Alyssa's first day of pre school

She started school this morning,

And she seemed so very small.

As I walked there beside her

In the pre school hall.

And as she took her place beside

the others in the class,

I realized how all too soon

Those first few years can pass.

Remembering, I saw her as

She first learned how to walk.

The words that we alone made out

When she began to talk.

This little girl so much absorbed

In learning how to write.

It seems as though she must have grown

To girlhood overnight.

My eyes were blurred by hastily

I brushed the tears away

Lest by some word or sign of mine

I mar her first big day.

Oh how I longed to stay with her

And keep her by the hand

To lead her through the places

That she couldn’t understand.

And something closely kin to fear

Was mingled with my pride.

I knew she would no longer be

A baby by my side.

But she must have her chance to live,

To work her problems out,

The privilege to grow and learn

What life is all about.

And I must share my little girl

With friends and work and play;

She’s not a baby anymore –

She’s in pre school today.

Alyssa started pre school today! She was so excited!! Time couldn't pass fast enough she wanted school to start NOW!! So to pass the time we had a little photo shoot on the front porch!

When I dropped her off, she gave me a hug and kiss and said "bye mom!" and out the door she went! She was so big!! I am so happy she loves school and had a great day!! She asked me when I picked her up, when she would be able to be big enough to go to Austin's school, I told her it would be next year, and my heart started to race...one step at a time...one step at a time :)

Birthday Weekend :)

Chad and his dad and brother are hunting this weekend. I was bummed it was over my birthday, so I decided I would do something fun! So I decided me and the kids would go to relaxing lava hot springs, my mom thought it sounded like a good idea so I asked her to come along! Then my brother Matt, and my nieces Ashley and Grace decided to come along too!!! :) Funny thing though the motel didn't have any more rooms with more than 1 bed! So here we all are in a King Bed jacuzzi suite, hahahaha! I walked into the room and the jacuzzi is in the room, so I can't even enjoy soaking in it, unless I want to scar my family for life!!!

Day 1:

We got into town at about 6pm, checked in, and went and had a yummy dinner at Fat Jacks, it was so good, either because I was really hungry or because I am on vacation, either way very good! Then we went and walked up to the sunken gardens, which was really fun for the kids to explore, and it is so pretty! Last time I was here was 11 years ago, in March when it was all snowy and grey, so seeing all the greenery and flowers was fun! Then we took the kids to play at the park and they had a blast, they have one of those merry-go-rounds that all parks used to have...those are the best! Then we came back to our room, I am laughing at the comedy that is my life all 7 of us in a 1 king size bed room!!! We gave the 3 little kids a bath in the jacuzzi tub, they had a blast! Ashley is now taking a "bath" in the jacuzzi with her swimsuit on, and the kids are all on the floor watching Harry Potter...oh my life. Crazy, but it's the best!

Here's some pics from the lap top of our room:

need some inspiration???

The O.G.

Austin's 1st day of First Grade was a SUCCESS!!!
We celebrated by going out to dinner at the Olive Garden (or the O.G. as Chad calls it, he is big on initials) at the request of Austin. He has been begging to go to the olive garden so several weeks now, so we finally caved! I think he found his new favorite soup..MINESTRONE! mine too!!
Alyssa was so tired from trying to get used to the new early morning routine, she was in a little trance at dinner, I thought she would conk right out when we got home, but she caught a second wind, and was jumping on the trampoline and giggling right along side Austin.

The best part of an early morning schedule...kids not fighting you when you say "BED TIME!" they gladly brushed their teeth, said their prayers and climbed into bed! (sigh) Now time for me to crawl into bed!

FIRST GRADE!!!!

Today is the day that Austin started first grade!!! Last night, Austin told me that he was a little nervous but I explained to him that most everyone is nervous, but it would be fun and after the first day he wouldn't be nervous anymore. So he took a nice relaxing bubble bath and then Chad gave him a blessing. In his blessing Chad blessed him to have confidence and my shy, timid little guy walked into his classroom more confident than I have ever seen him! He saw friends from his kindergarten class so he was very excited!!!

I wanted to be there with him and not leave, because it is hard knowing, that he is now going to be with his teachers and friends more than he is with me, I wish I could be there to protect him from anything that comes his way, but all we can do is prepare our children so they can handle the obstacles when they come their way. I'm excited that he is growing and learning, but there is a part of me that wants to keep him my little boy forever!

