Go Orange, Go Big Blue!

Okay, in honor of our beloved Broncos, I have changed our blog wallpaper for a week or two (sorry, Sweetheart, I'm not going longer than that, hehe). For those of you who are unaware, we are HUGE, MASSIVE, OBSESSIVE Boise State football fans. Soon after we moved to Boise as a kid, my parents started taking us to BSU games (both football and basketball). I have such fond memories of sitting in the North End Zone and cheering like maniacs. My mom would always bring yummy food (remember those hot dogs in a thermos?) and we all loved spending our weekends together there. Our love for the Broncos was born there. After I married Joe, he was quickly indoctrinated with this love.

The kids all enjoy football, although none of them tend to stay for an entire game (except Ammon sometimes). Each of our babies has had to go through the stage where they startle because Mom and Dad suddenly freak out and cheer and scream at the TV. Bekah is working on perfecting the "look" each baby gives us when we do this (it is pretty much a look that says we are crazy).

Yesterday (Saturday) was the Bronco's first game. At our daily "family council" meeting to discuss the day, Ammon said that he was glad that we wouldn't have to worry about dinner because we all KNEW what we would be having...PIZZA for the game. Hmmm. We didn't really mean to make that a tradition, but it has sort of turned into one. We always go get Little Caesars pizza for game day. So, even though neither Joe nor I were particularly interested in pizza, we went and got some for the game. The kids dressed in the best BSU clothes they could find, and Joe worked on getting our BSU flag up on the flagpole. Our flagpole didn't fare well with our rough winter last year. Our American flag was completely worn to shreds and our rope broke. Joe had to take the whole pole down in order to get the flag back up. What a guy!

Joe and I are pumped for the game Joe works on the pole. Please, please, please disregard the terrible "lawn." We have no yard on that side after it was all ripped up for the sewer stuff. Our landlord didn't want to replace it, so we're kind of stuck. :) Proudly flying our allegiance (yes, we are planning on getting a new USA flag as well)
Joe sets up recordings for the game (and watches another game in the process)
Lizzie (6) in her cute little pink BSU sweatshirt
Ammon (10) loves the Broncos!

Just in case any of you were wondering, yes we DID win (49-7)! Go BSU!

On the Go

The speed around this place seems to have gone from zero to sixty in no time flat. With school starting, I feel as if I suddenly have a whole extra full-time job. You would think that things would be easier with three or four of the kids out of the house for most of the day, but no... Life starts earlier, goes harder, and ends in a frantic race for the finish line. The kids have settled into school nicely and things are going much better than I could have ever imagined in that area. They are all just thriving. I am so grateful for that blessing.

This week school started for me. It is tricky juggling my full time college and the kids stuff. I try to only work on my school stuff during the day so that Joe has me in the evenings. In addition to my school work, the kids school stuff, and normal life this week, I also hauled the little kids off go visiting teaching, the older three kids auditioned for a local children's choir(and can I just admit that the younger kids were terribly misbehaved while we were there and I was so embarrassed), Ammon had scouts, Hannah's primary teacher took her out for ice cream and she also had activity days, Ammon has been preparing to audition for the school play next week, and I tackled the monster job of organizing all of Bekah and Caleb's clothes that are too small. I even boxed them up and took them to a local used children's clothes store (and while I was there I spent more money buying more clothes than I ever got back from the clothes I exchanged, hehe).

After all that, this isn't even really what this post is about!!! I guess since we have all been so busy and on the go, Bekah decided that she would like to throw another monkey wrench into the mix and start crawling. She actually started crawling a couple of weeks ago, but I am just now getting around to posting about it. Honestly, I have been dreading it. She is very busy and interested in every little thing. We have to keep the floors spotless at all times or she will find choking hazards everywhere. She is cute, though, and so proud of herself. I guess at nine months of age, I couldn't put it off much longer!

Bekah (9 months) thinks about taking off Hmmm...a little harder than she thought
There she goes!
What a big girl :)

Okay, I've got kids to put down for a nap, a poopy diaper to change, and Bekah is ripping all the books off my bookshelf. Must. Stop. Blogging. :)

And Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again

Yep, that's right! School has officially begun (just in case you missed all the blaring Back to School sales and signs all over town). The kids have finished the first week of school and everything seems to be going well. We are back to waking up early and being a little more crazed in the afternoons with homework, lunches, getting clothes out and so on. It has been very quiet having Ammon, Hannah, and Lizzie gone all day. Funny how having only three little ones at home can really cut the noise *grin*. Here are some summaries of each kid's week...

