Busy days, but good days

We got to go down to Logan for Labor day weekend. We had Friday the 3rd off of school so we headed down that morning. Casey, my Mom, and I went and cleaned and helped a bit at Nana's house that afternoon. The kids chose to stay with grandpa and play at the house. We were able to visit Nana in her new place and are grateful she's in a nice facility with good surroundings. We ended the night with PC and popcorn. Saturday morning Peter started digging a hole with Grandpa to put in a fence post. Later Saturday morning we loaded up the four wheeler's and went out to Clarkston for a ride. Andy came with Campbell, Kim, and Hailey, David brought Issac and Elliott as well! It was a nice ride in the country. We got to see the land that Papa farmed and grew up on. We at some lunch along the way and the kids had a good time. Peter and Campbell ended up flipping their machine due to a slopped road. They were sore and shook up, but fine overall. I said Heavenly Father loves us because the boys were unharmed and we (eventually) found my Dad's card that I dropped along the way (Sorry Dad). After that we picked up some ice cream at Caspers and headed to my parents. We ordered Fredrico's for dinner and celebrated Campbell and my Dad's Birthdays early. The kids played and we did bottle rockets for a bit. 

Sunday morning we took the kids over to visit with Nana. They've only seen her once since her accident in the spring and it was so nice to visit with her and see her moving about. After lunch we watched our church on the TV. Our ward is newly split so we were hoping to see who was in the bishopric (alas most of the bishopric was out of town so they were put in the following week.) After that we took the kids over to the Research park to "feed" the ducks. With no ducks in sight we fed the tiny fish in the pond; which turned into catching the tiny fish. Peter caught one in a bag and Kendal used her hands and scooped up another 7 or so. (They named them Bob, Mr. Tickles, Pizzeria, Mrs. Tickles, Mrs. Bob and Baby Tickles.) Alice just wanted to talk to the little fishies and watch her crazy siblings do their thing.  We got to celebrate my Dad's birthday with a nice family dinner and quality time together! I went back over with my parents to give Nana some dinner and a short visit. 

Monday Peter and Kendal helped Grandpa finish putting up the section of fence. David brought the boys for a bit and we had a short visit with Nana before we headed home. Casey and Peter had soccer practice and I did laundry before our busy week began. 

Alice started Preschool on the 7th. It was just an open house to get to know the teacher and her classroom, as well as the other kids. She's in preschool with a few other girls and she knows two of them from our "old" ward. Her official first day of preschool was the 9th and she walked in like it was nothing. She is really enjoying preschool and has nothing but good things to say about Miss Ellie and her friends. Alice is also adjusted and doing well going to day care everyday. She's been a trooper throughout this change and even though it's worn her out and our car rides to swim or errands put her to sleep more often she's doing well and is liking her time with Sadie and buddies. (The last picture - we got some hand me down clothes from a friend to Kendal. Alice did more try ons then Kendal ; D.)

Alice and Peter finished their swim lessons on the 9th! I was so happy with Alice's willingness to swim and do all of the things for swim lessons. She could've been a better listener to her teacher, (poor girl had five wiggly preschool kids to keep at attention for four week of lessons) but overall she had a good time in her little class. Peter shined in his class! The teacher was very proud of his hard work and progress and said Peter passed and no longer needs lessons. If we choose, Peter and Kendal could do swim team to improve strokes and skills. Peter did so great and I'm so impressed with him! 

Peter's first soccer game was on the 7th and he's had other games on the 9th, 14th, and 16th. Since I'm helping coach volleyball for Kendal and her practices are on the those nights I've only been able to sneak away for half of his Tuesday's games. Thankfully Casey is his coach and since Becca's on his team Peter's not short on family support. So far Peter's team has won every game! Peter's made a goal in all but one game (defense was on point that night). Alice goes to the games and plays with the other little kids along the side lines. She's had a couple of times she ran through the game, but overall she occupies herself with James, Naomi, and Thomas. Kenny and Cheryl came up to watch the kids play this last Tuesday. Peter's skills and abilities are improving. He's getting into the game and giving it his all (but as you can tell from the last picture, he's still Peter through and through ; ).

Kendal has had two weekends of volleyball. Her games are at 8 and 8:30 every Saturday. Last week 11th Kendal lost, tied, won, and lost the sets she played that day. Her serve was on point and she only missed one the whole day. She's also getting more bold and going for more things and doing well in the rest of her game. Yesterday she lost both first sets, won and tied her second sets. It was a rough day for serves on everyone's part, but overall the girls did their best. Kenny and Cheryl were able to come watch her games this Saturday. 

School is well underway with a month practically behind us. Peter is enjoying school and his class / teacher. Even though homework is still a battle, he likes everything else. Mrs. Gover even asked Peter to be a special helper and set up and take down class computers everyday. Kendal is realizing middle school isn't an easy thing, and her strait A attitude is making her stress. She's doing good overall, and we keep reminding her advanced math is supposed to be hard and more work. She'll get the hang of things, we know it will smooth out eventually. Alice does her online (Waterford) preschool every weekday. She looks forward to in and insists upon it! She also wishes she had her in person preschool everyday. She's thrilled when her preschool days are here so she can go learn and play! Casey's load at school has grown in many ways and he's been put over a few extra things this year. It's stressful on his time and thoughts, but I know he'll conquer and do his best! Work is going well for me. It's a job with many things on my to do list that I try to balance and rotate through. I feel good about the work i'm doing. I'm in charge of teaching the Kindergarten classes and even subbed on the 10th (only having to cover two classes then). It's a learning curve for sure, but I feel good about it. 

Last Saturday we took Alice and Peter to cousin Keegan's game in Kimberly. Alice and Jemma had a blast reuniting and playing for an hour. Peter watched / played with the girls. That afternoon Casey took Kendal and Peter with some friends of ours to see the 9/11 memorial that was put on at the Twin Falls visitor's center. They biked from the Evil Keneivel spot all the way over to the Visitor's center. a Rescue team was helping a climber up so they had to go around the bridge to the road. Poor Casey's tire kept going flat so he had to pump it several times along the way. There was music, presentations, and some displays that the kids got to see. They also got flags and were able to watch a fly over before they left. 

Sunday the 12th after church we went to Kenny and Cheryl's for a family dinner. It was good to see everyone and catch up while the kids played. 

Friday evening the boys went off the the football game while the girls and I picked up chick fill a after volleyball practice. Yesterday afternoon Alice had her first birthday party at a friends house. It was a mermaid party and i'm pretty sure she's added mermaid to her ever-expanding list of birthday party themes. Kendal played with a friend and Casey and Peter picked up supplies and started on a homemade ice cream. Casey and I took a much needed date night out. The kids had pizza and a show at home while we went out to eat and ran a couple of errands. I'm typing this as our ice cream is noisily churning in the other room and everyone is playing a game in the other room. 

Our world continues to be school, plus soccer, and volleyball for the next few weeks. Busy days, but good days!