The End of an Era

I was called to serve in the Primary in 1996 (when Matthew was still in the Nursery), and I have been there ever since. It has been such a fun ride, but today the ride came to a screeching halt. Today was my first day in Young Womens. We talked about homosexuals. It is a brave, new world that I feel totally unprepared for. Wish me luck!!

First Day of School

Today was Adam & Camille's first day of school. There's been a bit of excitement in the air around here because for the first time in their lives they didn't know who their teacher was going to be or who would be in their class. Turns out they both got great teachers - Mrs. Yaple for Camille and Mrs. Festa for Adam - and I think it will be a good year.



While the kids were in school today, I went out and got these apples for their teachers from the See's candy store. I speak from personal experience when I say that every teacher deserves a good dose of chocolate for surviving the first day !

For FHE tonight, Brad gave the kids their back to school blessings. I'm so grateful to have a wonderful husband who honors the Priesthood and uses it to bless the lives of his children (and his wife!). He acknowledged Matthew's dedication to God and his loyalty to his friends, and he blessed him with a desire to learn about the great many things Jesus Christ has done for mankind as he studies the New Testament in Seminary this year. He talked about Adam's great capacity to love others and blessed him that as he enters this time of great physical, spiritual and metal growth that he will find the answers to the questions he has from his parents, the Lord, and the scriptures. He spoke of Camille's goodness and her desire to continually learn more about her Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. He blessed her that as her testimony grows she will use it to be an example to and teach her many friends.

After Family Home Evening, the kids all had ice cream sundaes to celebrate the big day!

Sounds like a great day, doesn't it? Unfortunately, it wasn't really. Everything was going along swimmingly until Adam and Camille explained to me on the way home from school that their music teacher has a new name. She used to be called Miss Clark, but now they have to call her/him Mr. Clark. Didn't think I was going to be having this conversation with my 8 year old. Heaven help us...

Utah Top Ten

We spent the last full week of summer vacation hanging out in Utah with our cousins and loving life! Katie and Dave, thanks for being such great hosts, and thanks to the Stokes family for keeping us constantly entertained! It was so fun to see everyone and just chill out for a while. I'm posting a bunch of pictures from our trip, but for those of you short on time (or interest), here's the top ten things we learned in Utah...



#1 - kids can go from being virtual strangers to best friends in less than an hour!



#2 - our dad is a waterpark daredevil!



#3 - rock climbing is awesome!



#4 - repelling is even "awesomer!"



#5 - a trip to the fire station is way more fun when you know the fireman!




#6 - there are some big shoes to fill in this world!



#7 - if you try hard enough, you can sneak into Cougar Stadium when no one is there!





#8 - the "Y" on the mountain is HUGE!!!! (and bumpy!)

#9 - kids can have as much fun playing at a simple jump house as they can at a well-structured, well-planned activity!

#10 - We are HUGE Michael Phelps fans! We think it's so amazing that he can accomplish so much and do it with his suit BARELY hanging on!!

Most importantly, we remembered how much we love our family and that life is too short to skip vacations!

"Uncle Dave" Rocks!!!

"Uncle Dave" isn't really the kids' uncle, he's actaully their cousin's husband, but we call him Uncle anyways because he acts just like one of your favorite uncles! Matthew came home from Scout camp this year raving about rock climbing and wishing he knew someone - anyone! - who would take him rock climbing. When Katie said one morning that Dave was wondering if anyone wanted to go rock climbing, Matthew couldn't believe his ears! The kids had such a great time! Thanks, Dave, for being so cool and spending your day off with us!







Lincoln, you are adorable!

Our cousin, Meili

Lincoln & Katie

Our other cousin, Eliah

Got Water?

In between helping his clients at the gym and taking his beautiful wife to see Le Miserables (talk about your Renaissance Man!), Dave found a moment to give the kids a fun tour of the Orem Fire Station. Brad and I had to stop and pick up the boys so we missed the highlight of the day - the fire captain asked Matthew if he would like to climb up on top of the ladder truck and shoot the BIG fire hose. When he got to the top of the giant ladder they strapped him on and he went to town, loving every minute of it! Everyone got a chance to spray for a bit, and then they gave us a beautiful show of fire house fashion.

Dave showing the guys his moves...those rings are tough!!! (But not as tough as Dave, of course!)

BYU - Educational Mecca or Theme Park?

Seeing as Matthew is starting high school this year, I thought that it would be a great idea to take him to visit BYU - maybe even convince him to love my Alma Matter! We went through the new museum, I pointed out the many different buildings and we toured the beautiful new library facilities. Were they interested? NOT AT ALL!! Impressed? Hardly! For them it all came down to the bowling alley, the sports hall of fame and the stadium. Not the way I imagined the day going, but whatever...

Ana reacts to her great ball placement!

Adam and Eliah both try unconventional approaches.

Camille gets her first strike!

How do you measure up to the BYU greats?

Our sneak peek at the stadium. The boys thought they were so clever that they found a way to get in!

Happy Birthday, Matthew!

Today is Matthew's 14th birthday. He spent the entire day wakeboarding with some friends on Lake Berryessa, and he loved every minute of it! We had Grandma and Grandpa over for a quiet dinner of Matthew's favorites - steak kabobs with corn on the cob, Caesar salad, fresh fruit and french bread.



Grandma and Grandpa renewed his Sports Illustrated subscription and gave him a new hydration pack for hiking.

Don't ask me what ever possessed us - but Brad and I got him Rock Band (it's SO loud!). We owed him a bunch of money for yardwork and a marathon day of babysitting, so he got a bonus for his present this year. The kids were having a blast - even though they'd never heard of half the songs!

The all important chocolate cake!

I know a thousand people have said this before, but honestly, I don't know where the time has gone!!! It seems like just yesterday....

Anyway, since I was feeling so nostalgic, I thought I'd post a fun slide show of Matthew through the years (mostly for you, Grandma). The pictures aren't very good since he was born P.D. (pre-digital), but it's fun nonetheless!