The Kids are Back in School

WooHoo for School!  Kimi is in tenth grade this year and Jared is in eighth.  I'm not going to lie.....I like it!  Kimi couldn't sleep and was up bright and early.  She is a little more nervous than excited.  I was laying in bed and felt a little poke on my shoulder.  I turned over and it was Jared with a big smile saying "get up and exercise".  Kimi put him up to it....funny kids!  Seriously this day reminded me of what Christmas should be like.  I have never seen Kimi and Jared up so early without being woke up. (not even for Christmas)

I love these two and I'm excited for another school year to come and go.  At this point in my life I am counting the years down of when I won't have kids in school........5 more years! (I keep telling myself.....I can do this ..... I can endure)  I hope that Kimleighel and Jared will work hard and have fun.  I hope that they will make good memories and friendships.  I hope they enjoy this time of their lives!

*(Jared grew a lot this summer!!! He went to the Doctor for his scout physical two weeks before I went for my yearly and we measured the same .... 5 ft 4 in ....but by the time I went he was taller.  I have noticed the last few weeks he has grown even more.  He's taller than me and Kimi and maybe even Jaydan.  So there you go.....my baby is growing up and isn't much of a little boy any more.....puberty has hit!)

Last Lunch of Summer

The kids have wanted to go to Wendy's all summer and so today I took them. (maybe I have put it off)  Kimi has wanted the Frosty's.  I think those Frosty's keep people coming back. Where else do you "dip" everything from your meal in ice cream? I was still full from breakfast but did enjoy treating my kids and watching them enjoy themselves just a little bit longer. (school starts tomorrow)  I was glad Jaydan was around so that he could come too.  Speaking of Jaydan.....Jaydan is going to Massage School and today I got a text asking me if I wanted a "Foot Message".  Heck YES!!!  I loved it!   Oh my.... I am going to love having Jaydan practice on me.  I think even Larry will enjoy being practiced on.  Jaydan has wanted to go into Massage for years and is following his dream.  I am so proud of him.  I am proud of each one of my kids.  I feel so very blessed to have the family that I do. I love them all!

Back to School....

Some of the ladies that I live by got together for Breakfast to celebrate Back to School.  I will admit that this year I'm not as excited for school to start.  This summer hasn't been very stressful or messy or bad at all.  I would love a little more time off with the kids.  I know the kids are a little excited for school to start.  As they prepare to go my mind goes back in time and I remember how I was excited to go back.....to meet to people....and learn new things....and have fun.  I loved school and have happy memories of it!

I hope my kids have happy memories of their summers and also of their years in school.  What a glorious time in their lives.  What a glorious time in my life....... I love having a bit of peace and quiet.  I love that the house stays clean for a few hours.  I love that I can do what I want for a few hours.  I do love that my kids have the opportunity and privilege of going to school and getting an education.  

I'm thankful for other mom's that I can share my experiences with.  I love that no matter how close in age any of us are we all experience the same kind of things and feelings.  Today I feel blessed!

 

Cook Out with the Marks

We love the Mark Family and tonight we had them over for a BBQ.  Braxton was actually the one that initiated us all getting together.  I think he is trying to fellowship Cassie and Austin.   I don't really care why he thought of it.  I'm just glad that we were able to get together.  The Marks are a wonderful family!  They are a close family and do so much together and care about each other so much.  They are a great example of how families should treat each other.

I love how loving Austin is.  He came in and walked over and gave me a hug right off the bat.  This is a kid that I seldom see but who is so thoughtful and kind.  When he left he again came and gave me a hug and walked over to Larry to also tell him good bye.  I remember watching Austin and Dakota as they grew up they always hugged  their family.....they just always have.  I love each one of these great people and the rest of their little families.  I'm thankful for Braxton for thinking to have them all over.  I am thankful that they were all willing to come.  Oh.....I love the Marks!

Brigham City Temple

Kevin got tickets to the Brigham City Temple Open House.  He had enough that we were also able to go and take Kimi and Jared and Gramps with us.  I am really glad we did.  Kimi was very attentive and observant and had a few questions.  It's nice that they are able to see what's inside beyond the Baptismal Font.  The "spirit" was very strong.  I felt it even while we were waiting in the parking lot for the bus.  Larry mentioned that he felt it on the way to the Temple.  Temples are so awesome and really do draw us closer to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

I loved the pictures inside this temple.  They had pictures of women with baskets of fruit like peaches and apples.  There were also pictures of fields and even barns.  They were so particular for this area.  I thought it was so neat.  I am really glad that we took the time and went with our kids.  I am very thankful that Kevin took the time to get tickets and got extra.  I love the Temples and I'm so grateful that I am able to go into them all!