Ammon (10) is a sixth grader

Ammon:
As you all know, of all my children I was the most nervous about Ammon starting middle school. As always, I was worried for nothing. He has loved middle school and hasn't had any problems. He quickly made some new friends at his new school and is enjoying hanging out with them. He especially loves his Chinese class. It is taught completely in Chinese. They are only allowed to speak in English for the last five minutes in order to ask questions. At the Back to School night, his Chinese teacher told us that Ammon has caught on to the language very quickly and is already able to engage in conversation with him after only one week. I am thrilled to see him so excited about learning new things. He and I went to pick up his cello today and he was so happy. He even said, "You know, Mom, wearing uniforms isn't as bad as I thought it would be." Now THAT is progress. :)

Silly Hannah (8) entered 3rd grade

Hannah:

Hannah was very happy to have her best friend, Baylee, and the boy she "loves" in her class again this year. She has her priorities straight. :) She came home sick the first day of school, but has been fine ever since. She has two teachers sharing the 3rd grade this year, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon. A couple of days before school started, she lost her glasses (again) so she has been blind thus far. Her teachers told us at back to school night that they moved her desk to the front of the room and we are waiting for her new specs. They also said that she is very "enthusiastic" (shocker) and asks many, MANY question. Typical Hannah stuff.

Sweet little Lizzie (6) is in 1st grade this year

Lizzie: To the surprise of both Lizzie and I, Hannah's friend Baylee has a 1st grade sister. After the first day of school, Lizzie came home and announced that Baylee's sister is in her class. Apparently Avery (the sister) had followed her around everywhere and was trying to become her new BFF (yes, that is actually how Lizzie described it...BFF... weird I know). She enjoys making her lunch and staying all day. She did mention that sometimes in the afternoon she just starts to miss me so much that it hurts. How sweet is that? Her teacher said that she is very well behaved and easy to get along with. Another shocker, eh?

How did Emma (4) get so big? She looks like a school kid in this picture! Emma:

Emma Suzanne started preschool this year! She has been so excited to go. She asks every day if she can go back. Her only disappointment was that she didn't get to pack a lunch like her older siblings do. She is really growing up. The only time I came close to crying this year was when I after I left her at school. She is becoming so independant and I just miss my baby!!! It is strange being home with just Caleb and Bekah. Very strange.

I couldn't resist taking this one last picture of Emma at preschool

I love my kids! Here's to a FANTASTIC year!!!

Happy Birthday Grandpa Burton!

Last weekend, we had a big Burton family get together to commemorate Grandpa Burton's 90th birthday. It was fun to see all of my relatives on Dad's side of the family. I haven't seen some of them in years and years! We ate some food, took some pictures, and visited. My parents flew in that day (they had been at their ward campout). Joe and Donnetta and James also drove up for the occasion. A good time was had by all.

Grandpa Burton is the youngest looking 90 year old I've ever met (sorry for the bad lighting)!

My dad (right) chats with his younger brothers Paul (center) and Andy (left)
Bekah (9 months) with her Great-Grandma Burton
The five Burton brothers from left to right...Jeff, John, my dad, Andy, and Paul
My aunt Diane and her three cuties
Caleb (2) enjoys birthday cake
Emma (4) and Joe enjoy some food

From left to right, My dad, his brother Paul, Grandma Burton, and her sister-in-law (I think that's who my mom told me it was, hehe)
Everyone sings Happy Birthday
Joe and Donnetta
My cousins Jason and Jeff push the kids

David, Dawn, and a Darn Good Time

It's our last Boist post! Hooray. :)

We were able to drive to Nyssa, Oregon one night and visit some of the Boyer family. Joe's brother David and his wife Alyssa invited us out for dinner. Dawn (Joe's sister) and her family also came. We wished we had been able to see Paul and Kari and Dan's wife Steph, but they were unable to make it. You can't hide from us forever *grin*. We WILL hunt you down. :)

It was fun eating, playing, and catching up on life. It happened to be the two year anniversary of Joe's mom's death on the day we were there. We thought that perhaps we could plan some sort of family reunion each year on that day. It would be nice.

It is always fun for the kids to play with their cousins. On my side, the cousins are all young and it is different for them to hang out with their cool "older" cousins on the Boyer side. We love you guys and miss you all like crazy! :)

Joe's sister Dawn and her guy Brett
Alyssa and Dawn talk after dinner
David and Dawn
Brett dishes up ice cream for the kids

The cousins eat ice cream around the trampoline...from right...a friend, Jenna, Ashley, Conner, Hannah, Kendall, Jordan, Lizzie, Ammon

From left, Jenna, Ashley, Ash's friend, Lizzie, Ammon, Kendall, David filiming, Hannah, Ammon, Emma, Conner
Jordan (laying down), Kendall, Caleb, Lizzie, and Ammon
Fun outside!

