Emily and her Daddy

I just had to post this picture of Emily and James. It is such a good picture and shows what a great bond they have! This was taken at our end of summer block party. The food was amazing and there was so much of it that after everyone had eaten, it looked like it hadn't even started yet! It was fun, but not a lot of people made an effort to talk to us even though we tried to strike up conversations. Oh well, I know these things take time.

Back--To--School!

Hip, Hip, Hooray, They're back in school today! The kids were going stir crazy waiting for school to start. Finally last Thursday, it began. I was so excited for them, then I realized how early I had to get them off. Idaho schools are backwards as far as starting times go. Elementary school starts first at 7:55, then middle, jr. high, then lastly-high school. I also have a kindergartener who only goes half day. Needless to say, my day consists of getting kids to and from school all day long! I have very little time to run errands in between getting kids. I'm starting to get used to this, but I have been caught twice not picking up my kindergartner on time! In two years, I will have kids in 4 different schools! How on earth am I going to cope with that?

So, my schedule is this: Get up at 6AM. Scriptures and chores until hussling Hannah out the door at 7:35 to walk to the Jr. High to catch the bus to the middle school. Then Hunter and Emily scoot out the door at 7:45 to walk across to the Elementary school. Alex will head out shortly after that. Then I really have to pay attention to the clock because kindergarten ends at 10:50 (which I officially learned yesterday). I thought it ended at noon the first day! Then at 2:15 Emily wanders in. Then at 3:30 Hannah comes home. That alone is a lot for one mom to accomplish in a day. Then, of course, everyone is hungry when they get home, so we have snacks about 10 times in a day! I can see that I'm going to have to be very organized in my errands since it takes about 20 minutes to drive to Walmart. So much for Mom having her day to relax and spend with Connor! Oh, well, Connor will gradute soon (about 15 years) then I'll have time to play. Until then . . . bring on--school!

Connor is so excited to have Mommy all to himself!

Getting Ready to Go Back!

Emily and Hannah were quite nervous to start a new school year without knowing anyone, so we decided to have a Back-to-School party (I'll use any excuse to throw a party). I made the invitations, and on Sunday, we handed them out. We sent around about 13 invitations. Five people RSVP'd. Granted some of the invites were for sisters, we had no idea the response we'd receive! 18 girls attended the party! They just kept coming! Since we had only made 10 favors, we had to hurry and whip up several more! Everyone had a lot of fun at the party and the girls were able to make many new friends. This really helped make their transition much easier. The huge pencil cake was a big hit too!!!

America the Cat

We have the cutest cat in the world named America. I didn't choose the name, nor-as a matter of fact-the cat! This is the story of how America became a part of our family.

You see, when my dear Aunt Linda told me to stop by her house before heading back to Idaho because she wanted to "give me something," I was thrilled. I thought that she was so kind to offer me a house warming gift of some kind. Little did I know the house warming gift would be warm--and in my house--along with being furry and scratchy and somewhat stinky! When I arrived at her house, Linda wasted no time. You see, she had seen my children with the cat and they took to it like a fish in water. She knew my major flaw! She immediately thrust it toward me and said, "do you want a cat?'

Since we had just gotten rid of our previous cat by leaving her at the house we just moved from, I yelled "NO!" Then more calmly said, "NO NO NO NO NO NO!" Then it was the eyes and the cute furry little creature staring up at me and if that wasn't enough, it was my 11-year old begging "please please please please" with that look! I told her I would think about it and let her know before we left. Oh, she also played the guilt card, telling me that it would have to go to the pound where it would most likely be destroyed--and oh by the way, you can have a whole bag of cat food, kitty litter and the box and food tray.

I had been pretty determined to stay pet free for at least a little while. No hair, no odor, no ruining carpet and furniture.

I knew the kids wanted a dog. James and I are not really "dog" people (no offense), but we're also not really "cat" people either. I decided to make the kids decide. I thought that by telling them they couldn't have a dog if we took the cat, they would see the light. I was wrong. They said that they didn't care about a dog anymore and all they wanted was America!!! And then it was they eyes again and the pleeeeeez-ing me to death. So, I said yes. What a fool.

