Josh's First day of Preschool

This is Josh's 3rd year of preschool and he is still so excited about it. Of course this year he gets to ride the bus like his big brother Andrew, so that is pretty cool. He is now going to 4 day a week preschool at the same school that Andrew goes too. To say he is excited about it is an understatement. All morning he kept asking when he gets to go to preschool. I would tell him after lunch and he then proceeded to say he wanted to eat lunch now. Time means nothing to him so when I would say well you still have about 90 minutes, he asked "what's 90 minutes?" Alex had to get in on the picture because he wants to go on a bus like his brothers. However, he has been very good the last 2 days with his brothers gone. It is strange to have only 1 at home. My babies are growing up. Andrew is now the protector on the bus ride home. I told him he has a mission and that is to make sure his little brother is safe and not picked on. It worked they both got off the bus happy yesterday, so I hope it lasts.
I am a slaker mom in that I don't have any first day of 3rd grade pictures of Andrew. He is an old hat at this school thing and couldn't be bothered for pictures. Funny story though, they have 2 tracks at his school now early and late. He of course is on the late track. Well the first day of school he came home early. I couldn't figure out who was knocking on my door so early, it was Andrew. I asked him why he was home early and he said, "my teacher asked who came in the morning and I did." So we talked and I thought we had it all figured out. He told me Thursday he was a later gator, so I know he had it down. Then Friday comes and I get a call from the school secretary and then his teacher saying they think Andrew came home early. Sure enough he was walking up from the bus stop. When asked why he was home he told me that I told him he was supposed to be on the same bus as Spencer. Little stinker turned my words around. I think he just wanted to come home early because he was tired and Grammie and Poppa were here. I of course being the good mom told him he had to read until 3:30 because he was still supposed to be in school. I don't think he read very much, he was too busy eating. Silly boy, but we sure do love him!


My little guy getting on the great big bus. I did have to follow the bus to school to make sure he was okay. A good friend who is going to be an aide in his class was there waiting for them. So I know he is in good hands. Thanks Diane!

13 Years Ago...

13 years ago today, Eric and I were married in the San Diego Temple. I can't believe it has been 13 years. We met in May of 1995 and were married in August of that year. It was a whirlwind but we made it and I know that we were meant to be together. We have been through many things and I am grateful for the man he is. I love him very much and am thankful that our 3 boys have such a good example to look up too.
Thanks Eric for making the last 13 years so special and I look forward to many more years. I love you!

Hawaii

We had an awesome time in Hawaii. 8 wonderful days of no work, worries, kids. Only had to worry about ourselves and Eric's only worry was when he was going to eat next. It was so much fun. We met almost all of Eric's brothers and sisters and their spouses there. It was fun ti just be there with the adults and there were a few kids but it was so much fun.
We boarded the plane on Thursday the 31st and could not wait to get there. However, when we got to Maui we had to catch another plane for Kona. I knew we were in for it when we asked the TSA guy where this Pacific Wings is and he was like "Oh you are flying them?" and another said he would pray for us when we asked again. Cheri and I were freaking out. Come to find out it was a little 9 passenger prop jet. It was the longest 50 minutes of my life. I feared for my life and was holding on for dear life. But we made it and I vowed never to get on a plane like that again. We had a bigger plane coming back home.
We spent just about everyday in the water either snorkeling or diving. Eric was in heaven. While diving we got down to 121 feet. I didn't realize we had gotten that deep, I was following our dive guide and he was checking out some wire coral. We saw lots of yellow tang, and just about all the fish from Finding Nemo. We went on a night dive and saw a manta ray. It was huge and you hold up your flashlight and all the plankton gather and the manta ray will swim right over your head. It kept hitting my sister in law Janet in the head. And of course the one thing that I really wanted to see and finally did was a sea turtle. It was cool to be in the water with them as they swam so gracefully.
When we weren't in the water, we were hanging out. We did go to the volcano park, Hilo Hatties, hiked to see some waterfalls and even went to see The Dark Knight. Of course we also had to look for gifts for the boys. Andrew requested a coconut and a tiger shark tooth necklace. Josh also wanted a shark tooth necklace and Alex wanted something green. Overall we had an awesome time and were sad to see our time come to an end.
My parents survived watching the boys for us. Thanks so much for taking care of our boys, I know it wasn't easy. They are on a much deserved quiet vacation now.

So here are some pictures from our trip. Enjoy!




For Eric this is what it was all about.


Eagle Ray


These were everywhere you looked.


I even got to hold an octopus. It was pretty cool




Eric and I doing our Maori impression to get ready for the luau


On the black sand beach.


