Wordless Wednesday: Kissing Cousins

(February 2006, Ryland 2 years and Ridge 20 months)

Flashback Friday: Back to School.

In honor of Back to School season, I thought I would dedicate this Flashback Friday to all of our past First Days of School. At least the ones I haven't blogged about.

2003Ethan 4 year old preschool at Head Start program for Speech Therapy
2004Ethan Kindergarten (Mrs. Deelstra) at Wasatch Elementary, Ally 3 year old Preschool at Wasatch Early Learning (Miss Ann)

2005
This year Ally looked so sad on her first day of 4 year old preschool. She had fallen down the concrete steps by our front door and then gotten a black eye at the zoo.

This was her and her best cousin Sawyer who she went to preschool with.
They went to preschool together at Wasatch Early Learning both years.

Shaylen (2nd) and Ethan at Wasatch Elementary in Ogden. Ethan was in 1st grade. (Mrs. Atkinson) They loved going to the same school for a second year in a row.

2006We hadn't even officially moved into our new home yet. I drove them to and from school from our Ogden home every day for about 3 weeks. It got really old.

Ethan heading to 2nd grade at Three Mile Creek. (Ms. Abbott who later became Mrs. Acuff)
Ally heading out to Kindergarten at Willard Elementary. (Mrs. Coburn)
2007
I remember Ethan combed his hair all by himself that morning. He was a big 3rd grader at Three Mile Creek and had his favorite teacher to date, Mrs. Yates.

Ally heading to full day school. First grade at Willard Elementary. (Miss Higgs)

Look at how small he looks with that massive backpack on. This was Ryland's first time going to school, Three year old Preschool at Wasatach Early Learning Center (Miss Ann)

2008Ethan and Ally going to school together for the first time at Three Mile Creek. Ethan 4th grade (Miss Thompson) and Ally 2nd grade (Mrs. Petersen)

Ryland going to Four year old Preschool at Wasatch Early Learning Center (Miss Ann) He also went to preschool with his best cousin, Ridge, both years.
So there you have it. I think they grew up this fast in real life too!

Flashback Friday: January 2006

One thing that has been true about our home is that Halloween lasts all year long. We are always swimming in dress-ups and costumes around here. It is so worth it when times like this happen. For Christmas 2005, Ally had just received her Snow White costume. Ethan also got the Sharkboy costume that Garrett is wearing. It fit each boy a little differently. Good times.
Ally 4, Tyler 4, Ethan 6 1/2, Garrett 6

Ally was channeling Snow White, the Incredibles, Princesses and Fairies. Who says you can't mix it up?

Garrett was Sharkboy from the flop hit Sharkboy and Lavagirl. Did you notice the Shark teeth? He was also feeling the Incredibles a bit with those gloves.

Ethan as Anakin Skywalker-ish with a little Power Ranger mixed in.

Tyler feeling the Harry Potter vibe.

Wordless Wednesday: Cinderella?

(august 2006)

Halloween Memories

To get into the spirit of Halloween I thought it would be fun to share some of our previous Halloween memories. Hope you enjoy!

1998

Ten months after we were married, while living at Leavitt's Mortuary. I was about 8 weeks pregnant with Tiny Man. This was the night we had our Halloween Party. Nate had a great time scaring our friends while taking them on a tour of the cemetary and mausoleum! Good Times!

2000

Tiny Man's (16 months old) second Halloween with us. Wasn't he just the cutest tiger ever!

2002

Tiny Man (3) and Ladybug (14 months) on our front porch of our Ogden house.

Nate and I at his WFG work Halloween party. We did a costume contest and did a scavenger hunt among other things. It was a lot of fun.

2003

This year we had a Peter Pan themed Halloween. Ethan Pan, Captain Daddy and Allybell. I was a very pregnant Mommy Darling....sorry no photos....Chub was born less than two weeks later.

2005

This was taken at our Ogden Stake Trunk or Treat. Tiny Man (6) was Dash, Ladybug (4) was again Tinkerbell and Chub (almost 2) was Nemo.

The weeks leading up to Halloween Tiny Man became distressed that he wasn't fast enough to be Dash. So he got the idea to write a letter to Disney to ask for some magic so that on Halloween night he could be as fast as Dash. He was SUPER excited to receive in the mail in time for Trunk or Treating a letter with a little pouch of magic dust to use for the night. After sprinkling some on him he was by far and away the fastest kid around. We sprinkled some on Ladybug but we figured since she didn't know how to actually use her wings she wouldn't be able to fly. All through Trunk or Treating he showed off his letter and his dust covered head. It was a great Halloween!

2006

Nate and Tiny Man at the Marketstar Halloween Party.

At Uncle Travis and Aunt Sarah's house post Trick or Treating. Ladybug (5) as The Twelve Dancing Princesses Princess, Chub (almost 3) as a Crocodile, Tiny Man (7) as Superman.

Grandma Hale (nine months prior to becoming Grandma Hale) as a 60's Hippie. Too Fun!

2007

Julia (almost 2) as a BYU cheerleader, Shaylen (9) as a Witch, Ladybug (6) as a the Island Princess, Garrett (almost 8) as a BYU football player, Sawyer (6) as a cowgirl, Ridge (3) as Spiderman, Chub (almost 4) as a Clone or Storm Trooper (I don't know these things!), Tyler (almost 6) as a BYU football player, Tiny Man (8) as a ninja, Cincess (4 mos) as a Flower Fairy

2008

In front of our current home, Cincess (16 months) as Tinkerbell, Chub (almost 5) as Spiderman, Ladybug (7) as Ariel the Little Mermaid, Tiny Man (9) as Luke Skywalker.

Here's to another Great Halloween!

Before and After

I am feeling really excited about our yard! It is finally coming together! There is still a TON left to do in the backyard and the vegetable garden....but it's coming! The last three years have been so full of intense manual labor it is just nice to see an end in sight! so I thought I would show you some before and after pictures.

BEFORE



AFTER