Kaylee's adventures

This year, as usual, Kaylee wants to be involved in as many activities as possible. So far she is in Silver Falcon Singers, Intramurals, Girls Activity Days and Safety Patrol. She also attends Doug's High School Marching Band practices with Doug whenever possible. She decided last year that she wants to be a trombone player and Doug magically found one for her to practice on. Here is a picture someone took of her at the last Marching Band Practice. She was filling in for a student who was absent.

I think the trombone is almost as tall as she is. She recently asked if she could try out for Student Council. I think we are going to have to put a limit on her activities. She maintains straight A's, so I guess we're okay so far. :)

Terrible 2...I mean 1.

I've always said that the terrible twos started at 1 1/2 and lasted 2 years. Maybe I need to edit that to starting before 1 1/2.....
What is that you ask? It's whiteout tape.

I decided a long time ago that I absolutely love this age. Yes...you can't leave them alone for a second (or pay the consequences). This incident actually happened to be on Doug's watch while I was at work, but could've easily happened during mine.

What I LOVE about this age is their progression. It always amazes me how much a 1 year old learns in one year. Noah is already saying a ton of words (and tries to say almost any word now). It's fun to see his personality develop. He gets really excited about Dinosaurs and Dogs and likes to imitate their "growls". So cute. He is now an expert on our stairs and I am glad to get rid of the gate. He did scare me for a while because he insists on going down the stairs forwards instead of sliding on his tummy. He is an expert now though.

The older kids are having their impact on him too. The other day he found a stick, pointed it, and said "DIE". DIE DIE DIE. Yep. You sometimes get the bad with the good. They also taught him how to give a knuckle bump with the ppsshhhh sound added. We gotta make sure this kid is "up on the greeting trends".

I am excited that he goes to Nursery in 4 more Sundays (and one of those Sundays is General Conference). So only 3 more Sundays to go before I can just sit and enjoy class...So looking forward to that.

What a sweet boy.

Jordan's advancement

Jordan has been enjoying Scouts. He has earned his Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class now. He's earned a few Merit Badges too. Keep pluggin' along kid!

Mason's First Day

I know I'm a little late on this, but Masons' first day of preschool was September 6th. This year he is going to University (Charter School) 4 days a week in the afternoons. He is excited about school and asks every morning if it is time to go yet. He is getting so big.

My Calling

I have been the Cubmaster in our ward for 2 years now and absolutely love it. It is a really fun calling. A little intimidating at first, but SUPER FUN! I really don't understand why they don't have more female Cubmasters. Doug is my assistant and helps out a ton when he is not too busy. It's been fun to do it together.

Family Photo...help.

While we were visiting in Utah, we had some family photos taken. I can't decide which one I like the best. All of them have a quirk...you can't get around that with 7 people. So, I am opening it up to a vote. Let me know which one you like best.
Photo number one:

Photo number two: or photo number three: So which one do you like?

First Day of School

I can't believe it is here already...The first day of School. All sorts of emotions are going through my head.
* Sad that Doug and all of the kids will be gone all day.
* Happy that the kids will be gone all day...lol.
* Anxious for the kids on their first day....hoping all will go well.
I could go on an on.

The kids were very excited to return to school. I couldn't let them leave of course without getting that "First day of School Picture".

JORDAN-7th grade

KAYLEE-5th grade (She has Mrs. Starkey this year)

LEXI-3rd grade (She has Mrs. Lee this year)

And this is what the little boys were doing while I was taking pictures: Mason doesn't start preschool until September. Happy first day of school!

Vacation to Utah

Our family had a great vacation this year to Utah. We were able to visit friends and family and we enjoyed catching up with everyone. We left on Kaylee's 10th birthday. She was spoiled, as usual. When we arrived at my mom's house there were Dunford Donuts waiting for me...I mean Kaylee. I LOVE the chocolate covered cake donuts from Dunford. I haven't found anyone else who makes better donuts. I will have to put a picture of that later. My camera battery died and my mom got a picture...so I'll have to get that from her. A few days later, Kaylee was able to get this chocolate cake from Grandma Farr:We went to Hogle Zoo on Tuesday with Grandma & Grandpa Burgess. Heather and her two girls also came:

We had a really good time at the zoo.
The next day we headed to the Farr's house. We got together for family pictures at Murray Park. Doug's cousin Katie took pictures of the entire family. I don't have those pictures yet, but I took a few snapshots of my own.

Unfortunately, Noah wasn't feeling well and we couldn't get a good picture of him at all. I didn't take a lot of other pictures, but we also went to Lagoon (well known amusement park in Utah), to the mountains with my family, to the cabin with Doug's family, a Burgess family BBQ, and spent some time with my BFF Melanie and her sister Becky. We had a great trip!

