Best Day EVER!

In June we went to Utah to visit. This time around, Bryon and Tyler didn't go with us, Bryon having his lifeguarding job and Tyler wanting to work on his music and knowing what to anticipate with a 15 hour drive with all the littles. It was origionally decided that Steve was going to go on his own, by plane. Then he put off the purchase of a ticket too long. Knowing he was going to drive, he decided it would be nice to have me go along. He left the option open. I was literally undecided until the very last minute, after talking to my Mom-who helped weigh the pros and cons, when I concluded that I was actually up for it, and would have no regrets in going versus staying home. The occassion was our nephew Craig's wedding. He is the son of Steve's sister Susan (oldest daughter of the Alger bunch). Upon deciding that I was going, we had to include the younger children with no one to watch them while we were away. It turned out to be a wonderful family trip!

After enjoying the events of the wedding

                              We had decided we wanted to hike Mt. Timpanogas. So we packed all the kids up in the van, and went.

It was a hot day, but not too bad. We took plenty of water and had lots of good help.

The boys had such encouraging attitudes, taking the little ones hands each time they saw a need,

And rested whenever they got too tired and found some shade.

We enjoyed some beautiful scenery.

And although we carried Alyssa and Amy most of the way,

We don't regret it!

A lot of wonderful memories were created along the way---

And a great sense of accomplishment.

 Here we are at the opening of the cave. WE MADE IT!

 The one thing I wouldn't recommend though (not that I would recommend taking 5 children-3 ages 5 and under up such a hike in the first place) is going to the Manti pageant on the same night.
 

 Because although we all enjoyed good food,

 and fun treats

I was one tired Mama with rejuvinated children who were rested after the drive.

But I wouldn't change what the children now call....

The BEST DAY EVER!!!

School

I realized while I was sorting through my pictures, that I hadn't yet shared the first day of school. Are you ever in for a treat!

Tyler is 16 and started his Junior year. Yep. He's a JUNIOR this year! He drives to seminary every morning at 6 a.m., turns around and comes home for an hour and a half, then drops Jeremy off on his way to school. 
He's taking some pretty heafty college credit classes right now and keeps his wonderful sense of humor despite it all.

Jeremy is 11 and started middle school, and although was very intimidated and a bit concerned about making new friends not going to the school that his elementary filters into, had a great attitude and made friends fast and easy.

So typical!

 

 

 He loves it.

Justin is 5, turning 6 this November, and just started Kindergarten.

 

 

He's the same easy going, wonderful, charming person he's always been, who regularly likes to make sure his curls are hacked off to non existance. (*whimpers* -from Mom)

He loves his class, teacher,

 

 

 

and the fact that he goes to the same school as his big brother.

 

 

Michael will turn 10 this school year (December) and absolutely loves his teacher. Although nervous at first, he became quite comfortable upon meeting her.

 

 

  He has proven to be a quick learner and fell into the regular school routine quite quickly.
 

 

 These boys are almost inseperable when they are home.

Our Princess #1 became a preschooler this year after turning 4.

She went around telling everybody who would listen how forward she was looking to going to her big brother "Justin's school".

She has the same great teacher, Ms. Claudia at Messiah Lutheran School not 3 minutes from our house.

 

She loved it before it even began.

 

Things haven't changed!

Our second princess, Amy, is two and we aren't ready to let her go. She hangs out with me all morning and helps with the cleaning and errands while all the others are away.

She looks forward to dropping Alyssa off and picking her up each day, giving her a great big kiss and hug each time she leaves her at school.

 

They are quite the pair when home together. It's fun to watch the girls interact after so many boys. Who knew?

We're thankful for the priviledge of going to school with such great teachers and the children's eagerness to learn. It has been a wonderful school year so far.

We love that the bus stop is still in front of our house for the 6th straight year in a row. Can I just say that it's a blessing the driver is typically late each morning?

And me?

{hey! it's the best I could do to even find this blurry picture of myself-compliments of Alyssa ;)}

 

 Although I don't have more time to do the things I thought I would while the children are learning, I get to enjoy field trips and helping out in the classrooms for the first time in many years. Amy tags along. She's an angel.

