one down...

Rylie lost her first tooth today!
FINALLY
She was so excited to have it out!!!

And Aaron was happy to assist :-)

BIG Preschooler!

Sara started preschool today!
She was so excited and did so well!
And she was so cute about it all!

How did my little Sari get so BIG!

School is COOL!

The kids started school on Tuesday!
They were so excited, and a little nervous.
As we neared the school the chatter in the back seat grew quiet.
I could tell butterflies were building up in their tummies.
(because it's truly rare that my kids are actually quiet :-)
I glanced in the rear view mirror and saw Rylie's eyes as big as quarters.

I asked Sam and Kaeli if they wanted me to walk with them
to their classrooms or if they wanted to walk on their own.
They both assured me that they were fine to walk on their own.

(way too independent for my liking.)

So I hugged them good-bye and off they went.
I walked Rylie to her classroom and she confidently walked in,
found where to hang her back pack and sat in her seat.
I felt a lump build up in my throat, but I fought it back.
Sara, Violet, and I walked past Sam and Kaeli's classes to spy on them any way.
Then we walked past Rylie's class one more time to make sure she was o-kay.
And of course she was fine.

So off to the car my littles and I went.
And I didn't cry
for the very first time EVER.

I missed the kids the whole day.
And the house was oddly quiet,
even with two still at home.

I really looked forward to picking the kids up.
They all had a great day and all love their teachers.

(my camera was broken on the first day of school so the following pictures were taken a few days later w/ Aaron's work camera. I'm sad I didn't get pictures of the kids in their favorite outfits.)

Rylie = BIG first grader!

Kaeli = BIG fourth grader!

Sam = BIG fifth grader!

Delicious!

So our little flower is 6 months old!
Can you believe it?

Isn't she delicious!!!
I nibble and love on her every chance I get!
And who wouldn't?

There's something about babies that brings out
the cannibalism in the best of us!

Beautiful, Sweet & EDIBLE!

Lil' Fishies

Last week we finished up swim lessons.
It's one of those things that we do every summer.
The kids love it!
And I love it!

I still can't believe that our summer is almost over!
School starts back up in a week and a half!
CRAZY!!!

Husband, Children, Home

Sister Hinckley is one of my heroes. I love her! I've been reading a book called, "Glimpses into the Life and Heart of Marjorie Pay Hinckley" This passage really struck me!


"We have a lot to learn about simplifying our lives. We have to decide what is important and then move along at a pace that is comfortable for us. We have to develop the maturity to stop trying to prove anything, to be what we are. With all of these decisions we have three responsibilities.

We have a great responsibility to our husbands. I know it is hard to believe, but almost before you can turn around the children will be gone and you will be alone with him. You had better be sure that you are developing the kind of love and friendship that will be delightful and enduring. Let the children learn from your attitude that he is important. Encourage him. Be kind. It is a rough world, and he, like everyone else, is fighting to survive. Be cheerful. Don't be a whiner.

We have a great responsibility to our children. Find joy in them. Don't over-schedule them or yourself. You may not be able to take them on exotic vacations. It doesn't matter. When the day dawns bright and sunny, take an excursion to the canyon or the park. When it's cloudy and wet, read a book together or make something good to eat. Give them time to explore and learn about the feel of grass and the wiggliness of worms.

Now to our homes. Your home is your own private temple. Keep it clean. Put something beautiful in every room for your family to look at. Create a feeling of order and spirituality. Your home can be beautiful without being elaborate or expensive. I once went tracting with a sister missionary in Hong Kong. We entered the door of a resettlement flat. It was small: four bunk beds, no closets. All the clothes and belongings were stacked neatly on the beds. There was one low table with stools and an ugly black stove that burned oil. And then my eyes fell on a vase of artificial flowers on a high shelf just under the ceiling. I was touched by that woman's desire for beauty.

As you create a home, don't get distracted with a lot of things that have no meaning for either you or your family. Don't dwell on your failures, but think about your successes.

Have joy in your home.

Have joy in your husband.

Have joy in your children.

Be grateful for the journey."

Summer Randomness

What can I say?
It's been hard to find time to blog.
So here's a random synopsis of our summer...so far!

We ladies had a Girls Night Out when the boys went on their
"Father & Sons Campout".
So we feasted at Applebees and topped off our meal
with frosties from Wendys.
Then we watched a movie and had a slumber party!

We've been a little crafty:

Sammy got his braces on!

Sara had some of her favorite friends over for
sprinklers, popsicles, giggles, movie, twinkies, & dress up!

And we've been going to the Herriman Resevoir to cool off!

Little Patriot

Sing it, Baby!

Butterfield Peaks

Yesterday, we trekked up to Butterfield Peaks
(yep, this mountain has 2 peaks)

It was a spectacular view.
We could see all of Salt Lake County
and part of Utah County as well.
We could even see our neighborhood,
and a few of the kids were pretty certain they could see our house, too.

We live in a beautiful country.

The 3rd of July

So our 4th was on the 3rd this year.
We went to Riverton
sporting our homemade T's
to watch the fireworks.

They were loud, bright,
and totally awesome!

And nope,
Violet didn't even cry!
She loves fireworks :-)

Fort Herriman Days

Every June we head down the street for Fort Herriman Days! Sam and Kaeli were in this year's parade riding in a decked-out trailer for their orthodontist. So Rylie, Sara, Violet and I watched the parade on our own! We got a great spot in the shade and scored quite a bit of taffy!

Later that day we went to the park and rode the carnival rides!
The kids had so much fun!

Then we watched a concert (Jericho Road)
and sprawled out on our blankets to watch the fireworks!

Catch-up!

Our summer started off the minute the kids were out of school, literally. We picked Sam and Kaeli up from school on our way out of town and headed up to Washington for a family reunion. We hung out and played with Aaron's parents, grandma, & siblings & their families (15 adults & 14 kids...yikes!). After the visit we headed up to Moscow to stay with my parents for a few days. We headed home and stayed the night with Aaron's aunt & uncle in Boise and visited with a few old friends and finally got home. It was so nice to see our family and friends, but it was also so nice to get our sleep-deprived children home and get the baby back on schedule!

We have way too many pictures from our trip up north to choose,
so I threw this one in of the kids all wet from sprinklers :-)