Art Projects

The PTA has an art contest every year and it gives the kids the opportunity to really think about creating something. Here's our submissions for this year. The theme is "Together We Can". They both had a lot of fun and really put a lot of time and effort into them. It's so nice to have my dining table back!!!!!

Together We Can Celebrate

by Boston

Together We Can Live and Play

by Kayden

Together We Can Discover

by Kayden

Labor Day Hike

My parents came to visit from Oregon for Labor Day weekend. Amidst the throwing up of our family, my sisters family and my mom, we did get to see and do a lot. On Friday, we all rode our bikes on a path to a pond and had a picnic dinner. Kayden complained for about 20 minutes because he had a crash on his bike a couple months earlier and didn't want to try again. After Chad's patience and my impatience, he finally took off and now loves bike riding - until the next crash.

On Saturday, the flu bug started hitting and a few of us went to Mirror Lake and surrounding areas. It was so crowded there and we attempted fishing, but with the wind and the amount of people, we soon packed up to go find a less crowded location. We finally found a lake that you had to hike up to. It was about a 2 mile hike completely up hill. About 1/3 of the way up, the flu bug hit my mom and another of my sister's boys so they headed back to wait out the horrid 24 hour illness over the porcelain throne and the Hutchings clan headed the rest of the way up.

When it comes to hiking, my boys do not complain. I already explained the biking whine, but with hiking, these boys push and push to make it to our destination and love every bit of it. Kayden looks for creatures and critters, Boston always has a stick in hand and is on a lookout for an even better one and McCoy just enjoys being part of the boys. He was packed on Chad's back the whole way up, but walked every step coming down with bruises to prove it. When he would fall, he would say "I died" and get back up and go again.

Taking pictures of a waterfall.

Kayden explorer.

Our destination. It was beautiful.

Our family - we were the only ones at the lake, so a tree held the camera for us.

Azure and Mommy sporting our shades.

Lava Hot Springs

One week after school started, we took our last summer vacation and went camping at Lava Hot Springs in Idaho. We had it planned for a couple months, but when it arrived, the forecast for the whole weekend was rain. Well, it down-poured there, but because of that, the boys will definitely remember the trip and are already asking to go again in the winter.

Cool/rainy weather seems like a perfect time to go there. The water ranges from 102 degrees to 112 degrees and feels amazing when it's raining outside. The pool with waterslides is heated as well, so it was much warmer to be in the 90 degree pool than out of it in the wind.

At the entrance to the hot pools at 8:30 in the morning. It is the perfect time to beat crowds and well, we were up so why not!

Enjoying one of the hot pools. Your body really only allows you to stay in for a short time.

Azure taking his afternoon nap after a morning of swimming.

Chad with the 3 oldest in the pool. The thunder clouds are rolling in the background. We had to leave shortly after this because of lightning and then we hung out under a pavilion while it drenched the city and then headed to the hot pools to enjoy their warmth in the drizzling rain.

Back to School

Kayden started 2nd grade and Boston started Kindergarten this year! Chad went into work a little later that day, so we could tag team to drop them off in their classrooms. McCoy had to be in the back to school picture and to be honest, I think he was just as excited because it means that he's the oldest at home now and can make up most of the rules.

It's only been 3 weeks, but it's been a good year so far and they are both still excited about school and happy to learn.

In the front yard before heading up the street to school.

Azure along for the ride and of course enjoying every minute.

He is always enjoying life with a huge smile.

Kayden opted for a shoulder bag this year as it was 'more cool' and Boston chose Star Wars Clone Wars for his first backpack.

Boston on his first day in his classroom.

Kayden at his new desk.

It was my last week of cake decorating class, so I chose to make them a cake.