Sam’s first day of school

Sam started school a week later than the other two kids.  The wait absolutely killed him.  I dropped him off Tuesday and not even a whimper came out of him.  I can see this year is going to be a good year for him.

Sam's birthday is coming up next week

and i've got plans in the works for his birthday party this weekend.  But as scatterbrained as i feel right now, i'm posting what i WANT to do for his birthday here.  Actually results will most definatly vary.

from here:  pleasant-home

I've got this great idea of making this kind of cake for Sam.  Only make it a double decker and put a train on it (yup, still a train (and Lego) freak!).

I've also thought about doing a ice-cream sundae bar.

EAK! i can't wait!

what we did over summer vacation...

...and then some

Science Camp for Daylon

Visits to Capitol Reef

4th of July

another visit to Capitol Reef

Daylon's 11th Birthday

Pudge - May he rest in peace

day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 of our annual Fish Lake Reunion

and the 24th of July right in the middle of that

Daylon's Arrow of Light

Fremont Indian State Park

Back to school for Daylon and Rianne

garden goodness

Fremont Indian State Park again

and again

The New Harmony fire that darkened our skies for a few days

Western Governors UniversityWGU - I'm a college student again

Labor Day vacation

Sam's first day of school

and inbetween all of that, there was
family, more family, even more family, and even more family... and more and even and more

and inbetween all of that, we managed to have time for:

movie night

and pool time

WHEW! it's been a heck of a summer. I'm actually glad to have the school year back again.

so much to catch up on... AGAIN!

but... i couldn't let the day pass without sharing pictures of my little man on his first day of pre-school! He's been waiting for this day since the other two started school, 2 1/2 weeks ago. It snuck up on me so fast that i spaced that he needed a backpack and so we scoured the house through. The only pack we could find that didn't drown him out was a cute little hot pink and pretty blue Scooby-Doo of Rianne's (actually a hand-me-down from cute little Ali!).

He was pretty excited to have it and wanted nothing more.

Even when i brought him home his own little backpack when i went to town this afternoon.

I guess we're sticking with the cute little pink and blue backpack .

All in all, preschool is a hit. Especially for the treats!

Fish Lake - Day 2

The actual start of Vacation!

Everyone was up bright and early that morning to get packed up and off to Fish Lake. It's super nice that it only takes a hour tops pulling campers to get there from my house. Since i had to work, Kaye decided to give the kids a taste of country life and joined me at work. I'm guessing it was a bit of culture shock for them with all the comments LOL. After work we headed up to Fish Lake to meet up with the rest of the family. We spent the afternoon setting up camp, fishing at the beach for yellow perch and roasting hotdogs and smores over the fire. Later that night, I took Kaye and her kids down to my house for the night. They had to be on the road back home the next morning.

Tattoos galore... my mom has always got something great for the kids. Last year it was butterfly nets. VERY cool Grandma!

Kaye behind the camera... always. Howerver, not complaining at all

Uncle Gary and his one eyed wookey dog

my dad teaching sam on how to pull apart worms...

...and Sam NOT liking it one bit!

Uncle Gary showing Daylon where fish are supposed to go

... showing Sam where worms should go

... and how to properly kiss a fish

The evening fishing for yellow perch with the kids... absolutely priceless

i love it when other people take pictures of my kids...

I love that Maria always has her camera with her when she comes down. She's always catching the kids when i just don't feel like taking pictures... and then i steal the pictures from her LOL.

My absolulte favorite one she took of Rianne this weekend.

I just love that crinkled up nose when she smiles.

...and she's got the cutest belly laugh (when she's not faking it)

Sam finding a mud hole
...and taking advantage of it.

Love Love Love this close-up of him.
He's totally in his element.Wanting to give his dad some loves but dad not wanting to get muddy LOL

No pictures of Daylon but he's been kinda hormonal lately.
I guess he's just at that age right now... sigh

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY

i know i've been slacking major big time on the blog front.

No excuses... just not feeling it lately.

...but i couldn't NOT blog about my baby's 3rd birthday.

So, here's a big shout out to my little guy....

HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY SAM!!!

SUCCESS!!!!!!!!!

YES!!!!!!!!!!
We are now potty trained!
COMPLETELY!
Dry nights, dry naps, no accidents!

Sam Rules!

It was a combination of new underware, hershey kisses, and nightly trips to the firehouse. I forgot how much fun the diaper switch to underware is! We took a trip to Wal-Mart and got some he really like (the Cars ones), ones that i thought were cute (rocketship ones) and then some like Daylon's (boxer briefs). Sam prefers the Cars ones over any of the others unless Daylon is around, then he has to look like his big brother. It's just too cute.

Today we took our first trip to town diaperless. I've been scared to death to take him anywhere without him being in a diaper. I just haven't been wanting to deal with the accidents. But since he's been dry consistenly for the last few days, i thought i'd give it a go. He's a champ!

Rewards were/are Hershey kisses every time he goes potty. It works like a charm since the kid is addicted to them. He knows that if he wants a HK then he'll have to go potty. It turns out its a perfect incentive.

If we've had a REALLY good day, DarRell takes him down to the firehouse after dinner to see the "weeoo's". He gets so pumped up with the whole thing.

____________________________________

on the weight loss front, things are going well. I am down a complete 6lbs! It's been one full month since i started getting serious. I'm kinda looking forward to working out and eating right to see it all come off. I can't really see much a difference in myself but the scales say they do, so i'll take their word on it!

This little man...

slept through the night last night.

First time ever not waking up at some horrific hour of the night.

First time ever not crying out for a sippy of milk.

First time ever to have a peaceful night.

Our first good night of sleep in 2 1/2 years.

It was too good to be true.

Knock on wood.