Tree House

Drum Roll Please......

The Tree House is complete. Yesterday Landon with some help from Layne(who shingled the roof all by himself) finished the tree house and put it in the tree. It is now open for use. There were only a few minor injuries involved both of them happening to Landon.

Here is the necessary tool for installing a tree house:

The kids were quite excited to help with the painting and they actually did quite a bit of it. I did help them a little bit, but I can't say that I did a whole lot.

Layne and even Dave got in on the construction project a little bit.

Though I would have to give most of the credit to Landon for enginering the whole thing, and making it all come together.

Here is the finished product:Surprisingly when we got it finished Saydee and Chloe were the first ones up and aren't at all afraid to go up and down it. Tanner and Dawson are both a little more hesitant about it and maybe even a little nervous about the whole thing.

Eventaully there might be a stair case all the way down instead of just at the top part, which might make it a little less scary, but I think that they will probably overcome their fears quickly when they see all the fun it can be.

My Little Scout

Ever since Landon and I got called as scout leaders and Tanner got a look at the Wolf Handbook he could hardly wait to be a Cub Scout. Him and Chloe go to den and pack meeting with us every week anyway's so he pretty much was, it just wasn't official yet. Then a few weeks before his birthday the Cub Master gave him the go ahead to start actually passing stuff off. Well that was it for him. Last night was his first official pack meeting. We were going to give him his scout uniform for his baptism, but we decided we'd better give it to him early since he was already getting a handful of awards. He got his Bobcat, his gold arrow point, and his swimming, baseball, and collecting belt loops and pins. He was so excited of course we had to put them on his shirt for him as soon as we got home, so the picture I took before which is the one I posted looks just a little different than what he looks like now. Chloe is a little sad that she can't be a scout, she is even sadder that she can't at least have a scout shirt. Since Landon, Tanner, and I all have one, and since I after all am a girl she doesn't understand why not.

Haircuts for the Fam

Last night we went out to get haircuts. Landon and both kids got one. Tanner has school pictures tomorrow so it was just in time. While Landon was getting his haircut Chloe said Daddy looks handsome with his haircut, huh. Chloe just got a little trim. Tanner got the new hairstyle for boys called a fauxhawk pronounced fo-hawk I think. It looks quite nice, and much more conservative than a mo-hawk.

Movie Time: Star Wars Clone Wars

Yesterday I took Tanner and two of his friends along with Chloe to the movie. We went to the 2:30 show right after school. So it was just me and 4 kids, I never thought I'd see the day. We of course went to see Star Wars Clone Wars. The kids were a little wound up when we first go there making me kind of question if I had made the right decision to bring them especially when I was trying to order them all snacks and drinks, and then realizing that I had just spent $40 to get us into the movie and buy treats, and I didn't even get anything for myself. Luckily the kids all shared with me. Once we got into the theatre they calmed down and were actually very well behaved throughout the movie. The were actually so into that when Tanner had to run to the bathroom he asked me if I could tell him what happened when he got back. I thought the movie was alright, there were some cool parts to it. However I think I prefer the original star wars. To bad they don't make more of those. It was good though, but you would probably have to like star wars to enjoy it. Tanner already asked me if I could buy him that movie for Christmas.
Sorry no pictures to go with this one.

Happy 8th Birthday Tanner

Tonight we had a little party for Tanner's 8th Birthday. He's not actually 8 until tomorrow but were close enough I guess.

Here is a picture of him with his Star Wars Cake:

Here is the Birthday Chair Chloe decorated all by herself for her brother:

Here are the Party guests:Left to right: Grandma Marshall, Uncle Brett, Aunt Sandi, Chloe, Dad, Tanner-Birthday Boy, Grandma Angie.

Thank you everyone who came.

Tanner had a great party he got lots of cool things too. Landon and I gave Tanner an IPOD and after the party he was so excited to use it, he immediately had Aunt Sandi show him how to download onto it. He even chose to stay home from the baseball game with Landon so he could put some more songs on it. Hope Landon didn't feel too bad, but at least he won't be alone. Chloe gladly opted to go in Tanner's place.

I can't believe my little boy is 8 it just doesn't seem possible. I feel like I must be getting old. Happy Birthday Tan. Love You!

May The Force Be With You

Today my Grandma and I have been busy getting ready for upcoming Birthdays. My Cousin Tyler's Birthday Party is today he will be 10 on Thursday. Tanner is having a little party tomorrow night and he will be 8 on Friday. So we thought we'd kill two birds with one stone, and make them both this afternoon. Of course they both wanted Star Wars-go figure. I made Tanner's while my Grandma made Tyler's although I do have to give my Grandma credit for the writing on Tanner's that is a cake decorating skill that I still have not acquired. I think the force was definately with us. I think the cakes turned out pretty well. Tanner seemed pleased with his.

