First Day of School

Waiting for the bus to come.
My so handsome boy.
Ready to take on the world.

It's the most wonderful time of the year. Or, as Dylan would say "Back to being tortured." Our summer was super fun but it went by so fast. I still can't believe they are back in school. Dylan is in 6th grade - ahhhh. He hasn't been all that excited to go back even though I keep reminding him that the 6th graders are kings of the school. His best buddy is in his class this year which helps. Braxton could not contain himself. He has been so excited to go back to school and "ride the bus to school with Dylan and ride the bus home with Dylan." I love that he is starting the year with enthusiasm. He did so great with reading last year and we hope that he can pick up right where we left off. He has some buddies in his class including his cousin. He picked out his outfit for the first day. He was so excited I didn't dare object so... that's what he wore. And next week Nati will start preschool again. Life is getting good!!

Being 12!

I am having a hard time even uttering these words. Dylan is 12. The thought has made me feel really old. He has been reminding me of his age for about 2 months, and enjoying the fact that he is almost as tall as me and only 1 year away from being a teenager. I have dealt with all other milestones with extreme dignity and grace but this is just too much. He had his friend party last Saturday. The boys broke up into 2 different teams, loaded into either mine or Aunt Kate's car and began the race to win a scavenger hunt. I came up with 7 different places to go and either buy something or get a picture taken. They had a blast. We had an ice cream bar after with all kinds of treats. I anticipated 8 young boys to eat a ton so I had loads of stuff and they barely ate any which meant that I had a couple of banana splits to run off. We gave him Band Hero which the kids all love. Nati is going to be our little singer. He had a great day and although I am detecting a little back-talking lately I wouldn't trade him for anything. Happy Birthday Dylan!!

Where are you?

No pictures this time. Just one simple question - Where are you? Maybe it's just because I love to blog our lives and my wish to someday get it all printed out, but I miss updates from my friends. I look every couple of days and I anticipate the day when there are new stories and new pictures. It's kind of like when you do the laundry and you find a couple of dollars or even a $5 bill in the dryer. I get so excited and don't know what to do. So, I will go about my day today with that thought roaming around in my head, amid a sick boy downstairs and lawn that I am going to mow this morning, that maybe today will be the day that I get to hear something from my friends! I hope you are all well and that summer just took it's toll on everyone - me included.

Camp Rocks!

Camp Rocks Presidency.
Cute girls rockin' out!
The leaders on Ward Day!!
On our hike.
Our cute girls.

Girls Camp this year was loaded with fun, drama, homesickness and tears. Mostly fun though!! It was stake camp and our stake mixes all of the leaders with all of the girls. As fate would have it I ended up in the same cabin as Shavon and several of our Beehives. No, we didn't make a request. We had a "Camp Kick Off" the week before. We all dressed up as rock stars and sang karaoke. It was super fun. The girls left on Monday & I went from Tuesday morning until camp was over on Friday. With the death of a friend of a lot of the girls, camp wasn't quite the happy week it normally is. But we ended with Ward Day and the Bishopric coming up to play games and have dinner with us so it was good. Our girls are such sweet, strong and wonderful girls. I am truly blessed to get to work with them.

Ernie & Francis

Singing the opening song.

Francis & Ernie

Yet another item I forgot to blog. For Dylan's end of school year program titled "I Need A Vacation" he was Ernie the fisherman. He had lines to memorize, gear to take and quite the accent to show off. He did a great job and we loved Ernie. It was a super cute program!!

The end of Baseball season

I just realized I never posted Dylan's baseball pictures from this season. Yes, things have been a little crazy here and I kind of, not meaning to, forgot. It was a hard season for their team this year. He did really well and got a couple of hits but unfortunately they only won 1 game - that being the last game. Their coach was really patient with them and encouraged them to do their best and not give up. We were so excited when that last game was over and they won!!! Way to go Dylan!!