What's New With The Carter Family

Jem just signed up for cub scouts this week... and here he is, all ready to head off for his first outing! He and Carson got all dressed up, and along with the dads, headed off to a day of fun activities with other cub scouts. LOOK AT HOW STINKIN' CUTE MY BOY IS IN HIS UNIFORM!!!!!!!!! So cute!!!!!

I can't believe that Jem is now in SECOND grade!!! Wow, time sure does go by fast....wasn't it just yesterday that he was starting first grade with Mrs York??? Whew! Well Jem is just LOVING second grade...he is in Mrs Inks class with lots of familiar friends and best of all, his "best friend" Heather :) He even sits at a little desk now (not the big shared tables of Kindergarten and first grade!) and is still going by "James" at school *LOL*. Here is a page I scrapbooked (at Sarah's house this week) of Jem's first day of Second Grade!

My parents, Mary and Michael (also known as "Mum'n'Dad") came to the USA to visit us this summer. They were here for almost the whole month of August....and it was the first trip to the States for my dad, and the first in 7 years for my mum! It was AWESOME having them here... I can't express how much it meant to me to be able to spend some time with them again :) Here are some of the highlights from their (too short) stay. Welcome to the USA! A walk to Lundeen Park, Lake Stevens. Going to a baseball game - to see the "Aquasox" play Boise. Jem and "Nunna" making Koulourakia. A visit to Pike Place Market in Seattle. Mum bought some beautiful flowers there. Dad was always busy doing something around the house...he made firewood bundles, sanded and stained our decks, moved building blocks, installed a storm door.....wheew! Thanks for all of your help dad :) Mum and Jem cuddling together on the couch. On the Mukilteo Ferry, on our way home ...

Yay!!! My mum and dad are here :) Not much more to say is there???? Very very happy!

Here are some fun pictures from today of the kiddos - Jem, River and Carson. I want to give a special "shout out" to my buddy Cars, who just started a blog of his very own! Way to go buddy, you know I'll be checking it every so often to see what's "new" with "you" :)

Brandon and Jem decided to go down to the garden and pick some strawberries :) They took Jem's halloween candy bucket, and off they went.... A few minutes later they came back with a bucket FULL of fresh, red strawberries - and then went right back down for another bucketful! All in all we filled three HUGE containers with Brandon's strawberries....and yes, they were as delicious as they looked! Super sweet and soft and full of goodness!

This was Jem's LAST DAY........of First Grade!!!! They celebrated with a Field Day -- a half day of school, where all the kids participated in group/class games outdoors. It was a TON of fun.....and it was nice to see everyone together one last time :) The day ended with a Pizza lunch and free ice-creams thanks to the PTF! What a great year it's been! Lindsey blindly pours the water to Jem..... .....who then pours it into Joseph's cup! And down the line it goes! Jem with some of his school buddies...Kassidy, Heather, Jem, Maci and Jeffery (with Amanda at the back). Jem with his "best" school pal, Heather :) Then Jem and Ysabelle get ready to do the "Sponge Run"! Drip Drip the water goes....Wet anyone??? Getting ready for the "Dress Your Teacher" competition.... Here she is! Let's give a big "Thank You" to Jem's FABULOUS First Grade teacher, Mrs York!!! We'll miss you!!!