Back To School

Hmmm, I am trying a new app from my phone. The pics turned out weird but oh well.

Maddie eating her After school snack.

Jacee at lunch with some best friends.
Jack's awesome pose before school.

After dad's back to school priesthood blessing.

Yummy treats!
Maddie would not be left out of any pictures. We did get her a new outfit to wear, she put it on for about a minute, declared it itchy, and went to put on her traditional non-matching ensemble.

Our traditional 1st day of school - after school treats.

She looks so grown up - I'm freaking out a little bit.
Maddie insisted on pics with mom and dad. Glad I actually woke up and showered!

Yes, I did go for his first school lunch. I was so glad it was pizza instead of the potato-crusted fish they served today.
Jacee's blessing with dad.

I keep wondering when it is going to be easier for me to send my kids to school. So far I have cried every year. And I miss them so much. They, on the other hand, can't wait to get out the door to the school bus. I should be grateful they love school. I sure love them. At least I still have one more year with Mads.

Off They Go

I went home to help my mom and dad pack up and drive them to the airport. We worked pretty hard all day. We all took a break on the stairs and didn't seem to get back to work very quickly. It always is a daunting task to get them ready to go, but we do it, and they go...

4am - time to leave for the TF airport.

My mom was very good this time and followed all the rules. One was that you could not take a purse if you were carrying on a laptop. Well, we got there and all the other women had purses with them. My mom had packed hers and they were already whisked away with her luggage. The only thing I had in my car was a "U" bag. Here she is transferring her stuff into her make shift purse. When you are desperate, even a "U" Bag will do.

She told me she carried it with the "U" facing the inside most of the time, except the layover in SLC. She figured it was ok there.

My dad trying to work out VISA problems. It seems there is something wrong everytime they fly out of Twin. Luckily this was easily solved and did not cause too much stress.

My mom waving goodbye once she passed through security.

Finally getting ready to go.

I have missed them so much. We haven't really figured out the phone thing so I've only talked with them once. I can't wait to see them next week. I love and miss them so much!

Bricki Reunion 2011

My Man

Sometimes I just have to shake my head at my luck that I got my man. He is amazing. Here he is by the fire he started with just his knife...that's right folks...no matches at all. For Father's Day, my sister was getting her husband this crazy camping knife and suggested I do the same for my hubby. Well, a better gift was never given. In fact, he had hooked it to his belt to wear to church on Father's Day. Luckily it didn't quite make that appearance.

Since then the knife has been used on many occasions, a few of them to create sparks while sitting in the lounge chair - not smart but who can stop the boyful-glee that is on my husband's face when he is "playing" with his knife.

Right now my husband and children are up in Provo Canyon camping. It all happened very quickly so when I went up for just the fire pit, there were a few essentials missing. I have been teasing my husband that I don't really know who I was camping with because that NEVER happens. He is always prepared not only for our families needs, but for everyone who goes with us as well.

But alas, I know I truly don't have to worry because my children will be safe because they are with my husband and his camping knife.

Love you buckets can't wait to see you tonight.

PS this post brought to you courtesy of Jen.

Too Quick

It is weird how you wait for something for so long, then it is finally here, and then over just like that. My sister (a.k.a. wonder woman) came out with her family in June. I can't even type her schedule while she was here, my fingers would fall off. Let's just say that she tackles life with gusto with five kids in tow (at one point she was going to take her 20 month old to hike the Y - and I have no doubt she would have done it had not saner heads prevailed!)

Here is just a very small sampling of her trip out west. Picture above - fire pit up AF canyon.

Salon day with the girls - cut, style and new hair accessories.

Trip to Eagle park - Ben in the fairy hole...I have a feeling he won't fit when they come out next year.

And getting ready to drive to Rexburg for the 2nd (or was it 3rd) time in a 20 day period. Wow, sure am lucky she is willing to do all the hard stuff (driving, hauling kids around, being flexible, living out of suitcases, etc, etc) so that the cousins can spend some quality time together. Sure do love ya Jen!

My Working Man

John recently undertook remodeling my parent's game room into a master suite. There was delay after delay and so the night before my parent's were expecting ALL seven kids in Burley, John was up painting at two in the morning. The top picture is of him the second coat - he "borrowed" one of my mom's shower caps because the first time his hair ended up a nice egg shell white. I am so happy that he has a good worth ethic to try to get the job done even if it requires a two am paint job. Lover you!

Friends and Siblings

I love it that my kids love each other. There is just something about seeing them all piled up on the couch reading a book together. Here are a few moments caught in time that show some of the fun they have together, or that just touched my heart. Love you monkies!

We are loving the new jet tub at our new house - it makes the bubbles go crazy!

Just a tender moment caught when moving Grama out of Highland Cove - all three holding hands in a train.

It's going to be hard having Jack at school all day. Maddie and Jack would have the best time in the mornings before he had to leave for afternoon kindergarten.