Back to School

Julia and Kelden went back to school on Tuesday. Kelden was disappointed not to have his friend Jacob with him, but at least he doesn't have the teacher that scares him! I am happy because he is in the small class. Both the junior kindergarten and the senior kindergarten classes have 26 kids each, whereas Kelden's split-class only has 15 kids (9 junior and 6 senior, all 6 being boys). They'll have more room !

I actually didn't go with them to school the first day because the bus driver wanted me to complain about crossing the street (so he would have some support about changing his route). And it is really annoying when I have to cross the street because, look, Julia doesn't even wave at ME :)

Maybe this year she won't miss me?
She was waving at some special friends who came to wish them a good first day back.

They left with big smiles.

I was worried that Zack would take a fit and want to go with them. He had taken Kelden's new shoes and kept wearing his backpack...

But it went fine. He just insists on wearing his backpack every time we go out for the bus. He must pack it with hugs for when they come back.

Julia had lots of things to say about the first day! She has most of her friends in her class.
When I went the following day, she showed me her locker and her desk.

Kelden still enjoys the toys...

All the cousins (of age) on both sides have now started school, except for Linda. We hope her first day goes well !!

Happy Birthday Aunt Emmy !!!

We had planned a rainbow cake for Aunt Emmy's birthday, but Julia thought it was too hard. So she just put all the colors together.

They all had fun making and especially tasting the cake:

We hope you enjoyed your birthday too Aunt Emmy !!

Have a great year !

Last Vacation Day

Technically school started today, with a pd day. For this last day of summer vacation it is dark, again. Because of the rainy weather we've had this summer, our vacation routine turned out to be quite different from what I had in mind. I had planned long walks, picnics, etc. but we were stuck inside most of the time instead.

For the first part of the morning, while I was doing "my" things (reading, exercising, cleaning), the kids would just play with their toys, and sometimes with each other. Kelden did exercise with me a bit. It's too bad I don't have pictures of his karate moves, only of his weight lifting program.

Since he is already pretty fit, he would quickly go back to playing.

Girls' games, but also boys'games.

Why buy a nice table when you can play on the floor?

During the second part of the morning, we would try to go outside, but often we had to stay in to play and do crafts.

After lunch, during Zack's nap, we had reading time (for Julia to practice):

Then, coloring time (for Kelden to practice):

And finally, movie time !

I actually don't think that watching Power Rangers was such a good idea. Kelden is way too much into it...

When Zack would wake up, we would, once again, try to go outside and often waited for Keld in the park. We only made it once all the way to his work. I don't have a picture of our walks outside, but I have a picture of some baking ! (You knew that was coming).

Julia tried a new Austrian recipe, called sacher cake.

I wonder if her smile will be that big tomorrow for school...

End of the Cottage Season

I think we went to the cottage for the last time today. Here are some pictures of what we did this season.
Julia and Kelden like the boats and jetskis.

They also like their faces painted.

Zack hasn't tried that yet (maybe Halloween?). He seems more relaxed...

But as soon as Papa is available, he's on a machine:

He also likes to follow the others around.

Maybe one day he will try water skiing....

Or maybe he'll go into photography, like Kelden...

Nice work, eh?

He Is Back

This is how I remember Helmut Neher:

Just as enthusiastic about YM/YW activities as his sister ;)

But this is who came back last night:

Let's rewind...
We were all so excited to see him again. It was party time !

We were getting impatient as everyone was getting off the plane but him !!!

And finally :

We rushed back to the other side (we didn't need to, like I said, he was taking his time...poor Sister Neher :)

And fnally:

With his bishop for a week:

And his "old" Young Men leader:

Uncle James has a few others young men he can't wait to welcome back at the airport...

 I will repost that last one as their "before picture"