Akaka Falls. Beautiful


Our last day in Kona.

Family Picture

I thought I would post a family picture. I have been trying to get one on for a while and have been unsuccessful. But this is a pretty good one I think of my family. These last few weeks we have been thinking about moving to another part of our development so that we could save a little money and stay in our ward. We thought we had a place lined up, we just needed to work out some kinks and it was all going as we hoped. When I talked to the landlord again, it was a little different story so we weren't sure what we were going to do. Well one call changed it all for us and made it clear where we needed to be. We are staying in our house and Eric will serve in the bishopric of our new ward. It was a little bittersweet to know that we would not be in the same ward as some friends anymore, but they are so close that I know we will still see them. We are where we need to be and will do what is asked of us.
Eric is a little overwhelmed and kinda has the deer in the headlights look but I know that he will do a great job and our family will be blessed. Eric's parents were able to be here (thanks pam and scott) to support him and be here for us. My brother and his family and Eric's sisters and their family were also there. It is so wonderful to be close to family. I hope they all know how much it meant to both Eric and I that they were there.
Well now we are on the countdown to HAWAII!!!!!! I leave tomorrow to take the boys to California so my parents can watch them. I hope my parents survive! I know they will and I hope it only makes their relationships with the boys that much stronger. Eric and I on the other hand will be kid free, and responsibility free for 8 whole days! We plan on scuba diving, scuba diving and scuba diving some more. There will be some other activities involved but that is the main one. We are so excited and will post pictures.

Today was a primary activity day for the kids. It was all about pioneers. The kids were each given a pioneer name and put in a company for traveling. then they participated in different activities and it was a lot of fun. Alex even joined in since I was helping out.


Alex roping the cow


Josh building a log cabin. well trying to decide between building it and eating it. eating it won out!



Alex of course no question, eating it is what it was all about. he is the snackshack


Josh roping the cow


Knock down those bottles Andrew


Love this pic. May be one of the rare moments that you can see the love between the two


Pull boys Pull!




Look at that height! Future basketball star maybe??




Andrew was able to go to a basketball clinic yesterday at the Utah Flash Factory put on by the IR Iran olympic basketball team. It was a fun day for him and the players were so nice to all the kids helping them make baskets and teaching them skills. My battery died on my camera so I don't have any other pics. He is famous now though because he did get his photo taken and he is on NBA.com. He is so excited about that. He was with his cousins and it was a fun day.


So Andrew got an idea to sell something for money.He wanted to make ladybug cookies (chocolate chip with m&m's were good enough). He set up a stand and went to work. He did pretty well and lasted about 10 minutes then the neighbors came out and he wanted to play with them so I looked like I was the one selling the cookies for awhile. It was fun and he enjoyed it.

Take A Walk Down Memory Lane

Hope you'll play!

MEMORY LANE

MEMORY LANE- This will be fun! This is just too fun to pass up. Here are the directions:

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember! I guess good or bad, but be nice!!!!!!!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments

4th of July Family Reunion

Over the 4th my side of the family got together for a little camping and boating fun. The meeting spot, Deer Creek. the weather, hot, the fun, memorable. We enjoyed 2 nights of camping and 3 days on the water. The cousins had fun and so did the adults. It brought back memories from when I was little and we would go camping here. Here are a few memories that were made during this trip:

1)My boys excitement and eagerness to go on Poppa's boat
2)Alex up at the crack of dawn, bouncing in the tent
3)meeting and holding our newest nephew, cousin Chase
4)spending 3 whole days with Eric not having to work
5)my two younger brothers wrestling in the water (at least there was no mud thrown this time)
6)all the yummy junk food
7)smores by the fire at night (ever tried one with reese's peanut butter cups?)
8)Andrew burning his finger in his excitement to get the marshmallow
9)water fights (I still owe my niece Brittany)
10)talks on the beach while watching the kids play
11)The laughter
12)the boys joy when riding on the tube
13)Andrew so excited to get a fishing pole
14)DAIRY KEEN to end the trip (chocolate ice cream shake with reeses)YUMMY!
Thanks mom and dad for getting us together and for being who you are.

Here are some fun pictures from our reunion. Enjoy!!


How dirty can 2 2 year olds get?






SMORE'S SMORE'S and more SMORE'S


CHOO!CHOO!




Wanted to be in or near it all the time






Look what we found in the middle of the lake


Let's swim across the lake


Too tired to make it back, so Grammie rescued them


Bella showing off her little brother


Love those fireworks!


Notice our resident pyro with all the fireworks in his pockets