My Little Helper

Two posts in one day! Wow....this is a record. After dinner I was trying to think of something to pass the time before I could put the kids to bed. Ryan would be working late, so I thought "let's go play in the front yard." The yard is made of rocks and some flower beds that desperately need to be hacked down. Connor and Evan helped for awhile, but their enthusiasm was short lived. Maya stayed out there with me for about an hour or more. She would encourage me with, "Thanks momma, this looks so great!" or "Good job mom, you're such a good helper!" I thought is was a perfect moment for a picture and a blog post. So we got one flower bed done, and I gave Ryan the assignment for tomorrow to work on the front yard some more. Good luck!

Evan's back in school

Connor went off track this week, but Evan started his new year of preschool. I guess I don't get a break of being a Taxi driver, but it comes with the job, right?

Just an update for those of you who ocassionally check out our blog. I was released 3 weeks ago as the Young Womens President in our ward. With no delay they called me into the primary. I am now teaching the Sunbeams. I wish I could have gone to Releif Society for at least 1 week, but I do love the Primary!

Our other big news is that we are expecting another baby in April. Yep- #4 is on it's way. I have actually thrown up a handful of times and have been very tired. We are excited for our last little addition to the Lowder family.

Okay...so that is about it. I'll do better at posting more regularly!

Rock Climbing

Evan trying it out!

I will be sad the day when we move away from this home (whenever that is) because of the fitness center right out our back gate. We have come to take advantage of the many amenities it provides. For less than $30/month we get swimming, full workout station, climbing wall and a 8,000 sqft kiddie playland. Anyways...the other bonus is that have kids camp which on the days that I work they pick up Connor from Kindergarten and he eats lunch, plays games, takes field trips to the ice rink, rollar rink, movies, the zoo, goes swimming in the pool and as I learned today they do a session of kiddie yoga. All this for $10/day. You can't beat that deal. Today we decided to go Rock Climbing as a family. Connor goes climbing every Tuesday as well. He is getting better and better each week. If you ever come and visit- we'll take you inside!

More pics

He's still got it! I love ya, honey!

I've been working with Connor on which finger is your "pointer finger". He still needs a little more practice.

Grandpa is always driving the boat.

Maya loved the beach and all the sand. I think she could have played there all day long.

Okay-not the greatest shot, but here are the aunties (minus Estelle).

Fun Summer Memories

Grandma came down to watch the kids while I went on Trek with the youth in our ward. Here is Evan assisting Grandma in the kitchen. Yummy!



For our family reunion this year we went up to the "Mudhole" campground by Priest River. Connor is my daredevil and is always seeking a thrill. Here he is with Brianna getting ready to tube. Evan tried the tube too, but he is my more cautious child. He didn't want to go again after he and dad flipped. He loves a good boat ride and is a great flag holder. Go Evan!

Connor starts Kindergarten

Okay- so this post is a few weeks late, but here it is none the less. Connor has started his school years, and he is loving it! The only hard thing is getting him up at 7:00 to get him to school before the tardy bell rings at 8:15. He is my "night owl" and does not like to wake up early, and by the end of the day his tiredness really shows. Anyway, he does really well on his homework, and he is also learning to speak spanish. He told me "Mom, there are only 4 kids in my class that don't speak Spanish!" Wow! I am trying to be a good sport, and look at the positive aspects- he is learning diversity and may learn a second language, however, educationally minded I worry about the progress in his class. I also worry because there are 27 kids!!! Yikes. I went in as the parent helper last Wednesday and I ended up staying the entire day to help the poor sub. We will continue to help Connor at home and his reading skills are getting better each week. We are so proud of him and his behavior!!! Way to go Connor!

Busy July

I thought I better give you an update for many of you who thought this blog was extinct. At the begining of the month I was at Girls Camp with my ward. It was lots of fun and I didn't get much sleep. It makes me realize how much my leaders did for me as a youth. NO PICTURES because I didn't bring my camera.

About a week later we traveled up to CDA for a family reunion. We got to stay our first night in Rexburg with Robyn's family and that night we ate dinner at Craigos with the kids and it was oh so yummy! The kids did well on the road trip and Maya didn't even barf!! We got to CDA and had a blast at "The Mudhole" campground up by Priest River. The kids loved tubing with Grandpa and playing with their cousins, and eating good food. Everyone packed up on Sunday and then we stayed the rest of the week at my parents house. We had a busy schedule, but it was nice just to relax too. Ryan and my highlight was biking the Hiawatha trail.....again no pictures (I forgot the camera.) We enjoyed our week and then it was back on the road. We circled back thru Washington and stayed with Angie, and then stayed another night in Boise with our friends the Reeds. They had just moved in to their new place earlier this week, so it was nice of them to let us crash.

Last weekend we celebrated Ryan's 31st birthday! We went to see The Dark Night (very good but very dark) and then out to some asian food. Yum! I do have a picture of this. Happy Birthday Ry Guy!!! I love you! Sorry the picture is a bit blurry.

So Trek is coming up and I'll have an update for you then....maybe something else worthy of blogging will happen between now and then.