Summer Fun

The boys and I decided to get out of Sheridan for the summer and head to Worland. I've been working at my old job at Farm Bureau insurance and the boys have been spending half their summer break with me and half with their dad. So what, you ask, have we been up to in Worland? Well, unfortunately Worland doesn't have as many fun parks or a fun swimming pool like Sheridan does, so we've missed that, but we have family here and have enjoyed spending time with everyone.

I got to take a trip down to Logan with my sister and nieces to leave them at EFY for a week. It was a beautiful drive and we had a great time!

Caleb got a new bike, so he's been working on his mad biking skills. He's also lost two more teeth and I think grown another inch!

Ethan has enjoyed spending countless hours on the trampoline and being just the right size for the battery-operated tractor.

The boys have loved helping with chores on the farm.



The boys have also enjoyed spending time with some of their cousins this summer; playing in the water, shooting off fireworks, and having a sleepover in the backyard.



One of our favorite summer time activities is heading to the mountains! We enjoyed a picnic lunch with Uncle Doug and Aunt Margaret and a hike down to West Tensleep Lake falls. We had a cookout with foil dinners and a drive up above Meadowlark Lake (one of my favorite spots). Sara and I took the boys to stay the night at the cabin, we had a great time but I forgot the camera. We're hoping to get up there a couple more times before school starts.




One of the highlights of this summer was all my sisters getting together, even if it was for a short time. We just happened to be able to come home all at the same time. It's been a few years since we've been all together, so this was really fun! We also got to meet Jacque's baby, Lily, who is now 1 year old.

We've had a lot of fun so far, and hope to enjoy the last few weeks of our summer break!

My budding virtuoso

The elementary schools in Sheridan offer students the opportunity to learn keyboarding/piano, technology, or the violin. They can choose which one they are interested in and if they are picked they go to a lesson once a week for 30 minutes, free of charge! I chose for Caleb to try keyboarding/piano, because he gets plenty of technology already and I can't stand the violin. Anyway, he started keyboarding at the beginning of 1st grade and seemed to really enjoy it. A few weeks ago they had an "In-Formance" where the parents were able to come to the school and listen to each child play a song on the piano and then a group song on their keyboards. I thought Caleb did really well and have encouraged him to continue on with it next year. (I tried to upload a video, but it didn't work, so you just get a picture)

I'm Back!

I'm not sure where the last four months have gone, but today I got caught up on all the housework from that time and it wasn't pretty. I am happy to say I successfully completed my first year of dental hygiene school, with a 3.5 gpa no less!!! As sophomores in the program, we are pinned by the juniors to show we completed our first year. The pinning ceremony is mostly about the graduating class, as it should be, but it was nice to be recognized. I was also pleasantly surprised with being chosen for two scholarships. I was awarded a scholarship from the Wyoming Dental Association and one from the Northwest District Dental Society in Wyoming. I am looking forward to year two! Too bad I have to wait all summer to start!


My friend Lynsee and I with our pins.


My dental hygiene class (minus one) before the pinning ceremony.

Hello? Is anyone home?

Don't get your hopes up...this is short. I am here to tell you we ARE still alive. I know it's been nearly four months since I've blogged, but let me tell you about something called Dental Hygiene school...it's a big black hole and I have fallen in. I promise to update you with a lengthier post and possible pictures in a couple weeks when I find my way out of the black hole. Until then, wish me luck...I have finals in one week!!!

Adenoids out, tubes in

Ethan had his surgery done on the 12th. I meant to take my camera so I could get a picture of him at the surgical center, but I forgot. He wasn't real happy to be there and even less happy to take his own clothes off and put on the gown, so I probably wouldn't have been able to get a picture anyway! Everything went well and recovery has been pretty good so far too. Here's some pictures showing what's involved. Now let's hope it will improve his hearing...and speech!

Four Eyes

I know glasses aren't that big of a deal, millions of people where them everyday. But I've never needed glasses, so I think it's fun that Caleb does! Here he is looking cuter than ever!

I've been reading

I've actually had time to read for enjoyment and it's been wonderful! I never really liked to read until I read the Twilight series (yes, I'm one of those people AND I read the series three times ::gasp::). Ever since then I am looking for good books to read but only have time when I'm not in school. (School keeps me reading things like head and neck anatomy, dental anatomy, anything and everything a person wanting to become a dental hygienist would need to read. Next semester it will be dental materials, pharmacology, dental radiology, histology, my head is spinning just typing about it!) Anyway, I finished reading Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. It is the second book in The Hunger Games trilogy.



Both books are awesome and enjoyable! There's romance, adventure, and suspense, who could ask for more?! Word on the street is that book 3 will be out next summer. I can't wait!
After reading Catching Fire I decided to read The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. It was interesting but not in either a good or bad way. I enjoyed reading it and really got caught up in the story, however, there was one chapter near the end of the book that just about ruined it for me. It's like renting the pg-13 movie and hearing the one "F" word. Why?! Anyway, I am anxious to see the movie and hope they left out the one chapter.



Since I finished that and still have 12 more days until school starts, I have plenty of time to read a couple more books. Next on my list is The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner. This book was recommended by my sister Ann, who loves to read, is in an online book club, and just got a kindle for Christmas (the brat). So I'm going to give it a whirl.



I would love to know what you all are reading and have you leave suggestions! Happy Reading!