First Day of School!

Ready or not, here we come!  Summer flew by WAY too fast, but I think we're excited for school anyway.

First day of 8th grade

 First day of 6th grade, first day of middle school

 First day of 1st grade

 Ethan was excited and not a bit nervous.  He knows the routine and is the big man on campus.  Every turn he takes, someone is saying hi to him by name.

 Madeline was very nervous but excited too.  I am shocked that my baby girl is in middle school.  But she's ready.  And she'll rock it!

 She's glad Ethan will be there too!

 Cooper said he wasn't nervous but I don't think he was all that excited either.  School doesn't involve very much ninja climbing or legos and certainly not enough outside time!  But he'll do great, I just know it!

Preschool starts next week!

My Kids Make Me Happy!

Madeline made this amazing barbie.  She started it with her cousins in Utah, they took out the hair and off the face, then she painted a new face on and finished sewing all the hair on on our drive back home.  Very impressive!

 Sunglasses from Dad!

 I needed a little happy, so I took my kids to Whatcom Falls Park.  I've always loved that place and being there with my kids was just what I needed!

Ethan is off to scout camp.  I'll miss him while he's gone.  Hope he doesn't get too hurt... :)

 I CE CREAM!!!

 Sometimes, you just gotta do silly faces!

Writing a letter to Bapa and Mimi

 For FHE, we ran the race for the incorruptible crown!  See 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.  Can I just say how much I LOVE Come Follow Me?!??!!!

Bapa's Birthday and The End

It was really fun to be in Utah for my Dad's birthday.  Fun to all be together to celebrate.  All the grandkids love Bapa!

 For dessert, my dad requested a stack of Brown Butter Caramel Snickerdoodles instead of cake.  My dad and brother think they are the best cookies on the planet.  They're pretty fun to bake for because they go nuts over my treats.  Those are pretty dang good cookies, I have to admit.  Love you Daddy, happy birthday!

 One more temple trip for Lucas and Ethan!  They have such a great time together.

 We also went to Seven Peaks.  I didn't take a single picture there either.  But the kids had A BLAST!

Darling avocado girls.  Kate had her avocado earrings on.  Didn't even plan that one!

 I'm so grateful for these girls.  They have such a special deep friendship.  I wish they could be together more than once a year.

 All the boys but Lucas, not sure where he was.  But Ethan is such a great kid.  All the little boys really love him.  He's so kind and fun with them.

 And Oliver is cute.

It was just the best trip.  I loved every minute.  Honestly, it was really hard for me to leave.  I didn't want to go back home.  I could have stayed forever.  Once a year just isn't enough...so much love.  It's just such a high concentration of every thing that makes me feel joy.  The people, the temples, the food, the shopping...mostly the people.  I miss you already Raelynn.  

So grateful for our Utah Trip 2019! Goodbye.

More Utah Fun

Nothing better than chocolate custard!  And speaking of delicious things, here are a few more delights I never took pictures of but just might have eaten:  Ruby Snap cookies, Berry Ricotta Cake, Donuts from Donuts and Deli, Krispie Kremes, croliners, raspberry shakes and a peach pie concrete to name a few...

 We had so much fun talking and being together.  And SHOPPING multiple times!  Such fun!

 The kiddos just really enjoy playing at Mimi's house.

 They just really enjoy Mimi!

 Cute girls!  So glad they have each other!!!

 Lehi Fun Center:

 While shopping, I found this shirt.  I couldn't help snagging a photo in the dressing room before putting it back on the rack.

 The kids had a blast at the Bluffdale splash park.  The moms enjoyed the shade of giant umbrellas.  So much that I didn't even take any pictures of the kids playing.  Like my new purple shoes?

 It's been so fun to hang out with my brother!  Eric is a fun person to be with!!!

Sleepovers, Swimming and Ninja Warrior

It was with great delight that Mimi had a sleepover in a tent in the back yard with these boys!  I think it was a highlight for all of them.  So much fun!  Lots of sleepovers have been happening.  Ethan and Lucas, Kate and Madeline, Alex and Madeline, all three girls, Ethan and Quinn, Cooper and Ryder...sooooo much fun!

 Swimming

 On this particular day, I am beyond grateful for the blessings of protection on my Cooper.  He was doing (again) a back flip into the pool but this time didn't get far enough from the wall and hit his head in the middle of the flip on the edge of the pool.  It was so extremely terrifying.  But he was blessed with a bloody bump instead of a concussion.  And with a priesthood blessing, was back to acting like himself within a couple hours.  It scared me.  But I'm so grateful he's ok!

 The boys loved Obstacle Warrior Kids.  It's always Cooper and Oliver's favorite place to go!