Sometimes Less is More

Jamie and I have spent most of the last 4 years trying to get our home paid off. We have had this paper hanging on our refrigerator for most of that time. We would mark off another line every time we would pay off another $3,000.

We finally did it the 27th of August. We were talking about it Friday on our date night and Jamie told me that he had never been happier. I don't think that I fully comprehend the huge responsibility that he feels to provide for our family. I am so grateful for him. He is such a hard worker and is an amazing provider for me and my children. Congratulations Hun! I love you and am so proud of us for accomplishing this goal.

All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth

TJ and Addy have been competing with each other to see who can lose their teeth first. TJ lost his first, but Addy quickly caught up. They are both up to 4 and have toothless grins.

1st Day of School

For the first time in 3 years, we didn't have a kid starting kindergarten. It was nice to not have to worry quite so much about how they would adjust. They are each old pros at this going to school thing.

1st Grade

2nd Grade

 3rd Grade

Meet the Teacher Night

August 3rd was meet the teacher night. The kids were excited to get to meet their new teachers. Addy has Mrs. Reese.

TJ has Miss Wilson. He went to her class last year for reading so he was excited to get her as his teacher.

 Emmy has Mrs. Powell.

After we met their teachers we went to Cold Stone. We are excited for school to start!

Family Reunion

My family reunion was the last weekend in July. We went to Oceanside again. Rook did not sleep very good at all but other than that we had a fun few days with cousins just hanging out and enjoying the beach.

Addy has always had a special connection with my dad. There are so many things that I love about him but one of the things I love the most is that he will do the things with my kids that they want to do. Addy was so excited to go boogie boarding with Papa and wanted to make sure I got a picture of them.

We were all worn out by the end of the day.

Both nights we were there we met at this park for dinner.

If I had known we were going to take pictures I would have put some makeup on. I love each of these  men. They are all so different and yet I love them each. The older I get, the more I long for a sister, but I can't say that I would trade any one of them for one. I am so grateful for them and the way in which they look after each other, me and my parents.

This picture is all of my parents grandchildren as of 7/2015.

I am so grateful for the family that I have. We are in no way perfect but I am grateful for the chance I had to be raised in the gospel and have so many amazing examples for my kids.

24th of July

Me and the kids had about had it with the heat so we went to Taylor for 5 days for the 24th celebration and left Jamie here to work. Thursday and Friday my mom had her family reunion. There was dinner and a dance Thursday night followed by games and lunch Friday morning. There was also lots of fun times hanging out with cousins. I love watching these 2 dance.

 TJ and Evie won the "twist" contest at the dance.

One of the games was a barrel race competition. They had to run the barrel pattern pushing this huge ball.

There were guessing jars there and one of the jars had dum-dum suckers. Rook was pretty upset that I wouldn't let him have one of the suckers.

Emmy really wanted to go to the rodeo. So I took her Friday night. She is out in the middle of all those kids somewhere getting ready to chase a chicken. She didn't catch one, but Kaidan did. She told me that was her favorite part of the rodeo.

Saturday morning we went to the parade. The kids loved it.

The Mormon Battalion was also there.

We also had lots of fun with our cousins.

One afternoon Cody invited us all over to play in the pond that his boss owns.

 We also got to meet my newest nephew Cody July "C.J." - which was my grandfather's name.

My mom always has a fashion show one night where the kids get to model their new school clothes. My kids usually don't get to participate because we aren't up there so they were excited to be part of that this year.

It was a fun week. I always miss Jamie when we spend that long up there without him, but I think it is important for my kids to have a chance to get to spend that much time with their cousins and grandparents.