Pumpkin Patch Field Trip

Tucker in the Haystack Maze


Sam and Tucker at the Top of the Haystack Mountain



Sweet, sweet boy!


Sammy and her pumpkin - it took her awhile to choose this one. She looked and looked and looked..............


Tucker and his pumpkin - This was the 8th Pumpkin he picked up and said, "Want this one!"


Miss "M" and Tucker


Sam crawling out of the Hay Tunner - Notice she is doing the "Army Low Crawl on her elbows! That's my girl.

Sam - walking on the rope bridge at the Obstacle Course.


Playing "Pin the nose on the Pumkin" - oops - or on the Eye.


Tucker walking the Rope Bridge at the Obstacle Course. He actually did really good manipulating this.

So, in all.....This was a very fun field trip. The weather was beautiful - COLD, but beautiful. The kids had a great time.

Dance Performance - Tues. Night

Well, Sam did not make it to the performance. Actually, she made it, but had a very bad tummy ache so she did not perform. This was to be her last performance, as she has decided that she wants to take a break from Dance Class. It is after school on Tuesdays, and with the night performances, it is to much for her. She said that she is To Tired, and it is always a battle to convince her to go. Today she is in the Jerome High School Homecoming parade (the entire town shuts down to watch the parade - bigger turnout then the Fair Parade), so after the parade today - we are on a break. I will post pictures of the parade this weekend.

Sam's Dance Performance - The Monster Mash

Sam's Dance Team performed at Jerome High School Football game on Wednesday night. My Camera was totally not working, so I don't have any pictures of the performance itself, but this is her in her costume. They danced to the Song, "Monster Mash". It was very cute. They perform it again next week, so I will get pictures then if my camera decides to work better.
Miss "Skele - Bones" (AKA - Samantha)

This is Skele-Bones being Very........scary! Adorable.

Veggie Tales.......Veggie Tales...........Veggie Tales.......

Larry the Cucumber (AKA - Tucker) Oh..............................so cute! I got him this costume for Halloween. He absolutely loves it and doesn't want to take it off. When he is wearing it he has to watch all his Veggie Tales movies and play the part. I love it!!

The Wax Museum

Here are the pictures from the Wax Museum at school yesterday. The kids did so great at Freezing their parts. It was a very fun event. They each had to Pose (Freeze) for 1/2 hour (with position change breaks) while the rest of the school and parents viewed their classroom.

David and Goliath (Hunter is Goliath)

Hunter (Goliath) and his friend.

Goliath after he was slain.

Another pose.

Tucker's class were the "101 Dalmations". The tiniest puppy is his teachers Grandbaby. Oh this was cute.

This is Tucker and Miss "M". She is dressed the part too.

Samantha's class were "The Cat and The Hat Comes Back". They were absolutely adorable!

Little Cat "S".

Another Pose.

Stay tuned for our busy week.

Stay tuned in the next few days for lots of updates.

The kids have a Wax Museum at school (remember last October - see post below) on Thursday,
Sam is performing at the Jerome High School Football Game with her Dance Team tomorrow night, Next week the twins have a field trip to the Pumpkin Patch, and Thursday Night we have School Conferences, and Wednesday Night another dance performance at another game, and Friday another parade. Whew.............I am out of breath just thinking of it. So, check back often for lots of fun pictures.

Jog-A-Thon Assembly

Today the kids had there Jog-A-Thon Awards Assembly. All the kids in the school received participation ribbons and Sling Backpacks as rewards.

They also recognized the Boy and Girl from each class that ran the most laps as well as those who ran over 20 laps and the one with the most laps.

Hunter received a Bronze Medal for over 20 laps (21); Tucker received a participation ribbon (I personally thought he should receive a Trophy for the most effort - I mean come on guys - for Tucker to walk 10 laps (for 1/2 hour straight) is amazing! I guess they didn't realize just how amazing. :o); and........................

Samantha Won the Trophy for her class for the Girl with the most laps. We didn't know she was going to get this. She was so proud, and so was I! She now has her first trophy. She was so excited about it that she held on to it all the way home and kept reading it over and over. She also took it to dance class tonight so she could show her Dance teacher. I am so.............happy for her. So here are the pictures of the winners! They are all Trophy winners in my book!! I sure love these little people.

