first day of school

Today was the big day.  The day I've been looking forward to and dreading for the past few weeks:  Kaden's first day of Kindergarten.  I've been pretty emotional about the whole thing.  I guess every mom is at the beginning of the new school year, but we've had some extra concerns and worries.  His teacher is amazing, and we know she'll take good care of him.  

Enough about me. 

Kaden has been super excited.

Last week for assessments, we took his teacher this treat I made:

We got him a new T-shirt and a new back pack  for the big day.

Showing off his new back pack, which was an Army one (of course)

Waiting in line to head into the building.  Kyle took him for his first day (there's no way I would have been able to!).  Kyle said he didn't look back or wave or anything....he just ready.

Bosten was seriously sad and mad that he wasn't going to school today too.  He put on his shoes and was trying to figure out how to get out the door.  When he realized it was a lost cause, he crossed his arms and stomped over to the couch.  He went on and on about it all morning, but finally stopped being a grump about it just in time to go pick Kaden up from school.  However, he started in again ("I WANT TO GO TO SCHOOL!" or "BOSTEN GO TO SCHOOL TOO!") as soon as we got to the parking lot.

Kaden did great, and we went to McDonalds for lunch to celebrate:

*Sigh.  My baby is growing up.

note to self:

...I should not leave the bathroom door open so that a certain little monkey can get in.  

Just sayin'. 

(Its a good thing he's cute.)

park city

We went to Park City this weekend for one more escape before school starts.

We stayed in a hotel, swam in the pool, went out to dinner, jumped on the beds, and had a great time.

Saturday morning, we went to cheer on Uncle Devon as he finished his first half marathon.

We made signs:

We cheered for other runners as we waited for Devon:

We didn't wait very long:

Way to go, Devo!

Then we went to the outlet malls and to Olympic Park.

I was ready to do the Alpine Slide with the boys until I saw that I had to ride the chair lift up the mountain...um, no thanks.  

I hate heights.

They had such a great time that they decided to go again...except Kaden fainted at the top.  Bosten rode the slide down with Uncle Ryan, and Kyle and Kaden came back down in the chair lift.  As soon as we got him cooled down, he was good to go.
Crazy....but a fun weekend.

the miracles of adoption

You will need to hit the pause button on the bottom of the blog to pause the college football music. 

Not only are we in this video, but some of my dear friends are too.
It was a good reminder today.  Grab a tissue.

the most wonderful time of the year

Yep, we've made it.  

Its time for college football, and we couldn't be more happier about it!

We've been down to Provo and decked ourselves out with the new Rise Up t-shirts.

My parents just got back from Oregon and brought us back Oregon State gear.

We've got tickets to two games to see BYU and Oregon State play.

We are ready.

Go Cougars!

Go Beavers!

People sometimes ask how we cheer for two teams.  

This is how its done:

road trip to grandma's house

We spent the last several days in Colorado.  The boys had a great time and we did some fun stuff.   For some reason, I didn't take tons of pictures other than our daily POTD.

It is a long way to Colorado and Grandma's house.

We rode in Grandpa's golf cart:

  We checked out some Indian stuff:

 We sat in some Indian houses:

We went to a museum and ground some corn:

We hung out with Grandpa and Lynn:

We helped Grandma in the kitchen:

 We threw rocks in the river:

We fed our favorite ducks:

We went swimming (twice).

We helped Grandma with some projects at home.

We played with all of Grandma's toys (and they're WAY better than our toys according to Kaden).

We rode bikes and took walks.

We chased prairie dogs and plugged their holes with rocks and dirt.

 Kyle went to lunch with one of his mission companions.

 We even saw the Mystery Machine on the way home, and I'm telling you it was 

exciting.

bosten's solo

Kaden has been learning "Praise To The Man" in Primary this year.  We sing it all the time.

Seriously, all the time:  in the car, at the table, for FHE, before bed...you get the idea.  

The last few days Bosten has been singing it too.  

Don't mind his itching...we got new bubbles and they obviously bother him.

Yes, I bribed him with a Junior Mint to sing it.

 Not bad for a two year old.

Watch out Mormon Tabernacle Choir!