Middle School Crisis

Just over 14 months ago, my sweet baby boy finished 3rd grade. In just four days, he will start middle school. He is excited and ready. Not nervous at all. I, on the other hand, seem to be a wreck. What is wrong with me? I can only attribute this sudden mini-breakdown of mine to the fact that I wasn't ready for this jump into "almost adulthood". I feel like we skipped "late" elementary school completely. One day he was in 1st grade and suddenly he is almost a teenager. I am constantly questioning my judgement...mostly about the grade skip and pulling him from his congregated gifted classroom this year. Did I make the right choice?

Yesterday, the kids had a "meet and greet" at their school. We took Lizzie to the 1st grade class. Typical, sweet teacher. All is well. We ventured into the 3rd grade hall to meet Hannah's teacher (she actually has two because they are each teaching part time). Normal, familiar stuff.

After picking up Ammon's class schedule from the gym, we climbed the stairs to the middle school area. I felt overwhelmed. Not only does he have the normal six or seven classes a day, he also has different classes depending on the day of the week. I think he has like 10 or more teachers in all. He got his locker and we met a few of his teachers...his Language Arts teacher, his Math teacher, his Chinese teacher (who is actually from China and I could barely understand him because his accent was so thick), and his orchestra teacher. They all had long lists of the different things they want him to bring to class each time. It seems to me that when I was in junior high, I just had one big Trapper Keeper (lol, I know that is way geeky) notebook with pencils and stuff and then my textbooks. Not Ammon. Each teacher has way different things they want him to bring for class...some want pocket folders, some want spiral notebooks, some want 3 ring binders, etc. I have no idea how he is going to keep track of this stuff. I mean, he was just barely mastering bringing home stuff from ONE teacher. I can't imagine how he will ever remember what to get for each class every hour (and I can only grimace when I picture how his locker will look!).

I think that I have three major worries:

1. How will he ever stay organized when his organizational skills are non-existent?

2. How will I be able to advocate for all his varied needs (from the advanced stuff to the dysgraphia handwriting issues)? It has been hard enough working with ONE teacher. How can I ever handle ten?? None of these teachers know him or anything about his history. Argggghh. I don't even want to think about it.

3. Is he too young for this? He is only ten years old and in middle school. Did I make the wrong decision for him? I hate this sort of responsibility!

Okay. Got it all out. I think. I'm not exactly sure why I am suddenly all freaked out about this. Any advice you all could give me would be great. Ammon is not worried at all, by the way, so I guess that is a good thing. Of course, I was a wreck when I started junior high anyway. I wish I had been more confident like he is! Do all parents worry like this, or is it just me?

P.S. I was going to come post my last pictures from our trip to Boise, but I just couldn't concentrate. Sorry about that...

A Choo Choo Train

I'm ALMOST done posting about our trip to Boise. Getting closer!!! On Saturday morning, as part of our "uncamping" trip, we took a train ride up through the mountains. It was a Wild West Train and the young girls were very nervous about getting robbed. The show they put on was fun, though, and not scary so everyone felt fine about it. Caleb and Josh especially enjoyed riding on the train and couldn't stop pointing out all the cool things they saw outside of the windows.

Donnetta made bag sandwiches for everyone, labelled and everything. We ate them at a park before we got on the train.

Mmmmm. Lunch.
Randon tries to catch a quick nap before we board the train
Hannah (8), Brielle (5), Emma (4), and Karl (6) are ready to go!
Donnetta coaches James in his next card move against Ammon
Emily stayed home because she was sick. Here Randon is with Josh (2) and Brielle (5)

Karl (6) is a little unhappy
Our bank robber tries to convince us that he is innocent
As part of the show, they gave all of us fake money and "deputized" all the kids. This lady was from a "Home for Wayward Girls" and happened to steal Ammon's money. He chased her down, though, as a "deputy" and took his money back. She sheepishly said that no one has ever tried to get their money BACK before! That's my boy!
Ammon (10) feels pretty smug about getting his money back
Bekah (9 months) and Caleb (2) sit with Mom and Dad

Look at those cuties
Towards the end of the train ride, most of the kids became very sleepy. We lost four or five of them to their sweet dreams.

My sweet little Lizzie (6)

Brielle (5) one-ups Lizzie by using a purse for a pillow
Caleb (2) beats them all...

You know life is fun when it wears you out that much!