Happy Halloween!

We finally carved our pumpkins!  The boys loved it, especially Bennett.  Left to right,  Aubree,  Bennett,  Nolan, and Justin.  Yeah, we all agree that Justin's is the best.

Summer is Over Already???

Let's just say that this summer went by too fast.  It's the first day of Fall.  Wow.  We had a fantastic summer.  We finally got the trailer in place and love it.  The boys really like having their own "room".  

Bennett:

• Started 1st grade!  So far, he seems to be enjoying it.  He likes the kids in his class and his teacher.  He doesn't like having homework, though.  We keep telling him that this will be easy compared to the years to come.
• Soccer - he is playing soccer for the first time and is starting to get into it.  His team's name is the Tornado Sea Dragons.  Yes, the kids picked that one out.  He had his first game last Saturday and almost made a goal.  
• He got his first bike without training wheels.  He tried it out yesterday and did O.K.  It's a bit frustrating for him, but with practice, I'm sure he'll be zooming around in no time.

Nolan:

• This boy is mischievous and energetic most of the time.  His humorous comments and dialogue make us laugh.  He is a unique child, so say the least.

There's not much else to update on.  We're all getting into the swing of the school year schedule, soccer, and life in general.

Picture time!

Bennett on horseback for the first time.

Bennett at the High Desert Museum

Labor Day at the Trailer

L-Jo at Swan Island Dahlia's.  We went there in Reggie's memory.  She's standing near one of Reggie's favorite Dahlias, poppers.  Laura, L-Jo, and I each ordered one of those.  I can't wait to see it bloom next Summer!

Such a gorgeous view.  The weather was perfect to walk through the fields.

Cutest co-pilot ever.

B's first day of 1st Grade

Soccer time!

Noah and Bennett - so cute.

B's first soccer game

Typical Nolan

B trying out his new bike

Of course Nolan has to follow them.

Rawr!

Swing fun at the Hogan's

It's Summer!!!

We have had a rather busy summer, so that's my excuse for not posting any updates.

Bennett:

• He absolutely loved magic camp and exploring the middle earth camp through Tracker's Earth.  I was very impressed with how organized they were.  One of Bennett's teachers told me that he had so much fun because he really got into it.  In magic camp, they got to cast spells, make potions, make wands, and fight the dragon slayer.  Exploring the middle earth allowed them to hung ogres, track animals, search for fairies, and shoot a bow and arrow.  Next year, he told me that he would like to go to magic camp.
• After Tracker's, he has been going to the YMCA Adventure camp.  They go on several field trips each week and are incredibly busy.  
• He got to spend a week with Grandma Karen all by himself.  His favorite part was going to garage sales.  Mom said that she got him hooked on them!  Oh boy!  The week before that (while Nolan was with Gma), he got to spend the week with us.  He had fun, but we could really tell he missed Nolan.  Who else would he pick on?  We all really enjoyed just being the 3 of us for a few days.  

Nolan:

• He thoroughly enjoyed his week alone with Grandma Karen, followed by a night at the new trailer with just Justin and I.  The week after that (while B was with Gma), he was an only child with us for the very first time.  Let's just say he really enjoyed it and it was nice to spend one-on-one time with him.  He did say he missed Bennett and was counting down the days until he could see him.
• I only have one funny Nolan saying to share with you.  While at my mom's house, he observed her ironing.

Justin and Aubree

• The old trailer is out and the new trailer is in!!!
• Justin has been doing a lot of work getting the deck fixed and the new trailer situated.  This includes building the deck up to the trailer and fixing the gate (this could be a pain, though!).  
• We absolutely love the new trailer.  It is so nice to have all the extra room and all the nice perks.  My favorite by far is the entertainment system.  We can turn on the radio (we get reception!!) inside the trailer and turn on speakers that are inside and outside.  

Picture time!

The new trailer, just put in place.  The deck has since 

been built up closer.

The view from the "street."

Bennett showing me how his camoflaged face paint 

helps him blend into the greenery. 

Bennett being silly

Maggie's 8th grade promotion

So proud of her - straight A's 

throughout middle school!

Proud Papa Jim and Maggie.

Maggie before her tap dance 

performance.

Mollie before her hip-hop dance

performance.

Nolan zonked out after his first time at the trailer.  Notice 

the glow stick in his hand....

Our little pig pen.  He loves the

dirt.

Jumbo marshmallow!

The Hogan and Passmore Boys.

Jackson, Bennett, Grant, and Nolan

Fun at the park at LMCH

Bennett loved the swirly slide.  Nolan, not so much.

Say cheese!

Silly boys!

The boys roasting marshmallows at the Hogan's.  Yes, 

they are wearing costumes.  Bennett has a Lego Batman 

head lamp on.  

And here's Otis.  The position says it all.

We hope everyone is doing well!  Have a safe and happy Summer.

Spring Has Sprung and Gone...

It's hard to believe Spring is almost over.  We have been busy, busy, busy.  Here's a recap:

Bennett:

• Almost done with Kindergarten!
• Summer plans include July and August at the "Old Y" (his preschool best friend, Lila, will also be there - yay!) and 2 weeks before that learning about Magic one week and Middle earth the next.  Let's just say that I would LOVE to be a kid again just so I could go to all of these awesome camps.
• We made a summer goal of learning how to read.  He is so close already and knows a lot of words already, but we'd like to have him reading some simple books on his own.
• He loves T-ball!  He is very focused, loves playing, and is a joy to watch.  I am making a prediction that we'll be doing this next year.
• On Sunday, he received a new haircut.  See picture below.

Nolan:

• Learning to count to 100.
• Identifying letters and knows how to spell his name.
• He's trying to write letters and always asks how to spell things.
• He knows the days of the week and loves to sing them.
• His imagination is truly unique and cracks us up all of the time.  It's not so great when he has nightmares that wake everyone up, though.

Justin and Aubree

• We bought a new trailer for LMCH!!!  The old one has been moved out and we're waiting for some minor changes to our site before we put the new one in.  The new one has a lot more room for everyone and will make our trips to LMCH a lot more comfortable.  
• Yard work and home improvements on the horizon - the effect of good weather.  While we're glad to have this nice weather, there are no excuses for getting things done.  We have plans to redo at least one of our bathrooms this summer and also continue to purge junk from our house and outside.  Sounds like fun, doesn't it?

Major picture time!!!

T-ball

Look at how serious he is. 

First time batting without the T.

Nice swing, B!

The kids and the dogs

He loves his monkey.

"Come to the dark side.  We need more cranky people."

Someone is zonked after daycare.

Justin loves Otis

The best canine co-pilot ever!

The boys love Storm.  

Hunting spiders with their brooms.

Otis and Bennett

Sweet mama Storm

One of the rare occasions where the dogs 

are acting like they enjoy each other.

Bennett's new haircut.  It was his idea.

My baby sister, Dr. Jillian Kurtz!!!