Halloween 2011

This year we went to the first annual Hurricane City Pumpkin Fest.  It was lots of fun, they had trick or treating for the kids, a spook alley, entertainment, food, and games.  Braxton really liked trick or treating,  but he was being shy and wouldn't say it... it was a good warm up for Monday though.  They played all the games and won fun prizes.  The spook alley was a little too much for Braxton, he started out really strong but they had a section that was all black and you had to crawl through the tunnel.  He didn't like that so we turned around.  Boston was more interested in the skulls that had eyeballs that changed colors.  We had hot dogs for dinner and the boys both ate every bite!  It was a fun night they had a magician as entertainment. Braxton was pretty into it, but Boston was done!  So we didn't watch his whole show.   My boys were some of the cutest kiddos there! ( I think they might know it too!)

Hurricane Irene = Josh's First Deployment

Josh has been deployed to the east coast to write claims for Allstate Insurance for the homes that were damaged as a result of Hurricane Irene.  He got the e-mail Saturday the 27th of August.  He flew out  of St. George at 6 am on the 30th.  He went to Philadelphia, PA  for orientation and Allstate specific training.  He was then given 15 claims in North Carolina.  He is learning a lot as he goes from claim to claim.  He said he could definitely tell when he crossed the border in NC because there were trees down all over and you could see a lot of the damage.  His claims have been in a few different cities all relatively close together though.  He has met a lot of nice people and seen some amazing houses! :)  He closed out all of the original 15 in a week.  He now has 6 new claims.  We will see what happens next.  That is the hardest part, just not knowing what the future holds or how long he'll be away.

We love him and miss him lots, but we are proud of him.   It's hard work being away from your family for an unknown period of time.  He is trying to stay positive, though sometimes I get complaining calls ;-P  It takes a lot of courage to go out on your own in a new career and to be away from the family for an extended period of time, We LOVE you and Miss you DADDY!!!  Keep up the hard work :)

Changes Changes Changes

Summer is over as we know it, and its back to the wind and grind of work!  Lots has changed over the past month in our house  I'll try to recount as much as I can.....
First Josh gave his notice in July that he would be leaving AAA.  He was very kind and gave them 3 weeks notice, everyone parted in a peaceful way.  He didn't feel like disaster restoration was really the career he wanted for the rest of his life.  So the end of July he went to Denver for an 8 day class that certified him to be a CAT insurance adjuster in 44 states.  He enjoyed learning some of the new aspects, he already knew lots of the stuff from having worked with insurance adjusters  and companies doing restoration.  He passed his Texas all lines test with 95%!  Wahoo we were so proud of him! :)
So when he got home it was back to work for mommy.  Well since daddy had to wait for a disaster to strike he got to stay at home with the boys!  What an adjustment for him......going from working full time-- if not over time to staying at home all day with our 2 almost 3 year old and 1 year old! :)  to make matters worse it was a crazy week for me I had things scheduled from 6 am to 6-7 pm all week.  It was not the best week to start being a stay at home dad.  things calmed down the next week a little bit, but still slightly hectic.  By this point dad had the boys in  a routine for the most part.
So Leslie's change was that I started teaching severe special education at Hurricane Elementary.  I have had so many people ask me which I like better general education or special education.  But honestly it's not something you can compare.  I absolutely loved teaching my 2nd graders for 3 years.  But I love the students with severe disabilities that I have now.  They keep me laughing, and stressing and busy just the same.   I have 6 students on my caseload.  2 kindergarten 1 first 1 second and 2 third.  I have 3 part time aids to help me out too!   

ThiNGs I have leaRNed this SuMMer (2011)

I took my friend Nikki's challenge to post 10 things I learned this summer,
excerpt from her blog....but holds pretty dang true to me!! :)
 Because school is about to start and I am a teacher, I feel inclined to reflect on the summer and what I learned. I think that it is highly important to continue to learn while in the summer months, (did you know that the average student looses nearly 1/2 a grade level during the summer break? Crazy huh?) so...I have compiled a list of things that I have learned during this summer, so I do not have to face the fact that I may have gotten a little dumber...and probably a lot lazier...


