School Carnival

The kids school has a carnival every year to help raise money for supplies and to fund programs for the school. The kids had fun in all the bounce houses and Samantha enjoyed the gladiator one. I tried to stand in line for the Water Walkers (you can see it in Samantha's picture) but the line really didn't move for the 45 minutes that I stood there. Kevin got in line for these bumper boats and the kids were able to do them before the carnival ended. We had a great time and love that our school tries to get the best stuff for our kids!

Picture Day

Derrick 2nd Grade

KayDee Kindergarten

Samantha 4th Grade

The night before we prepared so we wouldn't have so much to do. I put foam curlers in KayDee's hair so it would hold curl. I doused Samantha's hair with gel so we could get successful curls in the morning. I gave Derrick a hair cut so we wouldn't have to work too hard to make his hair look great. We picked out clothes for them to wear and set them out. Morning came and the kids got ready with lots of ease and my bathroom was more full than normal, including the counter. We managed to get Derrick's hair to spike with gel, hair spray and blow drying. Samantha's hair curled perfectly and we found a clip to match. KayDee's curls were more tight than expected but a cute hair band makes her look adorable. I was hoping those curls would relax a little for the school picture but they never did. We had 10 minutes before the bus came and so we went to the yard to take pictures so I don't have to buy them from the school.
I arrived at the school to help teachers and the photographers needed help so I helped in the afternoon and received a free package for KayDee. That makes me happy since I like the kids to have at least one picture taken from the school. I think it is exceptional when things work out that way.

Hunting at Boulder

We went hunting up Boulder Mountain over Labor Day weekend. Kevin took each of the kids with him each time he went out so they all had one on one with Grandpa and Dad. Kevin's parents were there and some friends to scope out the elk for the rifle season.

Derrick and Samantha each went early in the morning (notice there are no pictures from 6 am) and went on horses. KayDee went in the evening and they went on the 4-wheeler.

Samantha's ride ended up being more exciting than she wanted. The horse shifted and she fell off and then later it reared up as it was avoid climbing over fallen trees. Although she was skeptical that she'd ever be smiling about that situation, the next day she was happy she had a story to tell her teacher and friends at school.

I have to note that I had a great time camping in our tent and cooking on the fire. I bought some cast iron pans and used our dutch oven to cook straight on the fire. Eggs and bacon, lasanga, pancakes, hot chocolate... Kevin would get back to camp and ask expectantly about what I had cooked and if there were left overs for him. That's exactly how I like it!

 

Motorcycle DUDE!

There he is. All decked out in his leather ready to ride to work. He's looks pretty smokin!

First Day of School 2011

 Samantha and Derrick started their 4th and 2nd grade year. They are super excited to start a new year. We gathered their supply list for each of their classes and tried on new shoes. I wonder if they are mostly excited to get new books every night from the school library or see their friends at school.

KayDee started her first day of kindergarten a week after the older kids. Kindergartners have to be tested the first week of school. Clearly, she was very excited and has enjoyed riding the bus!

Hunting at Beaver

I joined Kevin for a couple days hunting on Beaver Mountain. I called Kevin's mom and she was happy to take the kids for the night. Kevin and I had a great time and we really enjoyed being together as just a couple. It's not often we get to spend time without the kids for a longer period of time. We are grateful for the opportunity and for Kevin's parents who watched our kids even though they weren't exactly angels.

Vaughn Erickson Family Reunion

We joined most of my siblings and my parents at East Canyon for the Erickson family reunion. This year my parents splurged and got shirts for everyone with a special message on the back. We had fun swimming, mini golfing, and figured out we like tennis but need to build some skill.
It was fun to be with everyone who came. Each family came in and out as they had time over the 3 days. Cousins were pleased to be together and enjoy the end of the summer. We had a very fun trip and are grateful my parents decided to have a big get together.

"The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but to those that endure to the end..."

Rusty and Rosy

KayDee finished the Rusty and Rosy preschool program from Waterford Institute. She enjoyed learning to read with their online program she did 15 minutes a day, 5 days a week. She can read sight words and knows all the letter sounds, so she can sound out simple words. We are proud of her and are excited for her to start kindergarten!