Hunter's Medal - up close.


Hunter with his Lap Card, Ribbon, and Bronze Medal.


Tucker with his lap card and ribbon. Isn't this an adorable picture of him.

Sam with her Trophy, Ribbon, and Lap Card.


Sam's Trophy up close.


All three of my Joggers/Walkers. So proud!!

1 year anniversary!

Today is our One Year Anniversary of our Move. We pulled into our new house at Noon, on October 9, 2007. Wow - has time flown. We STILL miss all of our WA Family and Friends so much.

Dancer of the Month

Miss Samantha made "Dancer of the Month" for the month of October. It was very fun to come to class and see her name on the Board today. She didn't really get it though - she just asked, "Why did I get this card and why is my name on the board." So Cute!

I can READ!

I can READ!

Writing my Name

CCS Jog-A-Thon

This is Sam - Love the pony tail swishing.

On your Mark, Get Set, and .................

GO! And they are off! Hunter is behind the kid in the Teal shirt.


Hunter - only a few minutes left to run Buddy.



And, Tucker is off!


The most precious picture - Here I come Mom!


Yep "M" - that is how you do - just keep putting one foot in front of the other.


I gotta walk Mom -my side hurts a little.


Okay - so now it is really hurting. Keep going little princess.



Tucker - waiting his turn to start. This is going to be fun Mom!


I am ready Mom - Do you think I'll win?


Yeah - let's get started.


Look at me - I am going to do my first Jog-A-Thon!


Hunter and Miss "M" - So Sweet!

The kids did Fabulous!!! Hunter did 21 laps, Samantha did 14 laps, and Tucker did 10 laps. All the kids walked/ran for 30 minutes. I am so........................proud of each one of them. It was very hard, and very competitive - especially among Hunter and his friends. They all shed a few tears, and I heard a lot of "I can't make its" but they all made it. I was so impressed that Tucker walked the entire time. I really thought that he would make it once around the track and be done - but thanks to Miss "M" he just continued on. At the end, she picked him up and carried him off the track and he melted into her. Samantha kept having side aches, but loved the ice stations - where you were given little cups of ice to chew on - this was a great distraction for her - she loves to chew on ice chips - and Hunter said that he felt like he was going to "throw up" - but they all stayed with and finished their 1/2 hour time slot. Like I said I am so proud of them.

There were 3 groups of grades runing during 3 different time slots. The twins ran together, and then Hunter followed them. So................Mom did 35 laps. This is equivalent to 4.375 miles and let me tell you................I am so SORE! I was up most of the night last night with Leg Cramps. But it was all worth it to see my babies push themselves and get some great exercise.

Also, Thank you to all who sent in donations - I don't know who did as the school hasn't given me the list yet, but WE really appreciate it.

And, the most joyfull of all was seeing Tucker start running at the beginning. If you could have seen the joy and excitement in his face, and the tears in my eyes, you would have had tears too! I totally didn't expect him to make it much more than a lap or two, and I just so enjoyed participating with all my kids, doing the same thing, at the same time. What a great day!

We all came home and crashed afterwards for about 3 hours, followed by a good dinner, hot baths, and bedtime.

Board of Directors

Well, I didn't make it a year, as I said that I would before I became involved in any volunteer activities.

Our school, Canyonside Christian School, had 3 positions open for the Board of Directors. Now, I did think of it myself, but let it go away quickly and didn't think of it again. But....I was nominated by other parents at the school. Brad was also nominated, but he is so busy with work that he could not accept at this time. So, I accepted the nomination, and have been voted to be on the board. My first meeting is October 6th and I will find out what specifically I will be doing. I am very happy and excited for this new opportunity to serve the Lord and the school. I really need this in my life - serving others - and have missed this so much since I left Washington. Plus, I am so grateful for all they are doing and have done to accomodate Tucker, so that he can go to school just like any other kid with his Brother and Sister and so that we have a normal school life.

Okay Friends and Family - I know you are saying "I knew she wouldn't make it" - I did come close to the year - October 11th will be one year since we moved here. :o)

If you want to learn more about our school the website is http://www.canyonsidechristianschool.net/

Tucker's Aide Miss "M"

Miss "M" and Tucker playing "Go Fish". His new favorite game. And.........look at him holding the cards all by himself. He has just begun to do this.