I love having a kitten. We have never gone through so many Band-Aids. My couches seem to be popping loopy threads. Have you ever seen cat tug-of-war? Or how 'bout played Where's the Kitty? Oh, she's been locked in the closet all night long--hmmm, wonder what she left behind. Oh, we have had the cutest little hairballs all over our new carpet. Joy.

But she does have the most amazing amber eyes and the way she bats at my feet when I walk by is kind of cute. Oh, the way she purrs when you hold her like a baby and scratch under her chin. I guess we'll keep her for now anyway, but if we move again, she stays with the house!

Thanks Linda!

We're in the Boondocks!!!

On August 11, James and I took Alex to a fun place called the Boondocks. We had so much fun! Alex (who is now taller than James) and James hit the Arches climbing wall. I watched. I saw so many little kids just zoom up the wall. It didn't look that hard. Then a girl got on and half-way up had a panic attack and had to be pried off the wall. I thought that it may not be as easy as it looks! Later on, after winning at air hockey and creaming the boys at mini golf, I was feeling like a champ. I let James and Alex convince me to climb the wall!!! Well, I was ill-prepared in my Mary Jane's, but my jeans were stretchy, so I set out. About half way up I looked up to notice that I had climbed so far to the left that I was running out of holds. I started moving back to the right and my limbs began to shake. My poor old body hadn't had much physical workout since battling toilet scum with Jean back in VA! I was almost there. . . I could see the last hold that would let me ring that bell! I reached for it, but my burning muscles failed me, and I sailed to the ground (my favorite part). My legs, being like Jell-o, would not support me. I landed in a sitting position on the ground. Shakily I stood up and somehow got out of the belt and stumbled to the vending machine for some Gatorade. Normally, I can't stand the stuff, but my lungs were burning as though I had run a marathon! I felt like I would either pass out or throw up. I guzzled the Gatorade and had to sit for quite a while before I felt I could stand again! Luckily James and Alex were in line to go again (for the fourth time) so I had plenty of time to rest. WOW! I wonder how much easier it would be to do it if I were in shape!?! Someday I hope to find out!

Grandma Brenda with Hunter and Connor
Sunny and Hannah trail riding with Julie above Kamas

Fiesta Days July 24, Kamas, Utah

My little Cowboys and Cowgirls



A visit with Great-Grandma Shirley

We had so much fun visiting my parents for Kamas Valley Fiesta days. I am so happy that now that we are so close, we can drive to Utah in 4 hours! We are now able to attend fun events like the July 24th celebration. We saw a real rodeo, watched a lot of fireworks, the kids were in a parade, we rode horses, watched a derby, and just had a lot of fun visiting with family!

Harry Potter in the Park

We jumped right in with both feet once we got to Rigby. The Library was the first place we visited! They were having a Harry Potter party in the park that we went to. All of the kids dressed up. Hunter and Connor won a prize for best costume. They were so cute!

Aunt Pat and Uncle John treated us to a yummy dinner!
Threatening skies in Nebraska
We loved seeing the Blights in the Nauvoo Pagaent!
Strange formations in Wyoming
We made it with everything in tact. Nothing was broken !

Moores Dillmans Reeds

Our Family at the Dillman's

Just hanging out at Warm Glow Candle Factory in IN

Nauvoo Temple

We've Arrived!!!

We finally made it to our new house. We had an amazing time crossing the country. We saw many interesting things such as our family in Indiana, Nauvoo, Carthage, crop dusting in Iowa, lots and lots of corn, threatening skies in Nebraska, lots of dead grass, strange rock formations in Wyoming, crossing the Continental Divide, my family in Ut, and finally, our new house in Idaho!!!

The kids did amazingly well even though we had a few technical difficulties such as our fuse in our cigarette lighter would blow if anything was plugged in. This meant that the kids could only watch about half a movie each day before the battery in the laptop died. They did well entertaining themselves with Gameboy, reading, or riding in the big truck with Daddy!