First Day of School!

What can I say? I'm just not one of those moms that cry when school starts. We've had a great summer and the kids were just as ready for school to start as I was. So far they've loved it. Hailey is in middle school this year and really likes it. She can't quite figure out her locker yet, but when she does it will be the best decorated locker in all of 5th grade. She's had lots of fun buying magnents and a white board and other stuff to make it snazzy so hopefully she'll be able to open it by herself soon! :) She really likes her teacher and has made new friends already.

Sydni is in 4th grade this year and I really can't believe it. She also likes her teacher and has friends in her class so she is loving it. Since the south elementary combined with us this year she gets to see lots of friends and cousins she hasn't gone to school with before so she is enjoying that.

Jonah started 1st grade this year. I know his teacher is awesome because the girls had her. He has lots of friends in his class too. Mrs. Fowles said he is a good reader and writer. She told him to practice by writing letters to Grandpa Gary. We'll see. I can't get him to write anything. But I am glad he likes to read.

Last but not least....Danny is FINALLY a "school kid" Thats what he calls himself! He is probably the most excited kid I've ever had. It doesn't take much to make him happy (or mad) but going to school is definately at the top! He has only gone one day so far but loved it. I hope he listens to his teacher better than he listens to me!!!

I can't believe they're all in school. Who would have thought this day would ever come?! Luckily I have Max to keep my company (or take a nap with)

Happy 1st Birthday Max!

I am really behind on this post! July 28th Max turned one! I really can't believe how fast this year has gone by. We were on vacation for Max's birthday so he got to celebrate at Lindsey's in California! It was lots of fun! He loved his party hat, cake and presents. He thought it was really funny when we were all singing to him too. I just love this little guy!
Dig in! He loved getting messy eating his cake!

He really didn't know how to open his presents, but no worries!

He had lots of help!!

A few milestones for Max:

*finally sleeping in his crib in his own room and out of mine!

*8 teeth

*Went from crawling to walking in pretty much one day

*Loves ALL food

*says "hi"

*LOVES Backyardigans (not really a milestone, but a lifesaver for me!)

This is our last first birthday. I finally feel like one of those moms that hates to see thier baby grow up, but I'm totally looking forward to more fun years with Max!

Bryce Canyon Half Marathon

I can finally say I have ran a half marathon. I've had this goal for quite a while now, and I'm happy to say I achieved it. I'm not much of a goal setter so it felt pretty great. I'm definately not the fastest, but I was pretty much there to finish and not die! Even though I almost did at mile 12! I couldn't believe I had 11 miles behind me and only one to go and all I wanted to do was lay down and be done! But my super sister-in-law Hilary got me through!

Here I am coming into the finish line. I actually started sprinting here,
but this picture makes me look like I was walking! Not So!
Me, Hilary, Misty - hooray for us!

Not only was it a weekend of achieving goals, but also a girls weekend! Nothing can top that! I have some pretty great sisters-in-law I was able to spend the weekend with and it was sooo much fun! We laughed til we cried! I rode down with Heather, Stephani, and Misty to Cedar where we picked up Hilary. Of course we had to carb up :) so we headed for the Pizza Factory...my favorite! Then it was off to Bryce Canyon. We had good intentions of a good nights sleep before the race but with 5 girls in one tiny hotel room, no such luck. But it sure was fun!

Misty, Hilary, me, Stephani, Heather - I just love these girls

After the race we decided to take in a little scenery. I heard the run was pretty scenic but somehow I missed that. Heather had never seen Bryce Canyon and the rest of us hadn't been in a while so it was fun to see.

us girls again - Heather, me, Steph, Hilary, Misty

Stephani and I

Thanks to my awesome sisters-in-law, that are more like real sisters to me! I can't wait to make this a tradition and do it every year.

More Summer Fun!

This summer continues to keep us busy! Justin got a wild hair and decided it would be fun to take the kids to Lagoon! Of course they thought this was a great idea also, so away we went. We went up Sunday after church and spent the night in Orem and headed to Lagoon Monday morning. (after a long night of Jonah screaming with a tooth ache!) We spent the whole day at Lagoon and had a great time. It was HOT but still fun. Hailey was a daredevil as always, and rode everything. Syd did pretty good this time. She's getting a little more brave all the time. We put big shoes on Jonah and set his hat high on his head and he was barely tall enough to ride the white roller coaster and a few other things. He really wanted to go on the collousus, but about half way up that really steep first part he changed his mind! Too late buddy! He decided it was pretty fun though and ended up riding again. I decided I must be too old because every ride seemed to hurt my body!!!

Syd, Max and Hailey at the motel
Danny on the merry-go-round. He is so easily entertained!

After an hour of waiting in line, they didn't even get wet! Hailey, Sydni, me and Danny on the BAT!

