Luke is 1!

Time sure flies for baby #4. I can't believe Luke is one already. I decided to throw a little party with Nate's family, and I chose The Hungry Caterpillar for the theme. (I love that book.) It was really fun to put it together, and thought it turned out cute.

 

I am so thankful to have little Luke in our family. He's such a fun, sweet baby. He is also super active and high maintenance at times, but we love him nonetheless. He's 13 1/2 months now and he can stand on his own, but hasn't taken any steps yet, which is OK with me. I'm sure he'll be taking off any day now. At his 12 month appointment, he weighed just under 18 pounds, so he's a little guy. No surprise there though, since the girls have always been on the small side.

 

We love you, Luke! I can't wait to watch you grow and show even more of your cute personality.

 

"How dare you take a picture of me. How dare you."

 

 

Family Pictures 2015

A very talented photographer in my ward (Randi Brunt) took our family pictures back in 2013 and I loved them, so I knew who to call when I wanted pictures done this year (end of July). I had no professional pictures taken of Luke, up until that point, so I was excited to have some. We met her at the Liberty Lake County Park because I love the scenery there. I am so happy with how these turned out!!! Randi is amazing.

First day of school 2015

Paige and Kate were both really excited to start school this year. Our summer felt very long and boring to all of us, I think. This was the first summer that I felt the huge difference between having children in school/preschool and having them home all day, everyday. The kids did swimming lessons and we played outside quite a bit during the day, but still... the days were just long. After a while, the kids were fighting more and more, and I think we all needed a break from each other. That's normal and healthy, right? I think my kids are happier when they get that social time during the day. And so am I. So the first day of school was exciting for all of us.

 

 

Paige's first day of 3rd grade

 

Kate's first day of kindergarten 

 

 

It was sad to send Kate off on the bus to the kindergarten center. I wished that I could have walked her into her class. The teachers told us that it's best for them to get right into their routine though. Kate was really excited to line up with her friends and ride a bus for the first time.

 

(Our elementary school is overcrowded, so kindergarteners get bussed to a kindergarten center a few miles away.)

 

^^ I drop them both off at the elementary school each morning and then Kate hops right on the kindergarten bus. 

 

I had to get a picture of Paige with some of her classmates. I'm already embarrassing my 8 year old. Don't you love how short she is? I think it's cute. She doesn't think so. 

 

And this is Kate with some of her kindergarten friends from our ward.

 

Kate was a little nervous, but mostly excited. I got teary seeing them drive away. It's always a bittersweet moment sending them off to school.

 

 

So far they are both doing really well this year, and they enjoy school, which is a relief.

Our trip to Banff, AB

Nate and I had been wanting to visit Banff, AB in Canada for quite a while, and in mid-August, we impulsively planned a quick trip to visit the area. I am so glad we did. I loved it there. It was absolutely beautiful. When you're there, you feel like you're in the Swiss Alps or something. It's magical. I will say that August is a busy time there, and there were crowds at some of the attractions (Lake Louise, especially), but it was still a really great trip. I want to go back again and spend a little more time there.

 

 

 

This is inside Chateau Lake Louise, a beautiful, historic hotel

 

 

 Lake Louise

 

 Chateau Lake Louise

 

We rode the Banff Gondola, which was surprisingly terrifying for all of us. But beautiful.  

Once you get to the top, you walk up hundreds of stairs, which was exhausting. The views make it worth it though.

 



 

 This was a place called Cave and Basin, with hot springs to look at. We also swam in some hot springs, which was slightly overrated, if you ask me.

 

There were quite a few Bighorn sheep off the side of the road, and they would even wander around some of the little towns. 

 Luke endured all the driving pretty well.