The last best place: First day of school for Sophie, Slip n' Slide, Labor day camping at Park Lake, Hit a deer

Sat, September 7, 2013. So nice to be home for 3 days without working, packing, unpacking, driving, planning, worrying, house hunting, just home. Chris left last night to go out to the Missouri breaks to go archery hunting. I usually work today, but took the day off so Chris could go. Also, I signed Soph up for AYSO soccer and basically was told I had to coach. Wasn't planning on it, but today was her first game. They lost, she had a ball kicked into to hand and stomach and Gunner acted like he was about 2 years old. Good times. LOL. They are navy blue and we haven't decided on a name yet. Sophie wants the Trophy winners. But we had a good time and went to POP's country store to get bubble gum ice cream. Sophie started school at the new elementary, Saddle Peak. She has a male teacher. She was a little disappointed at first, but Bella reassured her that 'man classes' are awesome. She doesn't have anyone in her class that she knew previously, so she has made some good, new friends. She is happy and social and reading really well. Besides soccer, we put her in Girl Scouts. Our neighbor, 5 houses down, Gabby, rides the bus with soph and is a grade higher than Sophie. But we pulled some strings and she is in the brownie troup with Gabby. She still loves pet shops, barbies, polly pockets, and art. I put her in a few art classes this summer, but I don't think we will have time with soccer and brownies. I want to start piano, but I think we will wait until we are settled in our new house. We are under contract on a house in Bozeman. But it is rural Bozeman, kind of. Inspection is next week. Will post pictures if and when we close and get the keys. New house is in a new school district, but we will keep the kids where they are this year. Next year, both will be in full time school and can ride the bus together. Gunner started two pre schools on Thursday. The second half of the day, he goes to the same one he has been going to for 2.5 years with Miss Shelley. The first half of the day, he does to a private pre school called the Ark. He gets breakfast and lunch there, then the bus picks him up for school #2. He is still a bit ambidextrous...loves thomas and watching disney cartoons. This year he wasn't quite ready to be at school again, but after two days he is back in the flow. I am off Sun and Mon and Gunner doesn't go to school on MOnday's so we will have good mommy/gunner time. I am looking forward to it. I went full time at work this week. 40 hours. I was at 30 ish hours, so not too big of a jump. The only real difference is now I have to take a lunch and stay a little longer. I am on the PM shift, so now we are 9-5. Not a bad gig. I should have a weekend day off either, but I am not complaining. I really like going to work on the PM shift. The AM shift not so much, even though I may have to get up at 3 AM in the future. But until then, I will enjoy my shift. My co-workers are funny and great. We get together often and really have a fun time. Chris...same thing, different day. :) He has been doing a great job helping with the kids, dinner, being soccer dad, laundry, cleaning, etc. I have a lot of stories from my co-workers, and all of them help me appreciate what a wonderful dad and husband Chris is. We went to the temple a few weeks ago and hit a deer on the way home at 9:30 at night. The Billings Temple is about 2 hours plus away. We smacked that buck broad side at 70 MPH. Got home, realized that the light was hanging and the front end was pretty boogered. Luckily, we own the truck out right, so they could cut us a check for the damage, minus the deductible. Chris took that front end apart, and got it looking pretty good. He is turning out to be the jack of all trades.

I am uploading pictures off my phone from early spring until now, and will add those later. We are happy and well.