Exciting Things Are Happening in Kindergarten

Before Thanksgiving (I know, I'm behind - I'm trying to catch up before the end of the year so I can print out this blog!), Ashley's class had a special Thanksgiving lunch in their class.  This was a big deal for several reasons: (1) Kindergartners don't usually get to eat lunch at school, (2) the kids were asked to dress like pilgrims or indians, and (3) because everything is a big deal when you're 5/6 years old!

Ashley wanted to dress as a pilgrim, but didn't tell Mom until THAT morning, so this is what we came up with.

When Mom and Dad got to school, we noticed Ashley's non-pilgrim-like headdress.  Turns out she decided to be an indian when she found out their headpieces were more stylish than the pilgrims.

I still can't believe our Kindergarten teacher does all of this. There's a reason I'm not a Kindergarten teacher.

While we're on the subject of Kindergarten, Ashley got to perform in her first school program this winter!  In keeping with politically-correct public school criteria, she was a Wind Fairy in a production of The Share Bears.  What?  The moral of the story was "when you give, you receive" which is pretty universal.  The boys in her class were bees.  So cute!  I apologize for my novice videography, but the family cinematographer (Justin) lives in Iowa!

Speaking of Crazy Cousins...

Stacy's not our only crazy cousin! Here she is with cousin Angie - just two members of the wonderful family started by Jeff's late Aunt Rea. She would be very proud of them - they know how to live life. I'm sad I missed the annual cousins' ornament exchange where these pictures were taken (again, stolen from Brandi's blog). : (

Samuel Finn Michael Banks

Because Mike & Emalee don't have a blog (yet), we don't get to see many pictures of the little guy. Here's a picture I stole from Brandi's blog. [That's our crazy cousin, Stacy, in the background]

Favorite Blog Post of 2009 from the Hess Family

I visited Brandi's family's blog a few months ago and saw the funniest post. Here it is recreated for all of you:



Friday, August 28, 2009
Thanks Peyt!

Cousin Peyton taught Max how to go to the backyard turn on the hose and put the hose on your head to drench yourself. Cousin Peyton didn't realize that this would now be Max's new favorite thing to do for the next two weeks! But at least he has big muscles!

Matchmaker Matchmaker Make Me a Match!

For some odd reason, Jeff's sister Brandi (and husband Matt) seem to be on the same baby schedule as my brother Harley (and wife Angie). Not only are their babies similar in age, but they also have the good looks of their aunt, uncle, and cousins. I am hearing wedding bells in 2029...

Ashley Lost Her 1st Tooth!

Who took this picture, anyway?

(Jeff)

Our Christmas Tree & the Coolest Stocking/Ornament EVER!

Merry Christmas!

I felt so good about myself when I ordered our Christmas Cards in October and put them in the mail the 2nd week of December. Except now I've referred everyone to this blog and it is embarrassingly not up-to-date! As evidenced, I keep myself busy--you'd think I'd be 50 lbs. lighter with all the running around I do. Unfortunately, that hasn't happened yet.

What HAS happened is that the kids have grown up too fast! Peyton will be 9 years old in February. He is in the 3rd grade at Washington Elementary School. He shares his birthday with the namesake of his school --- pretty coo! He keeps busy with soccer in the Fall, basketball in the Winter, and baseball in the Spring. There's also skiing in the Winter (which I think is his most favorite thing to do) and rafting in the Summer. He also keeps busy with Chess Club, guitar lessons, and Cub Scouts. Have I forgotten anything? Ashley is 5 1/2 years old and just lost her 1st tooth. She is in the afternoon Kindergarten and spends her mornings at the YMCA. She wants to be an artist when she grows up. Ashley also plays soccer and basketball like her big brother; in addition, she enjoys gymnastics and being a Daisy in Girl Scouts (call me if you want cookies). She is the tallest girl in her class and only about an inch away from passing up her brother.

Jeff and I are still bankers - the good ones, not the bad ones that President Obama talks about.  Mostly, though, we're proud parents and happy to be enjoying life in Boise, Idaho. We welcome all of you to visit, in the winter for skiing or snowshoeing, or in the summer for rafting the Mighty Payette River (and many other gorgeous rivers).

Hope you enjoy the rest of our blog with a smile on your face! Love and hugs, Jen.

Ashley @ Cannon Beach

Peyton's Basketball Team

Goodnight Sweetheart...

Ashley's Class Field Trip to the Pumpkin Patch 10/12/2009

I had the privilege of escorting Ashley and her class to the Pumpkin Patch last month. Luckily, I was only in charge of Ashley and her friend, Macy--I can only handle 2 kindergartners at a time! The kids got to ride the school bus while another mom and I drove in the car, stopped at Starbucks for coffee, and still made it to the farm before the bus! It was cold and windy, but the kids had fun riding the tractor, doing a kids' hay maze, picking pumpkins, and visiting the horses. There are only 6 girls in Ashley's class of 20 so she and Macy have to stay close - aren't they cute together?!

Halloween 2009

Gem State Gymnastics Monster Mash 10/24/2009. Pirate Boy and Bat Girl. And Bat Girl wins for best costume ('cause Pirate Boy lost his eye patch).


The kids help Dad create the Haunted Garage 10/27/09.

Halloween Carnival at the Banks' House 10/30/09 with all our friends from school!

Post-Trick-or-Treating 10/31/09. Peyton made a haul! Ashley's asleep on Daddy's lap.

Thunder Mountain Line

A few weeks ago we took the kids on a train excursion with some friends of ours. The train runs from Horseshoe Bend to Banks and back again. For those of you who have rafted the Main Payette with us, this is the train that we see on our river voyage. The railroad set up a "pumpkin patch" in Banks so we could bring home more pumpkins for the squirrels to chew on. The best part of the ride was the amazing scenery! Actually, the best part was that the kids were tired from a sleepover the night before and Peyton slept on my lap on the way back from Banks (and Ashley slept on her Daddy's lap). But the scenery was second best! I hate to brag, but Idaho is BEAUTIFUL and I feel very blessed to live here. For me, there is nothing better to do on a Sunday than enjoy God's gift of the outdoors with my family.

New Pictures I Love...

Ashley Tied Her Own Shoes Today!

Life is Good...

Harrison Classic 10/11/2009

1-mile race, uphill - Mom almost died (running with Ashley), but the kids did great! They even got medals at the end and had them signed by Kristin Armstrong, Olympic Gold Medalist from Boise, Idaho!

Wha'SUP?!

Jeff and I spent some quality time with our Kindergartner on Columbus Day (sorry, Peyton!). Ashley had school in the morning that day so we took out the paddleboard and kayak that afternoon. I must admit, I was very reluctant to get wet with it being freezing cold outside and overcast, but Jeff told me I'd be fine as long as I didn't mess up and fall off the board. Guess what? I didn't fall! My feet got wet, but that's all. This was my first time on the paddleboard and I was very proud of myself. Oh, Ashley did good, too.

Ashley Soccer Game

Ashley's 1st official soccer team! Their name: The Best Soccer Playing Princesses Ever!

Ayla, Gabi, and Ashley line up for the kickoff! ~ Ashley tries to get the ball away from the red team!~ Check her out in action! ~ Ashley scores a goal! ~ She and Ayla are pretty excited about that!