First Day of Kindergarten

Ella's first day of kindergarten was on Monday...BOO-YA!!! Let's just say, I was NOT a crying momma. We all walked Ella down to the bus stop for her first day and saw her off. She was halfway up the stairs on the bus when she turned around, ran back and gave me a big hug, and then ran back up to the bus. She's in Mrs. Gardiner's AM class with about all the little boys in the neighborhood and she loves it. She has been more than ready to start school for awhile now!

I really get a kick out of the random tidbits that come home from school. "Mom, did you know if you write the letters O and K and turn them sideways they make a person?" "Mom, did you know that I is a letter AND a word--two things!?" "Mom, our bus driver played Bingo is his Name-O on the way home from school today, isn't that funny?!" These are almost as good as when we went in for kindergarten testing and when asked math questions she told the tester, "I only like to do these questions with cookies and then I can REALLY tell you how many are left when you take away 3. That's how my mom shows me."

Ella, we are excited for you! Go tear it up girlie!

Crawling!

Little Hiz and her new tricks @ 7 months. Check it.

Make New Friends, But Keep the Old...

...one is silver and the other gold.

Bye friends. And not just the ones in this picture. This has been the summer of ridiculous move-outs! I kind of feel like I've moved because everyone around me is new. Cheers to good times. What did Heather say the other day? Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.

Summer O Fun

We don't have any big vacations planned this summer, but we have been enjoying a serious stay-cation since about May, maybe April. Instead of spending a lot of money on one week of going somewhere exotic, we've been spending a little money to explore treasures within reach. And so far, it's been the perfect non-stop adventure. With a little work in between, of course.

We went camping at Lava Point in June with the Boones and the Bradys! Check out this view...


Mmmmmm, dutch oven chili and chocolate cobbler. I may or may not have added a little too much cream soda. It may or may not have been hot chocolate pudding. You can tell from the gleam in my eye here that I was about to go crazy with it. I just love cream soda.


Happy little camper nugget. Pretty much all of the kids were constantly in motion, collecting bugs and caterpillars. All of their little chairs around the campfire were adorable.


Good friends, good times!


Also on that trip we ended by picking fresh cherries in Hurricane. Deee-lish!



The 4th of July this year was a blast! Bryson's sister Hillary and her husband Spencer just moved to Washington and we got have a BBQ with their family and the Quarnbergs. We were so excited to celebrate with Jim who just got home from Iraq! All the kids had fun running through the water and watching fireworks.

The kids started a face painting business on us! Hillary had brought paints and was painting little flags and stars on all our kids' faces and before we knew it, other kids were gathering and Ella was collecting fistfuls of dollar bills from kids who had pre-paid. Oh geez, that girl.


Festive little kiddos waiting for fireworks...


Last weekend, we headed to Bryce Canyon for the half marathon and a little weekend getaway. I was so excited to find out that the Hoyts were going to be in Orderville that weekend so we could get our party on!
Love love love Bryce Canyon. Seriously, it looks like the scenery is ripped from the pages of National Geographic.



The half marathon was a turning point for getting back in shape. I got 1:56:04 and was so happy to be getting back to normal again! It was the perfect race conditions too. I got a good night's sleep, didn't have to make any pit stops, had gorgeous weather--nothing to hold me back! St. George, I'm ready for you.

I think.


Nana, snuggle bug is 6 months old. Here's a picture for ya! Sorry, we never remember to take photos of her.


This pic of Avery just made us laugh. She's such a silly little sassafrass.


Bryson diverted the creek on Mossy Cave hike. We'll have to see what ecological changes he caused next time we're in the area...hmmm...


And we finally went to Sand Hollow! What a treat! I can't believe we'd never been. Thanks Hoyt family!


The girls had a blast catching fish...or watching Tim catch fish...


Row, row, row your boat, Hayden.


Ahhhhhhhh, relaxing!



The countdown to 3 years old finally came! Avery turned 3 on Monday and got breakfast in bed and a gazillion versions of happy birthday sung to her throughout the day. Then we threw a fun little water shindig with friends!



S'mores cupcakes are my new obsession. Apparently, they are the perfect treat for weddings, baptisms, and birthdays! These melted like no other in the hot sunshine, but I guess it's OK since they are S'MORES after all!


Spoiled much?!?!?


Avery got two new tutus for her birthday, lucky girl! Well funny enough, Ella can fit in Avery's 3T/4T size just fine. So they both wore a new tutu to church today! Good thing Avery is so good at sharing :) I hope Ella is just as good, I really like her new blue necklace!


Here's to keeping up with blogging so I don't have to mega post again. Phew, I think I need a nap!

Ironman

Just for the record, this was cool. I'd like one of these on my bucket list, please. Yes there is that small holdup that I don't know how to swim or bike, but I think I've got a 6-hour marathon in the bag.

Little Graduate

This little one has walked the walk. She might be a little unclear on the numbers 6, 8, and 9, but they let her get her diploma anyway. In their super cute presentation, they sang a song about numbers and each child held up a number when they sang theirs. Well, Ella had 6. And well, Ella held up 9. Oops.

Kindergarten here we come!

A Tisket A Tasket

Maybe it's time to let Ella in on a few little holiday secrets. She asked me this year if the Easter bunny was a person dressed up as a bunny that sneaks into people's houses or a real bunny trained to shop at the store. And bunnies don't lay eggs anyway.

Stop growing up and thinking logically; that is no fun, Ella.

This morning, a trail of plastic eggs led from the girls room, down the stairs, and straight to their baskets. We had to hurry and check out the goods so we could make it to church on time.

This Easter Sunday was brought to you by Disney's Tangled.

I can't keep from kissing this little Easter chick's cheeks.

Blessed Baby

This month has been a whirlwind of company and fun times. With my mom and my dad in town, we blessed Hazel on April 10 and celebrated with a Cafe Rio party at the clubhouse after church. Pretty much that was the best day ever. When I walked into sacrament meeting and saw all my favorite friends, old and new, in one place, it was the best feeling ever. We had a fun time getting all the food together and joking around that we were buying out Costco for all the limes, garlic, and cilantro that made that day happen!

Hazel was in the best mood when she got up that morning. She was smiley and giggly and so happy, just as though she knew that day was just for her. She even giggled while Bryson was giving her blessing prayer. And of course when Bry held her up nice and high afterwards (Simba-style) she gave the congregation her winning grin.

Notes for future gatherings:
I have no desire to ever own a catering business.
If you leave Ella alone for 5 minutes, expect to come back to a line of 5-year-olds (and adults) organized into a line waiting to hold the baby. And Ella telling you when your turn is up.
The blessing dress heirloom is still going strong. That dress was worn by me, Kristen, Becca, Ella, Avery, and Hazie.
Group photos are always a gamble, aren't they?