Back to School

I can honestly say that I really didn't want summer to end this time. In years past, I was ready and for the most part, the kids were ready to go back and see their friends and get back into the swing of things. Nope, not this year. I kept thinking, "oh if only I could have just 2 more weeks of summer with them." We really did have a crazy wild fun summer, but it is time to get those brains working again!!!

I can't believe Ethan is a 9th Grader!!!!

Nice shoes - quite the trend setter!

I had one of those mom moments the night before. I stayed up and made this skirt for Rachel because she "really" wanted to wear a denim skirt on the first day. Wow, I must say I am pretty proud of myself. It turned out much better than expected. She is a much cuter 6th Grader than I was. I won't even post that picture...it was the "pre-braces" scary period of my life.

What more can I say about Luke? He was excited to see friends, not so much about the school work. But he gladly got on the bus, went off to 3rd Grade and never looked back.

Brady, well, it at least it was less of a transition this year into 1st Grade than last year. Two weeks adjustment instead of 1 1/2 months. He did get on the bus the first day but I met him at school. It didn't help that all his kindergarten buddies from last year are in different classes. But he has made new friends and is now doing fantastic! He is rock'in 1st Grade!

AZ Cousins - Pt 3

So these brothers are 19 months apart, can you tell who is older???

Brady was quite happy not being the youngest of the group. He would even help his little cousins every now and then.

 Anna was one of the few to brave the stream behind our house. Even though it is August, that stream is run-off from the mountains and is still cold!

 I think if Elly and Ivy could have lived on our swing set, they would have.

We loved having them here, hope they come again!

AZ Cousins - pt 2 - The CampOut

 Seeing as we have a big backyard, it makes a great camping site for cousins. Time to set up the tent!

Elly - The Foreman

Elly - showing Ethan how its done

Anna - showing the brut force she's got with the hammer

Trouble behind those grins



Is Rachel helping or playing around???



Almost done

 Of course, if you are going to have a campout, you've got to have a campfire too! So we busted out the graham crackers, chocolates and marshmellows! Yum-o-matic!


Me and Anna



The sleeping arrangements (minus Ivy who just wanted to be in the picture)

These troopers made it all the way through the night. Awesome, thanks for the thumbs up Brady!

AZ cousins trip - pt 1

 Jared's brother, Geoff and his cute family came to visit us in August. We were thrilled to have them here. We took everyone down to BYU and drove around their old stomping grounds to "show the kids", but I really think it was more for their own memories sake ;)


Rachel was invited to be in the Highland City Parade at the last minute. Our neighbor, who just restored a 1965 Ford Mustang, offered to drive her. We invited his daughter to ride along. 

The parade watchers patiently waiting, waiting, waiting...

Ivy just wants the candy

Here they are: Cousin Anna got to ride along and Ethan too - with Rachel doing the "wave"

 We also took the cousins to the Rec center to swim. It was great. Wished we could have stayed longer. Jacob and Anna are definitely like fish, helps having their own pool in AZ.

I can't even count how many times Rachel and Anna went around the lazy river.

"Higher, Dad, I want to go HIGHER!!!"

On Sunday, Jared, Rachel and Ethan took them up to Temple Square. ( I had Primary duties, so Luke and Brady stayed behind too) It was a gorgeous day for pictures.

 

These cousins look more like sisters to me!

 

Future missionaries



Tour of Utah 2011

 This year the Tour of Utah did one of their stages right next to Jared's office. So we thought it would be fun to have the kids come experience this. Some of these riders are ones that Jared and I have followed for several years while watching the Tour de France.

These are the "autograph fans" that the race gave us to have the riders sign.



George Hincapie - rode with Lance Armstrong during the glory days





Levi Leipheimer - won Tour of California twice and has also ridden with Lance and for other teams in the Tour de France



 It was a long stage, approx 100 miles, so we only saw the very beginning. It was exciting. One of the riders threw one of his water bottles to Rachel. She was thrilled. I think Jared would have gotten on a bike and rode the stage with the riders if he could have.



Luke's Baptism

Our cute Luke turned 8 in July and got baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was so excited this whole year because several of his friends have also gotten baptized.

Gotta love Brady's untucked shirt!

 Both Grandma and Nana came for the big day.

 In fact, Uncle Chris and his kids and my cousin Tom, his wife Rosie, and soon-to-be adopted son Dylan joined us too.

Momma huggin' on her sweet boy!

By the end, the cousins were definitely ready for some playtime. It was a wonderful day, one that we hope Luke always remembers.