This is REIL fun

The first day of the last year

Today was the first day of school for Kaleb and Noe. Even though their school goes up to 8th grade, it is still the end of elementary school this year as they are in 5th grade now, what? How has time gone so fast!

My lovely, little Noe said her goal for the year was to get an A+ in recess. Seriously, she said she wants to be more quiet in class. I asked how that worked out for her today and she said not very well. I guess there's always tomorrow. She is looking forward to art, music, science, gym, and French too.

My kind, questioning Kaleb said his goal for the year is to prepare to enter Hogwarts next year, ha ha! Actually, he's looking forward to science, social studies, and writing in his journal more. He's also working on controlling his temper and being honest at all times. I'm impressed that he wants to improve his character along with his academics. He's made big strides this summer and I am so proud of him!

Their backpacks weigh way more than they do.

We walked to school today and they were clever and used our umbrella strollers to carry their heavy load.

They were excited to see Mrs. M back at school.

And they are super excited to have Mr. C as their teacher this year. They've heard he's a funny guy and they love that they can earn all kinds of fun things in class, like doughnut parties! I am really excited for them this year too, and I think incentive programs are great.

The 3 little boys waving them off- Teague sucking his thumb, Hiram laughing, and Gavin blinking (he'll start on Thursday). It's going to be another great year!

Gavin's Tongue Jail

The last sweet picture of Gavin with all his baby teeth.

Gavin lost his first tooth on Labor Day. Noe told him he could push his tongue through the new hole in his smile and it would be in jail. Gavin thought this was hilarious and put his tongue in jail all night long.

Luckily for him, the tooth fairy didn't have the day off. He awoke today to M&M's and a toonie. He's too sweet to be spoiled!

Peter Whitmer Farm

We headed to Fayette, New York for the last historic stop on our trip. We went to Peter Whitmer's farm, where the church was first organized on April 6, 1830.

I love to imagine the family working, eating, and visiting around the hearth.

The beds are always so tiny. I could never fit on one and it just makes me think how short people were back then.

This is one of the rooms upstairs where it is believed that the translation of the Book of Mormon was completed.

Looking out on some of the farmland. This city girl is a little bit country at heart.

Martin Harris Farm

Before we left Palmyra, we drove up and down Main Street and Church Street. I'm so glad we did because we stumbled upon the farm that once belonged to Martin Harris. Mr. Harris mortgaged his farm to pay the $3,000 fee for having the Book of Mormon first printed. I hope I can be as generous in my life.

Hill Cumorah

We visited the Hill Cumorah where the angel Moroni showed Joseph Smith where the gold plates were buried. With the aid of the Holy Ghost, Joseph translated that testament of Christ into the Book of Mormon.

At the top is a flag pole, and...

...a statue of Moroni.

The view from the top.

Another sculpture of the Book of Mormon which states Moroni's promise found in Moroni 10:4.

At the Visitor's Center below I ran into a familiar face- Jen, my sister, Amanda's best friend. It really is a small world in Palmyra!

I hope to return again someday and watch the Hill Cumorah pageant.

Grandin Building

Next we visited the Grandin Building where the Book of Mormon was first published. When we visited here 8 years ago, we ran into Len's uncle, and cousin & his wife and kids. Small world!

This is the 3rd floor where the type was set.

Here on the 2nd floor is where the pages were inked.

This is the main floor and book store. The original order was for 5,000 copies and cost $3,000 to print them. The job took 7 months to complete and then the books were sold for $1.25 (after the price was reduced from $1.75- an average two days' wage.) Now it is translated into 107 languages and available world-wide!

Smith Family Farm

Our next stop was to the Smith family farm. Joseph Smith Sr, Alvin, and Hyrum purchased 180 acres of farmland in New York after moving from Vermont.

This is a replica of the log home they lived in there.

The family (of 11) spent time in this room eating and reading the Bible together. This is where Joseph Smith Jr read in James 1:5 that he should pray to God to ask which church he should join. (This is also the home where the angel Moroni appeared to Joseph a few years later.)

This is the sacred grove where Joseph went to give that prayer. I believe that God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him then telling him that he would help restore the fullness of the gospel and the church of Jesus Christ to the earth again.

It was very humbling to walk in such a sacred place.

And wonderful to share this experience with our children.

Alvin Smith (Joseph's oldest brother) began building this frame home to eventually share with his fiance after they married. Unfortunately, Alvin passed away before that came to pass. Eventually, the family moved in to this home. While Hyrum and his wife stayed in the log home.

I love seeing the way people lived 200 years ago. I LOVE the spinning wheel. (Joseph hid the golden plates under the fireplace hearth in this home at one point.)

Leonard loves these beehives and might choose this method of raising bees after he retires.

This is the Alvin tree (a black locust tree) planted after Alvin died. It is a huge tree reaching high in the sky. Kaleb said it's a great tree to remember loved ones by because it grows right up to heaven. Sweet boy!

Palmyra Temple

For Labor Day weekend, we decided to have one last hurrah before school started. We drove down to Palmyra, New York to visit some important historical sites for our church. On Friday evening, Len served in the Palmyra temple. This makes temple #32 for us! We need to visit 5 others to be "caught up" with our yearly goal.

On Saturday, we visited most of the sites. We started at the Palmyra temple again, so our kids could see and touch it.

Of course, I took way too many pictures of the lovely flower beds. This one is my favorite shot.

Teague was just adorable carrying Snuggle bear around everywhere. I tried capturing a moment of the two of them, but Teague was being silly (cute boy!).

I did capture this sweet little hug though. I'm glad Teague loves teddy bears, because he is one of my snuggle bears!

8th of 12 = 84%

In August, I had too many good reasons to "cheat" on my healthy eating. Unfortunately, I didn't make my monthly goal, but I did come fairly close. I didn't get a piece for my Willow Tree nativity, but I did get this statue of Santa kneeling before the baby Jesus. I have it as an ornament and was thrilled to find this larger size. I just don't want to find myself in my larger size anymore, ha ha!

Summer of Witchcraft and Wizardry

This summer, our family watched the 8 Harry Potter films (one each weekend). All the kids fell in love with this fantastical world! Kaleb read all 7 books in 19 days. Noe started reading them and now she is half-way through book 4. The Lego Wii game has been a constant favorite chosen by all the kids. They've also taken all of our drumsticks and other musical instruments and turned them in to magic wands. Kaleb and Noe are convinced that when they turn 11 next year they will receive their acceptance letters to Hogwarts. I sure would love to take them there! (Or at least the theme parks in London and Florida!)

Dance Cheer Dance Cheer Dance

Noe began dancing when she was 4. She took 3 years of ballet while we were in Taiwan.

After we moved back to Ottawa, she took a year of recreational cheer with some friends.

She then spent the past 2 years dancing jazz at a nearby studio.

Noe was ready for a change again, so we signed her up for all-star cheerleading. Unfortunately, the gym flooded recently ruining the electrical box, flooring, and equipment. Our coach found another gym (actually closer to home) for the teams to use this year. However, the practices would have to change. Noe's team would have to practice on Sundays. The sweet girl did not want to violate the Sabbath day and decided to quit.

Luckily, another dance studio is holding their registration this week so she'll be able to transition right over. She's going to take a lyrical/contemporary class with another friend. Next year, we'll see if she wants to stay with the new studio or see if cheerleading will fit into her schedule again. I love to watch her perform and I'm so proud of her!

New Glasses

Kaleb's glasses got irreparably broken. Unfortunately, his prescription had worsened as well. So he was ready to get some new ones. Hiram didn't want him to have all the fun though.