Independence Day

As usual, we headed out to watch the Greeley Stampede 4th of July parade. Doug marched along with his students in the all city band. This year, Jordan was old enough to join in playing his trumpet. Unfortunately, I had to work that evening. Doug and the kids went to Windsor Lake and watched the fireworks over the lake. They had a good time. Our supervisor let my employees and I go on the roof of Target and watch the fireworks too.

Sunday Pictures

Since I had the camera out after church...I decided to snap a few individual shots of the kids. Noah was asleep...so I didn't get any of him. Also, he was attacked by mosquitos this week and his head is covered with about 18 bites. Very unfortunate. The first bites of the season always sneak up on us. Here is Mason:

Lexi: Kaylee: Jordan is in the post below. Here is Doug: I am excited to get a family picture in July while visiting Utah. Hopefully Noah's mosquito bites will be all cleared up soon.

Jordan turns 12

This was Jordan when he was 1:

Today is Jordan's 12th Birthday. Yesterday he went fishing and out to eat with his Dad. They had a great outing together. Later, he opened presents, ate donuts and ice cream and had a BBQ.

Today Jordan was ordained a Deacon. He also worked really hard and earned his Faith in God award. Way to go! Happy Birthday!!!

Cub Scout Day Camp

Since I am the Cubmaster in our ward, I volunteered to attend Cubscout Day camp. It was really fun (and long). We had sunshine, wind, and rain. I was there for all four days. Here are my boys in my pack: Wolves and BearsAnd the Webelos: They each were able to rotate between 10 really fun stations. Good times.

Family Visit

We were excited to have Doug's brother Darren and his family come to visit. They have one little adorable boy named Judson who is 3. Unfortunately, I didn't take a lot of pictures...but I did get this one of Judson and Mason holding hands. So cute:

While they were here, we took a walk along the Poudre River Trail, had a picnic in the mountains, and went swimming and mini golfing at the funplex. Fun times.

Scrapbooking weekend.

My sisters and I were able to get together for a scrapbooking weekend. We went out to eat, shopped, stayed in a hotel, and just enjoyed each other's company. These always go by so quickly. My mom usually joins us for these weekends, but unfortunately she wasn't able to make it this trip. Hopefully next time...

Marilee and Stacie

Kaylee sings

Kaylee had her Spring Concert with the Silver Falcon singers. It was very enjoyable to watch her sing. They performed several showtunes or songs from musicals.

She loves music.

Doug's Birthday

Doug's birthday was on his last day of school. We went out to dinner to celebrate. He turned 39! Happy Birthday!

China

Lexi's 2nd grade class had to choose one topic of their choice and give a 20 minute presentation on that topic. She had to write an essay paper to go along with her topic. The topic she chose was on China. For part of her presentation she had to have some kind of DVD, display board, slide show, model, etc. She ended up making this DVD...with her parents help, of course: (Warning: It is over 10 minutes long)

China Presentation-Lexi from Kristi Farr on Vimeo.

In addition to this DVD she spoke about the children in China, the food, and the language. She also passed out chopsticks to her entire class. She did a great job!

Noah's first haircut

Noah had his hair cut for the first time today. The evidence (eewwww): The result:
He is blonde, so it's hard to see his hair in this picture. What a cute young man.

Noah's haircut from Kristi Farr on Vimeo.

High Marks

Jordan was able to play his trumpet in his very first Solo & Ensemble festival this year. Doug just entered him on his own (it was not initiated by his school band). It was a very good experience for him and Jordan received high marks. He received a one minus from all of the judges. Great job Jordan! This actually happened near the beginning of the year, but he just barely received his ribbon.

Noah's walking!

Noah has been practicing his walking for the past couple of weeks and he has become more confident each day. Check it out:

Noah walking from Kristi Farr on Vimeo.

I'm not sure why he grunted every time he walked, he normally doesn't do that. Kinda funny.
He has been trying to talk more too. He knows Hi, Peek-a boo, bottle, Ma ma, Da da, Vroom. These are the words he says on a regular basis. Of course, he understands a lot more than what he can say. I taught him to give me kisses when I ask. So adorable.

Update on Mason

Mason is enjoying his preschool. Here are a few recent pictures.Posing in the form of the letter "E" . This idea was stolen from a friend in Nevada. (Thanks Kathryn) It's been fun to hear how the 4 year old brain works. I think I laugh every day at something he says, but a couple I can remember are:

* He asked my why the moon was following us when we were driving in the dark the other night.

* He wanted to see if the Easter Bunny would bring him a bicycle because he thought it would be funny to try and see if the Easter Bunny could fit it into his basket. (He just got a bike for his birthday a few weeks ago).

I love this little guy.