Stillwater Pumpkin Contest

RJ and I along with Matt and Beth are doing an 8 week competition called Feel Great in 8.  Daily we have to drink so much water, exercise, eat good foods, pray, read scriptures etc.  Weekly we have 5 assignments that differ and vary.  This weeks assignment was to participate in something fall-ish.  RJ found this place in Stillwater and we had a fun but cold afternoon.

Here is the winning pumpkin (orange) weighing in at 1,78.5 pounds!

There were several fun little carnival like games where the kids could earn a piece of candy.

At 5 pm they hefted this gigantic pumpkin with a crane.  Trying something new this year, they picked a 200 pound pumpkin to be the target of the drop.  We stood about 20 yards away and watched the pumpkin hang ominously above.  We all counted down and the next thing I knew, it felt like there was an explosion.  A million pieces of pumpkin flew including a big chunk that landed right at our feet.  Everyone immediately rushed to get a piece of the pumpkin or some of it’s seeds.  The target pumpkin came away unscathed though!

Make Up Camp Out

 

Because the Father/Son campout got ruined by tornado warnings, RJ reserved a sight close to home and invited families to come camp.

I made some super dense rolls and RJ made a great chili in our dutch oven. 

The weather was great and the kids and adults all had fun.  I even stayed the whole night this year.  Last time, Reagan was a baby and McKenna woke her up.  There was crying and whining and I was cold and tired.  Living just 7 minutes away was too tempting so I packed Reagan up and we slept great in our own beds.  RJ was not a fan of my decision and gives me grief every time he can.

Prima Ballerina

My friend Lisa has her daughter (Jane) in a little dance class on Wed.  Reagan has sat through a lot of Hunter and McKenna’s activities so I was excited to sign her up for something.  She’s such a doll!

SIX WOW!

After being in Disneyland, we had to have a princess party with a castle cake.  I designed this cake it my head.  McKenna was happy with it.  Originally, McKenna invited a small number of friends (three of whom were older than her, 8, 10 and 13 years old).  I wanted the crafts to be things that the girls would use.  Not too baby-ish and not just junky stuff.  Amanda gave us her clear necklace “wire” and clasps.  I bought some metallic beads for necklaces and bracelets.  I also bought several bunches of flowers at the dollar store and took them apart so they could design their own flower hair clip.  I have to admit that I was a little ambitious.  Her three older friends said they couldn’t come so we made quick invites to three other little girls McKenna’s age.  All the girls needed help so RJ and I worked like crazy to get everyone what they needed.  When they were done with their jewelry and flowers, I did hair and make-up while RJ painted and decaled fingernails and toe nails.  We played two games.  The first was Aladdin’s magic carpet ride.  They had to sit on a blanket and scoot on their bottoms across the floor. The winner got Jasmine’s jewels (ring pops).  We then did an egg hunt.  Each egg had a Hershey's kiss (every princess needs true loves “kiss”).  One egg was golden and whoever found it got a princess calendar.  McKenna ended up finding the golden egg which I felt bad about.  I wanted her to give it to someone else but she wouldn’t.  She was quite the sassy princess.

Ava Palmer is in the black dress, Charlotte Hillyard, McKenna, Kami Olson, Rachel Mattson, and Tatum Morley.  We had three Rapunzels!  Ava was a “wicked princess”.  She said she was the witches daughter.  It was hilarious because she is such an adorable sweet little thing!

RJ and I bought McKenna a sewing machine and a giant box of craft stuff.  Our house has been messy ever since.

My mom made this dress for me to wear as the flower girl in Dan and Kathryn’s wedding.  I was 8 or 9 years old when I wore it.

Charlotte gave McKenna this bag.  Within 24 hours of opening it, she had colored it.  I think she is fantastic at coloring.

Kami gave her an awesome cupcake kit.  We had to make them Sunday before church.

McKenna and Reagan with some of the crafts we bought her.

McKenna is growing up to be a wonderful little person.  She’s an amazing big sister.  She is very creative and talented.  Her personality is bigger than her body.  She is a joy.

First Day of School!

When we got back from Oregon/California, Hunter got a letter from his teacher.  I wondered where McKenna’s was and called the school.  I hadn’t registered her!  I quickly filled out and turned in all the paper work but I feel bad for putting the school in a lurch.  They had one afternoon teacher (Mrs. Krueger) but because of the number of last minute moms (like myself), the class size was getting too big.  They went ahead and split the afternoon kindergarten class so there are only 15 kids in McKenna’s class (which is great).  Her teacher’s name is Miss Trom.  Miss Trom teaches the am kindergarten kids as well.  Hunter has Mrs. Daley (formerly know as Mrs. Muelbauer).  He heard that she was really strict and wasn’t super excited about this year.  I told him that he would have no problems with a strict teacher because he is such a great student.

There is a nice sized group of kids that go in the morning with Hunter.

 

I had to drive McKenna to school for a few weeks since her bus stop was not yet assigned.  She was excited to take the bus home though.  She is definitely ready for school.  She’ll do great!

Amanda’s Sendoff

Amanda got an apartment in North Dakota and was able to get a job for the time being at Target.  She mentioned a few times that she really wanted a basic tool set so we bought her one and gave it to her the night before she left.  It was really nice to have her here for the summer.  I enjoyed her company, she was a big help and great with the kids.  We will miss her.  Reagan asked for days where Sant Amanda was.  “Is she sleeping?” she said. We wish her the best and hope she knows that she is welcome here anytime.

Bert and DeAnna

The week after we got back from Oregon, Bert and DeAnna drove up and met Amanda in North Dakota.  They unloaded her stuff and came for about 3 1/2 days.  We had a lot of fun.  It went so fast.

On Friday we went to the Minnesota State Fair.  It’s the biggest in the US so we figured we had to experience it.  Reagan liked to “soft” (pet) the animals.  We saw many farm animals including those who had recently given birth (lambs, cows, and pigs).  We watched a short western comedy, saw sculpted butter, ate, and watched a rodeo.

On Saturday, we went to Quarry Rock Park for cliff jumping.  We had a lot of fun.  McKenna was super brave and tried to be a rock for her dad and brother when they were nervous.

It’s always so nice to be with family!