Here is Collin dancing to some dance group on Oprah. I haven't laughed so hard in a long time!!!

Go to the bottom and pause the music player.

These are for you, Grammy!

This is what I look like before my first soccer game as a Kindergartener. That means a bigger field and goals and, more importantly, no 3 year olds!

This is what I look like when I am trying to be cute for a picture for Grammy.

This is what I look like when I am working hard at keeping the ball away from my own teammate.

This is what I look like after I score 3 goals!!! I guess being a ball hog paid off.

And this is what I look like when I play at the park in temps nearing 100 and I sweat too much and fall on my head in the sand.

We miss you Grammy!!! (and everyone else!)

I think he really likes school.

This is what I found lying on the floor for the morning when I checked on him before going to bed.

Although he did just get his first not so positive note home. He has to finish 2 assignments this weekend. He couldn't finish them in class because he was talking too much. Such a social butterfly!

Fishing over Labor Day Weekend

Deschutes River, Oregon

Wahoo!

Angie is out of her fishing slump of two years!!!

She killed the boy's fishing with a total of 11 fish caught.

John holding my first fish of the trip.

He taught me well.

Hooked on fish'n.

BACKYARD FUN AT ANGIE & JOHN'S

That silly Aunt of mine.....

It Might be a Slim Christmas for Tyler

He just came downstairs to tell me he had some really bad news. He said, "Collin smacked me in the head here, here and here. If he smacks me in the head here, I won't be able to think of anything I want for Christmas!"

Harvesting (a few) Zucchini
Safety first, all. Please be certain to wear your helmet.

Morning Out With Tyler

Since Tyler's school is doing a gradual start for the Kindergarten, he didn't have school today while Collin did. I rarely ever have just Tyler! So we decided to got to the Arizona Science Center without the annoying little brother. Oh! Did I type that outloud?

They had a Lego Castle exhibit which was a big draw for Tyler.

This was the castle he made.

He didn't make the following guys, but they are pretty cool anyway!

We topped the morning off with a ginormous M&M cookie before we headed off to pick up Collin, who didn't cry again! I think school will work out this year!

First Day of School

Today is Tyler's First day of Kindergarten (WAHHHH!!!) at St. John Bosco and Collin's first day at God's Garden. Well, second first day (see post from a year ago). Tyler was very excited to go especially after meeting his teacher and seeing his classroom last night. He even told me it was OK if I was late picking him up. How thoughtful, cause I just might be late!

Collin and I have been rehearsing me leaving him at school. And what you can't see about that "packcack" is there is a pacifier in the side pocket. He promises not to take it out!

The front gate to the school. There was a mob of 8th grade girls fighting over who was going to show him to his classroom. Back off girls!!

Seriously, the door is over there, Mom!

Collin was still a bit unsure about going, but I think our rehearsing paid off! He marched right into his classroom, handed his teacher his project, put his backpack in his cubby, and got to work on some grape scented playdoh. There were NO tears!

I am crossing my fingers that it stays that way!!!

Rockaway Beach, Oregon

Tyler and Claire. Best beach friend cousins!

Another way to stop Collin

The obligiatory bath in the sink at the little beach house

Typical beach food--Rice Krispie Treat and Diet Coke

At one point we had more dogs than kids

We finally figured out a way to slow this kid down...

Get him a chihuahua!

This is Oke. He belongs to Matt's cousin, Molly, but Collin would have been thrilled to take him home. Collin would sit for long stretches of time with Oke in his lap. Fortunately, Oke is not your average yippy, annoying Chihuahua. He was very tolerant of his three year old fan.

This is what happens when you have an eleven year old GIRL for a cousin. And you are three and don't know any better

Central Oregon

Slip n Slide Time!

I always wanted a slipe n slide when I was a kid, but my parents would not get one. Sooooo when Tyler and I were at Fred Meyer today, we picked one up!

Collin walked across it a couple of times, fell, and threw in the towel. He's not a huge fan of water anyway. So, off to the sandbox he went!

To Matt and Gretchen:

I tried VERY hard to post pictures from our trip to Europe. I made a fun slide show with captions, but I CAN NOT for the life of me get it to post on the blog. I am very sorry! I really had a great time! Lack of pictures is by no means a reflection of my feelings for my opportunity to travel. And nor did my crappy travelling experience back sour my feelings! I will try to post it some other time, but if I keep trying now, I am afraid that I will end up chucking my laptop out in the street. So out of respect for my dear computer, I think I will stop now.

Love,
Heidi

Summer

For Mike