School is in Session!

It's always fun to do the first day of school pictures and talk about all of the exciting new things that the kids will be learning .... or do it a few weeks after school has started and show that we are all hard at work :).  We started back to school on the 14th and the kids have been doing really well.  They are all looking forward to their co-op classes that don't start until the 31st.  That also means that they don't have as much work yet so we are usually done with school by lunch time.  It makes for a nice transition back to school.  

This is Lorna's first year of school.... Kindergarten!  She is learning to read and working on her handwriting.  She also does math, science and history.  She has been a pretty good student and enjoys getting her work done and earning treasure box!    

Mhari is in 4th grade.  She has her math as a DVD base so that is nice.  She has been working independently and really staying on task so well this year!  

Sandra is in 6th grade.  She also has DVD based math and has really been focused to accomplish her work!  That has also really freed up time for me to work with Clark and Lorna.

Talmage is a freshman this year.  I'm still not sure how he is that old!  He works really well, but he will have more work this year.  It will be a good adjustment to balance all of his subjects.    

Clark is in 2nd grade this year.  He is still in speech so that keeps the schedule busy.  We are really working on reading and spelling this year.  School is still difficult and he really struggles remembering things.  He is improving, but we definitely do lots of practice .... and not too much that he hates it, that balance can be tricky!

Grant is in 8th grade this year. I'm not sure why I don't have a picture of him.  He has been enjoying getting to go to Algebra class at TCC.  He is doing well and learning how to keep up on his assignments.  He also started seminary this year and other than being tired he is really enjoying it.  

Here's to another school year... they fly by so fast! 

Crazy Squirrel!

We watch the squirrels outside our house every day.  This one squirrel kept playing with something.  He was all over the place with it.  We couldn't really tell what it was so we kept watching him.  Then we figured it out... it was one of the small American flags that get put out around the neighborhood.  Guess this squirrel isn't very patriotic!   

You can kind of see it in his mouth.

 The damage! 

Kickball Fun!

My friend, Tracy, set up a date to meet and play kickball at the park by our house.  It was sprinkling and cold that morning, but it was a great day anyway.  We couldn't play on the baseball diamond because of the mud, but the grass worked just as well.  The kids had a blast and got pretty worn out too.  Lorna spent time "babysitting" Nora, who is 2, on the playground.  It was so cute that she tried to take care of her :)

We ended with some swinging before heading home to dry off and get warm!

Family Reunion!

My mom's family planned a reunion that we attended in Greer, AZ!  It was nice to get out of the heat and enjoy spending time with family.  It has been quite some time since we have been together and it was nice for the kids to get to know their "Whitmer" cousins.  There was a pine wood derby, talent show, and lots of time for games and spending time together.  Everyone had a great time!  Here are some of the fun highlight pictures.

Talmage helped set up the bracket for the pinewood derby races and Mhari loved counting down for each race!  She was so loud!

Jeff visiting with Mike.  We shared a cabin with Mike and Christa

Vance and Aunt Carol

 The kids hanging out on one of the patios

Clark finding flowers

Jeff with Uncle Paul

The kids playing 500

There was also lots of frisbie over the pond.  That turned into rescuing the frisbee from the pond in very creative ways :)

Lorna having fun getting to know Tavin and Lorali

 

One of the contraptions made to rescue the frisbee

 Lorna and Lorali

Sandra and Ilana

Talmage and Cameron

The Whtimer girls:  Holly, Grandma Whitmer, Christa, and me

 

Aunt Carol and Grandma Whitmer

Karen, Lorali, Lorna, and Elise

Talent show time:
Talmage read some of his zombie story.

Mhari and Sandra played the piano

 Grant did the worm :)

Mhari, Sandra, Sabrina, and Amalia

 The whole Westenskow family

 All of the Whitmer grandkids

Christa and me ;).