Christmas Day 2012

Lining up and waiting FOREVER for Dad to let them enter the room

Maverick was enthralled by the fire

testing out my new camera

The boys all got boxing gloves.  No black eyes yet.

the charging station for helicopters and tanks

On Christmas Day we had the magical luck of having snow fall. It fell hard and for hours. So beautiful and lasted about 3 days before melting away.

Paisley enjoying the view from inside

Thankful we had this snow suit to keep her dry

Phoebe getting out in the wet snowfall

Ethen heading out into the storm

Maverick LOVED the snow.  He could have run around it in all day.

   
It was sunny and cold the next day, but we spent some time enjoying snow we don't get to see too often.              

                            

Butterfly Beauty

Phoebe and Luke were outside enjoying the nice weather today and found one last butterfly in the garden. The temperature is going to drop a lot tonight so I am pretty sure we may be done finding them until next year, but we got some great pictures with this one.  Who knew they were so fuzzy?!

Pumpkin patch 2012

We ventured out to a pumpkin patch this past week when the kids had a day off of school. After getting lost on the way there because my new apple maps was incorrect from updating my software, we met up with some friends. I even managed to convince Ethen to join us, without having to try too hard, and was happy to have all my kids together for an afternoon of traditions. We went on a hay ride, picked pumpkins out of the patch, and had a picnic lunch. It was a nice day.

Today's Quote from Luke

Today's quote comes from Luke. 

We were getting ready to read out of the Book of Mormon tonight and Luke says, "I want to die peacefully, in my sleep, in a car crash." 

We couldn't stop laughing at how funny a statement that was.  The inner workings of a seven year old mind are just too funny sometimes.  I did try to straighten him out on the fact that leaving it at "peaceful in his sleep" might actually be a whole lot more peaceful.

It's football season!

Luke had his first tackle football game last week. It was pretty sweet to see him all geared up in his pads and helmet. Even more fun is seeing him in my alma mater as a BYU cougar.

It was an early game so he is eating on the way there

Getting pads adjusted properly

focused on the game, taking a knee while waiting to play

First Day of School 2012

 I can't believe summer is already over. Here are some pictures from the first day of school.  The first week has us all tired with all 4 kids in school now, early mornings, 2 working parents, and lots of schedules for the kids. 

Ethen had football practice at 6:30 in the morning so he was up and out the door before it was light.  This is the only shot I really got of him.  He is at the top of the middle school now in 8th grade.  He is also one of the tallest kids in his grade.  We don't know where he is getting all his height from, but he is really hoping it continues and he makes it to 6 ft.

Silly faces picture

We really can not believe our baby, Paisley is in kindergarten.  She is still so petite, but sure knows how to hold her own and is more than ready to take on the big school.  She got the same teacher Luke had in kindergarten so we know Mrs. Hubbard and know Paisley will be in good hands.   Her backpack is practically as big as she is.  We walked in and I became overwhelmed as we got closer to her classroom and had to turn away and get control of my tears so she wouldn't see me.  A couple of teachers were there and asked if she was my last and understood when I said yes.  We found her name taped to a desk and she sat right down and started to color like she had been doing it all her life.  She gave us some big hugs as we said goodbye for the day, and both Scott and I left the building crying after dropping her off.  It is a really strange and sad feeling to know that your kids are all growing up and there isn't a baby at home anymore.   I took the day off of work and was glad I did as the tears would just come out of nowhere throughout the day.  The years have all just gone by way to quickly.  I know everyone says it, but it is true.  I sure do miss those silly little toddlers running around, but this phase is also exciting and fun as family.

Luke is in 2nd grade and got the same teacher that both Ethen and Phoebe have had.  We feel SUPER lucky to have Mrs. Kane again.  Luke with thrive with her teaching.

Phoebe has moved on to middle school this year.  She is was very excited to start the year with lots of different classes including orchestra.  It only took a couple days to get the layout of the  building figured out and knows where all her classes are.  Now the morning routine includes lip gloss and mascara for our little lady.