The Fair...with Dad...

Last Thursday we decided to go back to the Fair with dad! Jack had been asking to go back with him because he wanted to do some of the rides. So we trekked over and got some tickets. First stop was the giant slide. We each got a turn...it was fun!

Then we tried to find a ride that Brody was tall enough for. Turns out he didnt quite reach the height requirement for any of the kid rides, but the lady in charge of this ride didnt care in the least. So we put the boys on (it had a seat belt) and they LOVED it! In fact, Brody threw a huge fit when it was time to get out. Fun. 

We didnt have enough tickets for any other rides (yep, our $20 got us on 2 rides) so we found the free face painting! Jack knew right away he wanted a red dragon! Brody was too squirmy so he didnt get one! Love Jacks face...classic Jack face!

We decided after that to head out and get some ice cream on the way home (nope, not from the fair)! It was fun while it lasted but was a little too expensive for our liking. And since we are heading to Disney World in 6 short days, we werent too worried about only doing a few rides. Although, we are a little concerned now about how Brody is going to do...I can see a few tantrums at the 'happiest place on earth!!'

First Day of Preschool...

We have been very anxious over here for school to start! Well, that and our upcoming trip to Disney World! So, in order to NOT have to tell Jack a hundred times a day how many more days, I decided to make a few countdown chains for us! So perfect! So we have been counting down the days...

And then last week, September 8th, we got to go in to preschool for a quick visit to see his new classroom and meet his new teachers! He walked in, found his seat and then got a bucket of toys and started playing! He is an old timer! 

Brody also had no problem finding the toys either! In his case it was the play kitchen! He was in heaven. Of course until I took him away from it so we could do the picture scavenger hunt they made for us to do! Brody kicked and screamed at the top of his lungs. He is getting so big that I could barely control him. So I tried my hardest to calmly pick him up and leave the room as fast as I could (without him kicking anyone)! We could be heard all over the school I am sure though. What a booger!

The scavenger hunt took us through the school, play ground, church, and finally ended at the little coffee shop next door (also owned by the church) so the kids could get a free italian soda!! 

As you can imagine, Brody 'managed' to calm down when he realized he could get a drink too! Funny how that works! I was exhausted by the time we were done. I was sweating and tired and ready for a nap...and I think we were there maybe a total of 30 minutes! Oh well! But it was fun to go see his classroom and teachers!

**************************************

And then Wednesday (September 14th) was his first day of school! 

Brody had to pose with Jack too...

We got to school and he found his name tag and let me take a few more pictures!

And with teacher gifts in hand he walked right in and didnt look back! He loves school and even though he knows lots of kids in his class already, he made some new friends! We were getting in the car after the first day and one of his new friends walked out and saw Jack and yelled across the parking lot, 'bye friend!' Jack yelled back, 'bye friend' and had a huge smile on his face! (He told me his name started with a 'J' just like his and that it was spelled J-A-C-E!) We are all excited for this new school year!

Idea found here.

Labor Day...

I just realized I never posted these pictures of our Labor Day activities! We spent the day down in Lacey at Grandma and Grandpa Warrens Pool! The whole family was there, as well as, our friends, the Pedersens! We swam, ate some good food, and just sat and talked!

Jack is starting to get so comfortable in the water! We have gone down several times in the last several weeks (because it has actually been warmer) and I am amazed to see how brave he has become...I mean he wouldnt even go near the water at the beginning of the summer! I think he definitely wants to keep up with his older cousins who can swim! But he just puts on the life jacket and thinks he can go wherever he wants...deep end included! Brody will just get in a tube and float all over as well! This kid loves the water!

Puyallup County Fair...

Last Friday was the opening day of the Puyallup Fair. Entrance was free in the morning so the boys and I decided to meet Jenna, Addie, and Johnny at their house and walk over! It was probably a 20 minute walk from their house but the traffic was so bad that it was a good thing we did so...even if I was sweating after about 3 minutes of pushing the stroller! Other than the heat it was fun to walk around and see the sights! We mostly went to see the animals! Brody is especially into 'aninals' these days so it was fun for him to see the cows and horses (He still calls horses, cows...we are working on that! Oh and he also calls dogs, cats. One day he will figure it out.) and the roosters and bunnies! After an hour or two we decided it was time to head home! Jack keeps asking when we get to go back with daddy to go on rides so maybe we will make another trip back before it ends! I need to get my elephant ears anyways!

 *I had to strap Jack into the stroller on our walk over because he fell out twice (and scratched his knee) because I hit the curb...not so easy to navigate that double stroller!*

 Grumpy boy!

 Not so grumpy boy :)

Big boy bed...

Since I am finally caught up with my Utah posts, I now have to get caught up with everything else that has been going on around here! 

While in Utah, Clay and I decided that it was time to move Brody into a big boy bed! Pack N' Plays are getting a little cramped for him and seeing as we are heading to Disney World in a few short weeks we thought we should get him accustomed to a bed before we go. We tried to put him in Janes bed the first night we were in Utah and it did not work! So, we Clay took down his crib and got the other twin bed out from the garage and we set it up with the rail we had from when we switched Jack over. *On a side note, I find it funny that we have so many blankets/quilts in our house and yet not one the right size for a twin. I guess that means I need to make him one!!* 

He has been a champ! He has only gotten out of bed once (on a Sunday afternoon) in the past few weeks! Just like Jack did, he just lays in bed and calls for us when he wakes up! I cant believe he is getting so big! Next step, bunk beds for the boys!!

 

Peper Family Reunion - Wrap up...

Just trying to wrap up our Utah trip! I am sure there are many more pictures I could include! We had so much fun and were sad to have to make our way home on Monday!

One night we had a 'talent show' of sorts. The kids had fun showing us all of their moves! Jack especially!

Brody and Dylan clapping and dancing!

 Tyler mid handstand!

David and Jonathan joining the group!

Brynn and Madison in bridges!

 Kate even did a little dancing for us!

 Jared (and Lyndsay) performed a piano piece!

 After which, all of the other kids wanted to try their hand at the piano!

iPods/iPhones/iPads...lets just say the kids were never bored!

Baby Steven being silly :)

Love this picture of Dylan mid blow!

Andrew and Kate enjoying a little snack :)

The big kids got to sit outside...

Brody cuddling up to Uncle Steve to try and get out of going to bed...stinker!

 Clay and Kate bonding!

 Love this picture of Brody with 'papoof!' Got the sunglasses on, ball in hand, sitting in grandpas lap...nothing beats that!

Grandpa and Kate!

************************************

The Sunday before we left we were able to go see Clays Uncle Denny and Aunt Carla, as well as Chad and Colleen and Cameron and Virginia and some other family! We had a fun time visiting with them before we had to head back home!

We decided to leave on Monday morning and drive straight through again! We stopped in Boise for lunch (they had a Cafe Rio so of course we had to eat there one last time...I was tempted to get a salad to go as well so I could have it for dinner...) and then Clay let me drive for a little bit! We stopped in the afternoon at a rest stop to get some wiggles out and then were back on our way! The kids did pretty well, all things considered! There were lots of movies and lots of snacks, but we made it home safe and sound! It was a fun trip, filled with lots of great memories! Clay even said he wanted to make Utah an annual trip...fine by me!

 The view once we were back in WA again...not so inviting!

 Seriously think this happened about 30 mins from home...classic!