Lucy goes to Kindergarten!

I can't believe my little Luce the goose is in Kindergarten! Where did the time go? She seems to really like it so far. She gets on the bus happy and gets off of the bus happy so I assume she has a fun time while she is away. I have a hard time getting any information from her about her day, it seems like she will tell us about her day on her own terms. It is so cute to hear her talk about the different games and things they play and do. Her teacher has been sending out emails here and there telling us about what they are doing.. they have A (music day), B (computer lab), C (Art), D (gym), and E (library), so it switches off each day.

This is Lucy after she got all of her shots.. she was so brave! She cried a little after it was all said and done but then Dr. Messick brought suckers in and she was fine. At her 5 year old appointment (8/15) she was 42.5 lbs and 43 inches tall. He said her weight is perfect and that she is a little tall for her age. I can't get over her cute dimples!

Norah taking her turn getting pictures in front of the school. Dave will be done with residency when Norah starts kindergarten so she will never go to Windermere. I wonder where she will go? Will it be in Utah, Nevada, Arizona, California, Texas, or Washington maybe? We still haven't decided where we want to live, we still have plenty of time to decide.

Lucy getting on the bus for the first time. She was so excited! The bus picks her up at the back driveway around 11:40 and drops her off at the corner a little after 3. She walks right on and for some reason walks straight to the back, sits down, and then waves to Norah and I. Super cute! Norah was so sad the first couple of days to see Lucy leave but now that she knows that when she wakes up from her nap that Lucy will be home to play.

Eating mac and cheese waiting for the bus to come.

Norah at the school with me while waiting to pick Lucy up from her orientation day (lasted about 1 1/2 hrs) Miss Leneger observed where Lucy was in her learning. She says Lucy is right on track and will do great. I love Norah's big eyes! Still confused on how her shirt got soaked. Ah, you never know with Norah.

Back to school night for new kindergarteners, they had Rita's ice cream and were able to meet teachers and new classmates and see the room where she will be spending the next year.

Miss Leneger is her teacher and she is really cute and very nice. Thank goodness for her! I could never teach school..

The first assignment they gave to the kids (well, to the parents) was to pick out a plant and bring it to plant in the classroom. I took Lucy to Lowe's and this is the plant she picked out.

Lucy in front of the school.. what a big girl!

Lucy and Norah getting some energy out and modeling for me :)

Go Windermere Hawks!

I thought this pic was so cute.. her hair is so cute and curly!

The first day of school was on August 26, 2011 and so far so good! I am really going to enjoy this year. No early mornings for us! I am loving my quiet afternoons and am thankful Norah still naps. I feel like I get a little break to get some things done around the house.. which is good because once Lucy is home I'm back to entertaining her and sometimes wishing school was a little longer :)

Wonder what baby #3 will look like...

Norah Jane... 2 1/2 years old

Brown hair, green eyes, short, chubby little legs like her mom...

Lucy Bee... 5 years old

Blond hair, big blue eyes, and long, skinny legs like her daddy..

I wonder what baby #3 will look like???

Guess we will have to wait and see.. coming mid-february 2012!!

Just got home from my 2nd dr's appointment and everything looks great! We are so excited!

Traverse City, Michigan

Dave had one of his 3 weeks off and had heard from a resident friend and an attending that northern Michigan was a must do! Well, they were right! We had such a good time!

All ready to go!! I think it took us a little less than 8 hours and that was with a lunch stop. The kids did awesome! As long at the DVD player and iPhones were charged they were set and happy as could be.

We hiked to this place called Pyramid Point.. it was sooo cool! I was thinking it was going to be this wussy hike but it was a legit hike. We even ditched the stroller because it got so steep at one point. Dave giving Norah a ride.. right before she drooled in his hair haha

Northwestern Michigan fair, we had to check it out. It had some great rides that the kids loved! The fair food... not so good. The weather was perfect!

Fish town, lots of little shops and places to eat.

We went to Empire beach the first day after hiking Pyramid Point and then to Bryant beach the day before we left. The beaches were so pretty. I guess I just always assumed only the ocean had cool beaches but Lake Michigan sure has some nice places to play in the sand and swim. The water was a little chilly but the kids didn't care. Dave even got in one day. I sat on the beach and read magazines... well atleast I tried in between making sandcastles and taking pictures. We also went to Glean Arbor the first day and had lunch at this place called Boondocks. I have to remember this because we have to eat there if we ever go back to Michigan. It was soooo good!

Exploring and getting some energy out of the kids.. next on the list that night.. swimming in the hotel pool.

Cute pic of Dave and the kids

At the top of Pyramid Point. You can see behind us how it drops.. you would think it was a cliff but it was pure sand the whole way down. Lots of people hiking down to the beach. Dave and I both took a turn.. it was sure fun going down but not so fun coming up.. it was so steep and hiking up in a foot of sand wasn't so easy but it was fun!

Looking down at the beach..

Empire Beach, on our way down to look at the lighthouse.

