4-H Cloverbud Day 2013

Cady is still not old enough to be in the regular 4-H program, but she has enjoyed being a Cloverbud (the special 4-H program for 5-8 year olds).  One of the best days of the year for Cloverbuds is Cloverbud Day, held in Radium Springs.  It is a day that is all about them!  Here is a group shot of them (with the County Leadership Team) ready to go do and see (Cady is 2nd from right, sitting in front row):

 We took our neighbors and the kids' friends, Lela and Tyler with us because their mom, Lori, had to work.  We decided to start with the outside activities before it got too hot.  Below, they are petting a show rabbit:

 Then a show dairy heifer:

 Getting their "rodeo on" and running the poles with a stickhorse:

 Making a paper rocket:

 Silly girl:

 Ready to fly:

 Cady's and Tyler's rockets being sent off into the air:

 Then we moved inside for more fun like decorating a ceramic cow and making a pig out of pancakes:

 Colton was there, too, but he was working.  He helped with the rifle, archery and scrapbooking, in order to get some leadership for his record book:

 He loves helping the little ones learn how to shoot and a couple of parents complimented me on how patient he is with the younger kids.  He makes me very proud!

Here he is at the scrapbooking table:

 He also helped his club leader, Ms. Melissa, carry completed community service bags out to her vehicle:

 It was a fun day and Cady and Lela were proud of their completion certificates:

 

This was her last one to attend as a Cloverbud because she will be a full-fledged Novice 4-Her next year!  I am sure we will still be there, though, so she and Colton can help out!

Back to School 2013 - Middle School AND Elementary School This Year!

Well, we are a week and a half into the 2013-2014 school year, and as you can probably tell with the long delay since my last post, we have been trying to get back into a schedule. I think we are getting there, though and the kids are loving the new year!  

 

 Cady is in 3rd grade and Colton is now a Middle Schooler and in 6th grade!  I have been both anxious and excited for him to start Mid School - heavier on the anxiety!  It was all for nothing, though, because he loves it!!  The switching classes, having 6 teachers, being with more of his friends, walking a couple of blocks with his friends to meet me after school - he is really enjoying this new level of school and the greater independence that comes with it!  I couldn't be prouder of him.  I actually think it has been more of an adjustment to me!  He starts school 40 minutes later and gets out an hour later, so now that we live further out of town, I spend a lot of extra time in the Tahoe waiting with him in the mornings and Cady after school.  However, I have just come to realize that this is great one-on-one time with each of them and on Fridays, he and I spend special time and get a treat at Starbucks before school,and then Cady and I get that same time after school. Can't complain about that!

Cady is in Mrs. Cotton's and Mrs. Dean's class this year and I couldn't have asked for better teachers! I actually did ask for them and we were so blessed that it all worked out!  She is all smiles when I pick her up and she finally got her first homework packet on Wednesday of this week - something she had been excited for since starting school last week!  We are very excited about what this school year will bring for her, too!

The pictures above and these below were taken last Wednesday, on the first morning of school.

 They were taken kind of early because in McVaugh Family Tradition, we go to breakfast at Cracker Barrel on that morning. 

 It was a great breakfast and then, of course, we had to take some pictures on the rocking chairs outside:

 This shot is from the 2nd morning of school, so that I can get a picture outside of the front door, and it is still too dark on the first day!

I just can't believe how old and how grown up they are getting! :-(  Wish we could slow it down a little bit, but since we can't, I just have to say that I am proud of the way they are growing up into wonderful human beings! Couldn't ask for more!

4th Annual End of Summer White Sands Bash

This past Saturday, we gathered at White Sands with a lot of friends to celebrate the end of summer with our 4th Annual White Sands Bash.  It was the most fun, and the largest one yet!  We had 67 people there! 

 

Colton and Jimmie

Cady and Kynz

Shelby

 

Colton and Travis

Bro and Cameron

Carly

Jackson and Grant

Grant and Tristan

Carrisa and a friend

Adan

Jagger and Parker

Nate

Duke

Carly and Kynz burying Cady

Colton, Devin and Jimmie

Addi and Ryan

Cameron

Jenna and Shelby with some friends

Kaci

The youngest of the bunch, handsome Nathan

Colton, Taylor, Ally and Arianna

Sherri and I

Erica and Nathan

The view of our group from the dunes

Two of our chefs - Colin and Michael

Chef Jeff

The Alberson Clan

The Gillettes with grandson/nephew, Ben

Melinda and Tony

Travis, Yvonne and Mark

Cameron, Jim, Devin, Mckynze and Cady taking time to eat!

Parker, Jagger and Tomas

Butch

After a quick break to eat, the kids were back at it

Taylor, Ally, Mckaela and Arianna

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 Another awesome time with our wonderful friends!  Thanks to all who came out to join us and to the Hamricks, Giffings and Groveses for going in with us on the cost of the burgers and hotdogs.

Can't wait until next year!