Climbing The Walls

So the new latest and greatest game for the kids is to climb the walls where there is a doorway. I'm sure many of you may remember doing this as a kid. I know I do. Tanner will climb all the way to the top and then drop down onto his beanbag which he has strategically placed beneath him. Chloe tries to follow along but she can't quite get all the way to the top yet. Thank Heavens.

The funny thing is that Landon went home teaching yesterday and he said right as he was getting ready to leave the people who he was home teaching son started climing the wall just like Tanner had been doing all day, he's a year or two older than Tanner. It must be something in the air.

Update on the Tree House: everything has been preassmbled besides the roof, it is ready to be shipped to Flowell and put in the tree. The walls need to be painted this would be a great job for all the cousins.

Primary

Today Chloe had her first turn talking in Primary she was in charge of the scripture. I wasn't sure how it would turn out. I thought she might get up there and go into silent mode. She wanted Tanner to help her and he made her practice with him a little bit at home. When it was her turn it took Tanner a minute to get her to the microphone, but then she actually said the scripture. It was very quiet, but luckily the primary was also pretty silent for a minute so we could actually hear her. It was so cute.

Long Week

I think it has been a long week for all of us trying to adjust to going back to school, work, and the babysitter. Plus it has been hard trying to get back on a schedule of going to bed earlier and getting up sooner as well. Yesterday afternoon I was in my room on the computer and Chloe was playing on my bed. She was just talking away to me. I asked her a question and got no response. CHLOE I said just a little louder, still no response. So I turned around and didn't see her. Where had she gone? I got up walked over to my bed. There she was burrowed under some blankets barely visible but asleep. I uncovered her head a little and let her get at least a little nap in before we had to leave to go get Tanner. I guess the lack of sleep is really catching up to her.

First Day Not Postponed After All

So I guess I blogged that last entry a little bit to quick. After Tanner had slept in a little bit and with the help of some headach medicine he jumped out of bed and was ready to go to school. So he ended up getting there for his first day after all. It's hard for me to believe that my little boy is already starting 3rd grade and will be turning 8 in a couple of weeks. Where did the time go. I wish all my pictures were digital so I could put one of him on his first day of school through the years so you could see the change. He looks so little in his preschool and kindergarten pictures. Now he's still not a real big guy but I guess he just looks older. The hardest thing about getting him ready for school is sending him a lunch. At his school they have to take a sack lunch and it's so hard to find things he likes. Today his lunch consisted of some slices of cheese, a yogurt granola bar, and some water. If anyone has any great lunch suggestions pass them on. Oh yeah he doesn't like most sandwiches or lunchables.

I found out Chloe won't be starting preschool until after labor day so she still has a few weeks. She will be kind of sad she is ready to start now today she wore her backpack around for most of the morning. She almost cried today after we got home from dropping Tanner off at school and she realized her buddy wasn't coming home with us. It was so sad.

First Day of School Postponed

Today was supposed to be Tanner's first day of school, but unfortunately he woke up in the night very sick and is not feeling any better this morning. He is sad that he has to miss his first day, but hopefully by tomorrow he will be back to new and I'll be able to get some first day picts on here. It was also a good thing I don't start back to work until tomorrow so I was able to stay home without any problem.

Handy Landy

Okay Landon is going to get so mad that I posted this, but I just had to.

The thing is once Landon gets going on a project he really goes all out and there is no stopping him.

A couple of months ago he made this in the ground sandbox for our kids complete with cover. Yes he did have to rent a cement cutter to make it. He spent days on it and now the finished product is great the kids really like it. The only thing it's missing is an umbrella to go in the hole in the middle made specifically for that. He keep asking when I'm going to get one so I'd better get on it. He does however have a tether ball pole that he can put in the hole if the kids are ever in the mood to play that.

Now his project is the tree house. Now to begin with Landon didn't even really want to build the tree house the kids and I just talked him into it, but now that he is started on it -Look Out. He keeps emailing me plans for it that he has created at work. He decided it would be easier to make the walls at home instead of Flowell since he has all his tools here and a Lowe's that is just a little cheaper than Roper's. So now there is a tree house in my garage or at least part of one. It is even going to be complete with a window, door, lighting and an electrical outlet, and shingles on the roof by the time he gets done with it. We all better watch out the kids may never come down. I thougt this would be a project that might be in the process for the next year and just worked on a little at a time, but it looks like come Labor Day it will be complete. So I guess that means all family better come to Flowell over Labor Day to see the new addition. Chloe wanted to know if she could paint it and Landon was wondering about adding siding.

I'm glad that he is able to do things like this. It's fun for the kids, and it's nice to have a handy guy around who I know can fix or make most anything I want.

