Four more days

Only four more days and my first baby girl starts Kindergarten! She is soooooo excited. Me, not quite so much. Yesterday we loaded up her backpack with school supplies and went to meet her teacher again. We were the only ones in the classroom at the time so it was nice for her to have some one-on-one time. The class will also have a student teacher this year so MJ met her also. She helped her do a little scavenger hunt around the room to find where things are. She also turned in her supplies and found her cubby with her name on it. Several of her preschool friends are in the same class and she's excited to meet some new friends. She's definitely ready. I even asked about taking her to school the first day and she really didn't think that was necessary. She wants to ride the bus. I practically had to beg. That day the kids are all meeting in the cafeteria and walking to class with the teacher. I know it's time and she is really growing up and ready, but each new milestone is bittersweet.

We also met Emma's teacher. She will be going to mornings a week this school year. Her speech has improved so much over the summer, but we definitely see a continued need for help. She is much more expressive, saying a lot of words without prompting or modeling. She also speaks in more sentences.

Little J has been enjoying the Johnny Jump Up we borrowed from Nana. He hangs in the office doorway while I work. I am also happy to report he is sleeping through the night! We've had about two weeks of around 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Thank you Lord! At first, I was finding myself waking up to check on him, but now we're all getting lots of sleep. He is such a happy baby and full of smiles for everyone.

We've ridden Zani twice this week and the girls are just loving it. It's bee good for my soul too.

Jumping J-man

This little guy has found a new activity.

Busy week

It's been a busy week already. Is it really Thursday? Monday and Tuesday nights we were outside doing things with the horse. The girls and I rode for awhile on Tuesday. It's something they both are getting more interested in.

I've been busy with publications work and editing photo sessions this week. My aunt is coming to visit next week, so we are excited to see her. Next weekend is the state fair and the girls have been talking about it for weeks.

This morning Josh left early so the kids and I packed up and headed to the barn to feed. It was a beautiful morning, not too hot yet. The sun was just coming up. The girls helped get the feed in the buckets and toss the hay to the cattle. I don't get down there as much anymore so it was really nice to have the chance and to have the girls helping me.

MJ stayed with her Nana last weekend and they went shopping for her school supplies. She starts on the 31st. Hard to believe I'll have a Kindergartener soon. Josh and I went out for his birthday last weekend. It was so nice to have a date night. His mom kept all three of the kids. We've also enjoyed spending time watching movies in the evenings lately.

Some things have happened lately that have helped us put life into perspective yet again. We have so much to be thankful for. Don't take anything for granted and hug your loved ones.

Oh and by the way, if I have ever led anyone to believe my life is perfect and I have it all together--I'm sorry and I don't. I took E to Walmart the other day in a green and blue shirt with a hot pink and brown skirt. In my defense, she did dress herself, but I didn't really care what she was wearing. There were no body parts showing, which if you know Emma, that is a big plus. Oh, and her hair was down and all in her face. And she was wearing purple snow boots. On the wrong feet.

And there is playdough all over my floor.

So, just in case you thought my house is always clean and my children always well kept-it's not true.

6 month gallery

I took Jayten's 6 months photos the other day and because I just can't seem to just choose a few I thought I'd see what everyone else thinks. So, I posted them to my website gallery. I even went through them twice to narrow them down! Anyway, here is the link. Go to Client Proofing. The password is sample. Enjoy! My babe is getting so big.

What a difference six months makes!

Or maybe it's just I have a big boy! Anyway, here are the cute "baby" cousins together.

Meeting Miss Mya

Big blue eyed girl

Emma was trying to convince Aunt Stephanie that Mya needed a few more rubs on the head. She wasn't buying it though.

So gentle.

I love how Mya just looked up at Mackenzie. It was so sweet.

This little darling baby girl is the newest member of the family. Miss Mya Grace was born a couple weeks ago to Josh's brother and sister in law. She is just beautiful and we are so excited to have her in the family. The girls did very well holding her. Emma did start getting a little aggressive with trying to rub her head after awhile. She's just got a lot of love in her and still needs a little help knowing how gentle to be. :)

Cousins

It was hard saying goodbye at the airport, but we were so glad to have Lace and her girls visit.

Our visit with the girls was jammed pack full of playing, shopping, visiting the county fair and more playing. It was so good to have them here even for a little bit.

The trip back home

Enjoying the hot springs pool.