I Love you Miss "M". Thanks for all the things you are teaching me and helping me to do!


Miss "M" and Tucker at School - Her 1st day with him. Notice the hands behind his back. He does this when he doesn't want to participate, and yes, he doesn't want to practice his writing (the sheet in front of him). Writing is still a huge obstacle for him, but my little boy is trying so...........hard. And, he is finally tracing the letters. At the beginning of the school year, he would only circle the letter. Yeah Mr. Tucker!!

Miss "M" has started going to school with Tucker and so far, 2 days in, things are going great. He is becoming very attached to her and is asking for her all the time. The transition is going well. On Monday, he kept looking at her throughout the morning, confused as to why she was at school with him, but then today, he asked if she would be there when he got there, so he's got it down already.

Also, other great news today, our school had their IRI testing (Idaho Reading Indicator) and Tucker scored a 3, with reading 46 letters in 1 minute. A 3 is the highest on a scale of 1 to 3 for the most read letters. I was very proud and very impressed. We have had the testing sheet all summer so that we could get a head start on it, and it is wonderful to see that it has helped him so much.

We are so blessed to have this opportunity to have Miss "M" in our lives right now, and to have all the services that we are getting. Tucker is doing so well and he is really learning and growing. This boy will not be left behind........he demands to do all and be a part of everything. I am loving his spirit!! We are starting 3 therapy sessions a week, aside from Miss "M", Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Speech Therapy. I am afraid that this will be chaos trying to get to all these appointments, but I only have until February 2009 on Medicare, until I have to requalify again, and if he continues to do so well, then he might not qualify, so we have to take advantage of it all right now.

So, onward we go, and we are so grateful for the opportunity. God is so Good!! Thanks to all of you who have prayed for a smooth transition. We appreciate it!

Hunter is Playing Football this Fall!

Hunter - landing a catch!

Notice in the background - Coach Brad in the tan shirt. I am so glad that he is coaching. The kids really listen to him. This was his first game on 9/13/08. And they Won - 24 to 20. The name of the team is The Giants. (The kids in White)

Look at Hunter blocking (the one in the Orange Socks) This is so his game. No fear of the other boys.

Hunter over to the right in orange socks. I will try to get a close up at the next game of him and his coach. :o)

And, here is Little Brother Tucker so...........................not interested in the game. He did not want to be here and all he kept saying is "Go Home!" He is laying and looking away from the field.

Great News to Share! 9/10/08

I have been working all summer on getting Tucker a developmental aide to attend school 1/2 days with him, to help in keeping him focused, assisting with his writing and other fine motor tasks, as well as helping him with his social behaviors and peer interactions. (This summer Tucker was approved for Medicare, opening the doors to us for many services we have never had). It has been a battle (small battle, I must admit - just very long and time consuming), but today, with one phone call to the right person, we are now approved to have his developmental therapist attend school with him from 9-Noon every day! I, and the teacher and the principal are very excited, as this will only benefit and help Tucker so much more than the Teacher currently does. She starts 9/22/08. Yeah - I am so grateful!

I am hoping that Tucker will transistion well to having his Therapist "M" attend school with him. They currently spend time together 2 to 3 days a week after school at home or at the therapy center. This of course is much more fun than they will be having in the classroom. Please say your prayers, if you are so inclined to do so, that this transistion goes well. Tucker loves "M" and loves to spend time with her - I am just hoping when it turns to not all fun and games, he will still love to be with her and respond accordingly. I will keep you posted on how it goes.

My beautiful children - 1st day of school!

Sorry to brag - but wouldn't you agree they are so beautiful. All smiles for the 1st day of school.

The kids are attending Canyonside Christian School again this year, from 815 am - 245 pm. The twins go Mon - Thurs, and Hunter Mon - Friday. We love Canyonside and are so blessed to have this school here. They are so willing, and so accepting to have Tucker at the school. To quote the principle, he has said that they are willing to do whatever is necessary to ensure Tucker's success. Wow - you won't find that in most private schools. Praise be to God!

And, to say the least, Mom is very glad to have the kids back in school and to get back in to our routines. It is much quieter around the house during the day. :o) I must confess, that there have been times that I have missed them terribly during the day, but only for a second. :o)

Mom is very proud of you three and loves you very much!