OtterPops: Back to School, etc.

Emma First day of Preschool

At the end of August everyone headed Back to School. The whole transition went smoother than I expected. No anxiety for the kids, they all went with no hang-ups and have been enjoying their time at Oak Hollow. I am not sure if it was because we had an extra long summer (ending in May in Lindon and not starting until the end of August at the new school) or what, but I will take it! What I love most is our close proximity to the school. Emma has earned her way in all of the classrooms with good behavior to come volunteering with me and it is so simple to just walk around the corner to help out. Emma began preschool for two days a week at Mrs. King's preschool and LOVES it! She asks every day if she can go to school. Here are the kids with all their teachers.

Jonas and Mrs. Bell, Kindergarten

Lillian and Mrs. Kohli, 3rd Grade

Jocelyn with Mrs. Summers, 4th Grade

Emma with Mrs. King, Preschool

The kids had their "Fun Run" fundraiser where they each ran a mile around the campus. Emma and I were able to join each of them as they began the run with their grade, and then met them as they ended the run. It was so much fun to be able to feel the excitement and the energy of the kids!

Jonas with the school mascot

All the kids finishing up the run

Jocelyn with pizookie

We celebrated Jocelyn's birthday by inviting all the girl cousins over for Pizookie and a movie on the projector, along with an impromptu sleepover. Some of the neighbor girls came for the dessert and movie part. It seemed like everyone had a fun time and I just can't believe I have a kid in the double digits!

Cousin Sleepover

During Red Ribbon week the kids had Crazy Sock Day, Crazy Hair day, etc. and it made for a fun week!

Crazy Sock Day

Lillian's donut hair-do

Crazy Hair Day

Jonas sporting his mohawk for Crazy Hair Day

The grapes in our backyard blossomed like crazy and with assistance from Tausha and Nate, who happened to be in town for the weekend, and a loan of equipment from Jared's mom, we were able to process 21 quarts of grape juice from our grapes! The Andersons came into town for General Conference weekend and it was so fun to make cinnamon rolls, visit with them and process grapes. Especially on Saturday night while the guys were gone at the Priesthood session, Tausha and I were home watching 8 kids, processing grapes, cooking and feeding the kids dinner, bathing them and cleaning up, it was motherhood at it's finest.

All the grapes ready to pick

Tausha and Cait in the kitchen!

Watching Conference on Sunday

Cousin Fun! Cosette gets the royal treatment from Lillian

The Boys and Emma hanging out in the beautiful weather

Later that weekend, I let the kids miss a day of school so we could join Kelsey, Tausha, Jessa and all the kiddos at the Sutherland's timeshare in Park City. It was so fun to see Olympic Park and the ski museum, go swimming and play candy bingo at the silver station, and just hang out with everyone!

Tausha Cait and Kids in Park City

Kiddos at the Ski Museum

Jared and Caitlyn in Park City for his work retreat

The following weekend Jared's law firm had a retreat for employees and spouses complete with dinner, a stay in Park City, gifts, etc. It was such a great getaway and so generous of Jared's parents to watch our kiddos.

Another afternoon I took the kids out of school to take advantage of the free Utah Natural History Museum tickets we had earned during the library summer reading program. They were only good for a couple days and we had fun exploring all the habitats and history of Utah.

At the Utah Natural History Museum

Emma and I were able to join Kelsey a couple times to go wedding dress shopping! It is fun to be a part of the wedding plans and help in small was to get Kelsey and Josh for the big day!! They will get married in Hawaii in January and Jared and I have booked our tickets. It will be a fun getaway-we are sad to leave the kids, but they can make it to the wedding reception the following week in Utah.