First Day of School 2011

Summer is over and in some ways I am sad, in others, I'd be lying if I didn't say I was glad. August was a had a hard month. It started out with a really fun with a trip to Red Fish Lake (photos hopefully posted soon), then a weird sickness which we thought was maybe West Nile Virus, followed by Crew getting salmonella poisoning and then a bought of the stomach flu this last weekend of which Crew, Hailey and I suffered through. Poor Crew, he's gotten all three and his little body is tired and skinny. And in the middle of all this our friend and neighbor was killed in an accident. He was a husband and a father of 4, 3 adorable little boys and a brand new baby girl. His 2 oldest boys, Parker and Joshua are Crew's best friends. Things have been heavy and stressful. So, I haven't felt much like blogging or writing.

Crew started school last week and I forgot to get pictures. I didn't send him this morning with the girls because he is just tired and doesn't feel great. I don't either. I'm ready for a routine. I am hoping now that with a little more time to myself, I can get back to documenting and writing. Sorry to be such a Debbie-downer....at least these pictures make me smile.

Someone obviously loves the camera. Paige holding up 2 fingers for Second Grade, her teacher is Ms. Wood (her best friend Sofi's aunt).

Hailey holding up 4 fingers for Fourth Grade, her teacher is Mr. Rakel, a Harry Potter look-alike.

Paige making Hailey laugh.

On the way to school Hailey told Paige she was going to miss her and that she was her best friend (sometimes). Those are the moments that make all of this worth it.

This Is The Place 2011

We happened to be in Salt Lake again this year for Pioneer Day so we took the kids to This Is The Place for a bit of pioneer fun. I often hear my kids (and myself) complaining about how hard something is whether it be a bike ride, a hike or chores around the house and quickly remind them (and myself) how hard the pioneers had it. I know we probably have no idea how hard it really was, but it always seems to help put things into perspective (at least for me).

The animals are always a hit, especially with Paige.

Crew loves the train rides.

And how can you not do a little jig with the fiddle music going? This sends Paige into a fit of embarrassment as you can see from her desperate attempt to keep Jim's feet on the ground. Hailey covers her face in pure shame for her strange parents. In the spirit of how hard our forefathers had it, I often tell stories of all the embarrassing things my own parents did, especially grandpa.

Ahhh, how nice it was to go back home to Grandmommy's air conditioned home. Paige held my mom's new dog, Rosie, any chance she could get while we were there.