Aislyn's First Day of Preschool--Sept. 2010

If I thought sending Cetera off was hard, I think it was even harder sending off Weeze. Not hard, but just worthy of a sniffle or two. MY baby! Aaah! I told her she's not allowed to turn 5 next year. Weeze still likes me, see, and will let me hug her....and I have a feeling that will change at some point-and it all starts with turning 5, then 6, 7, 8 and so forth! Sheesh, it's good I'm having another one!

We lucked out with preschool this year, since my most wonderful friend and old roomie from BYU is her teacher! I was just thrilled with the idea, and it's been all going swimmingly. Aislyn has really enjoyed preschool, and she had the grand honor of being their first student to vomit during school! Go Squeebs!

 She's a natural born poser, just like big Sis. My kids aren't shy in front of the camera.....no way.



Cetera's 7th Birthday Party

Our little Cetera turned 7 this year. Like I said previously, I was a teensy bit sad she had to go on her birthday. Terrible, I know. Aislyn will almost certainly have to on hers as well at some point, and I'm sure I'll feel sad for her too. But does she look sad? Nah.....thank goodness she really does like school. Plus she's so cute in her little uniform! :)

 This year Cetera BEGGED to have a slumber party. We thought she was still a tad bit young for this, so we met her halfway, and let her have a 'pretend slumber party'. Her friends got to come over and do all the fun slumber party stuff (eat pizza, paint nails, jump around crazy in their PJ's, stay up past their bedtime--in this case till 9:00 p.m.), and then everyone got to go home and sleep in their own beds. I saw cute invitations for something similar on a blog, so I totally copied it, and here's our version:( It's supposed to be a pillow in a pillowcase).

 Here's another idea I totally copied. This is her cake, with all the girlys tucked into a big bed. This was the first time I'd ever even touched fondant, and I was certain I'd screw it up.....but amazingly enough, it turned out ok! I even colored the little cutouts with food coloring (since I didn't want to buy white AND colored fondant--it's expensive!). I was pretty proud of myself, and Cetera was pretty pleased with it, so all was happy. :)

 The birthday girl with her cake and a doll that our neighbor gave her. :)

 Birthday party attendees in PJ's and with blankets: Maura, C, and Jolie.

 Weeze the cheese and Oakley

 Blowing out all 7 of those candles. We don't know if she sprayed the cake or not.

 Playing tennis on the Wii.

 All the gals with the headbands we made at the party.

Such a poser. This was the first and last time that shirt was ironed.

 I can't believe you are 7! This year you have:

• auditioned for and made your competitive dance team
• won a Dancer of the Year award
• lost 5 teeth
• started a new school
• picked up new several new hobbies: roller skating, calligraphy, speaking Spanish, braiding hair
• made your family grow in ways we really needed to
• made yourself even more indispensable to us!

We love you and are so proud of you! You keep us on our toes (just like you are all the time!), and we appreciate what you bring to our family! We love you monkey bum!

Cetera's first day of 2nd Grade--Aug. 18, 2010

My poor little crumbly had to start school SO early this year! She also started a brand new school, and they began a week before the rest of the school district, AND the day before her birthday. I don't know why I felt so terrible about her going to school on her bday, I guess since I have a summer bday. Either way, she was ok with it. She loves school!

Clearly not awake yet...

 An academic pose..

 One day she'll grow into her backpack.

Love you babes!

Fun with our Lamprecht friends--Aug 2010

I am so blessed to have one of my dearest friends live close enough to see fairly often. My sweet friend Carrie and I have known each other since we were 12, and we have such good fun when we get together. Fortunately we have kids close in age, and they have almost as much fun as us old ladies!

On this occasion they came down our way, and the kids swam outside while we gabbed. Here's Aislyn and Giles in the large and spacious pool.

 Carrie and Giles, Cetera, Euan, and Weeze taking an Otter Pop break.

 Her boys have THE best hair--and the cutest faces. :)

 And how could they not with their beautiful mom!? Love you Carrie and you darling boys!



24th of July 2010

We had our wonderful neighbors, the Caziers, over on the 24th of July. We had food, fireworks, and fun. Especially with Jake's contraband firecrackers. :)

Amery, Milo, Cetera, Aislyn, Cara and Lindy watching Jake and Spence trying to blow off their eyebrows.

 "Look!" says Spence. "I still have my eyebrows, AND my eyelashes!"



Our first camping trip - July 2010

This year I finally got up the gumption to say OK and agree to go camping. I had two stipulations:

1: It had to have a flushing toilet.

2: Not be around any bears.

SO off we went to Payson Lakes (we tried going up AF Canyon, but alas, bear sightings..). We found a completely crowded campsite (like all others in Utah), but it was very nice, and we did a fair amount of privacy.

And 1: It had no flushing toilets. Evidently those were no where to be found.

Here is our lovely campfire spot:

 The last time my children were clean for the next 3 days.

 Handsome being the boy scout.

 I had a big juicy book to devour, so Spence spent some time with the gals whittling stuff.

 And more manly stuff.

 What I like about camping: Campfire and eating food cooked on the campfire.

 Day no. 2: Breakfast time.

 Weeza was going for the Rapunzel-in-the-woods look.

 Cetera was just so happy to be outside and dirty, and looking forward to going fishing.

 The first mighty fisherman.

 How could the fish resist that face?

 No's 2 & 3 mighty fishermen.

 Perhaps changing the stance might help the fish bite.

 Or showing some crack.

 A little more crack.

 After a most unsuccessful fishing venture, the girls felt it necessary to get really dirty and make some mud pies. I gave them my blessing.

 More crack is always good.

 Cetera and her stick.

 Me and my book.

 Weeze and her muscles.

 Cetera and her guns.

 And our evenings.....me with my face stuck in my book, and the girls playing in the fire.

Oh, and did I mention...one unfortunate evening when I had to get out of the tent to walk the 2 miles to the potty (by myself--I had to choose whether to leave my children unprotected or have me unprotected, and the kids won out-curse being a mother!), I kept repeating to myself in the dark, "There's no bears, there's no bears". The next morning, as we were packing up getting ready to leave, the park ranger came and told us it was good we were leaving, since then he didn't have to inform us about the bear that was in camp last night. See why I make my stipulations!!!???