Mummies

So, Clay has been hunting and I have been home alone with the kids. The evenings seem to drag on forever, so tonight I decided to try and entertain the kids a little. Beau helped me make these 'Mummy Dogs". I didn't have any olives for eyes, so I stuck some raisens in. They turned out cute and Beau was really excited about them. But the end results weren't so great - Bailey wouldn't touch them and Beau picked off the bun and just ate the dog. Oh well, A+ for effort and thank goodness for Mac and Cheese!

First Snow

The Kids have been so excited to play in the First Snow of the year. I finally agreed to take Elle, Emma and Beau out for a little while. They had so much fun, and made sure to hit me with plenty of snowballs. They were having a great time playing with and eating the fresh snow until their little hands were freezing. It was a short little romp, but a greatly needed break from the house. I don't know if I am quite ready for winter. I do know that I really need to buy my kids some new winter clothes FAST!

Scraptastic!

I have been trying to catch up on Bailey's scrapbook, I am only a couple years behind :) I finished this page last night and was very happy how it turned out. The picture isn't great, but you get the idea. I copied some ideas from a layout on Two Peas in a Bucket.

Help!

I had Beau's pictures taken and I can't decide which is my favorite. I need help! Click on the link and it will take you to Lasting Impressions home page, then click on Beau (tractor) Skinner. Let me know what you think.http://lastingimpressionsphotography.photoreflect.com

Timber!

Last weekend we went and got our first load of wood. The kids love going, including Clay. Beau thinks he is big enough to do everything that his Dad does. He quickly realized that his chainsaw doesn't really cut, so he had to use Dad's, with a lot of help. Beau wouldn't leave the spray paint marker alone, I finally had to hide it from him. When he got bored, he would come over and say "Mom, want to go for a walk with me." Bailey just loves to be in the mountains. Her favorite thing about getting wood is trying on everyones gloves - she thinks they are hand puppets. This time she didn't wander away, so I was able to help out quite a bit. Both kids were so good and we all had a great day. Only one more load and we are done for the winter!

Erickson Reunion

Every Labor Day weekend my family attends the coolest reunion ever! Clay's grandparents, Kay and Delsa, have their traditional reunion up to Cottonwood Lake. This year was awesome, although we did get a little harassed by the Forest Service, and a big fat ticket. Tempers were flaring everywhere, of course Clay was the worst! There is nothing worse than a female officer with a bullet proof vest and gun, she threatened to have Clay hauled off the mountain in handcuffs. We still managed to have a great time. Wade set up a zip line in one of the trees. Grandma was one of the first to go down, she is the coolest! As tradition, we went down to the lake and watched daring family members ride the bike off the ramp into the freezing cold water (poor Kayla lost part of her tailbone in her first attempt ever). That night my "computer geek" brother-in-law set up a slide show. We looked at so many old slides that made you laugh until your sides hurt (especially the ones of Rob and Rhonda's wedding). For Sunday services, grandma prepared a game of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire", I really need to brush up on my church knowledge. After church we took a ride up to the avalanche site to see the memorials that were put up in honor of the three men who died there last winter. I really appreciate my husband so much more and will probably worry about him even more this winter. Unfortunately we were rained out that night and my family decided to pull out and let the others tough it out. We had a great time and ate way too much great food! I can't wait until next year to do it all again!

Big Girls Don't Cry

Today was Bailey's first day of Kindergarten and I really had to hold back the tears. Bailey was so excited especially when the bus pulled into our driveway. She marched right onto the bus without any hesitation and didn't even bother to wave goodbye. I tried to keep myself away, but and hour later I found myself being that "stocker" mom, peeking into her classroom window. Thank goodness Bailey has an amazing team of people working with her. She is in a regular classroom with an aid by her side at all times of the day. I decided to let her attend all day Kindergarten and so far it seems to be going great. Bailey will be able to have Occupational Therapy, Speech and continue with the Physical Therapy. I really feel like this is going to be an amazing year of growth for her. I also feel like it is going to be a great year for Beau. He is really needing some one-on-one time with mommy. I have a lot of fun things planned for us. He is excited about his "school" with mommy. I have been so blessed with two great kids!