Busy Week

This week we had some fun activities going on with the boys. Here are some of the highlights.

 Nathan had 'Superhero Day' at preschool. They each got to wear a superhero shirt and then when they arrived at class one of the teachers (Mrs. Heidi) painted masks on all of them.

 Kyler's Dinosaur Project

Ky was so excited to do his first research paper. They brought home a book from the library about a dinosaur, had to learn all about it, fill out a 'facts page', write a 100 word report about it, and do a drawing to display. Ky did the Ankylosaurus . All reports, fact pages, and drawings were due Monday. Kyler gave is oral report on Wednesday, see his drawing on the podium. Finally, on Friday I had the opportunity to go help his class make clay dinosaur sculptures.

On Thursday Landon had a busy day. His class got to go see the symphony perform over at Dixie State. As soon as he got home we had hurry and do homework because Landon had Cub Scouts Pack Meeting that evening. They did a Nascub race. Each boy had a few weeks to construct a car out of a box. The leaders had the gym set up like a race track, complete with pit stops. The scouts each had a 2 person pit crew that helped them through the race. After the first lap, the pit crew had to 'change their tires' (aka take off their socks and shoes, turn the socks in-side-out, and then put the socks and shoes back on again). After the 2nd lap the pit crew had to 'clean the windshield' (aka spray Landon in the face with a squirt bottle and then wipe it off with a paper towel). After the 3rd lap the scouts needed to 'refuel' (aka drink an entire juice box). Then run two more laps to the finish line. Landon didn't win, but he had a lot of fun.

 The Car

 On his final lap

 Oh yeah, and then on Saturday Landon got to participate in Scout Day Camp. He had a blast but said the best part was that he was the only one to hit the target in archery.

Monster Cupcakes

Friday after dinner, we let the boys get a little creative and messy with some monster cupcakes

Amongst the business of life here, Jon was off on another business trip to Denver. Saturday morning, pretty early, we headed over to Jon's sister's house to help watch a few of her kids. Jon must have been pretty tired because he had no idea that I had even taken this picture until he saw it on the computer.

Landon's 9th Birthday

Wow, I must be getting old. My first born is 9. Next year he will be in the double digits!

 The cake. He picked to have a camouflage cake mix with just chocolate frosting. He found these super heroes a the dollar store and wanted to put them on top. I sure made my life easier.

 Opening presents. Sorry for the crazy stripes. It was such a beautiful day that we had his birthday lunch and presents in the gazebo out back. He insisted on sitting by Grandma and Aunt Jeni.

 The girls did a cute birthday treasure hunt. Here are the origami dollar bills that were in the treasure box along with candy and other cool things.

 All dressed up in their disguises

Landon running with this treasure

My Poor Puppy

My poor Dex had a miserable experience. After swallowing a big piece of a rubber ball that got stuck between his stomach and intestine he ended up having surgery on his 2nd birthday. The top pic is him super sick before surgery. He ended up losing 12-15 pounds and would barely get out of bed. It was so sad and seriously had me in tears. The bottom pic is Dex, wearing the 'cone of shame', sleeping with Kyler. He is now back to his normal energetic self thank goodness.

School Days, School Days

The boys were both a little excited and nervous to start a new school

 Nathan started Preschool!!! Some days are better than others on getting him excited to go, but now he is really enjoying it. Nathan only goes 2 days a week so on the other days we do something just the two of us. On Wednesday we go to the library (pictured below), and on the other days we just do little workbook activities at home.

 At the boys school they always do a fundraiser called the Raptor Romp. (the raptor dinosaur is there mascot). Each grade learns a dance and preforms it for all to see. They sell tickets and with the tickets you could buy pizza, drinks, candy and treats. They also had raffles that where donated by the community that you could put tickets in to win. So here is they boys dancing for your viewing pleasure. Kyler is the cutie pie on the back row in black sunglasses. Landon is in the middle wearing brown shorts.

Garbett Reunion Continued...

