiving!
ReplyDelete