Laub Grandkids

Anniversary Campout

 Our annual camp out was done a little different this year. We always camp on Memorial weekend (Friday-Saturday) since this is the weekend Kevin and I met (11 years ago now). Kevin had to work Saturday morning this year so we decided to do a practice backpacking trip. We wore our packs as we walked down the dirt road behind our house and then came back to pitch the tent in the yard.

 Almost a cave.

 The stump that is near our house. It must be more special when you are hiking.

Ice cream because we can! It is celebration food.

We played Uno after everything was set up and I had no idea that the game was so fun. KayDee squealed and squealed and even won! It was delightful! After, we slept like sardines, during which we decided to get a two man tent for Kevin and I so the kids could share this one. 

This trip really celebrates our family and we love having our kids be a part of it!

DJ and Whitney's Wedding

 I think the pictures say it all. I LOVE seeing Kevin dressed up. We had a great time and we are so happy for Kevin's brother DJ and Whitney. Congratulations to them!

1st Crop

Derrick and the lizards

KayDee

Me

Samantha helping her dad

Kevin cleaning the shop

Kevin started working for his family farm this June and these are pictures from first crop. I let the kids loose with the camera and ended up with over 50 pictures and decided to post just one of everyone.
The kids enjoyed spending time in the tractor with their dad. They came back with their very own hay cube. Out of all the kids KayDee seemed to enjoy herself to the fullest, asking if she could drive and keeping track of numbers on the wagons and how many tires. The other two heard about it and had more fun the next rounds. I love that the kids get to spend more time with their dad one on one.

The Dogs: Daisy and Sitka

Doing dishes

Fisher Reunion

Samantha and Derrick jumping off the diving board. It is quite an accomplishment.

We went to the Fisher Reunion, which is my mom's side, and had a great time swimming and eating and visiting. I made Bon Bon's for the auction dessert and they were so WONDERFUL that my Aunt Jean called for the recipe!

KayDee is 5

 KayDee is 5 and she is so excited about it! She has been looking forward to this age since she has wanted to go to school like her older brother and sister. Now she can go to kindergarten!
She has been going to preschool and doing an online preschool called UPSTART which has helped her with the first stages of reading. She knows all her letters and sounds and can sound out words. She has memorized words like: the, and, me, my and several others. She can read the Dick and Jane books by herself!

She loves to color and write notes to family. She loves to draw princesses. KayDee is a lot more brave riding bikes now and has gained confidence with swimming lessons. She loves her dog Daisy and has taken care of a spot in the garden that she planted, which includes zucchini and cucumber. She loves ladybugs and catches toads. She can shower by herself too!
KayDee loves to say prayers and has been very interested in the resurrection. She wants to make sure that it will be okay when we die.

 We invited friends from church, school, and music class to her birthday party. Nearly all showed up and they had a fantastic time in that tiny pool.

We set up the pool and she received pool toys to share while her friends were there. The water twister pad was a hit as well.
Happy Birthday KayDee!

Derrick's 1st Grade Program

 Derrick with the rest of the 1st grade presented Aesop's Fables. They all did a great job with their parts and singing. Derrick memorized and said his part so well.

 They sang and gave speaking parts for several fables. Derrick's part was for the Dog and the Bone.

Petro Glyphs

 We went on another hike to see these petroglyphs.

 There are numerous rocks with random amounts of carvings.

 This ledge is where the petro glyphs are looking over the river.

 I think some of these look like feet or hands. There are quite a few animals too, so they're probably tracks.

 Kevin found this on our way out while he was looking for a water bottle. We signed it and put it back. We still need to go online to report that we found it. It was wedged in some rocks, hidden.

This hike was great since Kevin had the day off and could come with us. The older kids were in school so we took KayDee. Two ladies from the ward went with us too!

Scrabble

Kevin and I played Scrabble the other night and we used every tile! Kevin made me take a picture.

Uncle Roger and Aunt Carolyn

Visitors! My Uncle Roger and Aunt Carolyn have stopped by our home so many times and we have not been home. Finally this time we were there and they came! We had fun visiting and learning of their plans to move to our area.

Buster

This is Buster. He was brought down from the farm to help eat our overgrown pasture. He is a really great horse and the kids love to ride him. Samantha and Derrick can catch him and wait for Kevin to saddle him. And they both can climb on by themselves. We really think it is special to have a horse in our backyard!

Silly Sleeping Dog

3 Musicans

All three kids did Let's Play Music this year. Samantha and Derrick finished and KayDee started. Next year Samantha and Derrick will take private piano lessons from me (we'll see how that goes). KayDee will continue the program and will start playing the piano as part of the second year. I am so grateful for this opportunity for my children to learn music and make it a part of them. It is something they can use throughout their life. It is something that is important to me and I'm glad I can pass that on to them.

Samantha's Recital

 Samantha has completed 3 years of Let's Play Music and played a piece she composed for the recital too.

 Miss Laura congratulating and presenting her with her trophy for completing the Let's Play Music program.

 

She played her piece memorized and did a fantastic job. Well done Samantha!

Derrick's Recital

 Derrick did such a good job with his recital. He has been in Let's Play Music for 3 years and played a piece that he composed for the recital. He had to introduce himself and his song.

 His bow after was very sophisticated.

 Miss Laura congratulating and presenting his trophy for completing the Let's Play Music program.

He told us he could be famous now since he is a composer!

KayDee's 1st Recital

 KayDee had her recital after taking a full year of music class of Let's Play Music. She got to learn how to play the bells, sing and recognize 3 basic cords among other foundational music skills.

 This is her during the puppet show. She has loved these since the older kids were in the class when she was two.

 Receiving her award from Miss Laura, her teacher.

Good job KayDee!