we "did" the Puyallup

Every year the Puyallup Fair comes for 2 weeks. The kids beg and beg to go and I finally cave like I always do. We went on fair day for school. They got out early and we headed down. We decided to dizzy passes this year which means they can ride all the rides they want. Soooo $100 dollars later we are headed to do all the rides. We got rained on but what did we expect? We live in Washington! Isaac came with us too. (Brooke's best friend and the boy I babysit 3 days a week)
I was bummed that I didn't get pictures of Kaylee but apparently when your 13 you DO NOT hang out with your mother. She had fun with her friends. I saw her here and there but tried not to embarrass her. Connor went with off with his friends for awhile too. We hung out with the Gaileys and the Conners.

This was a cool pirate show that the kids really enjoyed. I did too. They jumped from a platform that was 85 feet high into a not very deep pool.

Cierra and Isaac were the only ones that wanted to get a picture taken with the pirates.

And now I have one whole year before I hear those famous words, "I WANT TO GO TO THE FAIR!"

Peace out!

Cierra turns 9

Cierra turned 9 on September 10th. She is getting so grown up. I can't even believe it. She definitely gives me a run for my money, but I guess you have to have one in each family. We all love her to death and she can be so kind and loving most of the time.

She opened up her presents from us at home and was very excited about what she got. Presents included slippers, hoodie, outfit, zhu zhu pets stuff, hair stuff, and black boots

We didn't have time for a big breakfast so Cierra got candles in her frozen waffles. That's what happens when your birthday falls on a school day in our house.

Cierra and 10 friends went to Tiffanys for a skating party. They all had a ton of fun and were tired out by the end of the night. I was tired too. Thanks to my sis for helping me keep tabs on all the kiddos.

Kendahl, Cierra, Brynnley, Olivia, Maegan, Phoebe, Fawnie, Shaylyn, Isabella, Molly and Rebecca

They had pizza and Cierra opened her presents before they skated!

Happy Birthday to the most stubborn, beautiful, smart, kind girl! We all love you and glad you are a part of our family!

Orting Trail Fun

Anna and I took the kids to the Orting trail on Saturday. Kaylee and Connor were with their dad so I only had 2 but Anna had all 4 so we put all the kids in my car and all the bikes in hers and headed out. The first stop on the trail was Mcdonalds. Then we continued on to the park, then to the dirt path where you could do "tubular" jumps and then to the gas station for ice cream. So as you can see we didn't burn many calories but we managed to go 5 miles.

Natalie took a spill and had the worst look on her face!

Even I had to take a turn on Cierra's bike and ride the jumps!

We had a lot of fun!

This is how Anna "rides"

Great day and the best part was we didn't get rained on!

First Day of school

The 2010-2011 school year was a big thing in the Elwell household. My baby going off to Kindergarten, my 3rd grader starting a new school and a new program(Quest), my 6th grader ruling the elementary school he has gone to since 1st grade and my 7th grader heading off to junior high. They all had awesome first days and I was so excited that everything went SO well.

Kaylee with her best friend, Ashley getting ready to catch the bus. She initially wanted me to drive her and then thought that might be uncool, so they rode the bus. She was able to get her locker open the second day(her worst fear) and she is starting volleyball on Tuesday. She is becoming quite a pretty girl and she is definitely in to what she looks like. the makeup is starting along with other teenage things!

Brooke was excited to go to Kindergarten. She loves her teacher, Mrs B. as the kids call her. Her name is Mrs. Bronoske. She is super nice and I'm glad she is able to have her as a teacher. The first day she got off the Brooke almost in tears and I rushed over to her to see what was wrong and she said she had to go to the bathroom. Apparently she didn't know the school had a bathroom and held it all day. Needless to say she really had to go! The second day we made sure she went right before school and she did great!

Cierra started 3rd grade at Zeiger this year. She is doing the quest(accelerated learning)program. So far she is liking it but the hard work hasn't started yet so only time will tell. She was excited to wear all her new outfits and even asked if she could wear a little mascara. She is growing up too fast as well.

Connor is a boy and doesn't really care what happens as long as he gets to visit with his friends and check out the girls. His teacher is Mr. Wells which he had in 3rd grade so it was nothing new for him. He's excited to be ruling the school and plans to have fun with that. He also started soccer a few weeks ago and has his first game next week. I LOVE watching him play soccer.

Cierra waiting in the gym at school with her friends, Phoebe and Maegan. They wait in the gym and their teacher comes and gets them right before class. The Quest program starts 15 minutes before regular school so she has to be driven everyday. She atleast gets to catch the shuttle bus over to Firgrove and ride home with Connor afterschool.

Brooke and Connor arriving safely at school. We put them on the bus and then rushed to school just to make sure they arrived safely and Connor got Brooke to her class.

Brooke sitting at her desk for the first time.

overprotective daddy not wanting to leave:)

Brooke arriving home only 20 minutes late really having to go potty!

And the older kids made it too.

I kind of miss all the chaos going on in the house but I love the peace and quiet too. I got a 10 mile run in while they were all at school yesterday morning and it was so nice not to have to get up at 5am to do it!

Here's to another school year!!!!!!!