Jake's 1st Day of Kindergarten

I was somewhat worried about Jake's 1st day of school...only because he clammed up almost every time we visited the school and classroom before school started.  Wouldn't speak, very shy, etc.  But yesterday he turned it all around.  He was excited all morning and especially excited that it stopped raining enough for us to ride bikes to school.  Once we got into the school he was all smiles and said hi to the kids he knew in his class - 14 boys and 6 girls (those odds won't be so good later on :-)  And he wasn't sad at all when we left.  I wasn't expecting to be sad at all - but I got choked up somehow.  Maybe it is because this is a new beginning of our lives...me leaving him places and him having to be responsible.  He doesn't need me as much???  Who knows...but along with the tears, I was very proud of him too for being ready to let go.  All of you out there with older children...I know you know how I am feeling.
Steve said he wasn't sad...just excited for Jake and remembering what it felt like to go to your first day of school.

July and August

Yes I am behind on blogging....but it is summer...that will be my excuse :-)  I am trying to catch up a bit...so many things to remember...here are the highlights.

Tennessee
Steve & Jake were able to go to Tennessee to visit mid-July.  I was worried about Jake not handling the heat...but not one complaint from him.  He just loved the pool parties, the attention, and all of the play time with his cousins - who he looks up to so much.  Steph got some great pictures.

The girls and I helped with Angie's baby shower and then made a trip to Logan with Brittoni to visit Miranda and fam.  We missed the boys but we painted toenails, did hair, etc.  Yes...even Kelly likes to have her toenails done.

Nannie, Aunt Krissy, Drew and Cooper Visit
A few weeks about Steve & Jake got back, Nannie came to visit.  She is such a great help and everyone loves to have her visit.  Kelly was immediately in love and wouldn't even let Nannie talk to anyone else on the car ride back from the airport.  The Waydas came a few days later and Jake, Stevie, and Kelly went crazy.  Jake looks up to the boys so much and wanted to be with them the whole time.  Stevie was smitten with Drew and Kelly was smitten with Cooper. 

The highlights of activities - Olympic Park, Alpine Slide/Coaster, smores, bike riding and more bike riding.  Thanks for visiting us...we loved it!  I didn't get very many pictures...but here is a link to Krissy's great pics.  http://picasaweb.google.com/thewaydas/DevicesDownloadFiles?feat=directlink

Draper Family Reunion
This year Brady & Angie were in charge and we spent the long weekend in Wallsburg.  Of course we always love to go there and enjoy being outdoors, dogs, horses, ATVs, guns, etc.  It felt like we packed in quite a few things in a few days...so fun.  I especially loved watching the kids play with the water balloons and the Minute to Win It game.  Steve and I didn't get to enjoy the last day and night of the reunion because of our trip to Taos.  But many thanks to everyone who helped with our kids while we were gone.

Taos
Steve's friend Jason Boutwell from Tennessee invited us to his wedding in Taos, NM.  We have always wanted to ski there, but took the chance to see it in the summer and support Jason & Dena.  The trip was short....we had a great time at the wedding, shopped & ate downtown, visited the Rio Grande Gorge, and the Taos Ski Area.   

Our New Friends

In July, Nannie bought us a hummingbird feeder for our window.  It took a few weeks, but once the word got out...our house was the hot spot.  Birds were constantly feeding...and I think we even counted 7 birds there at one time.  The kids loved watching them and Kelly learned to say hummingbird and point at the window.  Last week one actually flew into the house.  It took some effort on Steve's part to get the bird to go back outside.  The poor thing looked terrified.  But after about 15 minutes...ssuccess.

The feeder fell and broke last week and the new one on the fence post doesn't quite get the crowds.  Maybe they are leaving for the fall/winter.  We will miss them...

Jake is 6!
Jake turned 6 on August 14.  This year he decided that instead of a party, he wanted to take 2 of his friends - Luke and Chase - to Seven Peaks Water Park.  And he invited Stevie Kate too (thank heavens :-)  Luke's mom Kathy and his sister Lila joined us too and we had a great afternoon & evening at the park.  I even wanted to stay longer and maybe next year we will go and stay all day.  Fun place.

We also did a little celebration with Ellie Edwards and fam since she and Jake share the same bday.

New Cousin

Quincy Lee Draper was born on August 19th.  She is so tiny and adorable and Brady & Angie are happy parents.  Kelly and Stevie loved to hold her...and Quincy makes Kelly look like a giant.  Brady was the last Draper sibling to have a child.  It really made me feel so blessed and lucky to have such a healthy and happy extended family. 

Kelly is 2!
My baby is 2 years old.  (I think that realization may be harder than sending Jake to Kindergarten tomorrow).  I am truly loving the stage that Kelly is in right now (minus the tantrums).  She loves to say new words, be silly, jump on the trampoline, and annoy Jake and Stevie as much as she can :-)  We celebrated Kelly's birthday a day early by taking the kids to the beach at Bear Lake.  Many of you know that that is one of my favorite places to visit...and it turned out great.  What a fun day and a delicious raspberry shake at the end.  On her actual birthday, we had the Dustmans over to celebrate with dinner and an Elmo cake - Kelly's favorite. 


Travelers
My parents and Amy, Kace, and Kassidy got back last weekend from visiting Tracie & fam and helping Casey, Lindsay, and Jack move to Philadelphia.  My mom had a crazy experience on the airplane, by herself, major allergic reaction, ambulance, and a stay in a Chicago hospital.  She is ok now and hopefully she can figure out what caused it.

We are happy to have them back in UT...without them at Jake, Kelly, and Quincy's birthdays, it was strange.  We are lucky to live close to family for sure and miss those who live away from us - we now have family in Nevada, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Louisiana.

Stevie's 1st Official Day at Miss Sharie's

Jake has gone to preschool off and on at Miss Sharie's for the past 3 years.  Stevie went a bit this summer...but last Thursday was her first official day at Miss Sharie's.  She loves it, even without Stella and Jake there.  On her first day, she was supposed to wear her favorite color and bring show and tell.  You would guess pink or purple...no...the new favorite is black.  What???  But she loved the Johnny Cash shirt she wore and was very proud because Jake's favorite color is black too.