Summer update

Last weekend my brother and his family made a quick stop in Big D. It was great to see them even if it was just for a short visit. Cousin time is precious since with we don't get to see each other as often as we would like! We had my family and girls, D and her girls, Lori and her girl (soon to be girls in just a few weeks), my brother and his 5 girls and 1 boy, Mama Leslie and Grandpappy, and Mama Judy. We gathered at my sister Lori's. The cousins played--it is so fun to watch them together, and ate lots of good food as usual with our family gatherings. After, we made a quick trip to the cabin to celebrate Nan and Sam's 10th b-day! They are 10!! I can hardly believe it!




The cousins with Mama Judy.


Samantha reading books with Emilee.


Me and my siblings--sans Maria.


Sus and Serena.


The cousins playing 20 questions with Mama Leslie.


Samantha and Natalie--10 years old!!


Nan and Emilee.


Splashing in the little pool on the deck of the cabin.


Lake time.


Grandpappy with Serena, Blake and Nan.

School's out...Summer's on!

We are so excited for Summer and no school! Some of our friends were having a get together after school on Thursday at Hawaiian Falls, so we all went and celebrated. It was a gorgeous afternoon, just perfect for a water park and hanging out by the pool.

Field Day

This is a day that the kids look forward to all year! A day of being outside, playing games with classmates and teachers, and getting very wet! The girls always enjoy it!

10 great years!

I don't like change. I don't like it one bit. It's hard. I get VERY cranky when my ducks are not all in a row. We recently sold our home where we have lived for the past 10 years. It happened very quickly. Good thing too, because I would've taken it off the market after about 1 week! Greg wouldn't let me. He kept telling me it was hard now but would all be ok in a little while. He was very calm throughout the whole thing. I on the other hand was a wreck--couldn't sleep, couldn't eat (I lost 5 pounds on the stress diet. Works wonders.) I lived in this home longer than anywhere else in my life except the home where I grew up, and that my parents still live in. It was a tough move emotionally. Much harder than I thought it would be. I shed MANY MANY tears throughout the process. We moved into this house before we had any kids, but Natalie and Samantha were born just 3 weeks later. It was a wonderful home for 10 great years!! Many, many wonderful memories were made there. It was interesting to go through the process of packing up and watching how our wonderful home simply became a house. At one point at the end Greg commented how the house had lost it's "spirit". I know my "home" is coming with me--Greg and the girls--and that wherever we are together is home. I am so grateful for my mom and all her help during the packing up and moving out!! She helped our family in so many ways! Also a huge thanks to our many friends and ward members who so willingly gave their time to come and help us!

We have been out for almost a month now and I am starting to feel a little less sad about moving away from our house and neighborhood. I know we will make many more happy memories in our next home, and I am trying to just "find joy in the journey" as we transition.

Performer

Sus had her second grade performance last night at school. They performed Seussical the Musical--super cute songs from the Dr. Seuss books of course! Susanna is very animated with her facial expressions. She did great job and it was a fun time for our family! (I am not skilled enough with the camera to get any action shots!)

Update

We had a great Spring Break at the cabin again this year! We were able to stop on the way down and see Mama Judy. She always treats us so well and feeds us yummy food! The weather was nearly perfect--actually, I can't think of how it could have been better. Clear, blue skies, not too hot, cooler in the evenings and no bugs yet!! My sister and her girls were able to come, and Mama Leslie and Grandpappy stopped by for quick visit on their way home from visiting Nauvoo. We really enjoyed it so much. It was so peaceful and quiet and truly the break from the real world that we all needed.


The Spring Break girls!


On the deck in front of the cabin.


Grandpappy with some of his grand "urchins".


We enjoyed a couple of evenings around the campfire. Boy Scouts we are not--we had to use tiki torch fuel to get our fire going! Worked like a charm for a great fire--perfect for roasting hot dogs and smores, of course!


We celebrated my birthday while there. The girls had a blast decorating cupcakes and cake.




Enjoying smores and the campfire.






The girls spent lots of time digging in the sand, climbing, rope swinging, and riding bikes. I've said it before and I'll say it again--we love the cabin!! The girls are always sad to leave! A BIG thank you to my parents who always go the extra mile to make sure we have everything we need while there!!!!

The dreaded test

Taks. Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills. My poor 3rd graders have been working so hard all year for this test. I think they are a little psyched out--get a good nights rest, eat a good breakfast, get to school on time. So much emphasis on this test and this is just the reading part. Math is still to come later. Since my kids are in the dyslexia program, they will take the test over 2 days instead of one. I'm just thinking of them today....(praying for them!)