The Little Mermaid

 We went to The Little Mermaid at Tuacahn with the girls in Kevin's family. It was done really well and we all had fun. They were so creative with the water fountains and flooding and using skater shoes to glide across the stage like they were swimming.

Clearly, King Triton fit his part well. The girls were a little intimidated to stand next to him. And the picture with Ariel and Eric turned out better than we thought. Roni, my sister-in-law took it and caught the beginning of the moment of KayDee getting stepped on and everyone turned to look down to see if she was okay. Nice timing Roni!

Back and Forth

 Samantha took some pictures of us while were were at home between crops. We have been back and forth to the farm as Kevin has been needed.

 Kevin called me while he was sitting in a tractor and told me to look outside and this is what I saw. It is beautiful! This is looking out from Travis and Bree's house.

 Daddy Daughters

Sunday braids.

Going to church.

Pioneer Day

 Just in case you were wondering how we all looked with big nose, glasses and a mustache, this is it!
We joined Kevin's parents, brother and his family, and sister for the 24th celebration.

 We went to their parade and breakfast and the Relief Society presidency tossed these glasses to us instead of candy. They claimed to be "sticking their nose in people's business". I thought it was pretty cute and we do look cute in the glasses too! We gathered plenty of candy from those on tractors, trailers and old cars. We also learned about the town's history and the people who built the first homes there. Kevin's dad even sang in a trio. It was a good celebration.

Ipson Reunion

The Ipson Reunion was another great camping trip. We went up Thursday night and came home Saturday evening. The kids had fun playing in the trees, 4-wheeling and hanging out with cousins. I let the kids loose with the camera so we would have pictures since I keep forgetting to take pictures. Samantha took about 50 silly shots and some nice ones of the spring so that was great. Dirt was a favorite for KayDee and Derrick loved the motorized toys.
Dutch oven cooking by Justin, Kevin's cousin, was fun since he showed us his secrets! We look forward to more next year. We hiked to the caves and retrieved the ice to make ice cream to top off the tradition for the reunion.

Two Front Teeth

Derrick lost his two front teeth in the same week and he loves it. I have enjoyed watching him eat. Sometimes I wonder if he can eat the food or if I need to cut it up but he has been able to bite everything without problem.

Laub Family Reunion

Derrick towing his cousin Shelbi

 These are the only 2 pictures I took. Kevin's family meets together over the 4th of July for their reunion and we have lunch and ride horses and play a game. This year they brought Minute to Win it games. I had no idea I could catch several pencils flipped from the top of my hand. The kids had fun riding horses and 4 wheelers.

Kevin had fun taking his brothers and cousins for a ride on the sand dunes. There were 5 men who were all over 6ft tall in his camo truck. They said the harder they laughed going over all the bumps, the faster Kevin drove, so then they laughed even harder. I stole this picture from my sister-in-law Bree since her husband was one of the ones in the truck too.

Rodeo 2011

New announcer stand

I like this one even though it's blury

This year the kids were invited to go to the rodeo Friday night with their new Aunt Whitney since she wanted to bring some kids while she was with her friends who also had kids. We all went together the next night and Kevin's sister Mandy came too. We had a great time. Samantha ended up with blisters since she didn't wear socks with her boots originally. KayDee played in the dirt pretty much the whole time and Derrick enjoyed the pretty rodeo princesses that pass out pictures. All of them loved the food from the concession stand (nachos, snow cones, cotton candy, etc). Kevin worked the gates as he has done in the past years, except this year he could only do it Saturday since he was finishing crop at the farm.

4th of July Parade 2011

We decorated the kids bikes for the 4th of July parade this year. The kids had fun riding. KayDee rode her bike back and forth, but not really part of the parade. I was very happy since she has lacked the  confidence to ride on the street until now. The kids picked up some pretty good candy. Kevin drove the fire truck and I took pictures and stayed available if the kids had a problem.
I got to run through the end  of the parade chasing the fire truck since our car was parked at the church and I didn't want to walk. Don't worry, I waved as I ran.

Motorcycle Progress: Seat

I sewed the seat. We bought foam (EXPENSIVE!) and the vinyl. The lady at the store gave us a 50% off coupon so that made the foam much better. She made my day! Next we do tires!

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!