Back to School '08 - '09

The silence is almost deafening in our home. Except for the occasional squeak, coo, or gurgle from Shaw (o.k., he does sometimes whimper if he's hungry), the house is quiet, calm, and almost eerie. It makes me realize how loud and active of a family we are. The kids returned to school yesterday. We had a fantastic summer that kept us busy and entertained, but we're all ready for regular, structured schedules that will assure us earlier bedtimes, healthier eating habits, and fewer chances for the kids to get on each other's last nerve. When a simple discussion, between the kiddos, about the proper way to pour a bowl of cereal becomes a full blown battle that involves tears, accusations, and someone getting sent to their room, we all know the fun is over and it's time to head back to the public school system.

Brittan is now a proud 1st grader and has Miss Tueller for a teacher (he has been practicing, very carefully, the Miss not Mrs.). He came home with sheer delight yesterday telling me about how cool it was to eat school lunch. Mac-n-cheese and chocolate milk. He seemed to bypass the healthy salad and fruit bar so we'll have to work on that. He was happy that Adam was in his class and even happier when Adam invited him over to play after school. Sweet day for Britt! He did receive a minor scolding from Taiden for not staying at the designated meeting place after school. He says he'll try harder today.



Let me mention here that I am not a huge fan of licensed character t-shirts or other clothing. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with them...I just haven't ever been overly enthusiastic about them. Let's just say that I would never be caught dead in a Hannah Montana shirt! :) Anyway, I have to pat myself on the back for the fact that a) I actually bought my son a character t-shirt and b) I let him wear it on the first day of school. If he had been my first child he would have had to wear an outfit more suited, in my mind, for the first day of school. (Poor Kennedy! She was my trial and error child and had to put up with a lot.) I have, in my older and kinda wiser age, mellowed out and have eased up on the reins by quite a bit. Thank goodness! We've had this shirt since mid summer and it's been driving him nuts that he had to wait for school to wear it. He is a MAJOR Lego Star Wars fan...constantly talking about it.



Taiden, now the responsible oldest sibling at the elementary school, has Mrs. Gundry for 4th grade. He was a little nervous in the morning with first day of school jitters and for the fact that his hand was blown up like a small balloon from a wasp sting. I told him he had a good reason to have sloppy handwriting for a day or two, but after that there were no valid excuses. He was glad to see his friends again and play their traditional game of basketball at each recess.




With the start of the school year comes my boys' favorite thing...new shoes. Like their father before them, Taiden and Britt think that these special, new, clean shoes have some sort of supernatural powers that can make them run faster and somehow improve their life in general. I'll go along with the mystique of it all, but I'm just glad they were on sale. Thanks to Jeff for cluing us in that the new slang term (for what I would have called tennis shoes or what Jeff would have called runners) is "KICKS". So I heard lots of, "Mom, I love my new kicks", or "Check out these new kicks" around the house yesterday.




Kennedy made the big transition into junior high. She broke down after Jeff gave her a father's blessing the night before, and cried that she didn't think she was ready. She's as ready as they come and we have every bit of confidence that she will survive the bumpy road ahead with determination and a smile on her face. She came home relieved that the day went well and that no 9th graders tripped her on her way to lunch. According to FJH folklore, that's what happens to little sevies. She managed to get her locker undone, get to her classes on time, and meet some really cool teachers who let you bring treats to class. Oh, the joy of getting older. She did misplace her schedule and realized this minor fact as she was heading out the door. Does anyone else still have nightmares about this happening? I know I do! She was able to quickly write down her schedule from memory and have it with her in case her mind went blank.




Finally, look who I get to spend my time with each day. I couldn't be happier! I am so glad that I still have one left at home. He may get bored with just mom and lonely for the other kids these next 5 years, but I'm glad that he's here to be my little buddy and keep me company. As a side note, he seems to be going through "constant holding, kissing, and playing" withdrawal since the kids have started back in school. I do my best to give him the love and attention he needs but loading the dishwasher one handed is not an easy task.

Jeff and Kristen: Either Super Cool or Super Stupid

How many 12 - 13 year olds would sane people allow their daughter to invite over for a back to school party? 10? 15? No, not us! The Gregson party clan (yes, we have quite the reputation) had 22 7th graders eating, running, tackling, laughing, squealing, jumping, throwing, (add any verb here that would describe a pack of Farmington Huskies) in our yard for 4 1/2 hours. It was a very fun and active night and the yard survived with only the lawn being slightly trampled. Kennedy was in heaven being surrounded by her closest pals, Taiden thought it was awesome having a group of guys to rough house with, and Britt was in heaven being surrounded by all the lovely ladies.

Jeff and Shaw managed the food table to make sure the Doritos and Ding Dongs were in order (keep in mind this was a party for teeny boppers...I did not plan the menu). They were "maxin' and relaxin' " and kept a safe distance from unidentified flying objects.

My Tie Guys

Britt and Shaw sportin' their white shirts and ties.

There's Nothing Better Than a Good Chinook, Eh?

Oh, Canada! We loved our visit there and it was the icing on an already great trip. We left the lake on Friday morning and drove through Glacier National Park. I can't even begin to describe the scenery. So incredible. Everyone should see this place at least once in their life. Lucky us, we get to drive through it everytime we head up north and into Alberta. So pretty. A humbling look at what we've been blessed with in this world.

