Winnie is 4

Poor, patient Winnie had to wait for her official birthday celebration. Her birthday was the fourth of October, but Seth was in California that day. Before her birthday we had General Conference and a family dinner, so we couldn't hold her celebration then. In the days that followed Seth's return, we had a school carnival and a temple open house to attend. So we squeezed her party in between all of those things and our trip to California (post to follow).

On the actual day of her birth, Winnie opened a present from her mom and dad (a My Little Pony T-shirt), a present from Analee (soda pop bottle bubbles) and a present from Miriam (a doll that looks remarkably like Winnie that Miriam bought at the dollar store).

The following Saturday for lunch, we had Uncle T, Aunt McKall, Bennet and Oakley; Aunt Jessica; Grandma and Grandpa Scott; and Grandma Susan over for lunch and fun. (Grandpa Dennis was teaching a class; Aunt Rachel's family was in Island Park). First we ate pizza and sides.

Winnie and her deliciousness.

Then we bashed in a box pinata.

I think this was the first time we trusted Winnie with a wooden bat.

Then Winnie unwrapped presents.

Crayons from Rebekah!

A cardboard house made by Analee, complete with window boxes and a watering can.

Opening presents surrounded by family.

Her loot included a card from Miriam, Barbies from Grandma Susan and Grandpa Dennis, crayons from Rebekah, kinetic sand from Aunt McKall and Uncle T, a Frozen playset from Grandma and Grandpa Scott, a cardboard box made into a house by Analee and a Color Wonder stamp set from us.

Then we had cake. Winnie picked out some froggy cupcakes from a book. Analee helped me decorate them.

The frog.

The 4-year-old.

Star Valley Temple

The girls didn't have school October 7, so we used the free day to take them to the Star Valley Temple open house. This was my ninth temple open house, Rebekah's sixth, Analee's fifth, Miriam's fourth and Winnie's third. (We love temples!)

Seth had spent the previous week in California for work (an Intel convention where he had a 40-minute presentation and was voted best presentation of the day), so I drove the girls in the van while Grandma and Grandpa Scott drove Aunt Jessica in their car.

Along the way, we found an awesome town.

We HAD to stop for pictures.

We stopped at the Red Baron for lunch that day. We weren't the only ones, either. There were lots of people in dresses and ties eating there.

Not sure what Winnie's doing while the rest of us eat. Miriam's red sleeve is visible in the picture.

Then we waited (and waited ... and waited) for our orientation at the building down the road before we boarded the bus, rode to the temple and toured it. It was, of course, beautiful. Something that struck me was how little the temple is compared to Idaho Falls'. But then again, Star Valley has a smaller population than I.F.

Grandpa Scott, Andrea, Analee, Winnie, Aunt Jessica, Miriam, Rebekah and Grandma Scott outside the Star Valley Temple.

Rebekah, Analee, Miriam, Winnie and Andrea.

The drive was beautiful with all the fall leaves, and we returned home that evening safe and sound.

Pirate library party

We weren't able to go to as many library parties this year because of scheduling conflicts, but the girls and I did go to an awesome pirate party in September. And as usual, the girls came up with some creative costumes.

Miriam the parrot.

Rebekah as Captain Jack Sparrow.

Analee as Captain Hook making treasure maps with her sisters. 

Cute Winnie. She had disposed of her costume to wear the bandanna she had colored.

Andrea as a generic pirate and Winnie in the Mr. Smee costume Analee made for her.

Trying new things

Bekah said she didn't want to do band this year. Fine, I said. Then the sixth graders went to Ucon Elementary and got the band spiel, and Bekah was hooked on the idea of band. We went to the middle school so she could try out some instruments, and although she had previously thought she wanted to do trumpet, she decided on the trombone instead.

So now we have a trombone in the house.

So far, Rebekah has learned about the three different mouth positions and the seven different slide positions. She can play a few simple songs, and even figured out how to play "Good King Wenceslas" on her own. She and Analee are working out a piano/trombone duet for Christmas this year. She has greased and waxed the trombone and even given it a bath. Rebekah has enjoyed learning a new instrument, and the rest of us have learned more about brass instruments in the past couple of months than the rest of our lives.

Analee came home from school one day in September begging to go to a cheer camp. We signed her up, and she spent an evening learning a cheer and a dance so she could perform at the halftime of one of the varsity football games. Rebekah and I went to watch her performance (Seth was in Island Park for the week hunting). She and all her other little friends who participated were very cute.