Oh it's nice to be out of the car for awhile! Run free....

We stopped by Shoshone Falls on the way home. We'd never been there. There were spectacular to see.

Another stop-the playground at Little America.

This kid loves to eat!

I thought I could get away with maybe feeding J once or twice a day as we started this solids thing. But, oh no, the boy wants three meals a day! He loves to eat! I guess this is preparing me for his teenage years where he's going to eat everything in sight.

He has baby oatmeal for breakfast each morning. Besides the green beans and sweet potatoes, he eats peas, squash and bananas. He also has some Rice Rusks as a snack. In fact the other night, he ate the whole container of peas when he stayed with Josh's mom. He has just eaten about half of it when I've fed him. He's sure growing!

Monday night he slept from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 a.m.! I woke up twice just to check on him. The past couple nights, he's just been up around 4:30, so that's not bad.

He's totally sitting up on his own now. He loves to chew on his hands, feet and toys. He's babbling a lot. I can't believe he's half a year old now!

The Zoo

Emma loved the monkeys. Do you see any similarities?

Looking at the giraffes.

Stopping to feed the ducks with the girls.

Loading up in the wagon to see some animals.

Saying goodbye to our bro. He had a big tournament coming up so we wouldn't see him again.

On Monday, July 27, my mom, sister and I took the kids to the zoo. They enjoyed seeing all the animals. There was a new baby giraffe and lion cubs. The bison were really friendly and followed us along the fence line. We'd never seen them so close up. The monkeys came up to the sides of the cages and looked at the girls too. We went really early before it got too hot and it turned out to be a nice visit. We met my friend Dacia and her daughter Isabel for lunch then went out to the club pool to meet Ry and go swimming. The girls had a great time being able to touch for most of the way then jumping off the board. We always pack a lot in when we visit my family, but it's always a good time.

My parents are the best!

My parents with all their grandkids. They are very special to all of us and we were thankful to spend so much time with them recently.

Thanks for all the fun memories Mom and Dad! We love you very much!

Water slide

We borrowed this giant water slide from my aunt and uncle. The girls had a blast. Even Lacey, Ryan and I had fun on it. After getting help a few times, Emma was able to climb up the back all by herself. Mackenzie thought it was one of the "awesomeist things we did!"

More photos from our trip

Josh and I went out to dinner for our anniversary. It was nice to have a few hours to ourselves while my folks watched the kids.

The girls enjoyed watching our hometown parade and catching a lot of candy.

Grandma J fixed us a spaghetti lunch one day. It was nice visiting with her more.

One of our many trips to visit Granddad. He was happy to see the kids. He's always loved his grandkids and great grandkids.

No more cast!

J got his cast off Aug. 5. We went into the doctor's office, had it cut off and took another xray. The doctor said there was a ton of new bone growth and he was healed. And by the photos you can see he's doing great. And yes, that leg in his mouth is the one he broke!

Not an experience I would want to go through, but we are so thankful it wasn't worse and that his little body healed so well and so quickly.

Little J and his cast

As you can see, Little J did great with his cast. He got it on July 13 and by the 20th he was kicking and lifting it just as if it wasn't there.

Turtle Race

Girls in their race t-shirts. (They didn't quite get that I wanted to see their shirts, but posed for photos anyway.)

Emma holding her turtle (Pretty amazing considering this girl isn't quite sure about animals. I was just glad the turtle didn't pop out of its shell. She probably would have totally freaked out and dropped him.)

MJ-my little reptile girl. She's all about animals and all kinds of creatures. So glad she didn't inherit my squeamishness of creepy crawly things.

The girls with Aunt Lacey getting ready to race their turtles.

Heading to the race-Emma, Hailey, Tess and Mackenzie

On Saturday, July 18, our hometown celebrated its Pioneer Day. There were lots of activities going on around town, including the 4-H fair and a parade.

One of the local banks also held it's 19th annual Turtle Race. I remember racing turtles when I was a kid. Uncle Clay had found five turtles so each of the kids had one. We woke up to rain, but Lace and I headed down to register the turtles early, then we all packed up and went down to the race. And fortunately the rain stopped as the event started. Even though our turtles didn't win the kids all had a good time.

Fun with Uncle Ryan

Ry puts in some long hours at the course. He and J catch some zzzz's.

Ry and his girlfriend went shopping for the girls-they got lots of fun crafty things for the girls. Thanks Uncle Ryan!