August- Week 4- Back to School

The Friday before school started, we went to a farewell BBQ for one of Dan's co-workers.  It had been about 4 years since the last get-together like this, so we took a picture to see how all the kids have grown and how many kids have been added.  

2010

Notice screaming McKenna bottom left

2014

This time, it was Ben who didn't want to cooperate. I promise our kids don't always cry for group photos.  

Cute, but blurry, princess Anna.  

I got the idea from a friend (Kelly R.) to do a back-to-school dinner the night before school started.  McKenna helped decide the menu.  The table was covered in paper so they could doodle. 

They got these headbands to show what "grade" they're going into.  

And then there were no days left on our countdown!

McKenna said she felt, "Good and a little nervous."  

Proud little brother

I only got a little teary eyed right when we first got out of the car.  

After getting home from dropping big sister off, Ben just couldn't wake up.  Kindergarten IS exhausting! ;) 

We celebrated the first day of school by going to Ugurt of course! 

We pulled out this new walker toy and Anna was/is loving it!  

Just another cute picture of another uniform style.  

The next day, Ben attended his first day of preschool.  I'm doing a co-op with two other moms from the neighborhood who also have boys Ben's age.  Such a great, well-behaved group of boys.  McKenna was so proud as well.  

We made some oven s'mores to celebrate Ben's first day.  Definitely not as good as the real thing.  

Saturday, McKenna and I went to see Maleficent with my sister.  Fun little girls' afternoon! Great movie too!

Dinner at Pizza Pie Cafe=messy faces.  

Enjoying Bountiful Park.  Seriously, she's such a daddy's girl! Pretty darn cute! 

August- Week 3- Cousin Carnival and Grandson Activity

We had our second annual cousin carnival!  We gathered at "Winegar Park" (aka Sarah Jane and Jake's back yard) and we each planned a game and brought food for a potluck BBQ.  There were games like ladder ball, plink-o, bean bag tosses, and ring tosses.  

Aunt Lara's "game" was this cute photo booth.  

Aunt Lara shared all the rest of the pictures she took that night; here are a few of my favorites...  

Cute Katie with Anna.  

Sarah Jane and Jake's "game" was making and launching bottle rockets.  Grandma brought lots of uniquely patterned duct tape. 

Ben's finished rocket.

McKenna's finished rocket.  

Uncle Jake teaching Ben how to launch it.  

Love Ben's face in this.  

McKenna ran straight at one as it was falling and almost caught it in the head.  

Ben and Oliver had a good time playing with the hose.  

Ben was quite sad when it was time to put it away.  

Grandma and Grandpa also provided some awesome prizes!  

Kazoos!

I was impressed one day with Anna's coordination/desire to crawl and pull this little wagon around.

Ben got invited to Grandma's house for a fun afternoon with the 3-year-old grandsons!  All pictures are from Grandma.  

They did marble races.  

They each instructed grandma how to decorate each of their bags.  

Had lots of yummy snacks! 

Glow stick ring-toss.  

Decorated door hangers

Ben adores these sunglasses!  He wants to wear them everywhere! (Yeah..the nose picking is also a common occurrence. Glad we could catch one.)

They blew bubbles too.  

She really spoiled these boys! Thank you Grandma!!  

Dan's sister Brynn hosted a back-to-school breakfast the Thursday before school started.  (Take note of what Ben is doing in all 3 pictures. He wasn't too interested in much else. :) )

McKenna and I attended a baby shower for Aunt Lara.  The theme was "Cute little Ute."  So excited to meet this baby girl on or before Sept. 24th.  :) 

That night while McKenna and I were gone, Dan introduced Ben to...

He had his camera set-up and waiting for the opening song to begin; he caught Ben's reaction in the top left picture.  McKenna has since begun her enthusiasm for Star Wars, so this helped us get even more excited for our Disneyland trip coming up!