A night at the Spokane County Fair

This years trip to the fair turned out to be a memorable one. Conor was able to participate in the Tractor Pull and the Mutton Bustin competition (see earlier post.)We had so much fun people watching, and trying to figure out who should be caged, the crazy people the fair attracts, or the cute, clean and pampered blue ribbon animals? Josie had to be pulled off the merry go round kicking and screaming, but besides that outburst no crying was involved. All of us really enjoyed the fun evening out.

Mutton Bustin-GO ROUND WINNER!

Check it out! Conor beat out all the competition and took home the coveted, and might I say B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L belt buckle! Go round champion for September 14, 2009. He hopped on that sheep and didn't let go until the sheep turned the corner at the end of the pen and he rolled to a graceful finish!!! The crowd went wild! Both Mom and Dad were pleasantly surprised. Who knew he was so tough and had fingers like glue?? Conor is brimming with pride and is now begging us to buy a belt that the buckle will fit on. Hmmm...What's next Wranglers and Ropers???

The Tieton River!!

Dirt, water, rocks and fire = FUN!!! The more dirt the better!

The 2nd Weekend in September the water is released and sent down the Tieton river This means some good river rafting is free for the taking, and we were there to enjoy every drop. Thanks to the Gardiner family, who invited us to tag along, and some cooperation from mother nature, we had one of the funnest camping trips ever. We got there with plenty of daylight left to set up the tent and then the dirt and fun began! Thanks to the river and rocks for kid entertainment-you can't beat it. The kids were so dirty, I sometimes had to rub the dirt off their faces to make sure it was my kid. We split the rafting into 2 trips, Kevin took the first trip and I stayed behind with the kids, then Conor and I took the 2nd trip. The water was freezing cold, but we were having so much fun we hardly noticed. We even got to listen to some scary camp fire stories. Thinking back on the trip, we wouldn't change a thing. If anyone is looking for a good river guide, don't ask us, because we know how to keep a good secret! Brian...Wyatt...Brian... Can't wait until next year.

Back to school!

Conor - 1st day of school
Walking/running across the school grounds. (Mom was too slow)
Lunch at school!!! He looks so little squashed between those girls. He had "better" seating today.

Yesterday was the first day of 1st grade for Conor. We were lucky to have our summer extended a little bit. It was easier to go back to school when you actually had to put on a sweatshirt to keep out the chill. I asked Conor what his favorite thing was about 1st grade and he said "LUNCH!" Ask Mom what her least favorite thing about 1st grade is, and I would say "lunch." Going to school all day is a big adjustment, and a leap of faith for a Mom of a diabetic child. Day 2 is almost over and I have only spoken to the teacher or health staff 2 times today not counting the time I was there to help with lunch. Yesterday was 3, so I guess we are going down in numbers. Josie was really mad when we left the school after helping with lunch, she wants to be with Conor and all the action. It is awful quiet around here with out him. Conor's teacher is Mrs. McQuilken and she is fabulous! We are thinking we are going to have a great year.

Lake Powell 2009

We are back from our annual trip to Lake Powell with something like 350 pictures to show for it. So hard to pick which ones to post, thank goodness for digital cameras. We had a spectacular time on the new houseboat-Moenkopi, with Grandma and Grandpa Nielsen. I am still shaking my head at how nice houseboats are these days. We got to see the Witt's and Jearlene and a glimpse of Craig and Chyleen and Melissa and Nate. The weather was so fabulous that I can't even remember a trip with such good weather. The stars were indescribable, you almost forget how awesome a night sky can be until you are at Lake Powell.
Some favorite memories of the trip:
Conor: Unlimited time on the SEA DOO's. He was a regular sea doo snob/hog. (Fortunately he didn't have a lot of competition.)He also liked tubing behind the sea doo and going down the slide off the back of the houseboat. Swim Swim Swim. Oh and I can't forget our bat sighting and catching the frog.
Josie: Fishie, Fishie, Fishie and that fabulous bucket of water that kids are suppose to stay out of. She loved to ride in the boat and be with the cousins.
Julie: AWESOME water skiing. It doesn't get better then Powell, and of course spending time with everyone and just soaking up the fun. I will never forget hanging in mid air with Galen on the tube...we were superman for a second. I still laugh when I think about it.
Kevin: Monkey rope scaling, starting those blasted coals, fabulous Wake Boarding and exploring the cool canyons. Incredible scenery.
We are so lucky for the opportunity to go to Lake Powell and make so many great memories. It is something we look forward to every year and we will do everything we can to get there. We love you Grandma and Grandpa.

Swimming Lessons

Amidst the fun of summer we did squeeze in some fun swimming lessons. Sister Keenan in our ward teaches them at her house and she does a great job. It is nice to go to her private pool instead of the public pool and her classes are almost private. My challenge was keeping Josie out of the water. She adores swimming so it was a lot of running around the pool for me. I got my exercise. She got to get in the water on the last day and she was in heaven. Conor learned a lot and he can't get enough of the pool. This year he almost learned to dive. He is so close. He was excited because now he can pass the swim test at the public school that allows you to go off the diving board and the slide. Bring on the water!

New skiier in the family!

YEA! Conor got up on his first try tonight! WAY TO GO CONOR!! We went out to Long Lake with the Hamilton's for the evening and Conor was the star! For some reason he wouldn't stand straight up, but he just popped right out of the water and hung on. The pictures are awful since the sun was the wrong way, but you take what you can when the little one says he is ready to go! Next time I promise better pictures. I hope he will always love to ski as much as I do. Thanks to Kacey and Garth for providing all the equipment. We had so much fun. Nothing like getting out of the sweltering heat and on to the lake for some fun.