Morgan's Field Trip

Field Trips.

I remember the days.  I remember sitting on the school bus, singing "99 bottles of beer on the wall" and being SO proud to make it to #1.  I remember those awesome windows on the bus that always seemed to get stuck or the one side would be super hard to pinch so I could never open it correctly.....

And I remember the smell of the bus.  You remember that smell, right?  I also get that smell when I walk into older schools.  Total flashback.

Morgan's 5th Grade class went on a field trip to the Leonardo.  It's an art museum in Salt Lake City.  I was so pumped to go.....heck ~ it's an ART museum.  I readily volunteered to go, and I admit, it was fun...

And tiring.

SOOOOOOO tiring.

Here are all the kids (well some of them at least) waiting to leave.  Our little (not so little anymore though) Morgan is on the very left.

We walked outside, and waited for the bus.

And waited.

Their teachers are super cute.  They had all of these fun songs and activities for the kids to do while we waited.  Do you remember the song, "I said 'a-boom-a-chicka-boom'"?  There was a cute little 5th grade boy that did it in "opera", and one that did an Ah-Mazing English accent.  I was cracking up.

 

On the bus.  Remember when I mentioned how awesome it was to get to bottle #1?  Well I think some boys on the bus got there twice.  (eye-roll).  That song DEFINITELY was more fun when I was younger.  The bus was crazy too.  It was weird seeing cameras everywhere.  I understand the need for them, but it's just sad that we live in a world that "needs" them.  Ya know?

 

These awesome kids were the kids I was in charge of while at the museum.  They sure were a lively bunch.  Phew!  Oh, and in the back?  That's Morgan's teacher.  She's awesome.

Talking about what we were doing that day...

The kids were given a task to build a "simple machine" that used rubber bands to function.  Here is Morgan's team working hard on their idea.

This was a super-cool installation piece in the museum.  I can't even remember what it was called, but it's function was to convert carbon dioxide to oxygen.  When it heated up or cooled, it also moved.  It was really neat.  What I liked most about it though, were the ink sketches of the piece.  They were so intricate and detailed, it was amazing.

The kids were told to sketch a part of this installation, but the only trick was that they couldn't look at their paper.  It taught them to really "look" at their subject.

Lunchtime!

Morgan and her friends building a carbon atom.

This "green screen" that Morgan had fun with...

Those little bottles above were all filled with different kinds of seeds.  There were about 400 bottles total.  It was pretty cool.

Aw......

 I had a lot of fun hanging out with Morgan on this awesome field trip.  I was so glad that she was excited that I came.  It was a fun, exhausting, day.

First Day of School

This year our kids began a new adventure at a new school near our home.  It took some prayer and contemplation commit to this change, and I think that it's going to be a good one.  One of the changes that our kids are getting used to, are the uniforms.  Grace, in particular, is super picky about her clothing.  She has had a hard time trying to feel "pretty" with these new clothes.  Crede couldn't care less, and Morgan spends about 20 minutes each night working out new combo's for the next day.  

Their teachers are really nice, and their school teaches with a more "hands-on" approach that is a lot of fun.  They do a lot of scientific experiements, and their homework is a little more extensive too.  We're happy with the change so far.  

Anywho ~ here are the cute kids on their very first day in their new school.

In front of the school...

And just a few more just cuz...

Bear Lake

We went on our "annual" friend camping trip this August.  We all decided that Bear Lake would be a great place to go, and it definitely didn't disappoint!  The weather was perfect....it sprinkled ONE day for about 5 minutes, and we had a lot of fun hanging out.  We have the best friends in this world, and it's a privilege to spend time with them.  They are amazing people to put up with my craziness, and my occasional breakdown when I yell at my children.  I can't wait until next year.  Thanks you guys. 

I didn't take many photo's this year, because ~ well ~ you'll find that when I am in a stressful situation (that I find stressful) I switch into survival mode.  Survival mode does not include photography.  "Why were you in survival mode?", you ask?  Well I had a month-old newborn and 5 other kids on a CAMPING trip.  **sigh**

Here are the photo's I DID capture...sorry.  Next year will be better.  Just you wait.

Here's a photo of what our kids decided to do most of the trip, and that was collect sea-shells.  I think we ended up with 3 or 4 water-bottles filled.  They had a lot of fun.

Here is our beach set-up.  I learned a valuable lesson sitting under these, and that is this:  that white awning is NOT sun-proof.  Poor Faith was sitting under there an entire day and her little face got sun-burned.  I felt horrible.  Luckily, it wasn't too bad, but for a newborn I'm sure it wasn't fun for her.  Sorry little Foof.

And of course Lilah kept checking in on Faith...

Chance out on the water...

And what camping trip would be complete without a good ol' mud-fight?  There were minimal tears this year...

Lilah eating her pb & j.

Playing in the water...

Those Steadmans, always making something cool.  Too bad Crede completely ruined this a few minutes later...

These 3 found a butterfly...a dead butterfly, and decided to bury it.  Here is the grave marker and some heart-felt sentiments.  Awww.......

I know...it's not a surf board...but it was cool.

Hi Gage!

Grace trying to warm up...

Gage, do you feel a little draft?

Remember that pb & j?  Lilah was mad at me for taking it away from her.  Blech.

Aaaand the group shots.  These are my favorites.  Sorry, there are a few.

I love that "antler" one.  We're pretty ferocious!

Muscles...

Silly Face?

This one is my favorite.  I just love these guys.

THE END.

Happy Birthday Gage!

I can't believe Gage is 4.  This kid is so much fun...and he makes me laugh pretty much every single day.  Just the inflection in his voice is funny.  He doesn't necessarily TRY to make us laugh, he's just a jolly kid.  He loves watching movies ~ and will get up super early in the morning to do so.  There have been mornings where I come downstairs at 5am and the boys are up and playing with their toys or watching a movie.  I have to admit ~ on those mornings I don't think it's too funny....and I may or may not yell.

BUT.

I am sure looking back I will remember these times with fondness and I'm sure it'll bring a smile to my face.  Right?

This was a good day.  Gage was so excited to celebrate his birthday.  He talked about it for WEEKS.  Here he is, enjoying some early morning cartoons....

 

Kickin' Back...

And of course...Chocolate Milk for breakfast.

 

I think Grace is a little jealous.

 

 

Blowing out his yogurt candle.

Even a goofball while brushing his teeth.

 

His birthday gift from church.  He loves his new tie pin.

 

I don't think he was too excited for the fried rice and yakisoba for dinner....but he got his special plate, so that's all that matters, right?

Don't mind the piece of cake missing already...our bishop stopped by right before we sang to Gage and we insisted that he take a piece home with him.  Gage was MORE than happy to oblige.

Taking is journey through the birthday spanking machine...

And opening his present.  He was so excited.  As you can see, Morgan and Grace decided he needed "heavy, heavy, hangover" first.  

Gage is one of my only kids that actually enjoys puzzles.  He could do them all day long if he didn't have a younger sister that would try to eat or rip the puzzles.  Sadly, we only get them out while Lilah is napping.

 

Doing one of his puzzles with Grandma.  He LOVED them....and he LOVES Grandma.