Happy Birthday Mom!!

Today is my mom's birthday and I just wanted to let her know what a great person she is and how wonderful she is to have in my life. My mom is always there for me whenever I need her. Over the last few years since I have left the house, I have really got to know her so much more and love her more than I ever have have. Over the years, since I have had my 3 kids, she has always helped me out by watching the babies and helping me become a better mom.
My mom is such a great person and I am very glad to have her as a mom and grateful for all the sacrifice she has done over for me and our family. I love you mom!!

Montana Dust Collection Project

This post is meant to give kudos to my wife:

Last week, I spent Monday through Friday at our plant in Three Forks, Montana with my dad and David Jacobson installing a dust collection system. It was quite the project. We were a little surprised at the length of the build. I planned for Thursday, but there were so many details and measurements that couldn't be planned for in advance. We worked late every evening, including Thursday night until 9 PM.

Andy did great! It was tough for her to be alone that long without a break. When I got home, our house was clean and spotless and she even mowed the front lawn. We had a lesson today in church about mothers and their efforts. I wanted to express gratitude for her hard work, especially in my absence. I love you!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Brayden's First Day of Kindergarten!!!!

I was not sure how I was going to be since my oldest was now old enough to go to school.....and it would be longer than 2 hours. I was getting excited for the time that I would have with just Jaci, but in all actuality, I really am happy that Brayden is excited about school and wants to go back again.

The morning started with Brayden getting all dressed by 7:30, shirt, pants, new socks, new skechers, and his backpack packed full of all his school supplies ready to head out the door and on the bus. He has PM kindergarten, so school doesn't start until 12:05. For breakfast he requested plain pancakes instead of chocolate chip, so he wouldn't get his shirt dirty. I told him that after lunch, he would be able to go to school, so about 10 minutes after breakfast he asked if he could eat lunch. The 3 hours until he had to leave was really hard for him. He kept mopping around the house saying the he really, really, really wanted to go to kindergarten and could not wait any longer.

SO, he finally ate lunch and out the door we go....I have to drive him the first 3 days but then he will be able to take the bus. We walked into his classroom and sorted out all his school supplies and he sat in his chair. There were other parents taking tons of pics of their kids sitting down and sorting out their school supplies. After a few minutes, I told Brayden I was leaving, he got up gave me hug, said he loved me and told me he would see after kindergarten was over.....no tears, just smiles. I looked back at him and he was sitting at his table with this bored look on his face as if he was ready to start the day, but nothing was happening yet. My little baby is getting big and I can't believe that he is ready to start school. Almost 3 hours later, I went back to school to pick him and he was the last kid there.....school gets out at 2:50 and I was there at 2:54, so I guess I need to be there a few minutes earlier. In the car Brayden told him that he was good and learned the he had to keep his hands to himself, his mouth closed when the teacher is talking and all the boys blue bathroom passes. He then informed that since he was good, he deserved a treat, so we headed to Maverick Country Store down the street and got a treat. He looked for a few minutes and picked up 3 Resee's Peanut Butter Cups that are only .10 cents a piece. Dylan got 4, since he thought that he was good while Brayden was at school, and since the boys got a treat Jaci had to have one too, so she got giant Smarties for .30 cents. They were all happy as can be and Brayden's treat was gone before we even turned into the neighborhood.
I am very happy that Brayden likes kindergarten and hope that he does well and makes himself as well as his parents proud. We love you Brayden.....you are such a great kid and wish you the best as you start your many years of schooling.

Brayden sporting his new blue shirt that match his black/blue skechers, his transformer backpack and new dark jeans....He looks so handsome!!!

Our latest updates.....

So, i know that I have been slacking a little bit, but I have been busy, but that is no excuse. The last two months have gone by way too fast, and now school is starting and I can;t believe it. Here are a few things that we have done....
SEATTLE: We traveled to Seattle for 4Th of July to visit Shaun and Krissy (justin's brother) and their family and see the sights around Seattle. We went to the Seattle Aquarium, went on a boat ride around the bay, went to the Space/Air Museum, picked raspberries at the farmers market and just hung out. It was a really fun and the kids all had a blast playing together.
T-BALL: The boys were both in t-ball this year; Brayden's 2nd year and Dylan's first. They were the tigers....and our neighbor was their coach. It really was fun to watch them play and learn the basics of playing t-ball, which was always funny to see them run the bases, throw the ball and really just stare off into space at any given moment.
OUR GARDEN: many of you know that I love my garden and love to be in it often. This year we planted corn, green beans, carrots, peas, broccoli, onions, 4 kinds of lettuce, 10 tomato plants, zucchini, yellow zucchini, peppers (all colors), strawberries, and 3 different kinds of pumpkins. We are now reaping the benefits of the garden. Jaci loves to go and pick off the peas, rip them open and suck out the peas inside. They are literally candy to her. The boys love to go and see everyday what is growing and like to pick everything....even if it is not ready. That is one thing that is hard to teach your kids. I am excited about all the canning that will get done all this, but I do love to eat it all as well.
COLORADO: At the end of July, I went down to Utah to pick up my mom and take her home, which was nice since it was another adult in the car with my kids. I love to go and visit my parents.....they always get wore out from playing with my kids and my kids love it. I worked a few days for my dad, which is always nice to have a break from my kids. We went to Chuck E Cheese, The North Pole, Pueblo Reservoir to go on the SeeDoos, went shopping for the boys school clothes, hung out with my mom and dad and beat my parents 4 times in a row at Settlers of Catan, which my dad was not too happy about that. I talked Justin into flying out for a few days so he could drive back with me and go on the SeeDoo's with us, as well as god golfing with Trevor for 5 hours....he was tired after that.
So, that seems to wrap it up for now, but I will stay on top of our blog to bring you the latest updates in the lives of the hegsted clan.