First day of school...

Wow, its here already? Summer flew by this year. I guess it's because time flies when you're having fun...we all got to spend so much time together as a family...lots of little trips and Jeff and I have been working like mad on the garage. It's a project he's wanted to do for a long time and we decided now was a great time to finally get it done. (I'll post some pictures on that when it's all done...should be soon.) Anissa was super excited for school, that last week of summer was so long to her. Jonah is starting middle school this year...he doesn't seem too worried. Maybe it helps to have Aidan there still, he'll be in 8th grade. Jake is a junior this year...I know! I can't believe it. They all let me take some first day pics. I even managed to get a smile out of Jake despite the early hour (seminary!)

Happy, Happy Birthday Jeffrey Dear!

Today is Jeff's birthday. He is now part of the "fortysomethings"...you know, 40 plus...(I'm not quite there yet...one more month til I hit 40..he he). Wasn't there a tv show by that name? I never watched it. It was before my time and I wasn't interested in a show about old people. Funny how when you're young, 40 seems so old...now it's looking pretty good! Anyway, I wanted to wish a very happy birthday to my wonderful husband (who so graciously spent the day with 6 seven-year olds. I'll take him out to a nice dinner tonight). I love you very much and look forward to spending the next 4o years together!

Happy Birthday Anissa!

My baby girl is 7 years old! She's getting so big. She's out of the baby stage and is turning into a little lady before my eyes. Getting so much taller, opinionated about clothes, capable of doing so many things on her own, and preparing for 2nd grade. For her birthday party this year, we invited a few of her friends to join us at the free movie (Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium) and then we went to McDonald's for lunch. It was so painless and the kids had a great time! Here are a few pictures from the party at home and with friends...We love you Anissa!

PS Granny & Papa: this outfit is a restyled combo of the two outfits you "bought" for her birthday!

Made us think...

Jeff woke me up on Friday night at about 1 am and said the neighbors house was on fire. I'd heard a lot of sirens in my half sleep, but they didn't sound right outside my house (I think I heard them coming from the station) and in my half asleep state, I was scared. I thought which neighbor? Do we need to get out of our house? When I got downstairs I could see flames glowing inside our neighbor's house directly across from us. It's so much scarier in person. I think we get desensitized by watching it on TV. I just felt sick to my stomach. I thought where are they, I don't see any people...it's some "kids" in their twenties that rent the house and I'm not even sure how many people actually live there (I know, we aren't very good neighbors). I just hoped they were all out and then I thought about all their "stuff". It's so sad. The forces of nature are so powerful. The firemen (all SEVEN trucks worth) had it out really fast after I woke up, but it still took about 2 hours for them to give the all clear. It really made us rethink our escape plan...we could see our previously designated meeting spot was basically buried in firemen and hoses and gear, so we'd better pick a new spot a little farther away. Also, it looked like the fire started in the kitchen and I wondered how does a kitchen fire get that out of hand? Didn't they have a fire extinguisher? Well we do, but we keep it in the cupboard above the microwave/oven combo...a kitchen fire will most likely start at the stove or oven. I don't think we will be able to reach over a burning oven to get the extinguisher, so we need to move that. Any way, they were all safe, but the house is unlivable for a while...it really gave us pause. I took a couple of pictures from inside our house and even that felt wrong, but here they are...

More mini vacations...

Since we have plenty of free time, we thought we'd make the rounds visiting family in California first...


Then we took a little trip up to Utah...




It was nice to visit everyone and do all the "touristy" stuff, but we hope Jeff finds a great job soon and we won't have the luxury of so much free time...keep us in your prayers.

Who is this Kid?

Jeff and Aidan went for a haircut tonight, which doesn't sound unusual to most people, but anyone who knows Aidan, knows "haircut" is not his favorite word! Jeff texted me while they were there and said "Aidan is getting his head shaved, I hope he doesn't hate me..." I was really panicked. I'm picturing totally shaved and I knew Aidan would NOT like that in the morning, so I called him up and said "NO, is it too late? Don't do it! Did you talk him into it or something?" Jeff said it was already too late, so I waited impatiently for them to return. Luckily, "shaved" was an exaggeration...here are the before and after. What do you think?

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Camping and Manti

We spent the past weekend camping at Big Rock Candy Mountain in Utah with Jeff's family. It was nice to get out of town and relax. We went to the Mormon Miracle Pageant in Manti. That was great, Jeff and I hadn't been since we were kids (I think it might be the same audio track that they had back then). We did the traditional church fund raising dinner (super long line, so so food) The only drawback is the starting time...9:30pm! They have to wait until dark, so two out of three kids fell asleep. Anissa went a day ahead with some cousins and got to do a fun river float. We didn't have time to do it, I might like to go back and try it. They have some good "beginner" white water rafting that sounded like it wouldn't be too scary. Here are a few pictures (stole of few of yours Cort, we kept forgetting to bring the camera)...

Jake leaves for Philmont...

Jake left for Philmont today. This picture is at about 3:30 am and he'll be gone on a 12-day 75-mile backpacking trip...thus the pained expression. I'll post all the details after he gets home on the 4th of July. (PS doesn't he look handsome in his uniform?)

Sun, Sand, Sea and Twins?

Jeff and Aidan spent last week at the beautiful scout camp "Emeral Bay" on Catalina Island. They had a great time snorkling, canoeing, and making pottery.They even found "future Aidan" there...a boy that looks like what Aidan would be in 2 years. Of course, we know he'll be even cuter. What do you think?

Brace Face!

Jonah got braces today! We've been lucky so far...Jake has perfect teeth (I don't think he's even had a cavity) and Aidan's aren't too bad, although he's been bugging for braces for a while. But at our last cleaning Dr. Lords told us Jonah's need for braces was a little more urgent. He's got some teeth just ready to come in, but no where for them to go. So far he's just got top braces. More to come later...he'll have to wear them about two years. The orthodontist said "The good news is you'll have them off before high school...the bad news is, you'll have to get them on now!"