It's School Time and Other Randomness

We can not let our blog go by without a quick, "Ode to Kate."  The kids absolutely loved their sitter this summer and were so sad to see her off to BYU, but they captured some good photos with her before she left...

Kate pointed out on our map where she was going compared to where we are...

Kate had a special bond with each of the kids!

We surely have to thank her and Heavenly Father for the inpiration to ask her to watch the kids this summer!  She was a life saver, and will be missed!!

Now for the 1st day of school...

Starting school was a big deal this year!  Lots of fun changes and good times ahead!

Jason and his best buddy Matthew were ready with their scooters to cruise to school!

Jason was ready to start 1st grade and Matthew ready for 2nd.

Paige had things all put together to be a 4th grader and the oldest (from our family) at the school now!

Megan made the jump to middle school and seemed to do so seamlessly!  She wasn't ruffled one bit by the fact that her classes spanned the length of the school, or that she would now be the only one int he family at this school. (I think the schools are so close together here that that thought never enters their minds:).

Meg and her friend Breanna walk to school every day and have to leave 1/2 hr early because they are so... speedy. (the school is only about 5 min away:)

Blake is our big High Schooler this year! Holy Cow!!  We can't have a high schooler!!  Not only did he start high school, but he started early morning seminary (the only thing offered here. No released time for us!) Blake has seminary at the church  (which is 15 min away) at 6am and then school starts at 9.  He's been a great sport about it and takes it in stride! He has settled in well to the high school thing, but is not thrilled with the block schedule.  He is excited to get to take pictures for the school newspaper, and can't wait for wrestling season to start. 

For Labor Day we got to go out on the party boat again with some of our old friends from Hutto.  It was the first day that it didn't reach 100 and the wind was whipping up fires all over the Austin area.  We were excited to go spend some time on the lake, even thought the water was low.  It was a good time for all and a fun chance to catch up with friends! This is Jason and Megan with some of Meg's friends.

Jason and Paige playing in the water.

This was Meg and a friend jumping off some cliffs near the boat.

And this is Jason and Dad in a cool cave under the same cliff!

Blake did more funky tricks off the top of the boat, and has figured out how to get it all into one pic.

He even gave himself this nasty welt when he landed on his back! OUch!!

He also ventured out on to some nearby cliffs.

I had forgotten to get a picture of our party boat, so Blake got this one of a boat similar to ours.

There is a slide off the other end.

Now for the Randomness...

We have had some monster size blueberries around that we have really enjoyed, and even made Aunt Tiffany's delish blueberry muffin recipe with!!

Jason seems to find himself with bites from the nasty fire ants, all too often.  This one got him on the hand and as you can see it about doubled in size.  He called it his "Beckham" hand.  His poor feet do this too when he gets bit.  Not fun and not comfortable!!

Oh the joys of high school football games!!  It was homecoming and Blake came home with 5 friends and this was the result!  Way fun, and a bit embarassing for Mom because my visiting teachers showed up in the middle of it all:)!

Texas is crazy when it comes to Homecoming!!  They sell flipflops and sunglasses with the school logo on them and the girls exchange these "mums" that are like an extra glorified coursage (sp?)...I mean EXTRA glorified!!  It is crazy, and they cost anywhere from $25-$100.  Crazy!!  I am leaning that everthing is bigger in Texas and sometimes bigger is not better:), except when it comes to muscles...right boys:)!!! 

Life is good and crazy as always!  With Grant and I working full time, crazy school schedules, Grant's calling in YM and my new calling in the RS presidency, we are lucky to keep our heads above water.  Needless to say we are learning the value of "early to bed, early to rise" out of necessity, but life is good! 

Happy Fall to all!