Cookie Cutters

Jarod loves to have something in the oven on Sunday afternoons. After making a rainbow cake, angel food cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin bread this week, I let him have a turn in the kitchen. He and the kids settled on sugar cookies, and the rest of our evening was spent in cutting out and decorating them. What a fun way to spend the Sabbath!

Pumpkin Patch

The kindergarten classes took a field trip to the pumpkin patch. I showed up late, because I was sick that day and had debated going at all. I couldn't resist the opportunity to see my baby boy on his field trip, though. Jack is such a ham.

I have some good looking boys. The other night Josh was telling me all about pumpkins. He's such a joy.

My kids are so lucky to have their cousins in their classes. That's his cute cousin Ava he's protecting in the line for the bus.

I always wished I'd known my cousins better growing up. We were the only ones living in Texas, while almost everyone else lived in Utah. I'm glad they all get along so well, and I hope they continue to enjoy this time they have to be close.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

The night before Carly's birthday, I wrapped her door in crepe paper so she'd have to break out of her room while we sang Happy Birthday to her. When I picked up the kids from school, Josh was asking for the same treatment for his birthday. In the afternoon I took treats for Carly's class. It was fun to hear them sing "and many more on channel four, and scoobie doo on channel two" etc. What a fun age!

For Carly's birthday party I went with a Rainbow theme. I think I might have over done it. That was the point though. I had a great time looking for rainbow ideas, and carrying them out. Carly was thrilled when her Aunt Kathleen designed the party invitations for her. So cute!! I made a rainbow light feature out of a string of mini lights with Dixie cups covered in rainbow colored scrapbook paper, and seventeen rainbow colored paper pom poms that hung from the ceiling. We had rainbow colored table settings. I made rainbow jello, a rainbow cake, and rainbow jello popcorn. We played twister, and two minute-to-win-it games. At the end of the party the girls settled down when I turned on Rainbow Bright. Why is it that cartoons from our childhood always seemed so much better when we were kids?

I loved hearing Carly tell me that I was "THE BEST MOM EVER, EVER, EVER!!!" I sure love that girl.

Kern County Fair

Jack and I went to the fair with our preschool group. It was fun to see all the animals. When we got there, we got to see a calf that had been born just six hours earlier. As we were walking out, another calf was being born.

I thought it was incredible to see. I loved how one of the kids asked what they were going to name the calf as soon as it dropped.

My other favorite part of the day was watching the piggy races.

I couldn't get enough of it.

Hilarious!

Monterey Bay Aquarium

While I was in Utah, Jarod and his mom took advantage of our membership to the Aquarium and spent the day in Monterey. These kids crack me up!

It's become a tradition to go to the candy shop on Cannery Row. Talk about a kid's heaven!

Jarod told the kids that they weren't going to get souvenirs that day, but when Mama Tess saw how well behaved they were, and that they didn't complain about not getting something from the gift shop, she spoiled them like the doting grandmother she is. Thanks Mama Tess!!

Quick Trip

At the beginning of September my grandma passed away. I was able to take a week to visit my family and go to the funeral. It was wonderful to spend that time with my family, and I'm so grateful to my mother in law and sister in law Elle for watching the kids so I could go with just Baby Jarod. It was great to see most of my cousins on the Skinner side. Baby Jarod got to meet Chloe and Olivia. They loved the baby! My grandma was a very classy lady, and a wonderful example. I was honored to speak at her funeral. I'm proud to be her granddaughter, and hope to embody even just some of her fine qualities.

First Day of School

Summer flew by, and in no time the kids started school. I can't believe I've got two in school now. Next year it'll be a harsh reality when I have three in school, and I'm left to entertain a year old baby by myself. Carly and Josh were both very excited to start school. They are both excelling in their classes.

Carly is in the 1st/2nd grade combo class with her cousin Kaela. They are such cute friends.

Josh is in Mrs. Bowles' class, and we're so happy to have her again. He and his cousin, Ava, are in the same class, and they are two peas in a pod. Everyone calls him Joshua at school, and Ava has started to call him Joshua also.

When we got home from taking the big kids to school, Jack wanted to do school at home.

He got his coloring book out with his crayon box. He's such a fun kid.

We have started doing a preschool co-op, and he's doing really well.

I'm still waiting to see which hand he'll choose to write with. He's still changing between his right and left.

Baby Jarod did his usual activity...chilling with Mom.

Bike Ride

In an effort to give me a break, Jarod took the kids on a bike ride. They are such big kids. They look so grown up riding their bikes on the bike trail. Jarod really took great advantage of his paternity leave. He swam with the kids every day, took them to the park, went camping, took a day trip to the beach, and found time to read, hold the baby, cook, and even clean. It was a sad day for me when he went back to work. We've been so blessed out here in California. I'm thankful for his job and the opportunities it's afforded us. There is nothing better in life than time spent with the ones we love.

Jarod's Blessing Day

We were fortunate to have extended family present for Jarod's blessing. It was a wonderful day, and a beautiful blessing, and I couldn't have been more pleased with how things went. We were happy to have Jarod's and my parents present, along with his sisters Clarissa and her family, Autumn and her family, his Grandma Val, and Aunt Lydia. His cousin Adam and his family were also there, having relocated to Bakersfield just in the nick of time. The week after everyone left, Kerilynn and Dave brought Chloe for a short visit, to meet our sweet baby Jarod.