My Girly Skills

Well, I know for LOTS of you mom's with girls out there this will seem a bit silly, but I did Savannah's hair a new way and I think it turned out really cute. Take a look at the pics. I just find it fun to be able to do this stuff since my boys, for some reason, won't let me do it on their hair. Also, thanks Heather for the cute clips - they make all the difference!

Education Week/Birthday Fun

Well, I just got back from an AMAZING week at Education Week up at BYU. I had such a great time. I loved the classes I took and I really learned a lot and refocused myself on the gospel and the things that are most important to me. It was really an awesome time. Thanks Mom for going with me and for giving me such an awesome Birthday gift. Looking forward to next year. Also thank you to Megan for watching my 4 kids all week so I could go. Everything and everyone looks great and I really appreciate you doing this for me. Finally, thanks Rob for always being so great and letting me do the things I want to do. I had a blast and am so grateful to everyone who helped me out so I could go.

Yesterday was also my birthday - the BIG 30!!! It was lots of fun and I had a great time. My mom and I were going to stay at State Line and drive the rest of the way home this morning, but we didn't want to be there after such a great spiritual week so we just drove home. I was really glad to spend the last couple of hours of my birthday with Rob. He did not know I was coming home, but while I was getting ready for bed he went downstairs and got me some ice cream and put a candle in it for me. So sweet!! It was really a great birthday with the last day of Education week and then a great drive home with my mom and then some time with Rob at the end of the day to top it all off.

I am glad to be home, but I miss being at Education Week already. My kids have been lots of fun this morning and we have a fun day planned. I feel so lucky to have such a great family.

The first day of school!

Well, Monday was the first day of school. Griffin and Dylan both went off great. They are both enjoying their teachers and having a fun time, although they do not like the early mornings (school starts at 7:35am). Dylan's teacher I have heard mixed reviews on, but all the parents who have had boys in his class have loved him, so even though at first I thought about switching him, it doesn't look like that will happen and so I will reserve judgement and will see how it goes. So far Dylan is loving it. Here are some pics for all to enjoy.

Last weekend of summer . . .

Well, we have had a very exciting weekend, well at least for a family with four young children. First we went on Friday to see the kids teachers for next year. Neither of my kids got the teacher they wanted, but I am sure it will work out for the best. Griffin got a Mrs. Hanson who is teaching the 1st/2nd grade combo class I don't know anything about her, but the plus is his best friend from Kindergarten is in his class with him so that will be nice for him. Dylan got Mr. Lindoff. He was not my top choice, but I am hoping that it will work out. Unfortunately, his best friend from preschool got someone else and so that will be hard on Dylan, especially since they do not have recess or lunch together. At any rate, school starts Monday and so we will see.

Friday night Britney and Matthew came to stay the night with us. We stayed up late chatting and then enjoyed our traditional Saturday morning pancakes. Afterwards, the three boys, Matthew and I went to the primary activity day - water fun. Needless to say none of us walked away even a little bit dry, but we did have TONS of fun!!! We had a great lunch together and then spent the rest of the evening/afternoon playing games and hanging out. Thanks Matthew and Britney for coming up to see us - it was so much fun.

Tomorrow, Dylan gives a talk in primary and then we will come home and enjoy an afternoon of getting ready for school and playing games together.

I am so sad summer is over and so NERVOUS for my boys to start school (especially Dylan). I am sure everything will work out just fine!!

Summer Fun!!

Well we are finally back from our summer trip. We spent one night at my sisters house, 3 nights in San Diego in a hotel, 7 nights in a hotel in Irvine, 3 nights at my mom's house and then 2 nights at a friend's house. It was so much fun - thanks to everyone who let us crash at their place.

We had a great time mostly just going to the beach and swimming. Some park days and just enjoying friends and family. One of the highlights of our trip was a lunch with Shamu at SeaWorld. It was so fun and amazing how close you can get to the whales. Our kids loved it!! I have posted some pictures below of our adventures.

Griffin and Dylan start school on MONDAY!!! I can't believe summer is pretty much over! We find out Friday at 4 who their teachers are so of course I can hardly wait!!




July 4th

Griffin at Magic Mountain

Griffin at Magic Mountain by Goliath

Zach and Dylan feeding Dolphins at Sea World

All my boys enjoying the Dolphins

Lunch with Shamu - you get SO close to these amazing creatures!!! It was so fun.

Don't know if you can tell or not, but at the end of our table there is a little black bump that is Shamu's head!! It was right on the other side of that netting - SO COOL!!!

Rob running with Griffin and Savannah in the MCA Olympics!!

Almost all the men running the last leg of our opening ceremonies for the MCA Olympics!

Griffin's new favorite game chess with Grandpa!! Zach and Alexis helping the game along.

All the cousins (minus sleeping Nathan) at the beach!

Dylan loving the beach!

Savannah and Aubree enjoying the day together!

Zach posing for the camera!

Great friends enjoying time together!! Ethan and Griffin.

One of our favorite families spending the day at the beach with us!!!

Thanks for sticking all the way to the end of this monster post. Next time I promise to post sooner and not so long!

Enjoy the rest of summer!!!