First day of school

School started today. The kids were more than ready, being home was getting boring. They are actually at school for the start of the year at least. 

The boys have zero hour seminary so they left at 6:10 am. This year they are trying to have a style too, finally. 

Emery left at 8 am. She convinced Brad to get her cool new shoes, which are cool and she loves. 

This is Jackson's last year in elementary! He just wanted to walk to school alone. He didn't leave until almost 9am.

We did the candy grams again this year. Each year lately we have been doing things a little different and this is what we came up with. The kids love seeing them when they get home from the first day. 

The Fair

We went to the fair this past Monday. I'm not sure if it's due to COVID or if it was a normal year, but the one here seemed just as big as Twin Falls. There were however way less animals at this fair. We stayed a couple hours and were done. It always seems like a good idea, then is meh. I did get mini doughnuts though, so that was a plus. 

She is saying, are you taking a picture? When they are older, all the kids are going to realize that majority of the times I tried to take pictures of them, they just make lame faces. They do it to be funny, I however don't like it as much.  

Just Do It

 Right now, incase you've been living under a rock for the past year and a half, the world is going through a major tuff time. The COVID pandemic has affected everyone in one way or another. Some are smart and realize how serious this really is. While Brad and I both work from home and really don't see many people ever, we did get the vaccine. Thankfully the hospitals, and many company's are requiring it. With the variant spreading worse than wild fire and with it being so devastating, we talked with the kids about school, masks and the vaccine. Jackson is too young to get it right now but we asked the others if they wanted it. I have to say, while I take this seriously, I didn't really think about getting the kids the vaccine yet. No reason either way, it just didn't cross my mind. I guess I was hoping that adults around the world would be the ones who got it, and then that would help protect the kids more. Emery had COVID and I think is still a little leery of it, and to add a shot to that, she said she didn't want it yet and just wants to wear a mask. Cam was the exact same. Beckham however said he wanted it. Like I said before, I didn't think about them getting it and it honestly took me back a little. I wasn't worried about the vaccine, other than needles are the worst, but to be honest I was a little nervous for him to get it. Last week I took him to get his first shot. As we were waiting I asked him why he wanted to get it? Did we scare him by talking about COVID? He said no, I'm healthy and I'm not scared of it, I just want to do my part. The little that I can help stop the spread. I totally didn't tear up hearing how selfless this young man is. He realizes that every little things helps. Proud parent moment for sure. 

Just Because

As we get ready for school some of the kids started to look at how they want to look on the first day, and really how they want their style to be. It is a big changed from baggy shorts and shirts everyday. 

Camden has usually been good with his hair, but he took time to look into a new style. He wants Chinos, and nice jackets and even took my hairdryer to do his hair. We tell the boys often if they want some of the styles now, they will have to use a dryer. 

Just because it's been a while since the dogs have been on the blog. She was out!

Lagoon

About a week ago, Emery and Jackson went to Lagoon with Grandma and Grandpa Arrington and Uncle Bryan and his family. They stayed most of the week with them. They had a blast but came home very tired. 

Kiara joined them at Lagoon, which was a fun surprise. 

They stayed over night and walked downtown Salt Lake the next day. They saw a super cool car, checked out the Temple under construction and then shopped. 

The night in Utah Emery got a little home sick. She gave us a call to talk for a bit. I remember being her age and feeling that. I hated when I got scared but also hated staying over night places. Thankfully she was with family and was drained from Lagoon. Shortly after the call she calmed down and slept. 

About 10 minutes after she got home, she was out. 

It was the perfect end to their summer. 

Friday the 13th

A few weeks ago Brad made chicken fingers, like you get at Burger King, but better and at home. The kids we not excited for them, but they loved them, ate all of them and wanted more. For Friday the 13th meal Brad made chicken hands, which quickly turned into baby hands. Not the best way to describe something you're about to eat, but they were really good. 

This is pre cooked. 

And cooked. 

One year we make cookies and melted gummy candy and mixed it with frosting. Once it cooled it was like skin and the kids loved them. They weren't good, just weird. The ones this time, the gummy candy was not good. They wouldn't fully melt and just turned out like vomit. I guess they worked for the day. 

Fun Long Weekend

This past weekend I had a long weekend from work. We went to Twin for the night to spend the day at Dierkes Lake with Grandma and Bryan's kids. Since Beck has Driver's Ed and couldn't miss, we took Zander. It was a quick trip but a good one. I used to love swimming in that water. During this heat, it felt so good. Now as an adult, I will pass. 

They were making sand-ice cream. 

I also turned 35 while there. My dad got me flowers before I left town. I love them. 

On Friday Beck had his last day of Driver's Ed and got her permit. Oh man, mom and dad I'm sorry for how bad of a driver I may have been when I started. While it's a good thing, he's very slow and very cautious. Well unless he is going 40 and we tell him to head to the gas station for gas and he tries to turn going at least 25 then slams on his breaks just as he gets into the parking lot. Yeah... this will be a long 6 months. I kind of hope only a few are like this and after a while it just gets better. He has a permit for at least 6 months. The joys of twins is there is still one to go. Camden didn't want to do Driver's Ed yet, so we lucked out there. However, once Beck gets his licenses is about when Camden wants to take the class. We will be doing this for about a year. 

I took in out tonight to work on turns. His hands are always at 9 and 3, never move. That position does not make for good turns.  He is still nervous but getting better, or I am just really hoping he is. It hasn't been a week yet, which means we still have a long time. 

Heatwave

Right now we are in a huge heatwave. It's been going on for forever and were tried of it. One night there was a showing so we just took the dogs for a walk to the park. It was high 90s and probably too hot for a walk, but we survived. The dogs were beat after, but at the park they were trying to cool off. Look how big their tongues are. 

They both love walks and had a good time.