Take Me Out To The Ball Game

Last night we went to yet another baseball game. This time I actually went I did bring a book however which I quickly finished and then I was kind of bored the rest of the time I don't know I guess baseball just isn't my thing. The kids and Landon seem to enjoy it though. I don't know how much the kids would like it if they just had to sit still the whole time. It's a small enough stadium that they can kind of get up and run around a little bit and every game they set up a big bounce house which they visit frequently throughout the game. They also enjoy the snacks and pop. The kids and I finally headed home a little after 10 to watch the last little bit of the Olympics. Then we had to go back and get Landon a little after 11. You can guess where the rest of the family is while I'm up typing yep there still in bed recovering from that late night. Luckily church doesn't start until 1:30.

Happy Birthday Grandma Wendy

The kids just wanted to say:

Swimming with the Boys

I took the kids swimming again today. It ended up being just Tanner, Tyler, and Sam, because Chloe started acting like she wasn't feeling well and then I realized she had a fever. Luckily Landon was home early so she stayed home with him while I took the boys to swim. We went to sandhallow aquatic center this time. It's not as high tech as the rec center, but still has some fun things for the kids like the lily pads, a big slide, whirlpool, some fountains, and diving boards. Tanner has gained so much confidence from swim lessons this year now going off the diving boards is one of his favorite things to do. I put on a couple of short videos that I thought were fun.

Red Paint and Red Belt

Well I guess you could say that today I have been seeing red.

Mandy and her kids are down for a couple of days and so I nicely agreed to let Saydee spend the night. Well after dinner I was helping clean up and was doing some other stuff in the kitchen and I thought I should go check on the girls. My first clue that something was going on should have been that the door to Chloe's room was locked. After convincing them to open the door and let me in I saw the red paint. It was everywhere on completely cover the desk, tracked on the floor, and they had even started to paint the back of the door. I wish I could blame it all on Saydee but in all reality my daughter was the instigator and in fact the only one to paint the door at all. On top of the red paint I think every single toy in Chloe's room was out they said they were going camping and had to pack. AHHH! I put them both in timeout and then after having them help me clean up all the toys sat them at the kitchen table with some puzzles and games. I don't think they should be able to get into any trouble doing that. Luckily my Grandma has a steemer so maybe I'll be able to clean up all that red tonight it is washable after all.

The other red I saw today was actually a much better red. Tanner got his red belt in Karate today. I can't believe how far he has come. He has been in Karate since the end of preschool right before he started kindergarten and now he is going to be starting 3rd grade. There are a couple degrees of red belt, then junior black belt, then black belt. He has really stuck with it and worked hard to get where he is at. Before you now it I'll have a black belt for a son.

Sorry about the red eyes in this photo after all I've been through today I just didn't fill up to fixing them.

Cousins Club

This weekend we have been working on the Cousins Club the hottest thing to hit Grandpa and Grandma's house since the art gallery. At least we hope so. What's the Cousins Club you may ask well it's the new tree house or at least tree house in progress. We are hoping to finish it up sometime in Sept. maybe over labor day, so maybe all the fam should plan to come down or something. Landon finally got the base up and secure thanks to a little help from your Dave I was a little nervous with both of them in the tree but there were no mishaps, besides a slight bump on the head to both of them at one point. (I wasn't able to get a picture of this moment because I was driving the 4 wheeler which was hoisting the base up into the tree) The ladder is also done, but there are a few things that have to be finished before the kids can be turned loose in it. Some walls for one, a little bit of improvement to the ladder,a roof, and a bucket and pulley system. Chloe wants some windows and Tanner would like to add some monkey bars. We decided now would be a good time to build it because there was a lot of good wood to use that came off Grandmas house from the remodel. There was even a kitchen sink up for grabs that Chloe was really wishing we could add in. I think it will be fun for the cousins. Chloe and Tanner thought the name the cousins club would be fitting and they painted the sign for it with just a little help from mom. All the kids had to have a turn hammering the stairs on the ladder, Landon was pretty patient about it and nobody hit their fingers.

BAT MAN

So Tanner and Dawson walked out the front door last night and discovered a little tiny bat on the front porch. He must have been hurt somehow. It was funny though for all the tough talk Tanner and Dawson do they weren't very tough about that bat. It was funny. Chloe and Koda didn't really want anything to do with it either. I could barely get them all close enough to take this picture.

Tanner and Dawson bore their testimonies in church today it was very cute, after Tanner was done he stayed to help Dawson with his. I was a little worried it would turn into a giggling match but it didn't. I was very proud of them. Landon said maybe they would become like Taryn and Brenda when they were little and bare them every fast Sunday at least that's the way he claims to remember it. To bad you can't take pictures in church.

Happy Birthday Saydee and Gavin

We went to Saydee and Gavin's Birthday party over the weekend. It was lots of fun. Saydee is now 4 and Gavin will be 2 next week. I remember last year at this time we had a party for them minus Cody I think everyone especially the kids were glad to have him home this year. There was a bounce house and a pinata and of course some cute cakes made by my mom and grandma. After the party the kids had fun playing with all the new toys.