I can't help myself

Youtube is going to be getting a lot more traffic from me...

Dorothy and Glinda
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3YapPeIDOI&feature=g-upl

Dorothy and Glinda again
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYrZgVoZiWw&feature=context-gau
If that doesn't work, try this

Scout's karate test
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a651SjK6xyU&feature=context-gau
If that doesn't work, try this

Yet more of the dancing Wizard of Oz girls
http://youtu.be/1vSq0jCjiEk

Fun with the new camera!

I may have mentioned that Cory got me a new-and-improved point-and-click Canon for our anniversary. It has been really fun seeing all the improvements in technology since our last camera was created (it predates me--Cory bought it in 2000 or 2001, I think!).

Here's the video star in a "still shot"

One of the most fun things is the ease with which I can press the video button. Here's one more video, this one is of Ruby brushing her teeth.

Addy's party

On September 8, we celebrated Addison's birthday with a fun party in Cheyenne. As always, there was a fun and festive vibe, and delicious food.

Hard to believe that Addy is already such a grown-up four-year-old! My observations of the birthday girl: She seriously looked so grown up with her hair pulled back the way it was, she was generous to let all the other girls play with her birthday toys (especially the My Little Pony wedding castle), and she was her usual "ham" for the camera.

Ruby checks out some of Addy's gifts

Addy looks as if to say, "Okay, okay, Ruby, you can look at my stuff."

Within minutes of arriving at Lexie and Jon's, Scout has taken out the flapper dress

And put on the wig as well

Really, could you look more festive if you tried?

More gift snooping

Lexie made this beautiful butterfly cake

Oh yeah, the presents!!

Proud momma watching the gift-opening

The onlookers

Alan, Lacey, Travis and Cory

Scout and Ella playing in Ella's bedroom

Getting ready for some singing and some cake!

And if I did this properly, here is a link to a youtube video! http://youtu.be/vcfDN1CM45M

School Days!

Here we are, it's September and we're back at school. Scout is back at pre-school this year. I know that most people who read this blog know our decision to wait on Kindergarten for a year was difficult but ultimately we decided that one more year at her wonderful preschool would be beneficial. You can read more about it here.

Our first week back was surprisingly demanding and tiring. I always underestimate how much work it is for kids to transition from one schedule to another. Or, really, since it was summer, to transition from NO schedule to a definite schedule. Scout now goes to school 4 days per week, so her first full week won't actually be until next week (given the Labor Day holiday). I have a feeling next week might be a long one, too, but before you know it, we'll be back in the swing of things.

First day of school! First day of school!

Mugging for the camera

Not sure what all the poses were about, but at least she let me take her photo!

At the writing desk

Signing in

In the classroom, putting on her nametag

A Girls' Day--Sunday September 2

Cory had another backpacking trip, so we took some time to stop, reflect, and get in touch with our femininity. What screams "girls' day" more than a trip to the aquarium to see some mermaids???

Our friends joined us, and we even had a bonus trip to the Old Spaghetti Factory.

An obvious photo op

Scout (Ginger had to lift up all the kids)

Ruby as a shark tank survivor

A gaggle of girls in the "control room"

At the helm

Charlotte and Rebecca waiting for the mermaids

The sting ray that completely bored the kids--they wanted to see THE MERMAIDS!

There they are!

There were two mermaids on Sunday (we've been there before when there were 3!)

It really is pretty impressive

Ruby checking out the tigers

Ruby and others walking on the bridge

On their way out of the rain forest

Ruby and Rebecca

Checking out the sting rays (you can pet them!)

Aw, this is why we came!

In a fancy chair at the Old Spaghetti Factory

We didn't get to eat IN the trolley, but we sat close by

Ruby and Rebecca

Charlotte and Scout

It was a fun time, and the girls seemed to have a blast. Cory was off doing his manly things and seeing stuff like this:

But, by the way, all those photos were taken with the brand new camera that Cory got me for our anniversary.