 

One of those Days

This morning I woke up like any other morning. The first person I saw was my wonderful husband, who put a smile on my face immediately. I went in to switch the laundry, take my thyroid medicine, wake up my children one at a time for family scripture reading and prayer. Just like any other morning. But everything went spiraling downhill from there: A sick boy whose spent the majority of the morning with his head in the toilet to throw up, 2 other kids complaining that there isn't anything to eat (there is, of course, just nothing they WANT to eat), running to the store to put a smile on their faces instead of my daily exercise routine, only to have them sorry that I didn't buy exactly what they wanted-thus triggering a battle of words between them about how they should be more appreciative of Mom's efforst. *Mental note- never do that "favor" again*, hearing put downs and critisisms toward each other, trying to sneak out with what they know are not proper school attire, meanwhile two children asking for their breakfast--in segments, thus my exercise made up for by running to the refrigerator 50 different times (no exaggeration),  and the bad part about it is....it isn't over. Not only that, but they have the day off tomorrow for a furlough day for the teachers. Poor underpaid teachers. That I'm sending my bad mood children off to.

It's amazing how these really cute, darling people can suck the life out of you leaving you unmotivated and thouroughly exhausted. I wonder what it would be like to just lay on the couch and do nothing but watch cable t.v. all day. And I don't mean nothing like just folding laundry while watching, but just laying around watching. You know, like I used to do as a kid. Like my kids do. Hey, I'm beginning to realize something. Aren't you? Are you seeing what I'm seeing? It's important to feel useful and recognize the effect we have on people. To know the influence we have on those around us. Because as I said to my 2 year old today after she literally growled at her older brother while he was giving her a good morning welcome, we need to make every moment count and treat others better than we would want to be treated because we need to make the most of the time we have together never knowing how long or short that time will be. So yes, it's been difficult, and it's hard to keep the focus when things don't go your way, but I just want to say that amid the turmoil and the chaos I'm realizing how important it is to make sure others don't suffer from our choices. Go into a different room, go back to bed, leave the house for a walk, do what it takes to calm down. Overall, don't be a part of their having One of those Days.

Our Beautiful Girls

 

 

 

Sundays are especially fun for the girls. They look forward to dressing up and wearing their pretty dresses. This particular Sunday was extra special since I did something I don't usually do... 

I had surprised them with matching dresses and coordinating hair-bows.

As we were leaving the house to go to church, I snapped a couple of shots of our sweeties.

 

 We did it at just the right time, cause their handsome daddy was able to jump into the picture with them!

 

Love Sundays!

 

Mind Game

 

I came into the kitchen one day, recognizing and enjoying quiet. This was the site I found:

 

The boys were concentrating so intently and being so quiet, I was curious as to what they were up to!

Why would they be staring at a top and porcelain chicken? Funny!

So they told me to try it too, and began explaining the experiment.

 

First you need a top:

 

(this was a cheap top one of the kids got as a prize from Chuck-E-Cheese-nothing special)

 

Second you need a still item, they used this chicken:

 

 

Watch the top as it spins, staring at the middle for awhile:

 

Then try to focus on the still object:

 It tricks your eyes into thinking the item is growing or shrinking in front of you!

 

Not kidding, it actually works.

Try it!

Sunset

I cannot lie. There are times that I actually dream of being able to just sit on a beach somewhere and enjoy this kind of scenery.
 In August we went on a Young Women's retreat that was a reward for the challenge to all who finished reading the Book of Mormon by July 30th. It was in a beach house on the coast. I really did enjoy the two days we were there.
There was good food, good company, a lot of fun and games, as well as increasing and strengthening of testimonies. I got my share of time to sit and enjoy the view.

 

 It didn't take long for me to enjoy the view and get to missing my sweet children. That's why It's so important to have these opportunities to sit, I think. I know I've said it before, but it is just so true. So many times we get ourselves so busy, we forget we need to take time to watch the sunsets so that we can better appreciate our lives.

                                                                                                      And all the beauty that surrounds us.

Dora Dreams

 

 

 

We frequent this thrift store around here. Whenever we go grab a bite at Taco bell, we eat in the alley behind it after checking out what they have on the sidewalk outside for sale. Whenever we go to Fred Meyer, I have to drive by, "just to check it out" on the way home. Sometimes, there are things that we just know we MUST HAVE. That was the case this particular afternoon. The moment I saw this Dora chair, I knew there was no passing it up. Especially since Amy was with me.

I don't know if you remember, but one of the very first understandable words from her mouth, was Dora's name.

 (click here to jog your memory!)

Every night Amy asks to watch Dora before she goes to bed. I came down to check on her, and this is what I found.

Our precious Dora singing, Boots lovin', happy to be snoozin' baby girl.

In her comfy new chair.