Friday Flashback

Flashing back to 2006. This is my buddy, Hogan, and me. Hogan is my mom & dad's dog - that I rescued from the shelter when I lived at home with my parents after college. I wish I would have taken a picture of my dad's face when mom and I pulled up to the house and Hogan jumped out. Dad wanted to be mad. He wanted to tell me to put the dog back in my car and take him back to the pound… But - he just couldn't. Instead, Dad put a leash on him and took him for a walk around the block. And now, they're best buddies.

Hogan is still thankful for his rescue! He has a big house, huge yard, plenty of treats, doggie daycare, and he's the "leader of the Clevenger Pack." What a good dog!

Thursday {Before the Storm}

The Storm {aka: the Beginning of School} is about to begin. Tomorrow is my first day of meetings and then madness will break out and on Wednesday I will meet 21 {right now} little learners! I'm excited, nervous, and a bit overwhelmed.

 My kids are adjusting to "school." Although when we pull into the parking lot Jack starts saying, "NOOO. Don't want it. No school." And then he cries when I leave him. {Thanks for that, buddy.} I know he stays busy during the day and is learning SO much…but it still pulls at my heart. Josie is always a happy girl when I drop her off. She's always good for a big smile when I pick her up, too! Jack cries when I pick him up. {tears of elation}

Here they are yesterday after a full day at "school." This happiness/playfulness is only good until about 7:30 - when they are both too tired to stay awake. Once we all get in a nice routine, I think things will be MUCH better.

Adios Play Set

Last Thursday Tyson told me that he was going to fix the play set. On Saturday morning, he woke up early with his friend, Matt…and they made a nice attempt at fixing it. Two hours later - it was listed on Craigslist. Two hours after that - it was sold for $100 and removed from our backyard. Poor Jack & Josie will have to wait until next Spring to get a new one.

That's okay, though. With both of them in daycare everyday - we wouldn't be able to use a new one very much right now anyway. AND - we still have a pit of sand {not a "sandbox" because there is no longer a box}. Jack is happy playing in whatever dirt he can find.

Brother, Sister Bath Time

 Another added bonus of Josie being able to sit up on her own these days…is the brother/sister bath times we share each night! Josie finds one toy to play with the entire time and as long as Jack doesn't try to steal it from her - she's happy.

Jack likes playing with all of the toys - sometimes at the same time JUST so his sister can't have them. We're working on that "sharing" thing...

Hello, rolls!

I have been spending LOTS of time in my classroom {shout out to my Momma for her help!}! Once it's all cute & presentable - I'll post some pictures. It looks very nice in my head. :)

Like Father, Like Son

The love for all things "tech" runs deep in the genes. Tyson got a new iPad 3 from work and Jack is still beating up on enjoying his original iPad. These two will be a very dangerous combination in about 12 years...

Saturday Morning Breakfast Face

Happy Saturday! Josie has "Breakfast Face." She's been learning her baby signs. She's not really doing them yet, but I know how much she loves eating. I predict she will be a quick learner.

Friday Flashback

The last THREE August 3rd's (or close):

Photo Credit - Carley Kay Photography
Clevenger Family Pictures - there was a teeny tiny Jack in my belly. I was about 4 months pregnant!

August 2010 - Jack was about 7 months old.

August 2011 - Jack was a year and a half (and in desperate need of a haircut!)

8 Months Old

Josie turned 8 months old on July 30th! Very hard to believe.

She is the happiest baby! I know I've said that a lot, but it's true. She isn't mad unless she is hungry, tired, or being tormented by her brother. She recently learned to clap, just in time for the Olympics (and Lions Football/IU Basketball).

She's pretty close to crawling…which means I need to "baby-proof." I'm wondering if Josie-proofing the house will be as hard as Jack-proofing. (also - for the record - Jack was pretty near perfect until he learned to walk sprint)

Josephine has been the most wonderful addition to our family. 

We love you, Jos!

Last Day of Summer Break

Today was my last day as an official Stay-At-Home-Mom…I say that, but most of you know that I haven't ever been an "official" SAHM. It's all been very unofficial.

My students don't come until August 15th - but I have OH.SO.MUCH to do to get ready for the school year. Jack & Josie start daycare/school full-time tomorrow. I'm kind of sad about this. Not just because we will be paying an arm & a leg (and another arm)…but it's a little sad knowing that from now on, I'm a "working(outside the home)" mom. The nice thing about education - I will always have my breaks with my kids and I will always have summers with them, too.

Anyway - in celebration of our last day of summer - we decided to visit the Zoo. It was a last minute decision…mostly because Jack has been feeling so crummy. But the Carstens were able to join us and that made it a really fun trip!

This was my first adventure using the wagon with both kids. Now that Josie is an official "sitter" - it worked perfectly!

 The boys spent time playing in the sprinklers. I can't say I blamed them - it was hot!

In the Farm area - Maddox searched the bee hive for the Queen Bee. AND FOUND HER! It was pretty exciting!

Before we left, we spent some time with the goats. Josie didn't know what to think of them. Jack treated them like one of his dogs.

That's it.
So long random trips to Target and cat naps during nap time. So long visits to the park and afternoon dips in the pool. No more sleeping in to 8am. No more Summer Shandy at lunch…wait…

So long SUMMER! Bring on Kindergarten!

Mr. & Mrs. Becker

Wedding festivities began Friday night with a delicious Rehearsal Dinner! It was fun seeing both sides of the family in one place! Jack and Josie had so much fun!

Josie loves all of her great aunts! Here she is with her Great Aunt Becky! Too cute!

Jack and two of his 2nd cousins - Nuala and Elliot. They were snacking on some Goldfish and Nuala was the "keeper of the crackers."

Jos was one of the "girls" with her Grandma Nancy, Great Aunt Sally, and Great Aunt Kim!

Saturday was the wedding! It took place on the palouse in the oldest Lutheran Church in Idaho - the Cordelia Lutheran Church. It was SO tiny, but SO cute! I can't wait to see their pictures, because I'm sure they will be GORGEOUS!

Aunt Kim with Nuala and Josie

 I wish I could report that Jack was the perfect Ring Bearer… Unfortunately he was running a fever (later diagnosed with an ear infection) and was miserable! He threw a fit during the ceremony, crawled under a pew, and escaped out of the church. True story. Tyson's cousin, Billy, wrangled Jack and then (very kindly) took care of him until the ceremony was finished.

 Despite Jack's antics - Devin and Kristin were MARRIED! And they both looked amazing!

The kids went back home to a babysitter, so I could have fun at the reception. And it was a great time! They had wonderful food, great live music (yes, the banjo player was AWESOME!!), and I got to catch up with friends & family {while sipping wine}. We are so happy for the new couple! And we welcome Kristin into the Becker Family!

Two Facts: 

Kristin & I have always had the same initials KEC -> KEB - so that will make monograming easy! And the monogrammed towels Nancy bought me for the lake {7 years ago} can be shared with my new SIL!

Also - someone realized that on Nancy's side of the family - there were five boy cousins (Ryan, Seth, Blake, Devin, & Tyson) and ONE girl cousin (Caitlyn)! All of those boys married girls who ONLY HAVE BROTHERS! None of us have sisters. I think we could be the focus of a psychology study.