Hay, Hay, Hay

Another fun adventure while staying with my mom and dad was the big 'ol trucks that came to pick up loads of hay for very hungry dairy cattle. This was the first truck to show up day one and the boys were beside themselves with anticipation of running out the door and out to see the big truck. Conner was the first one out there and managed to get into the tractor with Grandpa so he could see the action up close and personal - that is until he leaped over the seat into Grandpa's lap and declared I drive, then it was game over and we had to retrieve him from said tractor. Wy had a headache so my mom put him in a stocking cap, loaded him in the jeep and drove it out to the barn yard so he could sit and watch the big truck being loaded. Granpda Teuscher, Wy and Conner with the hay truck

Yo ho ho, A pirates life for me!

The annual Gary & Sylvia Teuscher reunion was held May 28, 2011 in Geneva, Idaho. This year's theme was Pirates and was quite adventurous. The festivities began Friday evening with all of my siblings arriving at my parents' house. With eight kids, five in-laws (Brad had to work and was the only one out of 29 who wasn't there - bummer), two grandparents, and thirteen grandkids you can imagine the ensuing chaos. My two brothers were super excited to get the row boat out on the "pond" as we call it. This is actually a meadow that my dad uses for feed for his cows; however in really wet years it floods and becomes a pond. This year it even made its way almost to my parent's house (we had a time trying to keep the kids from taking a swim)

(Notice the mountains reflected in the water - still snow covered!)

The boat was actually part of the treasure hunt scheduled for Saturday so besides their own personal amusement there really was a reason for hauling out the boat.

Saturday morning David and Hailey gathered us all outside, handed out eye patches and head scarfs to the kids and divided us all into teams. The purpose of the teams was to find the clues, complete the activities, receive the clues and get to the treasure first (think Amazing Race sort of). My team consisted of my dad, my sis Rachael, my brother David, my nephew Nathan and Conner. As you can see Conner was ready to hit the ground running with Aunt Rachy holding him. I don't think he was too sure about the eye patch...
The activities consisted of: walking the plank, jumping jacks (10 x 2)

finding a hidden bucket, filling it to the top with gravel, emptying the bucket, re-hiding the bucket

a four wheeler ride up the bone hill sliding down the slide at the schoolAnd finally home to the treasure!

As timing would have it Saturday was the best day the entire weekend as far as weather went. Sunday we woke up to snow, then rain, then more snow on Monday morning with rain continuing for most of the time. However we were able to keep the kiddies occupied indoors with games (wow must play Apples to Apples with Owen again!), movies, and toys. Thanks to David and Hailey for putting together such a fun time; to my parents for always having an open door to our rambunctious families; and to my siblings for the hilarious moments! What a way to spend a weekend.

How do I look?

34 weeks and counting (at the time of this photo op)

Aunt Mauria's Visit

My sister Mauria came to visit the end of May for a few days and we filled as much as we could into two and half days. We: made Raspberry/Rhubarb jam (with special thanks to my sis, my son, and my friend for helping cut rhubarb);played outside in the very, very cold weather (yep end of May and still freezing cold);

cooked hot dogs and marshmallows over our fire pit on the deck (still cold, still freezing our tootsies off!);

took her on a drive to show her some of our fav places to go (couldn't go many places since there's still snow) and then she kindly chauffeured the boys and I over the mountain to visit Grandpa and Grandma Teuscher.

Happy Birthday Brad!

Can you count them all? All 29 of them? :)Wy looking on as Brad attempts to light the candles without burning his fingers.

Graduation Day - Preschool

The last day of school began with a surprise visitor from Smoky the Bear. The kids were excited to have him there and learned all sorts of good tips on camping and putting out camp fires. Conner was a bit concerned about the giant bear but did squeeze in for a photo op.

Then graduation day arrived. The kids took turns through four review stations: numbers, letters, shapes, colors to showcase their learning for the year. Then it was caps and diplomas and celebratory treats for our 4 little graduates. Conner and Briggs received honorary caps for being such good sports and coming with their mammas to preschool (even though I imagine they had better ways to spend their time than in strollers watching the kids play and learn).

Say Cheese!

L to R: Tate, Kobe, Wyatt, Makalah