Grammie and Pumpkins

The first weekend in October, my Mom (aka Grammie) came for a visit. We went in search of more fall color this time on the east side of the Valley. The Sundance Resort was our destination and it did not disappoint. We ate lunch in the Foundry Grill and took a lift ride up the mountain to see what we could see. The colors were beautiful and the weather wonderful.


The next day of Grammie's visit we went to a local pumpkin patch. Brenna got right to work firing up the old John Deer tractor to get us out into the field.
Next she painstakingly selected her pumpkins and placed her prized possessions in a wheel barrow. Many pumpkins were given the once over and found wanting.

She even consented to pose for a "formal" picture.


This is what Austin thought of the pumpkin patch.

Bum Scooting Baby

Austin decided that being placed in one place and being expected to stay there is no longer acceptable, so he started scooting on his bum. At first it was very subtle. You'd turn away and suddenly he had moved just enough to know that something was going on. Now he really has some moves. Thanks to his diapered bum, my kitchen floor has never been cleaner! This video clip shows his scooting skills, his new arm wave (wax on - wax off), transitioning from sitting to all fours and a special appearance by Jennie.

Falling for Fall

The last weekend in September, we took a drive up a road in the mountains behind our house. The road was paved for about 3/4 of the trip and then went to dirt and rock. Brent and Brenna were very excited to take the Jeep "off road". Brenna kept asking if we were "off road" it was very akin to "are we there yet?"

As we made our way up the mountain, we saw some wonderful bursts of color.

At the top of the trail, we were rewarded with sweeping views of the Salt Lake Valley and the Bingham Canyon Mine. If you've ever wondered what the terrain is like in mountains behind our house, now you know.

Of course there were pictures of the kids! I just decided to make you wade through the scenery before I showed them to you. It was worth it wasn't it?

Utah State Fair

In late September, we went to the Utah State Fair. This is the 2nd time we've been to the fair. The first time we went Brenna was too young to enjoy any of the midway rides and let's face it cows, sheep and pigs only go so far. This year after the requisite visit to the animal barns, she took on the midway and I'm pretty sure the midway lost. There weren't many rides that she wouldn't ride and many that she wanted to do over and over again. Thank goodness we purchased an unlimited ride wristband; otherwise the midway would have surely broken the bank.

First ride - all by herself - did it 3 times.

Cobra roller coaster? I eat snakes for breakfast.

Yes, she's the one in the front with her hands up in the air!

The Boys (and Girl) of Summer

The last weekend before school started, we had an outing with some of Brenna's daycare buds. We all met up at the local splash park and the kids ran around and had water fights. I know, you're wondering "Where are all the girls?" It's either Brenna is popular with the boys or I haven't bonded with any of the moms of her girl friends.

Holding His Own

This is something Grandad was trying to get him to do while we were in Texas. I guess some of it got through! Of course, he gets bored with it after a while and one of his parental units has to take over, but I'd put it in the progress column.

First Day of Kindergarten

Today was Brenna's first day of Kindergarten. She has had her outfit picked out ever since she got it from Mimi when we were in Texas. The challenge was keeping her from wearing it out by the first day of school she likes it so much. She woke up in a good mood, got dressed, brushed her hair and teeth, but didn't have much of an appetite. Oh boy, I was worried that she was so anxious she couldn't eat.

Brenna's daycare, Skool Days, transports kids back and forth to the local schools, so I took her there so she could ride the bus with her friends. Usually Brenna is very reserved when she arrives at school. She likes to have a few minutes to ease into the situation, but not today. She burst through the front door and immediately went to the Director, Heidi, and showed off her new shoes. They are pretty nice shoes - shiny black leather with white stitching and a silver buckle. Heidi told her she wanted shoes like those. We dropped Austin off in his room where Brenna modeled her shoes for his teacher. Next we found her classmates on the playground all dressed in their first day of school finery with backpacks in tow. Again the shoes were brought to the attention of anyone who would stop and admire them. It was almost as if the shoes gave her instant confidence, because she didn't mind kids rushing up to her with their morning greetings. I'm seriously considering buying her new shoes every week if they are that magical!

Angie, the saint who drives the bus, came out to the playground and started gathering up the "school-agers". Brenna turned to me lips puckered for a goodbye kiss as if to say, "You can go Mommy. Your work here is done." I gave her a kiss and made my way out to the car, so I could get a head start on the bus and meet them at school. So far the morning was looking very good. I didn't have to peel her off my leg and make overtures promising I would see her at Elementary School in like two minutes.

The Skool Days bus arrived at the Elementary School without incident and Brenna bounded onto the sidewalk ready to take on the world. All of the Kindergarteners gather on a small playground outside their rooms, so we hung out there waiting for her teacher, Mrs. Elderidge to call them into line.

It was comforting to see so many kids from Skool Days on that playground knowing that Brenna would have an instant group of friends. She hardly even registered that I was there and barely had the time to stand still for pictures.

When Mrs. Elderidge called her class into line, Brenna raced over and got in the queue. I waited in the wings for the crying, clinging and pleading to commence. IT NEVER HAPPENED!

As the kids made their way into the classroom, I looked around wondering what I should do next. I was a little lost in that moment and a tiny bit misty, not because I was sad that our little girl was growing up, but proud that we had somehow managed to raise a self-confident, energetic, witty and smart individual. I'm looking forward to all that being a "school-ager" will bring this year. Thank you Brenna for continuing to amaze us.