The boys watching the fireworks, 

Hi Mom! I need my sunglasses out here! 

Brett & Jenny tossing Dallin in the water. 

Carefully designing her castle is Princess Gretchen. 

Brett & Jenny having as much fun as the kids in the sand. 

Dallin, Barrett and Micheal, notice Dallin is smiling! :) 

Parker and Gretchen playing at the lake. 

Parker and his friends, Audrey, Gretchen, Samantha, Caris, and Brett. Actually these are Gretchy's friends. I guess that is what Parker gets from GIRLS!!!! 

Parker the sandmonster! Even burying him alive will not stop him! 

WATCH OUT TEACHERS....HERE WE COME!
The kids all had their first days recently. Dallin started 2nd grade with a fun new teacher. She has a discipline method where kids who break a rule have to sign "THE BOOK". Dalllin was very concerned about signing "the book". He said she even does air quotations and says it sternly. But he said she is a fun teacher (she says he is a real sweetheart), but that 2nd grade is hard and not a lot of fun. He is reading chapter books, starting to write in cursive, and adding multiple numbers together. He will be getting his report card next wee, but since he has had 100 or 105 on every spelling test, and 100's on math, it is looking like straight A's.

Parker started his pre-k class with 19 other kids on Mon, Wed, and Fri. He has been having fun, and they even went on their first field trip to the zoo. Richard took off, so Gretchen and Rich and I could go with him. His friends are so cute, and the mom's say he is talked about often. I guess our shy guy is coming out of his shell. He teacher says he is always perfectly behaved. His favorite friend, is of course a girl, Kaleigh.

Gretchen started a Tues morning Mom's Morning Out Group with some friends of hers. They are sooo cute. Emily, Chickie, and Benjamin. They all get along well, and actually listen for story time. Their crafts are hilarious. More on the abstract art side. They are a hoot a snack time, and love to tattle on each other for not sharing. It is good for me, because the 3 Tues. I drop off it is just me and Parker. So he and I have been having fun just the two of us.

Gretchen on her first day of Mom's Morning Out, also known as "Friends School". She thinks she is a big girl. Notice all the PINK! 

Parker on his first day of the 4 year old preschool class. He was VERY excited. 

Dallin headed to his first day of second grade. He is SOOOOO big, and smart now! 

OUR HOUSE IS ON THE WAY TO ANYWHERE YOU ARE GOING!
We had a streak of good luck on our side, or at least a spot of good luck. Our family's best friends had to come from Texas to NC for a wedding. Of course, we sold them on the idea that you have to drive through Knoxville to get anywhere. They stopped on the way back to Texas for a few days of fun. We went to Fort Kid and had a picnic, we went to the World's Fair Park to play in the water fountains. It was a blast, and felt just like old times. Before they left, they convinced us to try the road trip to see them in October. So off we will go!

The kids, right in the middle of the action! 

Gretchen and Barbie staying as close away as she can get. 

Parker daring Dad to run through it without getting wet. 

The boys covering the holes the water sprays from. 

Kara & Parker calmly walking through the mist. 

Dallin and Trevor escaping before the spray.