{First Day of School 2014}

 The first day of School has finally come.  We had a great, busy summer and now it is back to the grindstone!!  The kids are obviously starting at new schools this year.  We have heard nothing but wonderful things about the Jr High and Elementary schools, so we were looking forward to a great year.

This guys is a big 8th grader this year.  He amazed me at how calm he was on the first day.  He didn't have his schedule, had never stepped foot inside the school building and yet he was a cool as a cucumber.  Not worried a bit.  He said, "Mom it's fine, I'll be fine!!"  And he was of course.  He had a great first day and loves his classes.  He wouldn't hold still long enough for me to get more than one shot and he didn't want me following him around all 6 periods to get pictures with his teachers.  Don't know why!! So this one is all I got!!

Meysa is in 5th grade this year.  This girl loves school!  She is was really excited to go and meet her teacher the day before school started.  Ms. Olson is her teacher and Meysa loved her from the first minute.  Meysa is a good student and she too has adjusted to a new school really, really well.  Hoping that continues!

Lauryn is in 3rd Grade this year.  Her teacher is Mrs. Raymond.  She loves her and is doing well in school too.  She has made friends already and is transitioning to a new school just fine.  Something that I am very thankful for!

Wyatt is starting 1st Grade this year.  His teacher is Mrs. Suther and he loves her.  He too has adjusted well to the change in schools and the move!!  He was really excited to go to school and meet new friends.  He was happy to find out that two girls from his Primary class are in his class at school as well. Instant friends!

With school starting that means the Heitmann's are finally, fully settled into our new place.  We are really enjoying being back closer to family!

{Bird Aviation Museum & Invention Center}

The one day that we didn't spend either fishing or playing in the sand, we spent up North near Sandpoint checking out a really cool museum.  It is called the Bird Aviation Museum and Invention Center.  My Dad had told us about it and we thought it would be really interesting.  

First the museum is named after a man by the name of Dr. Forrest Bird.  He was in the military, he was (and still is) a pilot and he is an inventor.  He invented the respirator, specifically an infant respirator, called the Baby Bird Respirator.  His respirators are still sold all over the world.  He has an amazing collection of vintage cars and airplanes and he has a portion of his museum dedicated to inventors and to inspire others to be inventors.  A whole wing showcases his respirator inventions and the history of that.  The kids loved the place.  They were able to do a scavenger hunt around the museum to find out things and then we got to meet the man himself.  For being in his 90's he is still pretty with it and it was interesting talking with him. 

He owns 400 acres and his production of the respirator takes place on his own property.  He raises cows and grows and extensive garden that they then can food from and then sell at the cafe located near the museum.  He offers training seminars on how to work and use the respirators and houses those people on his property as well.  Really an interesting guy!  

 If you are ever up near Sandpoint, ID (the museum is located in Sagle, ID) check it out.  It was a really fun day!!  Oh by the way it is free too.  

{At the Lake}

We have to spend our time at the Lake with Papa Don when we go to Idaho.  A trip wouldn't be complete without it!!  The kids love to go fishing and to play at the beach.  Which is basically what we did for 4 days.  We did take a day trip up north to Sandpoint but other than that one day we spent fishing and playing in the sand.  It is always relaxing and just plain heavenly!  Thanks Don and Faith!

Papa Don and Dad took all the kids fishing out on the lake and not just by the dock!  Ayden was the only one that caught something worth keeping.  He still doesn't like the feeling of fish, especially if it is still alive and moving.  This face is telling me, "hurry up and take the picture so I can put the fish back in the bucket"!!  At least he likes eating them!!

When they weren't out on the boat fishing, they were on the dock fishing.  Papa helped bait their lines and they caught fish after fish.  It was a fun thing to do after dinner and when the sun had gone down!  The kids loved it!

Ayden got creative one afternoon and made some sand sculptures using his siblings!  Wyatt was a merman, and Lauryn was a turtle.  As you can imagine, they both had sand in their nether regions and beyond!!  Aside from that they had a blast!

Papa Don has a friend that lives up at the Lake.  He has a little scooter that is electric and he made the mistake of telling the kids that they could ride it whenever they wanted.  Meysa took full advantage of that opportunity!!  It was fun for them to zip around the little neighborhood!!  Just another fun thing to do at Papa's Lake place!!

{Four Musketeers}

These kiddos are sure growing up!  The last time we took pictures of them they were 8 and getting baptized.  Now they are 13 and a force to be reckoned with with!!  They get along so well and genuinely enjoying being with each other.  Love that!!  We'll take pictures again when they are 18 and see how much they have grown!!

Love them!!