Saturday, September 4, 2010

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!!!!!!!

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Sandlake 2010

I took the kids camping with my parents and my sister and her family to Sandlake. We love to go ride the quads and the razor out in the many miles of sand dunes. It is a blast! Thanks to my parents for sharing all their toys. Including the trailer that we slept in so i didn't have to sleep outside with Sean.(he had to work and couldn't get away-or so he says. He is not a camper. He is a 3 a day shower kind of guy!)



The kids had fun riding, playing in the sand, climbing trees, roasting smores and even playing in the frigid water.



Kalyee and grandma

Chance, Connor and Kaylee

Brookie and grandma!



climbing trees at night.



climbing mountains an mountains of sand dunes




Kalyee and Connor







Brooke, Cierra and Shay playing in the sand






all the grandkids building a pyramid







my pride and joy!







we made this for daddy! we missed him!




Brooke peeing in the water:)


burying Chance


playing in the water



the kids picking on Doug





Me freezing as Brooke goes in the water!


I was dang lucky to have my hood on when that seagull decided to poop right on my head.






Kaylee enjoying some quad riding

Cierra and grandpa



Connor racing around
grandma and Brooke going for a ride.




Kaylee and I cruising!

The whole fam damily!(except Sean:()




mom and dad


Kaylee needed a new profile picture for facebook!:)




We had a blast but we were so glad to come home and take a shower. We were all so dirty. I'm not used to camping without showers. Especially when there is a ton of sand everywhere.

Thanks for the memories mom and dad and The Gailey clan! They will never be forgotten!

Connor's 11th Birthday

Connor celebrated his 11th birthday on Friday with 5 of his friends. Sean took them to the Meadow(our church property) where they camped out for the night. They had a lot of fun and the best part was the Sean did it all and I got to stay home. They played baseball, football, roasted hot dogs and smores and then slept in the tent. A perfect party for an 11 year old!


Jace, Austin, Chance, Kolin, Connor, Indy, and Matthew











*a few things I love about Connor:

he is very sensitive

he loves his mom and he is not afraid to tell her:)

he gets along AWESOME with his sister Kaylee!(not so much with Cierra or Brooke but he can't be perfect, can he?)

he is always respectful

LOVE YOU BUD! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!