First Day of School

The first day of school was very exciting and very busy. Maddie is in 3rd grade this year and Lauren is in PM Kindergarten. The girls were excited to go to school so they got up extra early so they could be on time. I had camera issues so some of these pictures are terrible quality but at least we documented the first day of school.

Maddie showing that she is in 3rd grade

My 3 cuties - Lauren later

changed her clothes because

she didn't like her dress

We live close enough to school that we can walk.

The first days of school are wild. Masses

and masses of people.

Maddie with some of her friends

Outside Room 312

Since our last name starts with an A, Maddie

is always first. She made a wish that she wouldn't

wouldn't be first this year and it came true.

There's two other children in front of her.

It made for one happy Maddie!!

Maddie's teacher is Mrs. Mequet. She is

WONDERFUL and it made me happy.

Because of crazy circumstances, Lauren doesn't

go to the same school as her sister so she

gets to ride a bus to and from school.

I wasn't happy about it but it's turned

out to be really great.

I literally felt like Mary....I followed her to school

one day, school one day, school one day.

Ok, I really only did it twice but I had to make

sure Lauren knew what she was doing.

There's quite a few kids who ride the bus

and Miss Diane is the world's greatest

bus driver. I LOVE HER!

This is my favorite picture of Lauren-

It looks like a back to school ad

Can't you just feel the excitement?

There were no tears....yea, us!!

Lauren was both excited and nervous. She bites

her nails like crazy when she's a little unsure.

Her fingers are always in her mouth.

Lauren's teacher - Mrs. Revell. Lauren had the biggest

grin on her face when her teacher said her name

and welcomed her to Kindergarten.

Inside her Kindergarten classroom

Parker hurt his toe so he wanted to relax

out the couch. I love his hand in his pants!!

Very Al Bundy...

Since I was minus 2 kids I decided to make

it a productive day. I was very busy!!

Parker got a hair cut...

Daddy was off work but not really.

He never is. This is what he did...

This is what I did. I go 3 times a week and I am

committed for the next year. It is a huge pain and

consumes way too much time but it's supposed

to help me feel better. I really hope it works!!

I really wanted to be a good mom and have cookies

and milk waiting for the kids when they got home

from school. However, I was so busy that I didn't

have time. So I CHEATED! Thank goodness

for Toll House ready bake cookies.

They were delicious!!

Dam Fun

My favorite thing to do in Utah is go to the dam. It's my version of our "family reunion". The whole family, well almost (jake), gets together for some good old fashioned dam fun. I always have picture overload but the kids are just so darn cute I can't help myself! ENJOY...

Parker looking oh so cool

Maddie and Connor love the tube

and "hanging loose"

The other kids finally got their turn

Maddie mastered the boogie board

...and so did Connor

Parker and daddy love the view from the bow

and I love the view from the back

The "must get" picture of all the kids

Total Score -

Boys 6 + 1 coming soon (aunt gita)

Girls 3

Good thing the girls are so dang cute

to make up for the difference!!

The swing that I liked more than anyone

It was hard to use but still proved to be fun

Parker loved playing in the tube

Lauren loved the blue mat

Maddie loved just being in the water

Rachel loved the sand

and I love this picture of Tyler!!

Parker was brave and jumped to Maddie

and Maddie caught him every time

finally, Parker enjoyed biting Jeff's nose

We had a fun day with good food, good company,

great water, and lots of sun. This is what

happens when you forget to reapply sunscreen...

Super burned cheeks

Super burned back and....

a Super burned face

Thank goodness for aloe vera

Lauren's Day

Happy Birthday to the sweetest 5 year old

We love you to the moon and back!!

Super Sized Slip n' Slide

My older brother is very much like Tim the Tool Man from Home Improvement. Everything he does is bigger, better, faster, taller, stronger, cooler and with more power.....grunt, grunt, grunt.....which usually works out in the kids favor!! This even applies to the slip 'n slide in his oversized backyard. He bought bright orange tarps, bailing twine, and stakes and created a 100 foot.....yes, I'll say it again...100 foot slip 'n slide. The kids love it and it doesn't compare to anything around. It is thrilling!! It is always on our list of things to do in Utah. Thanks Ry, for thinking BIG!! We had a few wipeouts but no one got hurt. Just lots of fun and laughter.

All 100 feet of orange plastic and water

Maddie and Connor seem to be the ones to get

the most runs. I love all the smiles and laughter

This is my favorite.....holding hands on the way down

and on their knees. Pure talent!!

Running into Lauren and being chased by

Tyler, Isaac, and Parker at the very top

A pile of happy kids at the bottom

Parker and Isaac catch up to them

Note.....Lauren's cute bumb

Silly faces before heading up the hill to do it all again

Parker has no fear. He LOVES to do as the big kids do

A look of satisfaction

But, he has to run his fingers through the spray

before he heads back up for another turn

Lauren loved going down sideways

tying to catch Parker

They meet up at the bottom

Cousin Tyler

Cousin Isaac

.....and finally, what the adults did. Shade seekers!!

Grandpa was sleeping in the chair on Grandmas

orders. He'd passed out a few days before and

ended up with an ambulance ride to the ER where

he got stitches in his head and orders to take it

easy for a week. We all did our best to take good

care of him and not have him do anything.

WE LOVE OUR GRANDPA!!! Glad he's ok