The Big Kindergartener!!

So when I asked for AM Kindergarten no one told me that they changed the start time from 9:05 to 8:00 AM!!!!! I thought 9 AM school was a stretch but now we are locked into 8:00. (Trust me, I've tried to get out.) So here's pictures of Derek's first day on Tuesday.

Derek's first school day breakfast. Yes, oh so healthy. (I gave that same look when I had to wake up to an alarm.)
I just love this picture. He's growing up too fast!!! They asked the kids to bring a stuffed animal friend to school, so Derek chose his newest... "Killer Swimmy".
I knew I would cry when I dropped him off. But I don't think I imagined how hard. I had to hold the tears back long enough for him to get out of the van, so he wouldn't see. But as soon as that door shut, I began to bawl!! In fact I didn't stop until a good 30 minutes after and then it came and went when I thought about it. That's what happens when you're pregnant and highly hormonal.
Got to show off the empty backpack. He told me after school, in an annoyed tone, "Mommy, there wasn't anything in the backpack". He wanted it all full of school supplies. Probably a dictionary on one side and a thesaurus on the other....huh Dave. :)
Here he is at the end of his long 2 hour and 45 minute day. He LOVED it! He said that his favorite part was recess. Man, that kid learned quickly. He told me that he wanted to go back later that night. He was worried though. His teacher told him that next year he would stay in school for the whole day. He said "I will come home when it's dark Mommy!" He makes me laugh.

I thought it was cute that the next morning when I woke him up and told him that it was time for school, he smiled before he even opened his eyes. But that love has already worn off. Today was day three and he's complaining that "school's boring because they make me stand in line and be quiet". Get used to it kid.

Derek's 5th Birthday!

Derek woke up to streamers hung on his bedroom door and us singing "Happy Birthday". He quickly ran for his "birthday crown" and placed it on his head. He loves being the star!

Derek finally turned five! All day, he repeated over and over "I can't believe I'm five". I put together our family's very first friend party. I gave it a pirate theme. Derek seemed to dig it, so that's what counts.
I was so excited with how the cake turned out!
We played "pass the pirate hat" and "pin the eye patch on the pirate". This was a drawing provided by my mother. I also had the kids hunt for gold (rocks spray painted gold) and we created a treasure hunt looking for their party favor loot.
Not as many kids showed up as planned, but it was enough to make a fun party.
Poor kid never got a fair shot at blowing out the candles. There was just enough breeze to blow them out before he had a chance.

The Brock Family Reunion

We recently spent about 5 days in Hamilton, MT for a family reunion and to witness Dave's cousin's wedding. We had such a great time!....well, most of us. We arrived Friday evening and on Sunday morning Derek woke up with the stomach flu, then it spread to Taylor and Dave. They spent the rest of the week under quarantine in these cute cabins.

We each had our own cabin, which was plenty of room.
This is the view from our front porch. Beautiful!


Here's a photo of Dave, his brothers, and his father playing frisbee golf.

Hamilton Community Park

Monday, August 6th. We found a nearby park for the "boys" (all grown men) to play ball tag. I think they annoyed a few of the mothers that had small children on the playset. Oh well. Aunt Janene and Cousin Campbell. This is her neice, but I think they look a lot alike.
The boys were super excited to play inside a real tank that was parked next to the playground.
Derek said that next time he would like to drive one that still moves. Good luck with that Derek.

Hey, I was excited too. I've never been in a real one before. :)

Happy Birthday Brock Grandkids!

Grandma Judy gave the kids a group birthday celebration one night at the reunion.

Jason and Meaja gave Derek this scripture case with Book of Mormon included. Perfect idea! A few minutes after opening it he was still thinking about it. He turned to me and said "Mommy, I love it!"

Cousin Emery.
Apparently Jason wanted the frosting from the cupcakes. He chose an interesting way of getting some....off his daughter's elbow. :)
Thanks Grandma Judy!

The Kubb Addiction

Our brother-in-law, Devin, introduced us to this game from Sweden. It's very simple..knock down the other team's blocks...but it's very addictive.

The Last Night of the Reunion

The Pohleys (Judy's sister and family) invited us over to their house for our last night in Montana. They have a beautiful log home (as seen in picture below) on 13 acres of land. Yes, so ideal. They got out their shotguns to let us try some skeet shooting.

Jared was the only one to hit the clay pigeon with the difficult shotgun. Jay (Dave's uncle) got out the easier shotgun so the other brothers could have a chance to feel good about themselves. :)

What a man. All he needs is a truck and a dog.

I got one!! I was so excited to hit a pigeon. I actually enjoyed shooting a whole lot. (By the way, to anyone that thinks I am not showing...click on this picture to see the full size image and look at my belly. Then try to tell me to my face that that is how I normally look. I better not! However, I think it's a cute little belly.)

Taylor could barely hold the gun up.

A little boy's dream! But no, we didn't let them actually shoot the shotgun.

Later, the Pohleys let us take their two atvs out for a ride. SO MUCH FUN! It brought back all sorts of memories of riding with my dad and brothers. I took Derek and Dave had Taylor on his 4 wheeler. Derek kept yelling, "I'm like Lightning McQueen!! I'm getting bugs in my teeth!!" or "go faster Mommy!" It was a fun night to end a fun reunion. I am so grateful that the boys were feeling well enough to enjoy the last of the activities. I can't wait for the next Brock adventure.