Ragan's 1st day of Preschool

This year, Ragan started preschool at Windsor (Cade's elementary school). The preschool program is all day on Monday and Wednesday. I hope it will be more of a learning environment rather than a daycare. She is so ready to learn! I got her a little gift for her first day of school - Hello Kitty stuffed animal and glue stick!

Ragan could actually ride the bus with Cade, but we're not sure about that yet. So we get to drive the kids to school on Monday and Wednesday, which of course Cade also loves! We hope he doesn't get too used to it!

Cade showed me his room before we took Ragan to her preschool class.



Here she is in her classroom, already coloring. Doesn't she look happy?? Well, until she realized we were leaving and let loose some crocodile tears! It was hard for mom and dad to leave! But she had a great time and is ready to go back!

More Labor Day camping

While the rest of our group was lost, Richard and I found this waterfall so we came back the next day to check it out.

Richard and Cade climbed to the top of the waterfall.

Ragan was acting like a model, striking a pose by every tree and rock the whole weekend, so we all struck a pose on these rocks for a family photo.

Here she is again - "take a picture of me by this tree!" I also found this cool building on Elk Creek Reservoir! No ducks this time, mom!

Labor Day weekend

We decided to try a different campground for Labor Day weekend, Elk Creek Campground, just north of Elk River, Idaho. It's a very beautiful area and it was really quiet. Well, except for all the 4 wheelers and gun shots!

Apparently you are required to own a 4 wheeler if you live in Elk River. It just happened to be Elk River Days so we got to experience the mud bog races! Good Times.


Then we heard there was a big cedar tree that we needed to see. We drove around for a while and finally found a cedar grove. The trees were very big and it was a beautiful walk in the forest.

When we came back out of the forest, a group of 4 wheelers informed us that we still needed to see the REALLY BIG cedar tree and gave us directions.


Apparently, Richard and I were the only ones listening! We drove about 5 miles and pulled into the site of the REALLY BIG cedar tree only to find out that we had a flat tire. No problem, since both of our parents were behind us. WRONG! They made a wrong turn and ended up back at camp. Meanwhile, Richard and I changed a flat tire and saw this awesome cedar tree!

The tree is estimated at 3,000 years old. It measures 18 feet in diameter and is 177 feet tall. It was pretty amazing! Too bad nobody else got to see it!

1st Grade!

Hard to believe Cade is in 1st grade already!

He was excited to wear his Mario shirt on the first day and show his friends at recess. Plus we got him the Mario Kart game for his Gameboy which made him more excited to ride the bus.

He was a little apprehensive (OK, a lot) at first - just so many unknowns with first grade and it's going to be so hard! But once we made it to the bus stop he was fine.

They had open house at his school the next night so we could see his classroom and meet his teacher.

Cade wanted everyone to see a picture of our sunflower that finally bloomed.

Greenbluff peaches

What is August without picking peaches at Greenbluff? This year we just stayed at the Harvest House and rode their "country limo" out to the orchard to pick peaches. The kids loved riding in this wagon once we got to the orchard!

The peaches were not that ripe, but we did find a few that caused the juice to run down to your elbow!

Richard was trying to teach Ragan the proper etiquette on eating the juicy peaches....

Cade even got to ride a pony at the Harvest House. We can't wait to come back for pumpkins!

Tooth Fairy, again

Cade lost his second tooth while eating a taco at the Valley Mall yesterday! It had been loose for a few days. His tooth is in the treasure chest on his night stand, anxiously awaiting the tooth fairy! He got another gold $1 coin, Mario pencil and Mario stickers from the tooth fairy. He gave his pencil to Ragan since he got one last time and she didn't have one. What a nice brother! I guess the tooth fairy doesn't need to give him any more pencils!

Go Vandals

It was Vandal alumni night at the Spokane Indians game so the kids got to wear their Vandal shirts (Richard wouldn't wear his)!

Cade was showing his stuff in the batting cage.

Ragan even tried hitting off the tee in the batting cage.

And the kids are showing off our garden produce (peas, carrots, yukon gold potatoes, and purple gooseberries). Yum!