Cloey the Christmas Dog

We had a great Christmas. As you will see below, Garrett's dream (& mine) came true of becoming owner of our very own dog, a little girl named Cloey. She is a sweet mild mannered dog and our surprise loving dad did a great job in the surprise department. Hope we can keep the attitude of Christmas going as far as looking out for who needs a helping hand. I'm grateful for my friends and family, and that means you (yes, you the reader)!

Sister's, Tooth to Toilet and More

Sister's Lunch Garrett wanted to type this post, he directed it as a letter to his Gma Julie. I helped him type it, but he did some himself. Grandma Julie, I lost my third tooth but I swallowed it. But I was trying to get it out. Has grandpa saw a Moose yet? Has grandpa shot an elk yet? Grandma Julie, I love you. Garrett. A funny joke: What did the bear say to the moose? Hey you look tasty but your supposed to be a bear! (note from the mom: there was a little screaming involved during tooth pulling time; hence the swallowed tooth--Yuck!)

Also, below is a little video of Alyza saying a few of the letters she knows. She is learning to love the ABC's from Super Why, and from some good toddler books that we have.

Sppooooooky!

We miss Sister Browning this year! She is Garrett's buddy who was always looking out for his diabetic needs on Halloween. She passed away unexpectedly this August. We miss her, but her example of watching out for others is still with us!

Big Guy Shay Turns 4

My little buddy had a great birthday, full of farm toys, a lunch out w/ Gpa, Sam, & Dad; a "playground" cake (that took some creativity to invent)...a great day in the life of a 4 year old. My kids are getting big, I love em.

Pics of Life

Shay's farm -- this is what he and mom build together


Diabetes walk 2011. Thanks Aunt Lyndsay for being a great Team Captain, it was lots of fun.


This hair keeps us smiling


Alyza LOVES Tricky...stay posted for Halloween pics of her black cat costume.


These vests were a sewing project to teach me zippers.


The man of the hour...Garrett, the star of Team Garrett... the reason we do the diabetes walk. This kid puts up w/ a lot re: his diabetes and I wish I could take it from him. But the experience of it has benefited us in many ways.


Miss Lou


Shay waiting for Garrett to come home from school.


My cute kids coming home from church.

Too Cool for School

Some facts about this school year:

Garrett's teacher has also seen Bonanza, just like him
The girls chase Garrett at recess (and his friends)
In music they did a boring work sheet
There is a new crush going on (Emma)
The first hot lunch he ate was 90 something carbs
Shay does some school learning with mom, and is working on his numbers.
Alyza and Shay play really well together while Garrett is gone. When we drive by the school, Alyza calls for Garrett
Walking to school with the Gibbons and Kent is fun

Well, there are a few stats of the first week. We feel like Garrett is gone soooo long.. we start to miss him when the day is done. Then he comes home and makes Shay cry (sometimes) and we say, "Go back!"




This is not school related, but this hummingbird flew into our window and was injured. I tried to give it a drink of water to bring it alive and it flapped away and made me scream. If you know me, you know that birds and I are really not friends so that may be the last time I ever try to give one the kiss of life again.

Melancholy

I know this is a weird title for a post that includes all our summer fun, but I always feel this way before school starts. I never like summer to end and the threat of winter...although I am excited for Garrett to go to 1st grade. So, as to the summer fun...


As you can see, our fun really wore us out


Shay on a tractor at the petting zoo at Lehi's Thanksgiving Point. We came here w/ Matt's cousins Adam and Mindy who we visited in Elberta. They live where there is a church welfare dairy that Adam helps keep running.


Our Fam at Aunt Marylee's (Matt's Aunt), her home is in SLC. Her house is a vacation in itself, it is beautiful and relaxing.


Admiring the Dino's at the museum at Thanksgiving Point.


Another highlight of our trip--Cabella's. We bought nothing, it was the cheapest entertainment ever for my hunter enthusiasts.


My little dudes duded up for the rodeo. They went w/ their dad.


Shay wins the blue at the county fair for biggest sugar beets. He was very excited!


This is always a summer favorite. Happy school starting to everyone, hope you all had fun too.

Photo Shoot

A photo shoot tonight, taken after Grandpa LaVerle Bingham's viewing. The kids were dressed up so cute, and it just seemed like a picture moment. We will miss visiting Gpa every Sunday, but we are glad his spirit is free from suffering. Gotta love the gospel plan, and a loving Heavenly Father and Savior.

Passport Photos

These are Garrett and Shay's summer reading program passport photos. I had to post this because the picture of Shay kind of melts my heart a little. We had a great time doing library program with cousin Lainee. Now on to swimming lessons!

Mohawk Joe

Garrett has been growing his hair out for his one day of glory--the last day of school was mohawk day. This do lasted for one day only as it was unnerving to look at him. Now he is fuzzy buzzy and much cuter. We loved Garrett's teacher Mrs. Gregersen, she's the best.

A Shlew of Spring Events

This boy loves when dad brings the 4 wheeler around (Matt uses it to check fields)


Alyza walks everywhere now, and good thing her back side is padded. Her face is also many shades of bruises. Her latest thing is walking around w/ this "purse" putting anything she can think of into it.


Bike parade


Garrett earned enough accelerated reading points to qualify for the Principal's Walk. They parade around the school in their sweet hats to some awesome feel good tunes and everyone comes out of their classrooms to high five them. It was fun, and we are proud of Garrett.


The kids waiting for the fun to begin (Principal's walk)


Davy Crockett Shay


Davy Crockett Lou (We do occasionally call her Alyza, she responds to both)


Birthday boy Garrett decorates his cakes w/ his favorite thing--animals!


The handsome b-day boy wearing his favorite color, 6 years old on May 11.


Me the Dam runner running the Dam 5k. I got a dam shirt, and it was dam fun. Okay, so I mostly ran it so I could say dam 100 times a day. But it was fun, I will do it again some day. I think I resemble Forrest Gump when his hair started getting bushy during the running scenes.

Happy summer, friends!