Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Lukes first day of Kindergarten

Wow how time flies, Luke started kindergarten today.
When we brought Luke home he had just turned two. He was so small and didn't talk at all. With the help of our pediatrician we started Early intervention. We said from the beginning that we wanted him caught up by Kindergarten. We were told very politely not to get our hopes up. Instead of saying "we wanted" we started to say "he will be" caught up.
Last week Luke went in for his evaluation to see where he tested for his age. It was thought he might need an all day Kindergarten for further help.
He tested right on par for his age!!!!!
I am amazed and humbled by the progress he has made the last few years.


Dewey and I spent an hour going over every thing we thought he might need to know for his big day. I'm pretty sure he knew we were just as nervous as he was.


At his evaluation Luke informed Dewey and his teacher that he would be taking the bus everyday. In my head....... wait ,what I'm supposed to put my baby on that great big bus by himself... no not going to happen. With my voice "really wow that will be fun and exciting.......sob"
This morning the whole family walked Luke to the bus stop (at the end of our property) to wait for the bus. When the bus pulled up Luke calmly walked on, sat down and waved to us through the window.

Impressive that I could take a picture while crying.
Ok so we let him ride the bus it doesn't mean I wasn't a watchful mother hen. We followed the bus to school to make sure he made it into his class. The principal was out front, I told him what we were doing. He just laughed and said we weren't the only ones.
Kolby and I went to school to make sure he made it on the bus. Notice the erasers in Kolbys hand he had to have a back back and school stuff just like big brother.

When Luke walked out of his class he was holding a little girls hand. He later told me that she was really scared of the bus so we was helping her be less afraid. I'm so proud of him!!
He just got on the bus like he does it every day.
And yes I jumped in the car to beat the bus home and wait for him :)








Monday, August 16, 2010

Climbing Timpanogos

WE DID IT!!!!!
We climbed Timp. For those that don't know Mount Timpanogos is the second highest mountain in Utah's Wasatch Range with an elevation of 11,749 feet.
This is a photo I took from the car driving past Timp on our way to Salt Lake City.
My brother Steve has always been really good at hiking and has recently gotten back into it. About a month ago he mentioned hiking Timp in August. It didn't take long for us to decide we should do it as a group. Steve and Miki, Liz and Gary and Dewey and I. Hailey and Dan were able to watch the boys. (they are way to young to hike that far but way to heavy to carry) Hailey happens to be one of their very favorite cousins so they didn't mind in the least staying behind.
We "woke" up at 12:45 on Sunday morning, Everyone met at Liz and Gary's at 1:30. We were on the mountain and hiking by 2:30 a.m.
It was an amazing thing hiking by flashlight. I think it was a really good thing that I couldn't see how far it was to the top. It was just "concentrate on the trail and put one foot in front of the other".
We made it to the top meadow just as the sun was coming up......a breathtaking sight.

Its so hard to describe the beauty of this mountain it honestly takes your breath away.
I LOVE this pic of Dewey with the sun just over the mountain.

Our group on the last push to the "saddle" (the top of the mountain)

Looking towards Provo, Orem and Utah Lake, stunning.
Funny what reaching the top does, you can't even tell we have been up all night hiking.

Looking to the North from the Summit.

A group shot that turned out great. I feel so lucky to be able to have done this hike with my family. To have us all on the top at the same time is something I will forever remember and always cherish.

Once you get to the saddle you can continue on tot he very top or the summit. Its another hour or so hike to the very very top. Its not for those that have a problem with heights, the trail gets a little narrow in places. (SCARY) A few of us decided to give it a try. Here I am at 11,749 feet.


From this little shack you can literally almost see forever from every direction, Utah county, Salt lake county and Wasatch county.
The part that looks like a saddle on the left is where the rest of the group is sitting. As were were hiking down we noticed mountain goats above us. Dewey and Miki (and beautiful flowers) looking up at the goats
I know this picture in no way does justice to the beauty but come on have you seen such colors?

My pics of the goats didn't really turn out but Steve was able to get this one.


In total we hiked 12 hours we were down the mountain and in the car by 2.30 p.m.
I'm not going to say that every part of my body from my pinkie toe to my head doesn't hurt right now. But I would not trade the experience for anything. Thank you Steve for planning and leading the expedition, an amazing time. Yea us for being able to do it!!!