Jeff had his 20 year high school reunion Friday night. He loved catching up with friends and remembering the good old days in Cardston. This is Wade, a best friend growing up, and Rita, a good friend and Jeff's first date. The date must not have been very exciting because she didn't remember it!

Everyone should have a friend like Amy Nielson. She is one of the coolest gals around! I was telling Jeff on the way home that I wished Brad and Amy lived closer to us (they're in Washington) and that it made me sad that we don't get to see them. Jeff said, "You want her to live close by so she can be your BFF." Yep, that's the truth!

Brad and Amy's daughter, Haley, and Kennedy exchanged email addresses and future plans for heading to EFY together. Maybe college roommates at BYU too? Next generation of friends.

The Cardston Class of '88 in the Heritage Days Parade. Jeff threw the kids extra candy.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police

The kids with the Mounties

Cardston is on the Blood Indian Tribe land

Ready to go home? Nope!

Big Sky Country

Take a look at this shot. Looks pretty "postcard perfect", huh? This is the view from the Gregson family cabin on Echo Lake in Montana. Absolutely gorgeous! It is amazing up there and an incredible place to vacation every August. Swimming and boating every day, constant cousin time, Tillamook Brown Cow ice cream, hiking in some of the most beautiful mountains around...a pretty idyllic getaway.

As a blogging beginner, I'm not sure what the etiquette is for blog lengths and amount of pictures posted in one single blog. I apologize if I break any major rules here. I've got so many snapshots that I want to keep tucked away for future viewing (like in the middle of winter) so I am going to post a lot here. 22 to be exact. Sorry for the inconvenience or violation of a blogging law unbeknownst to me.

Jeff with his Grandma, Bertha. She'll be 97 in October. A pretty amazing lady. She and Papa G (Jeff's grandpa) are the reasons why we have the cabin at Echo Lake. We all owe them many thanks for providing the family with a wonderful place to get some R & R.

Grandma is from the days when wearing a hat in the house (or in the cabin) was considered bad manners. She kept giving Jeff a hard time about his hat and kept telling him to take it off. He took full advantage of this situation and would tease her every chance he got. Actually, she looks very good in a ball cap.

You talkin' to me?

Way to go, Taider Bug!

Hooray for Kennedy!

Our annual family picture on the deck. Sorry about the backlight.

Jeff's sister, Shaunie, had her baby blessed while the family was altogether. These 3 cousins will be in the same grade when they are in school.

Cousin Leah. Look at those blue eyes!

Cousins are THE best!

We hiked up Jewel Basin and overlooked the valley below. Makes you appreciate all the beauty our Father in Heaven has blessed us with.

Kennedy took this shot with her new digital camera. Gotta love babysitting money!

Yes, he ate the whole thing...

The kiddos with Great Grandma Gregson

Cousin Will from Calgary

Who is willing to jump off the Tower of Terror?

Shaw will Auntie D from Seattle

Taiden goofin' around with cousin Duncan

Did you know there is a Gregson, Montana?

Mr. Wonder Baby! This is how he was the ENTIRE trip! This boy doesn't fuss! He is amazing and made traveling with a baby so easy. He didn't cry once in the car. Unbelievable!

Taiden's " Dead Man Drop" off the Tower of Terror!

3 tubes, 4 kids, and whole lotta craziness

That's my girl!

So She Did Tie It Up With a Pretty Bow

I was wrong! Stephenie Meyer did exactly what I thought she wouldn't do! Don't take me to Vegas anytime soon because I'm not bettin' right. She DID make everyone happy and kept the bloodshed and destruction to a minimum (except for Irina...but she sure as heck deserved it!) Overall, I enjoyed it and the twists and surprises. Didn't see Jacob's imprinting coming! It was a good read but not my favorite of the series. I still love Twilight and Eclipse most of all. I can't wait for our book party tomorrow night. My friend Randee has gone all out. It should be fabulous!

Chante, my cute niece, and I got it in our greedy little hands by 12:30 a.m. on August 2. We went to Walmart and celebrated ghetto style rather than wait for hours at Barnes and Nobles. We drove by there after and laughed evilly at the people still waiting in line. Neener, neener, neener! We stopped and got some caffeine to drink so we could stay up late (or early) and read into the wee hours of the morning.

Montana and Canada...Here We Come!

This is a quick post to say goodbye to all my fellow bloggers. I'm heading on vacation and can't wait! Is it possible to leave on a trip without all the stress and chaos that is involved with packing up a family of 6? If anyone has the answer, please pass it along because it is exhausting getting us out the door. Anyway, on to brighter things, we are beyond excited and can't wait to jump into Echo Lake and cool off in the fresh Montana air. Aw, can't you smell the pine trees? I will be surrounded by beautiful scenery, eat delicious food, take an occasional boat ride (no skiing this year...my back can't take it) and become completely engulfed in a world of vampires and werewolves. I'll pick up my copy of Breaking Dawn tonight at midnight! Jeff may not see too much of me the first half of the trip. I will resurface to feed Shaw, but my nose will be stuck in that book the rest of the time. Guaranteed! We'll be heading into Canada that last couple of days of our trip for Jeff's 20 year high school reunion. Gosh, I'm married to an old man! We're hoping Jeff can come back into the states and doesn't get stuck at the border...9/11 hasn't made it easy on getting back and forth. See you in 10 days.