FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL...

Matt-9th Grade

Zach-9th Grade

Sam-4th Grade

Lizzie-1st Grade

Sam & his walking peeps.

First day of school cake.

It's a tradition.

Looking forward to a great year!!

Busy Summer...

Matt & Zach had a crazy busy Summer!

I can think of nothing better for two 14 year old boys.

They celebrated their 14th B-Day just days after school got out then got to attend Youth Conference that weekend.

These two (only two...sad, I know) pics are from the skits they were in at Youth Conference.

They marched in the parade as two of Helaman's 2000 Stripling Warriors. 

This truly was a sight to behold.

I am so glad they got to be a part of it.

Not pictured is the week they spent at BYU Lacrosse camp, High Adventure in Wyoming, lawn mowing jobs & lots of hanging out with friends.

Bad mom for hardly taking out the camera this Summer.

Flower Girl...

Lizzie got to be a flower girl at Brynn & Trevor's wedding this Summer!

Needless to say...she loved it.

They love her (Brynn) soooooo much. I think Sam's loving gaze is proof of that. He will ALWAYS hold a special place in his heart for Brynn!

Her favorite little dance partner!

Congrats guys!

We wouldn't have missed it for the world!

Kindergarten Graduation...

Lizzie successfully completed her first year of the Chinese Immersion program.

I am so proud of her.

We had a rocky start (she missed her mom!)

but finished strong.

Her Chinese teacher was amazing.

quote...

"She is one of the toppest in my class. She has great honor."

I am a very proud mama.

(I know, I know, bragging is obnoxious...don't really care!)

Is there anything cuter than Kindergarten graduation???

I have no excuse...

Actually I have lots of excuses...they are just the same as everyone else's. We've been busy. There. 

Spring wrap-up

Sam turned 9!!

He had a small party & took his two buddies to see the Avengers. 

Loved it.

He finished up a great soccer season...

...& practiced shooting during the time outs at Matt & Zach's games.

He's now playing Lacrosse, too!

(pray for the windows at my house)

 Little Lizzie finished up a two year run of gymnastics. 

She was the only one in her class that could make it to the top of the rope (to the ceiling)

She cartwheels, flips & does round-offs and head/handstands All.Day.Long.

She got her ears pierced...

 ...& spent a lot of time doing what she does best...just being cute.

Zach at one of his many lacrosse games.

He's the one on the right.

He played goalie most of the season & did an amazing job!!

Matt played defense.

Those giant D-poles scare me.

(again...remember my windows, please)

Bring on Summer!

Spring...

...means sport season

...means a crazy looking calendar

...means a lot of miles put on the car

...means a fridge full of powerade & water bottles

Bring it.

Check out Matt walking away.

He was done with the ridiculous picture taking.

Homework Help...

This is what happens when the teenager helps the Kindergartner with her homework.

Check out #6.

"Too Legit..."

The song is in your head now, isn't it???

Operation Turkey Disguise...

The 3rd grade assignment:

disguise your turkey so he can escape the Thanksgiving table

I think he nailed it...

Nothing says disguise like dread locks, and a camouflage t-shirt.

I think I'll be laughing for a while about this one.

video of Lizzie

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!

8th Grade!! (I still can't believe it.)

MATT

Deep thoughts

Zach

Really deep thoughts...

and some pondering.

3rd Grade for Mister Sam

Think he's done having his pic taken??

And this one I really can't believe.

Kindergarten for sweet Lizzie!

She will be participating in the Chinese (yes, Chinese) Immersion program at our Elementary school. Yikes. Pretty amazing, though.

Happy new school year!!

Lunch, anyone?

sarcastic post...

You know what's really awesome?

When the guy at Costco packs up your cart and puts the ginormous (yes, it's a word) package of t.p. in the child seat. This is really awesome because when you are just over 5ft tall (on a good day) you can't even see over the top of the cart and feel like a ginormous idiot trying to steer your way through a warehouse and parking lot.

It's especially awesome when the bottom part of the cart is used for really big items like, butter, eggs, sugar...

Thanks Costco guy.

tales of a second grade field trip...

I was one of the lucky volunteers that got to accompany the 2nd graders on a field trip to see African Cats. Not a bad one to volunteer for, I have to say. Excellent movie.

If you go with a group of 2nd graders, though, they will reprimand you for texting during the movie. (I was giving my husband the play-by-play). They were serious. They even tried to confiscate my phone. Gheesh. The movie hadn't even started yet.

I got to ride the bus (if you've experienced this before I don't need to add anything else. I have many times, yet it's always a little adventure...ifyouknowwhatImean.) The other mom volunteer drove herself to the theater because buses make her sick. I don't know whether to roll my eyes or pat her on the back and call her a genius.

We took some pics with my phone.

My second grader is the cute one on the right, although they look like they could be twins!

The cute little girl that sat next to me (because it would seriously cramp Sam's style to sit with me. Whatever) was quite the conversationalist. She was talking about money and the $150 she has saved up. I asked her what she was saving for and she looked at me with huge blue eyes and sparkly hair (from her new barbie hair dryer that shoots out glitter...remind me not to buy that one) and said, "College."

Duh.

Then she wanted to see the contents of my purse. All of the contents. Luckily I switched to the small one for the occasion.

Second graders are smart and funny. I had a great time!!

wow...

So, I'm browsing Old Navy's "new arrivals" and was scrolling through pretty quickly and at first glance thought...

"Cute! I've been wanting an orange purse!"

Nope.

Swim suit top.

Man, I'm getting old.

whatever works...

This was Sam's solution to "watching for his friends" Cuz...you know, sitting there and actually waiting takes waaay too much patience.

So while blog stalking a while ago I stumbled across Kelly's Korner and it is now one that I follow and enjoy. Kelly hosts a weekly "Show Us Your Life," and while I don't usually participate, I thought this would be a good time. This week the theme is "Show Us Your Life-Tell Us About Your Church."

No problem!

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I have been a member all of my life. I believe that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me. I believe that the Savior is His son and was sent to this earth to atone for my sins. I believe in the eternal nature of families...that we can and will be together forever. I am grateful for the knowledge that I have and love teaching my kids all that I can about the greatest blessing in my life.

We were asked to post a link of the city our church is in...great news! The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is a world-wide church. If you ever come across two clean cut young men in white shirts and ties with little black name tags, listen to their message! If you would like more information go to lds.org or feel free to leave a comment and I would be happy to answer questions or provide you with more information.