Back to school we go!

The first day of school has come and gone. My kids were up and really excited for their new year to begin. I always take them to school and walk them to their class rooms, which I'm now learning is a bit embarrassing, except to Baylie who just started kindergarten.

Here are 3 of my girls in front of the school. Emily-6th grade, Baylie - kindergarten, Alison - 2nd grade. Baylie with her teacher, Mrs. Killpack. We were a bit rushed that I just had to give her a quick hug and good-bye. When I got to the car, I asked Kenna if she noticed how Baylie was holding up. She was fine and later said she wasn't nervous at all, just happy to go to kindergarten!

Ali with her new teacher, Mrs. Brinton. Ali is such a fun little girl and I knew she was anxious to get the show on the road.

Emily and Mrs. Perry! Emily was a little embarrassed by my antics of picture taking but knew that if she didn't cooperate, I could be much more embarrassing!

Kenna is a freshman this year, in HIGH SCHOOL!! Boy, do I feel old! She was by far the most embarrassed of all my kids and couldn't even believe that I was getting out of the car to take her picture in front of the school! I did yell, "bye - turn and wave or I'll honk as I drive away!"

Lindsay didn't start school until today since freshman have their own day the first day of school. It's so they can navigate the halls and figure out where to be without too many kids there. So, she lucked out and just had her picture taken in front of the house and as she was getting into the car. If Jace would have been awake, I would have followed her to school to get one there!

They're on their way............

As Jace woke up yesterday, he plopped on the couch and said, "well, it's just you and me!" I then told him that Lindsay was still home but it would be just the two of us for tomorrow. It sure was a quiet morning and now I have to contend with Jace asking when he gets to go to pre-school! All my girls had a great first day and I'm happy to report they all loved being back!

Mud Run 2010

Cross Country is in full swing with Lindsay and Makenna both running for the High School. This past Saturday, was their first meet, and each year the first meet is a mud run! It's done at Sandy Downs with way more schools involved than I ever thought there would be. Hillcrest's goal in this race isn't to win but to come in last, yes, dead last! They start together and finish together, as a team! It's just a fun event for our school. They stop and play in the mud, swim through the canal, there is even a rope swing, and just have a good time as a team!!
Here's Lindsay towards the beginning of the race, look at her determination!! I really think she was more determined to not get very muddy, this isn't her favorite thing! And they're off, notice Lindsay(near the back, left) still on both feet and Kenna is crawling (on the right, in front)

Lindsay, stepping delicately in the mud and Kenna on her hands and knees ready to go under the wooden railing.

They made this pass through this muddy mess 3 different times during the race, here is Kenna and friends just coming under.

Lindsay

Kenna, crawling on her back through the mud!

Lindsay after the race

Side view, look at all the clumps of mud in her hair!!

Almost to the finish line, I had the girls stop and pose for a picture. As I stated earlier, they weren't in any hurry to cross the finish line so they were happy to stop with friends for a picture. Also, Lindsay did finish the race this clean!! Kenna and her posse took her down afterwards and muddied her up, since they didn't think she got muddy enough!

It was a very hot afternoon at Sandy Downs but Chris and I really enjoyed watching the girls in this event. We did end up a little muddy (one of the girls from another team picked up mud and threw it at the spectators) and sunburned. We missed Lindsay in this event last year as we were gone to Boise so it was fun to be able to see exactly what a "mud run" is. I was really surprised by how many teams come from all over Eastern Idaho for this, I'm not sure I would run in this at all! Way to go girls, glad you had fun - now on to the more serious meets......

Roaring Springs

Last Friday we spent the day at Roaring Springs water park in Boise. This is one thing my kids look forward to several times each summer!! We were able to go at the end of "grandma's week" so my whole family was able to be there. We had such a fun day and the kids are already wanting to go back.
Baylie and Jace playing in the kiddie area Ali with her cousins Nate and Kacie

Baylie

Ali exiting the wave pool

Kyton, Kenna, Emily, Haley and Baylie in the wave pool

Baylie and Nate, chillin'

Chris and Kyton racing down the some of the slides.

Kenna and Lindsay making their way down

Chris, me, Anjela, Kyton, Lindsay and Kenna

Laura and Kara taking a break to eat yummy snow cones.......

Haley and Emily at the end of "thunder falls!" These two had such fun together, they stayed together all day long and we didn't see very much of them, unless they came back for food :)

Me, Lindsay and Kenna half way down 'thunder falls!' This was a blast!!!

Lindsay and Kenna, heading up the stairs to 'avalanche'

During 'avalanche'

Emily stopping to eat dippin' dots!

We all had a blast, we sure love Roaring Springs!!! It was nice that our cousins and my mom and siblings were able to be there too! We ended up back at my moms in shifts. Anjela left with Jace, Kara left with her two little ones, my mom left with Baylie and then Chris and I took the six oldest home last. We finally made them leave the park at 7, but they could have stayed for a few more hours!!

Grandma turns 95

On August 3, 1915, my grandma Karen Eleanor Wold Root was born. She has been a big part of my life, as she lived with us during my teenage years. We weren't able to head over for the celebration but will see her as we head over to Boise this weekend. Four of my girls have been at my moms for the week so they were there for the big day. Here they are at Applebees for dinner. Also, my Uncle Norman and his wife Ann came from Sacramento, CA to be with her. Uncle Norman is in the blue shirt and Aunt Ann is wearing the sunglasses. Look closely and you can see a few of my kids there. Here's my grandma holding her birthday cake. Doesn't she look great for being 95?

Happy Birthday Grandma!!! For as long as I can remember, I have been telling her that she'll live to be at least 100, she doesn't appreciate when I tell her that, but we're sure hoping I'm right!! Thanks for Anjela for the pictures