This is the last picture of Megan with metal in her mouth. She has "endured" her time with the orthodontist and was thrilled when he told her in July she would get them off. (Tyler got his expander out, but still has to have another set in a couple of years so his really doesn't count).
Megan's beautiful new smile. I think she looks older with nice straight teeth. She's just excited she has them off and done before junior high.
Remember how we had weeping and wailing when Oreo passed on last year. Well, the novelty of a pet has worn off. I was in the school this past week and a mom handed me an invitation to a birthday for a boy in Tyler's class. I asked her what he wanted for his birthday and she mentioned he was hoping for a guinea pig. What luck! We had Shadow who no longer gets the care he once did. I was tired of being the caregiver to a pet that basically made the toyroom smell like a barn. I immediately volunteered our pet to a new home.
And so, Megan and Emily willingly sent Shadow to Tyler's classmate's house. They said it was o.k. because they knew he was going to a good home and we are now just the babysitters when they go on vacation. Basically, they want to see Shadow, but not care for him. All the way around it worked out. Megan and Emily can go visit and don't have to clean his cage or feed him or play with him or..... So long to a great pet while it lasted!
Tyler had a slow start in cub scouts, but has made up for it. He earned his bear badge during the September pack meeting. 
Our pack master did a witch theme and "brewed" up the awards. Tyler was a little embarrassed, but more excited to get another badge. He'll subject himself to anything to fill up his shirt.
We're excited he's so gung-ho---or is it me who is the bear leader that whips them through the program? I just figure it is a lot easier to do a den meeting if the boys are constantly busy which means passing off a lot of achievements.
Tyler was most fascinated by an arrow of light presentation that night. He asked how soon he could get that. I think he has to be at least in the Webelos program---maybe next year.
Right after school this past week we had a torrential down pour. They don't happen very often when it is warm and so the kids stayed out in it playing until it stopped. Megan thought it was so much fun to jump on the tramp with water splashing all over her.
Tyler just ran through all the puddles.
And on that same day Emily lost 2 teeth. The drought for water is over as is the tooth fairy visits to our house. It had been a long time since anyone had lost a tooth. Megan was the photographer for this one. Sorry it looks more like a mouth in a dental book.
Now all Emily wants for Christmas is her front teeth. And to prove that it really does pour, Tyler lost his back tooth right before bed. The tooth fairy was a busy lady/man---the gender depends upon whom you ask in our house.
Last Friday, Weber State hosted a family night complete with games and an outdoor movie. The weather was perfect and the kids loved all the treats and competitions. Wendell, Megan, Cade, and Mark entered a game of lightning. Wendell was the 2nd to the last standing, but the prize was for some concert we had never heard of so we were too sad he didn't win.
Tyler loved the frisbee golf course that was set up. Par was 3 and Tyler did well enough to win a pack of playing cards. Not that exciting, but the free ice cream sandwiches, popcorn, and drinks made up for the lame prizes.
The movie that played was "Up." Disney reps were there to promote internships and had tons of balloons to had out. Isn't it amazing that they gave tons out for free, but at the park those same balloons cost $10?
Megan entered a dance contest with Cade. They gave it all they had, but not quite good enough to become the victors. Good thing the movie started so we could contain them from further embarrassment. We didn't even know Weber did family nights, but we will definitely check them out in the future.
Last Saturday we decided to take advantage of the nice weather and head to the state fair. Judging by the crowds thousands of people had the same idea. I was just glad that we were finally stroller-less and could navigate through the crowds easier. We thought we would just spend about 2 hours looking at things, but ended up dragging the kids away after 4. 
The kids loved the small farm where they got to pretend they actually planted and harvested crops.
The only problem with this exhibit is now they think gardening really is as easy as planting a seed and then walking over to another dirt pile to find the fully grown product. They loved pretending to milk a fake cow and then the favorite part of the exhibit is getting a treat at the end.
We went from pen to pen looking at pigs, sheep, cows, and goats. We were all quite fascinated with this 400 lb. pig lying around. Emily thought it looked more like a bear and I would have to agree.
The girls loved this goat and especially loved his beard. The goats were trying to eat anything that got near their pens. One family had to swat a goat away that wouldn't let go of a diaper bag. Wendell pretty much sprinted through these buildings to try and keep his allergies down a little. By the end of the night, though, he was ready to have some fresh air.
The statue of butter is always a hit at the fair. It is right up there with the big yellow slide that we also had to do.
In one of the buildings we found this Barbie castle that was made entirely of the plastic needle point stuff. I don't even know what to call it yet alone begin to sew something like this. Emily asked if I could make her one. Maybe in another lifetime.
Snow cones are always part of a fair.
Just like corndogs and magician shows.
Megan and Chenelle picked one of the coolest rides. It was basically like paragliding. That may have been worth the money. I guess in the end we did everything there was to do---except of course for the rodeo. Wendell barely survived the evening as it was with all he dust and animals. Maybe that is why we only go about every 2 or 3 years.
Emily planted a sunflower seed in a cup in preschool last Spring. She faithfully watered it and then about June we planted it outside, hoping it would last at least a couple of weeks. She has tended to it all summer making sure there were no weeds around it and that it had plenty of water. Well, her efforts have paid off. This week the flower bloomed.
It is huge and she is so proud that it actually grew. We can now see it out our front window and she checks on it each day. It's a fun burst of color to head into Fall.