Today will be the first time he is having school lunch, he was pretty excited about that! They also get Pizza Hut Pizza every Thursday so he was really excited about that. He was also really excited that he will now have 3 recesses!!! I just hope he does well with the WHOLE DAY of school... we'll see! These first 3 days this week are short days, so the full day of school doesn't start until Monday.



Last year Austin and his cousin and best friend Abby was in his Kindergarten class. This year they are in different classes. They were both a little bummed and I am sure out of their comfort zone a little but they were excited that they would be able to see each other at recess :) I'm glad that they have each other!!!

Alyssa starts preschool on Monday, so I get to do this "letting go" thing all over again, next week!! OY VAY!!!


Abby



Austin's first day of school went great!!! We had a few issues with the pick up procedures, apparently they don't tell you what to do you just figure it out. So there were a few tears, but we got it all figured it out now, and tomorrow should go much, much, smoother!

It's what fun is....

My awesome mother in law took all of her boys and families (minus Kim, she was stuck at work) to Lagoon. We set up a little camp and spent the day there. We had so much fun!!! The kids can't stop talking about it!! Last time we went our kids were 4 and 2 and couldn't go on many rides other than the kids rides, well this year they are 6 and 4 and Austin was at the heigh requirement to go on most the rides...he was nervous and didn't want to go on some of them, but decided to try them out anyway, and love it! He went on the Tidal Wave,Colossus, The Wicked, The Screamer, The Terror ride, The Wild Mouse, The White Roller Coaster and of course all the kiddy rides! Alyssa loved going on the ladybug bop and, the egg drop (is what they called it) They had so much fun playing all day with cousins, and being with Grandma, Uncles and Aunt, and of course mom and dad! We went down the rattlesnake rapids, and the little boys did not like getting all soaking wet, and neither did Alyssa, so she stayed out the next time with Grandma and sleeping Bryson! I love that our families all get along so well, and we can do fun things like this!!

Thanks again Luan, for an amazing day!!!

Swimming Lessons

Tomorrow well technically today is the kids last day of Swimming Lessons...they have taken 3 sessions this summer, and they are quite the little swimmers now!!! They have always loved the water but now their confidence and ability has gone through the roof!!! They love to swim, and I love to watch them learn and grow!!! My favorite thing is when they learn something new or finally get the hang of something they look over at me with a big grin to make sure I was watching...SO CUTE!!!! The teachers are so cute with the kids and have taught me some fun games to play with the kids in the water ("What time is is Mr. Shark, Fishy in a basket, Treasure Hunt)
I like how they had fun cute names for everything like monster arms, catch a falling star, starfish floats, monkey-airplane-soldier, it helps the kids remember the different moves and motions with their legs and arms!! They have been GREAT!!!

And although they don't always do it at home, it makes me very proud to see how well Austin and Alyssa both listen to their teachers...other kids will be swimming and doing their own thing and my kids are little angels sitting on the steps waiting for the teachers instructions...they save their devious behavior for mom and dad...Lucky us!

1st session



2nd Session

Tomorrow is their celebration day where they get to just jump off the diving board over and over again....they love it!!! (these pics were taken at the end of their last session)

It's Great to be 8!!!

My niece, Jaydyn was baptized by her dad on Saturday 08/07/10, I was so happy that I would be able to be there. Chad had to miss it he had CNA clinicals that needed to be done that weekend, so the kids and I went to support her. She was smiling from ear to ear and the spirit was so strong! It was the feeling where you feel like your chest is just going to burst open, very overwhelming. Austin and Alyssa enjoyed being able to watch the baptism. Austin has been a little nervous (I know he still has 2 more years) but I think seeing that they didn't hold you under water eased his nerves, he has now been saying he can't wait until he is 8 so he can start scouts and be baptized :)
Alyssa just liked being up front taking in all the action. Her and Laney sat in their own pew, and held their own hymn books and thought they were as big as could be!
I had a wedding to photograph so I missed the luncheon afterward, but Luan, took Austin and Alyssa with her so they could play with the cousins!
Jaydyn
Jaydyn with her Dad (Nick, Chad's brother)

Seth, Preston, Alyssa and Alayna