Eastern Idaho State Fair

Between our two trips to hunting camp in September, I didn't think any of us would end up visiting the Eastern Idaho State Fair. But on a Wednesday when the older girls were all in school and Seth was at work, I sneaked to Blackfoot with my parents and sister to take a look around.

Walking around.

We checked out the incredible quilts.

Grandpa taught Winnie how to properly milk a (fake) cow. He milked from one side ...

while Winnie milked from the other.

She did pretty well. 

We petted some farm animals. Notice Winnie's look of apprehension. She is irrationally afraid of chickens. 

We got to pet a bunny.

And I let her pick out whatever treat she wanted.

Return to hunting camp

So much catching up to do ...

After our Labor Day Weekend excursion to Island Park, we returned the following weekend (September 9-11) and spent more time in the woods. Seth took Rebekah out on the Saturday evening hunt, and although we ended up empty-handed after the archery hunt, our girls (and dog) had a splendid time camping.

The girls had such a fun time with Uncle Doug's dog Roscoe the previous time we went camping that we decided to bring his sister, our dog Peach, to camp with us. The two dogs had a great time. I think, in the future, we'll have to bring Peach with us to hunting camp every time.

Roscoe, Seth and Peach on the hunting camp "couch." Both dogs received a lot of loving from everyone.

Analee reading by the fire.

Winnie (in her "hunting jacket") by the fire.

Miriam (and a whole lotta dog hair) by the fire.

Bekah, Peach and Miriam on the "couch."

Saturday morning, Winnie, Analee and I took the dogs on a walk to the nearby quarry. The dogs loved sniffing around.

The beautiful morning sun.

Seth helping Rebekah get ready to shoot the 7mm-08 Seth got so she can hunt deer. After she shot a couple, Seth and I worked together to sight it in.

This time, there were fewer people at camp, but we still enjoyed the beautiful fall scenery and weather.

Gwenism #19

While getting dressed this morning ...

Gwen: I have my kitty socks with the hearts on them.

Andrea: Kitty socks with hearts? Those kitties must love someone.  
Gwen: They love my feet because they're hugging my feet.

Labor Day

As per tradition, we pulled the trailer up to Island Park and spent our long weekend in the woods.

Saturday we had wonderful weather. The kids played in the dirt, took walks, went on 4-wheeler rides, picked flowers, ate food and listened to stories. Seth took Analee out on the evening hunt, and despite not seeing anything, they had a wonderful time.

Rebekah and Analee checking out their homemade target after shooting their BB guns.

Grandma Susan reading to Winnie and Miriam.

Miriam and Winnie playing with Uncle Doug's dog Roscoe.

Miriam and Analee lovin' on Roscoe.

Winnie on her perch.

Sunday we got up bright and early and drove the 45 minutes from our camping site to church at Mack's Inn. It never ceases to amaze me how strong the Spirit can be in a church packed full of people I've never met before. Then we took the girls to Harriman State Park to have a picnic lunch and check out the historic buildings, but before we could go on a hike, we decided the weather was iffy and headed back to camp. That turned out to be a good call, because almost the rest of the day was spent in the trailer or under tarps keeping out of the rain. The rain broke long enough for us to enjoy the big Dutch oven dinner Grandpa Dennis had spent the day preparing.

Keeping dry under the canopy Sunday afternoon.

Winnie, Miriam, Rebekah, Analee and Mack.

Early Monday morning we heard rain, hail and thunder from our trailer. It was really foggy when we got up, but the rain stayed away almost long enough for us to pack up the truck. Right when it was time to jump in the truck for the drive home, it started hailing again.

Analee and Miriam in the hail.

See?!

Winnie (and her jammie pants) in the hail.

To see more pictures from our weekend, start here.

First day of school

This year we've got three kids going to school all day. I'm not going to lie ... it's pretty great. I think I've gotten more done in the one week they've been in school than I did all summer long.

The first day of school was Monday, August 29. Rebekah is in 6th grade with Ms. Moore. Analee is in 4th grade with Mrs. Stegelemeier and Miriam is in 1st grade with Mrs. Hill.

 6th, 4th and 1st. 

Pretty girls in the back-to-school outfits they picked out. Rebekah is sporting hearing aids and contacts this year. Analee and Miriam both got new glasses before school started.

 Three cute and silly sisters.