On to the 4th of July. This is always such a fun holiday in our little town! People come from all over to celebrate the 4th in Delta! The day before we let the kids decorate their bikes and be in the kiddy parade. Jonah and Sydni thought it was a race so I got stuck helping Danny down main street. About two pedals down the road he got too tired so I Pushed him the rest of the way. Pretty sure we won't be doing the kiddy parade next year! :) On the 4th I got up early with my girls and we ran a 5k here in town. Hailey and Syd thought it was about the hardest thing they had ever done, but they made it....even over the 8 foot fence!! After that we watched the parade and the kids got tons of candy, as usual. Hailey was in the parade this year with her dance class so that was fun. Thanks AGAIN to Russ and LeAnn for letting us sit at the laundromat. It's pretty much the best seat in town! Then it was off to the park for tritip sandwiches! I live for those every year...they are the BEST! The rest of the park day consisted of fighting with the kids over hermit crabs, bouncy slides, etc, etc. I don't think my sister really likes hanging out with me and my children at the park! Too bad for her! We ended the night with a big BBQ at the Bliss' and fireworks. It was a long day, but sooo much fun!

Jonah and Syd....Danny hadn't made it to the park yet! :)

Hailey, Hilary, me, Syd, Misty, Erica after the 5k

Hailey with her dance group

All of Justin's family has been here so we've been spending lots of time with them. We love going up to the canyon together. We brought 4 wheelers and Grandpa Bob brought his horses so everyone had a great time!

Max gets the graham cracker part of a s'more!

We had some black bath water goin' down the drain that night

Me and Danny going for a 4wheeler ride

I haven't updated in a while because.....

...there has been NO TIME! So much for June! Wow this summer is really flying by! We are livin' up every minute though! I really didn't think we were involved in too much this summer. Never mind! So far we have been......


Learning to sew
Hailey spent 3 days at a 4-H sewing camp that she loved! This is right up her alley. Not to mention she's pretty darn good at it. Maybe now she can teach me to make PJ pants and aprons!

Playing T-ball

Jonah is in T-ball again this summer and loves it! The first few games were freezing cold, but it has finally started to warm up now so thats good. He especially loves being on a team with his best friends Walker, Austin and Jarrett!

Learning new tricks.

Sydni, Jonah and Danny are all in summer tumbling. They love it and are getting pretty good. I need to get a few more pictures...this ones not too great! But they are getting better, and hope to be doing back handsprings by the time grandma and grandpa get home!

Playing at the Res!

"Whats the res? Is this the res? I want to live at the res!" Danny's feelings about the res!


Eating our first nectarine!

Right down to the pit! Max loved watching the kids play in the water and eating his nectarine. He was pretty sticky and sandy when it was over, but he sure had fun!

Learning to Swim

Danny and Jonah both just finished up swimming lessons! Danny passed level 1 woot woot! Jonah didn't quite pass level 3 but it's pretty tough so thats okay. Maybe next time (or the next)



I didn't know what to think when they told my little guy to jump in the deep. But he did it and did great!

What a dive!

A few other picture-less things......

Hailey went to science camp in Cedar City with her cousin Olivia and had the best time!

We went to the temple in St. George with Darlene and family to see them get sealed! YAY!

Spent the day at the res with all the sisters-in-law! Super fun but......33 kids between us all! Whoa!

Spending time with Hilary's family

Lots of training for my half marathon! another Whoa!!

Enjoying sleeping in and no homework!!!

Last but not least....Saying goodbye to Grandma and Grandpa Church for a year! I didn't get any pictures of this tearful goodbye but they are doing good and we are surviving without them! I am so proud of them for going on a mission and am thankful for the example they are to myself and my kids! We love them!

Now on to the rest of the summer!

Georgia!

The girls and I have been looking forward to this trip for a LONG time! We are lucky enough to have some great friends in Georgia that we got to go visit. The Bell's had a dairy here in Delta for a few years and we got to know them through that and since then have become life-long friends. It's sad to have them live so far away now, but at least it gives us some place fun to go and visit!
The trip started out with Ammie's 18th birthday so she and I went and got pedicures and manicures and out to lunch. Later that night was Ammie's graduation, so that was fun. The weekend was birthday parties and laying out by the pool. They showed us a great time at the "duck pond" where we swam, canoed, jumped on the tramp in the pond, and went off the zip line! It was so high but I was brave! Hailey too! Syd thinks maybe next time she'll try:)
They live in a cute little historic town, so Monday we walked around and shopped. My favorite thing to do!
The rest of the trip pretty much consisted of laying out by the pool, eating, talking, laughing. I even introduced them to homemade root beer which they loved!
It was such a fun relaxing trip! I loved it!
A big shout out to Justin who stayed home with all the boys! WOW! What a great husband! I was so home sick for my boys, but I knew they were taken care of. Thanks babe!

Sydni's favorite part was taking pictures out of the airplane. There were about 20, but I'll just share one!


Ammie's graduation and birthday

Hailey by the pool

The slip n slide crash!

Ammie and Syd on the slip n slide

Syd + Ammie = best friends!

Ammie, me and Syd. Happy Birthday!

Hailey on the zip line. Yes, she was screaming!

Syd and Ammie.....again

and again......

Leigh Anne and me

again....

at the cracker barrel before we had to leave...so sad

Me and Leigh Anne

Thanks for such a fun trip "ya'all" Can't wait til next time!

the Stock Show

After 3 long months of taking care of lambs, it was finally stock show time. The girls were less than thrilled (so was I) about having lambs. Getting them to feed the lambs twice a day was almost impossible, not to mention making them actually get out in the pen and work with them. I was expecting a total disaster once show time came. But lo and behold....they did great!! I think they might have even liked it a little bit! Especially when they got their check! :) Good job girls!