The latest goings on (is "goings on" a correct statement?)

The kids are motivated by treats and parties so we have been earning a Book of Mormon Reading Half Thru party. We finally got there this month. Each kid had a friend over for fun and candy and a late night watching a movie. Not only did they get a party but the Spirit that we feel that comes into the living room each night we read from the scriptures is worth the cavities and difficulty of keeping the routine. T can read a few words on his own now, instead of just repeating them. The older 2 are really good at the Scriptural language now and S. is better every night at patiently waiting her turn to say, in 3 year old jabber and valley talk what Daddy reads to her.I am surprised that the 2nd time around reading the Book of Mormon that we don't get bored, just the opposite though. The prophets and other characters are becoming more real and more is being understood.What a great challenge and what great blessing we have been given undertaking Scripture Night every night. Anyone who hasn't tried it recently really should, you might be surprised at how great it makes the rest of life.

 

 

D. and wonderful helpers finally finished the Roof! Hooray!

Part of the view of Utah Lake and the Valley from up there. Its Awesome(minus the power lines)!

Yard work was next on the list after the Roof project. To keep S. occupied one day I made the mistake of letting her take a few pictures around the yard. Although pictures of dirt and out of focus rocks are fun to take they aren't as fun to look at. The worst part about letting a 3 yr old carefully(and only semi-supervised) use a camera is the inevitable dropping or otherwise mauling of the camera. Fortunately it is under warranty, although I won't have use of it for a few weeks. Oh the trade offs we make for a few hours of trimming and weeding. I still think it was worth it, just next time I will barter with less expensive and less used items and Not electronics.

Caught red handed, well red toenailed at least.

Labor Day, er um, Week

Who knew that taking old shingles off of the roof would create a pile of mess as tall as the actual roof?! BTW where are the trash cans and bikes that used to live here? Just wondering.

A couple of roofing pros and PeterPan showed up. J/K. I wish that getting up there were as easy as flying like Pan though, the ladder terrifies me!

Huge  THANK YOU!!! to the neighbors, and family that showed up to help. We would still be doing tear off a week later instead of a day away from completion.

Now, if the ladder didnt scare me so much this little guy still would. Short Story, but a scary one: Daddy tells kids who are helping to just "jump off" onto the tramp. "Its like the diving board at the pool." Fortunately mom wasnt there to have a heart attack(kids wouldnt be up there at all if mom were there!) . Unfortunately daddy forgot that T. isnt your average 5yr old who jumps in feet first. I'ts head first or nothing! Good news. He landed it. Nice! The End.

Speaking of nice. My Super Nice sister spent the entire day watching my kids, feeding them several times and then CLENAED MY HOUSE!!! Wow! Thank You so much!! Just knowing the kids were still alive would have been good enough. How did you do that all with 1 hand (babycakes in the other)?!

Countdown to Kindergerten 3,2,1 BlastOff!

Walking to the First Day(couldnt help walking along the fence at least some of the way)!

Kinny Garteners get to hang out with the Hawk!

School is going to be great! When is recess?!

Finally, the long awaited day is here!

Summer: The time we wish would last forever

...like watching an Uncle gut fish,

...like watching giant bugs join the picnic,

...like trying to cast off with a beast following you,

...like horribly dirty feet, bandaid adhesive around a few dozen wounds and a juicebox,

...like fishing for the first time and loving it,

...like looking for the "Chubacabra",

...like singing Christmas carols?! around the fire,

...like sneaking away with the big boys to play poker(!),

...like chillin' at a lake

...like 1,2,3, jumping from the pier,

...and jumping and jumping and jumping again,

...like running around undressed, with one stolen skate and Daddys helmet,

...like having a bunch of new friends over all at once to create barbie clothes,

...like playing videogames for hours on end

...like playing loud games and running to and from each activity,

...like having a cousin over to play any old time,

...like swimming in Grandmas pool without a lifejacket. Sadly it has to end but there is always something new around the corner, even if it includes snow. We have been so blessed with healthy bodies, friends and family and the most beautiful State to enjoy all summer. We really wish it would never end!

 

creating a winning team is all about attitude

Thanks to 2 families that I love who have also moved into new, but less than 100%"move-in" dream homes, I have examples of how to make the best of the worst. Instead of being excited about the cool treasures the previous owners left behind for us I was focusing on the truckloads of garbage and dirt to be taken care of. I now can see that half of a broken truck in the yard is truly a blessing(and so is the dear husband who hooked up the wiring and lights in 100*weather on pavement) because "look free dummy", no, sometimes Jack Handy quotes just pop out of me, sorry, "look free trailer!"Just what we needed. Seriously. This was the 2nd load of trash before D. took the boxes to recycle. Speaking of Handy.

So, Uncle D and Aunt D, I would love to see your eagle crests beat out this sweet 70"s light switch, although we are tied with the wood panel junk as walls.

Our downstairs bathroom is a nightmare and gives us all the creeps. Telling myself "It's okay" over and over. Is it preventing the breakdown or a symptom that a breakdown has already begun? Not sure.

Now that the house is livable the next challenge has begun. School. Every year N. has a major anxiety meltdown and refuses to attend school. Starting at a new school was sure to cause an even bigger issue. Check his smile out at back to school night though:looks happy. Surprise. He likes the idea that he wont have to wear a uniform(like the previous plan to attend daddy's charter that fizzled out) and that he isn't in middle school, so no lockers to be stuffed into and recess is still allowed.

We knew Z. could bloom in any environment and its true, she befriended her new principal who happened be from Logan and graduated as an Adams Owl. I think that's why she chose her pride shirt for back to school night.

Here is the reality from N. on the first morning back. "I'm not going!" I think the 5 minute walk to school took 15 minutes with all the feet dragging. He can see the lake from home and says he will pretend to go to school and then just run to the lake. Go ahead buddy, the lake looks much closer than it really is:) Update: school is different here but "good", like usual. And 4 square is better. Score.

Z. met a million friends and felt so cute in her new jeans. It's still 90*-100* here, but style comes before comfort when it comes to a new school outfit I guess.

The best part of the first day for N. was the trip to the Dinosaur Museum that mom finally got around to taking the kids to, after school. Its a great place and on Tuesdays in Aug you cant beat the discount.

Swim away, Swim away!!

Moving sucks!!

This was okay. Organized, Orderly, Expected.

This was also okay. Confusing, Superfluous, Non explosive(right?).

This was just not okay. Especially because it was one of Many many plumbing and electrical issues(poor daddy!)

This made it all worth it. A cousin to play with right in our own backyard!!!

"HARLEY SCRATCHD- ED ME AGAIN!!!"

And yet I just can't keep the 2 apart.

Even together in their sleep!

P.S. Happy Birthday to Harley this month. Year old puppies are much better than new puppies!