So here it is......

  Things I have Learned Summer 2011

1. Potty training can control your life!!  Braxton is 7/8 of the way potty trained.  He is just slightly obstinate and still poops in his undies....ugg I hate cleaning poop out of undies~ hence why I used disposable diapers. 
2.  The splash pad is AMAZING!  seriously the kids can play for hours, but lesson learned Mommy must wear her swimsuit and plan to get wet!
3.Boston CAN DO lots of things that he doesn't want to do.....Like walk, go down the stairs the right way ( he now does this all the time) play by himself! He took like 6 steps to my dad, not wobbly or anything but will he do it again, Uhhh NOOO!  
4.  I hate clutter!!!  ya it's true I discovered that I HATE it!!!
5.  When I don't drink enough water, I get killer headaches.  Ya I've known this along time, but discovered it this summer.
6.  It feels so nice to have your (new) classroom all set up before the  week before school starts!  Thank you summer school!!
7.  It doesn't matter how much you plan and plan, things will always go wrong, just roll with it.
8.  I like having my body back! ( not pregnant or nursing,) I actually feel kinda skinny and cute!
9.  My family is my life......if you look at my Facebook posts 90%  are about my kids/family
10.  You are never too old to have your momma help you!  She has been my life saver this summer, helping me with the kids, classroom, party planning and fixing up the house and yard!

And now... in true teacher spirit, I challenge you all to post 10 things that you have learned over the summer. Seriously, I want you to do it or I might think that you too, have gotten a little dumber...:)

Boston's1st Birthday!

WOWZA!  I can't believe how time flies.   Boston turned 1 on July 23rd, 2011.  He is growing, I can't exactly say he's big! :)  ( He still fits into 6-9 month outfits) We had a little party for him with lots of family.  It was lots of fun! We are glad that so many of members of our family were able to come down form northern Utah to help us celebrate!

His invite....

Here is a picture overview of his special day! 

4th of July 2011 & Boston's First Haircut!!!!

Braxton has a festive red nose from a fall he took at the family reunion....it's not a scrape, but a burn.  I can't help but think he's adorable even with his silly nose owie!!

I'm pretty proud of my festive hair-bow~ I totally made it myself :)

Since we were up in Northern Utah for the wedding and family reunion it was natural to stay for the 4th of July.  We ended up going to the Parade in West Jordan, it was lots of fun....they had some great floats (one thing that I definitely miss about N. Utah parades)  Bands, dancers, all sorts of things to keep the kids entertained!  I took a gazillion pics :)  

Later we went to Josh and Lyndsay's for a BBQ it was fun!  Boston got his first haircut, he looks just like a little man!

We went to Josh Anderson's parents to watch the fireworks and have s'mores, Uh YUMMY!

Dunn Family Reunion & Family Pics

We headed to Northern Utah for a wedding a family reunion--It was very convenient to have them in the same weekend.  My cousin Andy got married to Jessie in the Bountiful temple on Friday.  It was beautiful, the kids were good, and it was great to see all my cousins.  The dinner was delicious~ Boston devoured everything he could....he did create a little bit of a mess in the process! The next day was the Dunn Family reunion in Kaysville.  Grandma Rae Harding was in charge of it this year.  It was lots of fun, the boys loved having so many friends to play with! :)   

Boston really enjoys eating corn on the cob!!!  

Scruffy felt like he should share the stroller with Boston! :)

 We took some family pics at a park in Kaysville while we were there....here are some of the best shots! :)

 The boys were in love with the ducks......half of the pictures they are looking at the ducks, not the camera!  Josh got some crackers from the car and we fed the ducks, it was great they would come and get it right out of your fingers. Braxton was enthralled with it all!