Schooool's Back from Summer

Nathan started 2nd Grade today. I can hardly believe he is old enough and it is more hard to believe that I am old enough to have a son in 2nd grade. His teacher is Ms Beveridge and it is her 4th year teaching.Nathan picked cowboy eggs for breakfast and of course he got the special red plate to use.

Traditional 1st day of school picture.

Nathan looked mighty handsome if I do say so myself. He was so excited to wear his new Pokemon shirt. He is into Pokemon and Transformers the most these days. He had a good first day, but he did say it was a really long day.

Taylor and Natalie having some girl time while their brother was gone at school.

Our last 2 weeks of summer.

My internet has been down for the past few days so I haven't been able to post pictures of what we have been up to lately. Taylor started a Wee Play Gymsters class for preschoolers a couple of weeks ago. Here are some pictures of the classes. She does enjoy it.

This was a little bounce house with ball hoops in it.

Her Teacher is Miss Allison in the orange striped shirt. This part she was jumping off the mats and then they would do a somersault.

A cool little mini roller coaster. Nathan is the one pushing her.

Parachute time. Most of the kids had their parents with them to do the activities but since Nathan was there with us he wanted to do things with her. I think he really enjoyed being the big helper.
Brother and sister love playing on the big hot dog in the gymster class. What Natalie does during the class. She really does enjoy watching all the kids and listening to the music.

Every year our stake does a service project called Helping Hands Caring Hearts. It is where we purchase an outfit and socks and underwear for a needy child in the Chandler School District to wear the first day of school. This year I went to the work day where we take all the tags off the clothes so the parents can't return the items for money and also make sure everything is in the bag and that the sizes match what is on the label for that child. This year I decided to bring Nathan along to help see the big picture of the service that is being done. The kids get to help pick out the clothes every year but this year I decided to take it to the next step with Nathan. He was surprised at how many bags of clothes there were.

Random picture of Natalie asleep in the high chair. I think I have a picture of all 3 kids asleep in this same high chair.

Last Wednesday I decided to take the kids to Peter Piper Pizza since we hadn't been in months and Nathan starts school on Monday the 27th. This is Taylor's FAVORITE thing to do there, I think she would use all her tokens on this one ride if I would let her.

Nathan playing one of the games at Peter Piper.
Friday we had Meet the Teacher. Nathan will be in the 2nd grade and this is his teacher Ms Beveridge. She seemed really nice, it is her 4th year teaching. I can't believe I have a 2nd grader.

Last night we went to Chuck E Cheese. Not my first choice since we were just at PPP on Wednesday but Preston's cousin Dave was in town from Minnesota and all the cousins were going there and Preston wanted to visit with Dave so we went. This is PReston Nathan Jackson (Dave's son that is a month older than Nathan) and Dave (2 days younger than Preston and also the guy I was on a blind date with when I met Preston almost 12 years ago)Taylor playing at CEC.Natalie driving the forklift. She was loving it and she really got into it.The kids in the carpool lane at CEC.

I have also taken the kids to the summer movies at Harkins and swimming at the city pools quite often. We have had a great summer. It went by really fast because time flies when you are having fun. Honestly I think we are all ready to get back in the school mode though.

California Wrap Up

On Saturday of our stay we headed to the Sea Life Aquarium. It is right next door to Legoland and admission is included with our admission to Legoland. My parents came with us to the Aquarium, but unfortunately I do not have a single picture with them in it from the trip. They were so nice to come and they took care of Natalie in the Hotel while we went to Legoland so we could all do the rides together instead of tag teaming the whole day. It made it soo much easier. Thanks Mom and Dad. :-)

Nathan posing at the aquarium.

Nathan swimming with the fishes. There was a little tube like window they could go into and they would be in the tank.

Touching a star fish. Nathan really enjoyed the aquarium. Taylor was in a mood that day and wanted to sit in the stroller the whole time. I don't have many pictures here since it was dark and they really didn't turn out.
Hanging out at the pool at the hotel. We did this a few times.
I guess I like myself in a swimsuit so I had to post the picture twice. Yeah right. Really somehow it got copied when I was arranging the pictures and I don't know how to delete one.

Before we drove home on Sunday we visited the San Diego Temple. Preston and I did a session there on our first anniversary almost 10 years ago. THis was our first time back. It is such a beautiful temple. The kids liked it too.

Legoland Part 2

Nathan and Taylor as the train conductors
Taylor and I on a boat ride.

Taylor and Preston on the dinosaur roller coaster. This was one of Taylor's favorite rides she went on it a few times.

Nathan and I on the sky cruiser ride. We waited in line for this ride for an hour and it was sooo boring. We are smiling because it was over. The only good part was Preston sat with Taylor on a bench and she napped until it was our turn to get on the ride.

Taylor on the jousting ride. It went around on a track and it galloped, she enjoyed it.

Taylor and I on an airplane ride. Lets just say 99% of these rides were not made for people 6 feet tall and ??? pounds. Also Preston had to basically fold in half to get in most of the rides.

Taylor driving her car. We have some HILARIOUS video of her driving the car.

Nathan was tall enough to do most rides by himself. This is one of them. You would control the helicopter to make it spin and go up and down.

Nathan got to drive the boat all by himself. I did push the gas pedal while he steered. We did end up crashing a few times. The boat totally went lower on my side I was so afraid I would tip out into the water.

This was one of Nathan's favorite rides. We sat on a big pirates ship and it would swing and spin.

Nathan is actually driving this car. Another of his favorite rides and when he was done he got a junior drivers license. Nathan's 3rd favorite ride. You sit on an airplane and it whips you around in a big circle.

Taylor after a full day at Legoland.


Me after a full day of Legoland. Taylor took the picture. Preston was supposed to be in the picture with me but he got up and moved to quick so all you see is his arm.