Bear Lake....

We went to Bear Lake again with the Cooke's and the Mile's.  It was so much fun!  Oh my we laugh a lot and talk a lot and just have a lot of fun!

 Thursday the wind was blowing and so the water was rough.  I was nervous about driving the boat once we put it in the water so I told Kerry to take over.  Laughing started immediately at that point.  Kerry wasn't use to our boat or it's motor and "Jerked" us back and forth quite a bit.  I will give him credit though for NOT hitting the dock....or the scuba diver that was by a dock.  I think he made the others boats nervous too with all the jerking but he managed and got the job done!  (I am thankful he took over since I can only imagine what I might have done with the wind and crowded space)  The water wasn't much good for anything but Tubing or the Water Wienie.....we chose the Water Wienie.  I was a little nervous that I wouldn't be able to give the guys a "good" ride.  Not a problem with the wind blowing.....I got them off the wienie easy.  I guess Kerry kept yelling "she's going to kill us".  YAY!!!!  They had fun!

Us girls had fun too just watching our guys "POP" all over the place! It was a fun day out on the water even though it was a bit rough.

We drew to see who got what room.  The rooms were in one baggie and the couples names were in another baggie.  I got to draw and I drew the Master Bedroom first.  Then I drew which couple would get it and I drew us.  Larry and I were both excited about that draw.  (Last years bed wasn't comfortable at all)  Then I drew the upstairs room and the Cooke's.  That meant that the Miles got the downstairs.  I guess the only disadvantage to the basement is the spiders. (yikes!)  I didn't see one upstairs but Crystal kept seeing them downstairs.  If we do this again I think Larry and I will volunteer for the downstairs. (it should be our turn)

The mornings were beautiful and Crystal was able to capture it with my camera.  I was glad I left the camera on the counter.  The ones up early saw Moose and Deer walking around outside.  I saw a deer but enjoyed laying in bed a bit longer.

On Friday the guys got up and went golfing.....they had so much fun they scheduled another T-time for later in the day.  The water and air temp were perfect.  I have never seen Bear Lake so nice.  The water was smooth all day.

I think Larry must have thought that it would be cold because he chose to wear the dry suit.  It's a bugger to get that thing on and after using it Larry decided it was time to throw it away.

I loved watching Larry ski and enjoy himself.  We usually just watch the kids have fun which is enjoyable to us also...but playing was also very fun!

We were even able to convince Kellie to get out on the water wienie.  Kellie doesn't know how to swim very good and so big amounts of water make her nervous.  I was proud of her and we had a great time.

After Kellie had her fill Crystal and I went for a few rides.  It was fun being bounced around and even thrown off.  I liked that there was only two of us.  That way when you flew off you were less likely to hit.  Oh and speaking of hitting.....when the guys were riding and they flew off....Brad ended up under Kerry and Kerry ended up pushing Brad under the water even more in the process of trying to get to the surface himself.  Funny and scary both.  I had that happen once and it's scary not knowing when you will surface to get some air again.  The good thing is we all survived and no one was hurt.

After another round of golf we all went to the Club for dinner.  It was nice sitting outside and the meal was good. There was a live band and it was fun watching them set up.  We even stayed and listened to a few songs before heading back to the cabin to play games.

It was a nice, relaxing, fun weekend.  We all get along really well and are so comfortable with each other we can totally be ourselves.  Oh what fun memories me made!

Another Swim Day

Swimming this summer has been so much fun!  I think it's because we have actually been able to go a few times.   I think Kimi and Jared have enjoyed it too.  I love seeing my nieces and their kids and visiting with my sister in laws too.  The little kids make me smile because I see their parents in them and it brings back such fun memories.  I love reminiscing!

I was impressed with Stacey's little girls.  She told them not to go into the pool until she came out and they were so good to obey.  They didn't even get close to the water while they were waiting.  Sara even talked to me and told me how her mom only had brothers and prayed that she would have daughters and look.....she got us!

Natalie and her cute little ones came up today too.  I didn't get in the pool today since Mallory and Kathy were taking me to lunch again for the second half of my birthday. (we decided celebrating twice for each birthday is how we need to do it for now on.)  I love the little moments that we have together.  I think the little bit of time we have together here and there will keep us close.  I want my kids to know their cousins and their cousins kids and I like the idea of them knowing us too!

This summer has been one of my favorite summers for a long time.  I feel like I have enjoyed it more and also have been able to enjoy my kids more.  I'm thankful for my extended family and for the sacrifice they make of their time to have us over.....Darinda and Randee rock!