 After we left the cabin, we had a lot of fun filled days. Here are a few of the highlights for your viewing pleasure.

Draper Temple:

 Krista and Morgan were able to have Halli sealed to them in the same temple and by the same sealer that sealed the two of them only 4 years earlier. It was an amazing experience and I feel privileged to have been a part of it.

 Some of the kids on the Temple grounds waiting

I LOVE this pic of Kyler!! He is just walking so peacefully and thoughtfully around the temple.

Salt Lake City

Days of 47 Parade

 Michael and his family are part of the Mormon Battalion. They have amazing period correct clothing and Michael even shots off a huge rifle and cannon. Samuel got too tired to finish the entire parade route, so he came out and stayed with Grandma and the other kids.

 Here's just a couple of the floats from the parade. (I had to kind of laugh, I've lived just north of Salt Lake City for 9 1/2 years and I never went to the parade. This was my first time going and now we live 6 hours away.)

 We took the kids to the Church History Museum

 Landon and Kiera dancing

 A replica of 'the golden plates'

 Nathan doing his jig

In Provo:

 We went to see the Orem Owls play baseball. A couple of the pitchers even signed the kids tickets during warm-up

 Kyler with Hootz

 We laid out a few blankets and had a great time. My Dad is really good at catching the stress balls that were thrown to the crowd. Every family got to take one home.

 At the BYU campus they had a really neat dinosaur exhibit. The kids loved it, and best of all it was free!

So I can't remember if I mentioned that Jon had to head back home after the cabin and didn't get to participate in the rest of the week long festivities. Well, my van started to have some troubles with the temperature gauge. So because I was really nervous about driving home by myself with just the kids and a broken van my dear husband flew up to help me out. My Brother-in-law Jared picked him up and the two of them fixed the van. And right as they finished and were getting ready to take it for a test drive this happened....

My sister's neighbor across the street was working in his yard when he hit a gas main with his pick axe. So everyone was evacuated for a few hours while they got things taken care of. We had to walk down the street a ways and hang out at the park. Meanwhile, all of our vehicles were blocked in by a bunch of firetrucks, police cars, and construction trucks. So our departure was pushed back even longer. We did make it safely back to our house and all was well. The kids were so tired from such a fun filled week with cousins, that they slept most of the way.

Garbett Reunion Part 1 (the cabin)

We started our reunion with gathering at a nice cabin in central Utah. Due to the fact that Jon couldn't stay the entire trip we ended up having to drive both vehicles. The cabin belongs to my brother-in-law Morgan and his family. It was perfect because there was lots of fun for the kids outside and all of us adults could sit around chatting. There was a bedroom for each family, which made bedtime easier with 13 kids. Silly Kyler was my driving buddy on the 5 hour drive. He is so much fun to travel with. He just takes in the scenery and talked my ear off. 

 Morgan and Krista gave rides on the four-wheelers

We went out to the huge field and launched water balloons with a big sling shot. Some of the 'Dads' and older kids were out trying to catch them. 

 Jon representing the U and little Halli sporting her BYU shirt.

 After riding all night, little Raquel sat so patiently while Grandma braided her hair. She is such a cutie. Every time she would run in the room she had a ton to say.

 I know this pic is blurry but Nathan took this of Gma and Gpa and was very proud of himself.

Denovan teaching Halli how to salsa 

Here's our cute little family (yes, I know Nathan isn't smiling but what else is new?)

 The whole Garbett Gang
We are all pretty spread out across the US. Mom and Dad are still in SC. Michael and his family are in northern California. Cheryl's family is in Arizona. Melissa's Crew are in central Utah (and might I add that Melissa had a precious baby girl just about 2 weeks later). We are in southern Utah. And Krista's cute family is in Georgia. So, getting all of us together doesn't happen too often.

 Grandma and Grandpa with all the Grand kids! Sorry, little Halli's face is hidden, and Nathan was being such a pill that Jon is actually holding him up and hiding behind everyone.