Cherries are big there, they had this big cherry store with different cherry stuff like salsa, candy, jams, etc and they had this pit full of cherry pits that the kids played in forever.

We went to the drive-inn one night.. something I haven't done in a really long time! We saw "Zookeeper" the kids loved the bed Dave made for them on the front of the car.

I don't think we have ever been to a drive-inn together so this was a first!

Lucy making sandcastles and putting rocks in the top and singing happy birthday to everyone :)

Playing following the leader on the way out to the car..

Every friday night during the summer the city closes down the main street down town and they have all kinds of entertainment.. it was so fun to walk around and hang out. We ate at this really yummy restaurant after.

It was a fun, relaxing trip and I am so glad we went. Thanks to Dave for researching and finding cool things to do. Next on our trip list.. Destin, Florida in October. I love having something to look forward too!

Summer randoms

Here are some random pictures from the summer..

Lucy was in safety town for 2 weeks in July (afternoon session) which was a great thing to keep her busy. It makes me really excited for her to go to kindergarten. As much as I love her, afternoons are hard because she is sooooo bored and Norah still naps so once she is in school it will be a great time for me to have some time to get things done that I need to do.. safety town was a great teaser for me cause I got a taste of what it will be like. Can't wait! Norah had to get into the safety town action the day of graduation.

Lucy with her graduation badge.. they learned about bike safety, stranger awareness, water safety, fire safety, seatbelt safety (yes, I get in trouble every time we get into the car and I don't have my seat belt on :)), police day, animal safety, bus day, and other stuff I can't remember but you get the idea, they sang lots of cute songs, they had to take a helmet everyday so they could ride tricycles around their own streets with real traffic lights (kid ones) etc it was really cute how they would teach them about different aspects of safety. She loved it!!

Playing at one of the many parks close by.. they love this dinosaur for some reason.

Dave is riding in the Pelotonia this week and so OSU had a kids bike race at the stadium.. it was really fun! Lucy and Archie Griffin at the finish line..

Lucy ready to race.. there were a ton of kids behind her, it was pretty cute. She pedaled her little heart out.

Norah loves kitties!! This was at an Amish farm, the kids loved the animals!

Not sure how this picture made it in the mix, it's cute I guess!

Dave did a half ironman in Muncie, Indiana last month. It was so stinkin' hot, I melted just being outside with the kids so I am glad he survived the heat! It's a lot of work to train for one of those races. I'm proud of him.. he doesn't have much spare time to train but he finished it and did it well! Way to go babe!

Lucy with the ironman hat! The kids were troopers that day!

4th of July.. we watched fireworks at OSU (Red, White, and Boom) had a BBQ with friends from the ward, Dave took the kids to the parade.. I had worked all 3 nights of the holiday weekend so I was sleeping, heard I missed out on some sweet parade action, maybe next year.

Our family at the BBQ.. fun stuff. Can't believe another 4th of July has come and gone. I love the 4th of July! My favorite holiday hands down.

I thought I would shrivel up and die missing the Clark festivities but Columbus isn't that bad after all. We really love it here and are grateful for friends to share holidays with!

Lucy is 5!!

Happy 5th birthday to Lucy!! We had a really fun birthday party for her with lots of her friends from preschool, neighbors, and friends that we hang out with. We had everyone come in their swimsuits and got the pool with slide out, slip n' slide, sprinklers under the trampoline, and other water toys. We had hotdogs and chips (Lucy's favorite), cupcake ice cream cones, and popsicles. That is what she wanted!!

Dad got out the sidewalk chalk and left a little message for Lucy.

Classic blowing out the candles picture..

After singing..

Before singing..

Norah eating and trying to keep up with all of the older kids. She loved having them all over to play.

She had presents galore!! She was still opening presents days after cause she had so many!

A picture of all of the kids that came to her party! One of the little boys from her preschool class officially declared Lucy's party "the best birthday party ever!" We all laughed because it really wasn't a big deal but the kids had so much fun!

Norah giving the #1 sign at McDonalds.

Dave had called on his way home from work on the actual day of Lucy's birthday and told Lucy we could go anywhere she wanted for dinner because it was her birthday and guess what she chose... yup, McDonalds.. Gross! Haha but she loves it and was really excited that we all went together as a family to eat on her birthday. Then we went to Greaters for icecream. Fun birthday night with the family.

Then... her birthday present. A new bike, which she really needed. She grew out of her little kid tricycle last year so we figured it was time to upgrade. She loves it and is still getting used to the training wheels but I don't think it will be long before the training wheels come off. She was so cute when we showed her the bike, biggest smile on her face. She is so darn cute!

Lucy and daddy taking a stroll.. I love all of the trees in the summertime.

I can't believe Lucy is 5.. where has the time gone? I remember the day she was born and it seems like yesterday. We love her so much and are so grateful for her sweet, energetic, little body and funny personality. She makes us laugh everyday! Happy Birthday to my little (not so little anymore) Lucy!!