Blue Cougs n Ham

Sunday, October 19, 2014

School Year 2014-2015

9th Grade

7th Grade

4th Grade

Kindergarten

These two took the bus together in the morning the first week, then Mason started seminary. The middle school and high school are just a couple of blocks from each other so they take the same bus in the afternoons.

Later in the morning it was Drew and Easton's turn. I think I was more nervous than all the boys were. They were just so glad to get into school to see old friends and really concrete the move here. It was the first school year I think in a long time that all four were so anxious to start school, I on the other hand was not prepared for it. Easton was so excited to get to start school with his brothers, not a nervous word came out of his mouth. He was all smiles and walked in with confidence, gave loves, and then sat down ready to start. I gave him a second hug and walked away with a bit of a sadness, knowing that although I knew I would enjoy free days, an era of little ones home ended in our house. But I am so blessed that my kids are growing and thriving. A new chapter in our home.

Summer Games

One night in August (a couple of days after our big trip), Dallin began a project. By the end Easton and Drew were in on it. They made a seven hole miniature golf course. And it worked and was a lot of fun. We played it as a family. It was so great to see there minds working hard and doing it together.

Our final destination

Saturday afternoon we made to Breckenridge, CO for the Moring family reunion. It was the first time in 10 years all 4 of the siblings had been together. We had all done 2 siblings here, 3 there, but all 4 had been at a family reunion in June of 2004. It was so good to be all together at one time. And I hadn't seen my oldest brother since before we went to Chile, so it had been 3 way to long years. We stayed in some beautiful condos surrounded by the Rocky Mountains and enjoyed the moments together.

There was lots of swimming! Of course in a heated pool.

A beautiful hike…in the rain! But so worth it!

It was so great, every night we ate good food and played games. One of the best parts of being together.

A must while in Breckenridge - crepes on the street. Soooo good!

Playing by the river.

So after we ate we were ready for our family photo. My brother came prepared. We had a beautiful spot. It of course is taking forever to get kids together (and we had a couple not so cooperative littles). And right as we are almost ready it starts to pour. Look at my brother lamenting the rain. And I just couldn't help but laugh and laugh! Good memories made!!!

We went up the gondola and then rode the alpine slides.

Girl's Afternoon!

Stories to Share

I wanted a little space to share funny everyday happenings. So this is it ---

Dec. 3, '11 -- John Deere Water Chile had invited the John Deere Financial Chile employees and families to join them for their Holiday celebration. We traveled to the event which was about a 45 minute drive to a place we had never been to before. We took several detours prior to arriving and it was this day that Easton began to say "RECALCULATING". Sounds funny come from him instead of from Hailey, which is the name of the female voice on the GPS.

Nov. 14, '11 -- After arriving in Santiago and a long flight on Sunday, we were trying to get settled in our new home. We went to the grocery store to get the necessities and upon our return Easton declared the following. "I am not getting out of the car. this is not my house."

Sep. 21, '08 -- Then tonight we sat down and Mason announced that Mark needed to be president so that he could get all the candy he wanted for free. Priorities, priorities, priorities.

Aug. 12, '08 -- Yesterday I was doing laundry, seperating the clothes, and as I was checking pockets I pulled out a little stone from Drew's pants. This is one of my favorite things to pull out of my kids pants. I am always amazed and awed by my children. They find happiness in the things that I pass by everyday and fail to notice. The little things in life count and as I pull those rocks out of my kids pockets I am reminded just how much joy there is to find in this life. Thank you to my children and the inspiration they give me!

Jun. 19, '08 -- So I was upstairs and I heard Dallin and Drew go out into the garage. I went out there and they were playing in the car. I told them to get out and come inside. I then proceeded to tell them that the car was not a toy and to not go out there and play. Dallin looks at me and says, " Mom, it's a "TOY"ota Sienna, with a huge emphasis on the toy part. Really, a six year old should not be able to come up with that kind of comeback. I just laughed....

You had to have seen the Disney movie Cars to really appreciate this. So I'm running into the grocery store with the kids and as I am about to go inside Dallin and Drew stop and start pointing to something, while jumping up and down, laughing, and screaming "Fred! Mom it's Fred! Fred!" A couple of seconds later this large Ford Bronco that obviously weathered MANY Iowa winters and salt on the roads drives by. It is rusted all over, the place above the wheels no longer exists due to all the rust eating it away. The men in the Bronco had their windows down and just waved at the boys. I'm not sure they had any idea why my kids were so excited to see their car. I just laughed out loud! (Fred happens to be an extremely rusty car that is one of the main character's fans)