Tater tot is 18

This is last Sunday.  Uncle Tay Tay is 18. I remember the day he was born.  But look how cool he is now.  We love him!  Especially since he wears the bracelets Anna made him for his birthday.  I also like remi in that top picture.

Anna colored that bday crown for him.

we love millcreek canyon

 It's been beautiful weather this week.  I've been dying to get up to the canyon to enjoy the beautiful fall weather.  So on Friday we finally made it.

 And it was wonderful.

 I love Julia in this picture (the one above and the one below!)

 And anna's eye's are so pretty in this picture.  She looks like a little Angel.  Don't mind julia's belly out there.

 Look at Julia running!  Pure bliss.

 In this picture Anna is saying "look at the beautiful mountains mom, too bad we couldn't climb all the way up there today, maybe next time"

 I love the way the trees make shadows along the trail.

 WE stopped for a while so Anna could practice climbing.  Julia climbed at my feet.

 For some reason Julia thought she could smell rocks.

 look at her examining sticks.

 This is today.  Our upstairs neighbors brought us some WHITE rolls.  Julia LOVED them.  I mean really loved them.  Here she is lounging in the chair.  Enjoying her roll.

 zoomed in.

 Zoomed back out.  Look at the mouth full of roll.  You'd think it was ice cream or something.

 What is she?  The queen of sheeba?

 AFter I went for a long run up the canyon, my sister dropped by.  With all of her kids.  I'm always up for a game of soccer in our awesome backyard with Amber Bamber.  The kids love playing with these safety goggles.  Here is Jane.

 Here is Anna and Evan painting the shed (with water).

 Then Amber started painting faces with water.

 She was a pro.

 After all the big kids went in Julia and I basked in the sun.  What a doll.

 Then we went up to Millcreek Canyon for a hot dog and marshmallow roast.

 Darn it, I left the marshmallows and camera at home.  Thanks richard for going home to get em for us.

 Julia loved those marshmallows.

 As did Amber.

 And Jane.

 And Evan.

 Oh I'm eating a carrot in this picture.

 We went on a little hike to the pipeline trail after dinner.

 The preschool walking group.

 Amber the unicorn.

 My brother Taylor is way too cool for all of us.  Just look at his hair.  But I guess Julia was okay enough since she's wearing a cool coat.

What a fun night, thanks for coming family.  Here's mom walking Anna to the car.  Anna is carrying some of my Dad's apple crisp.  It was a perfect night if you ask me.

teach your kid to read in 100 lessons

My sister recommended this book (teach your kid to read).  It really works.  Anna has known all her letter sounds for over a year.  She could see words, but couldn't  blend the sounds together.  Now she blends and reads!  We are on lesson 30 something.  It's pretty cool!  Anna wanted to read and now she can.  This girl wakes up and first thing she says is "mom, can we do my reading lesson?"  Seriously.  What a nerd.  I can't lie, I look forward to doing this with her everyday too.  She sure gets frustrated though (as you can see in the video!)  But I think it's good to teach her how to deal with that too.  Any suggestions?  I'm not so good at dealing with frustration myself!  All I tell her is to keep trying, because that's what I do - and sometimes we just stop and try again tomorrow.

We had a breakthrough with Julia today.  She is a distraction during anna's reading lesson.  So I started giving her room time.  She doesn't love playing alone.  But today she actually played by herself during room time.  I was so relieved and pleased.

I'm so glad when daddy comes home.

Daddy's been gone hunting.  We are glad he is home.

Pumpkin carving

Grandpa Buhler have us a bunch of pumpkins.  Thank you!  Grandma gave us a night bright pumpkin kit.  So rich did that yesterday with Anna while I went to a shower for my friend Rachel smith.

When I got back rich went shooting with my brother Andy.  I went potty and I came back to a card party!

Dentist

Second time is a charm.  First time she'd have nothing to do with it.  This time she loved it and sat still the entire time.  She is getting braver.

apples and witches

 My dad and I picked apples and made applesauce yesterday.  We picked 3 bushels and it took us all morning because we had to climb to the top of this tree.  I fell off at one point, but luckily the branches slowed my fall.  It was a fun time.  We also chopped branches off the tree, which I love doing for some odd reason.  I think my dad loves it too.  Making applesauce is fun, you put it through the victoro (thanks Joyce for buying that for me years ago) and grind it into sauce.  My dad turned the victoro all day.  I bet he's got a sore arm today.  I was up until 10 wiping applesauce off everything.  it was a mess!  We ended up with I think 34 quarts.  I think.  mmm it's going to be good!

 This morning I took a shower.  When I came out anna said "we are having a party."  She got all her ponies out and had a pretend tea party out here.  She HAS play dishes and food.  But no, tupperware and real plates are so much fun.  I moved them down low so she could set the table.  Since I did that, they have also become a favorite toy.

 Julia loves sitting in small enclosed spaces.

 PLaying with the dishrags.  This has always been one of anna's best pastimes.

 While we were canning applesauce yesterday, my mom took the grandkids and her mom out to Gardener Village for the witch fest.  Looks like anna is a bit overwhelmed here.

 I guess she ate most of grandma's fettucini alfredo.  She LOVED IT.  Who doesn't?!

Amber, Remi, Chloe, Elizabeth, Jane, Anna.  We kept julia at home cuz i thought she would get lost for sure.  THanks mom!  Look at how blessed I am!