Back to School

Everything started again! I was so ready to have a routine again-but let me tell ya-it's been rough for everyone getting back into things. Allison started kindergarten, I didn't cry, but I am desperately missing her in the afternoons (and I think Holly is too, Holly doesn't start preschool for 2 more weeks). She is in Mrs. Stradling's class and has been falling asleep on her desk! William started 2nd grade with Mrs. Rathkey who has been so wonderful working with us.

William turned 8 right before school. We went as a family to SunSplash on his birthday and had an absolute GREAT time together. We can't wait to go again next year. He got his cub scout uniform and we've been trying to get that all going as well. We had his first pack meeting the other night-a rain gutter race-and he had a BLAST! He loved every minute. I had major flashbacks of when we used to go to pack meeting as a family and Dad was pack master.

Honestly, the end of July through today, it's been stressful. I've been super busy getting school, scouts, Broadway kids, tap, and piano started. I feel more productive when I busy though which is a good thing. William has had a rough start with school too, he has been majorly stressed. But, I have been so proud of him. He is hanging in there and is such a good boy at school. He has been working so hard and I couldn't be more proud of him. Yesterday for the first time, I saw that school was getting better for everyone. With time I'm hoping our schedule will begin to flow better. Yesterday was the first day also that I could feel my own emotions come into control as well. I'm hoping I won't cry again! I've been so in control all year long, but this past month I've had some tears! Our family is extremely busy between 2:30-7pm because of my piano lessons and the kid's activities. I'm really planning on quitting piano next year when Holly starts kinder and doing a job during the day when all the kids are gone. We've got our big Disneyland trip planned in October so we are just going to take it a day at a time and look forward to that. I saved up my piano money all last year and now my kiddos dreams will come true in October. I'm seriously -soooooooooo- excited. If things don't improv by then, I'll re consider everything I've committed to this year-I do know though that all things will work out, I've got a glimmer of peace that it will all be ok. I think maybe because I'm getting older, that this principle is finally starting to sink in a tiny bit-it's all going to be ok.

San Diego

I got to go to San Diego with all the sisters, it was a miracle that we could all find a time that we could go. It was wonderful. We were so busy! Kelli planned a scuba/kayak adventure which Kasey and I decided in the end was worth it. Steph gave me a Dramamine so the waves didn't bother me. We did Coronado, the temple, a Ross trip, and of course good food all along the way. It was nice to have Trellany with us this time!

School's Out!

After school let out I took Sage, Faith, Jane, and William to Castles N Coasters. We had a long day-but it was a blast. Sage was the only one brave enough to ride the big coaster with me. The others slowly started to warm up to all the rides.

My friend Savanna invited the kids and I to her cabin in Alpine. The kids had a blast. William crossed the New Mexico border, we saw Elk and Jacob Hamblin's grave, and hung out by the river. I hit up sacrament in Greer on the way home and survived a long car ride with the kiddos because William was so awesome. He was a great helper to me all weekend. It's so nice to have a kid that can help!

Spring Piano Recital, my job rocks. I did all movie songs and we had popcorn and red vines.

July

 

Wow we've been doing a lot over June to keep us busy. I hosted a girl cousin sleepover and William got to go to Grants. These girls had a blast, Holly was grumpy as can be but other than that good times.

We took advantage of 7/11 day with Uncle Lucas. He also did a killer primary music day on his trumpet for our primary. We also had a big Pioneer Day primary as well which was a hit.

 The monsoons came finally! William enjoyed them and it's been great for our plants. David did rain gutters this year and it's been awesome because our patio isn't flooding every time it rains now.

We've been swimming a ton like usual. We even did swim classes at Mesa High for 2 weeks. The pool pump was broken off and on all summer-which was a complete bummer. But, David I think, has managed to fix it for the last time. The green pool put a damper at times on hosting parties. But-it cleared up just in time to host the piano pool party.

Millett madness! When Kelli and Bert took off to Germany, I moved in with the kiddos for a whole week! Let me just note for the record-I have NEVER cooked so much and cleaned so much in my entire life! I let the Milletts experience new things-like going to McDonald's, watching a show at the end of a good Sunday, going to the dollar store, Bob the robot vacuum, having a dog sleep inside the house, ect. So funny. Man-I was so pooped! I still think I'm still recovering 3 weeks later! Sage and Faith were such wonderful helpers the entire time-I really could not have survived without them. Everyone took a turn having a melt down-but my meltdown didn't come until I got back to my house, just super tired. This will always be a good memory for me-and I hope the kids will look back on it fondly too.