Taylee starts School

I find it odd and a little crazy that I have a kid old enough to go to school. I still remember starting school. I remember my kindergarten teacher Mrs. McDougal. Thanks to my mom I still have a bunch of stuff from school...Anyway Taylee started in August and has loved it from the very first day. She was so excited to make new friends and learn. And her teacher loves her...I hope!

Official first Day Picture

 The bulliten board outside her classroom. The pink flower has her name on it.

Getting off the bus. She loves to ride the bus. She has only missed it once and that was the end of the world! But it was a long weekend and we needed to finish some homework.

She is learning so much already. She can read a little, is getting better at her letters and the sounds they make. She is learning her numbers, how to write and has FINALLY written her name the correct way with all the letters facing the right direction! We are so proud of her!

The BIGGEST Vacation Ever!

So my parents decided to take the entire family on a family history trip in August. Unfortunatly one of my SD cards is broken that has a ton of pics from the trip and the ones that are blury are from the other card that broke but we got the pics recovered. Anyway we flew from St. George to Salt Lake and met up with everyone else there. Then we flew from Salt Lake to Des Moines Iowa. We then drove up to Keokuk and stayed there for a few days. Doing all that there was to do in Nauvoo and Carthage. Pretty Awesome. What you are taught about Joseph Smith in Church and Seminary doesn't compare to what you learn at the actual places. The spirit is amazingly strong and you can feel it. Anyway we drove alot and were in the car so my goal was to take a picture of all the states that we visited. So Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, Ohio. I'm sure I got pics of all of them or at least something with the name.

 

One of the last days we were on this trip we wanted to take the kids to something fun. We found this farm and it was FREE to get in. You can't beat free!

 

The have goat races, yes you read right GOAT RACES! It was absolutely hilarious. When it is time to put the goats in their pen for the night they do a race and everyone stands around the corral and watches. So funny.

 

 

Carmindy watching the goats

 

This was a favorite of most of the kids. The pedal tractors. My nephew Levi wouldn't get off. It was a sad day for him when we left.

Tay wanted to feed the goats. So we let here. And she was mauled by the goats. They all were starving!!!

Carmindy on the other hand didn't know what to think of them. They liked to eat your clothes and she didn't think that was very funny.

I know you are all thinking why would I post pictures of the Community of Christ Temple. Well we happened to stop nearby and I was able to get a pic. It was so interesting to look at. You can actually take a tour through the temple...We thought about it but we didn't go.

 

 Our little family in front of the Red Brick Store in Nauvoo.

 These huge flowers on main street in Nauvoo. Yes they are the same size as Taylee's head

 The entire Hancock Clan! We ar standing in front of a house belonging to Lucy Mack Smith I think. And somehow we are all related to her.

 The sign says MISSISSIPPI RIVER. I think we crossed it at least 20 times

Part of the River

 

 

The Missouri River

So that isn't all of the trip. But a good chunk. I have over 2000 pics and I didn't think it was appropriate to put all of them here. We dreaded going and taking the girls for 8 days but in the end we had a great time and we learned alot more about where we came from.

Slacker!!! That's me

Since summer is now over. I really should have time to post and catch up on what has been going on with us! Not so...I have so many things to post about and I will be getting to them soon, I hope!! We had a crazy summer and a large trip which I will post about. Taylee has since started kindergarten and I am at home again with only 1 kid! Crazy. So stay tuned the posts are coming!!!

July 4 2012

So for the 4th we went fishing...yep again and let me say this girl can fish. Not me, Taylee. She yet again, caught a couple on this trip up to Pine Valley.

Even dad caught one, little tiny one!!!

This is Carm, yep she is COVERED in dirt.

After fishing we went home to get cleaned up and meet Pat and Marci's family at the police station to watch the city put on their show. They talked and talked about how many more fireworks there were going to be this year and how long the show was...but I thought it was kinda a lame show. It was pretty short in my opinion.

Taylee loves "sparks" (sparklers) and I had my camera on a funny setting and I was surprised that it was capturing this.

Here are some pics of the fireworks. I know they are all funny looking but I had my camera on a crazy setting and this is what I got. In my opinion they are totally awesome but that is just me!

 And to end the day we sat on the bench for just a second before going home to bed.

It was a pretty awesome 4th.

Not Your Ordinary Zoo...

So the first weekend in June, we went with Grady's brothers and their families to Roo's and more Zoo in Moapa Nevada. We of course went to see the Kangaroos but soon discovered upon waiting in line it was extra to actually see the Kangaroos and Otters...Total BUMMER!!! But there were plenty of animals that we could see up close. (Even better than the regular zoo)

 For instance this little guy...he was definately trying to get out of there!!!

 I got to pet the foot of this lemur. He was totally just hanging out watching everyone

 Yep my kids are petting a Bearcat...

 I can't remember what this is but he liked to sit on your shoulders...Tay was a little small so she opted to sit down with him.

Yep its a real zebra and of course some  camels

 Yep he's a climber!!!

Onto the babies!!!!

 Tay loved that they had babies of some of the animals and she got to touch them. This was a tiny little monkey. I wanted to just take it home.

 Carm giving it a little pet!!

 Aren't they so cute!!!

 They had a small petting farm with goats and such...plus a big ol' pig!



 Carm was really excited to sit on this ride. It didn't work but she loved it just the same!

 This is a nasty looking catfish. I couldn't believe how big it was.

I can honestly say it wasn't that exciting but the girls still had a good time. Living here in Sunny ST. George we don't get to see these things very often. So we jumped at a chance and now they have a small memory of Summer 2012!