Sunday Photo

This is not my favorite time of year. I love Fall, but I don't love the kids going back to school. I get many strange looks when I say that. The kids have been in school about a week and a half. This past week I found myself feeling very sad, I thought if was strange to feel so sad, I wasn't really sure why. Then on Saturday with everyone home it hit me. I was missing my kids greatly! We have so much fun during the Summer. Hanging our with friends, watching and going to movies, crafts, sewing, learning to cook/bake, going to the park, swimming, hiking, golf, and just hanging out together. Saturday my hubby took us on a date! While we were out for a late lunch we got to talking and decided to go on a Sunday drive after church. I loved that idea, I would have everyone all together for the day! We had so much fun. We went up in the mountains, went on a little walk, took lots of pictures and completely enjoyed the day!

I love Sundays!!

Now with school started schedule are busy, dance, gymnastics, choir, student council, YW's, activity days, it is even more important to make sure we check in with each other often, that we keep the lines of communication open, that we still spend time reading together, playing board games, playing the wii together, watching movies and just being together. I don't like life to get in the way with being a family!

Braces are off!

It all started in November and ended today! Nine months of appointments, tightening, cleaning, flossing, using wax, and a sore mouth, but in the end it was so worth it! Jolene has always had a smile that could brighten any day, I never thought it could get any better, but it has. She can't stop smiling! Before the braces she was worried about the way her teeth looked, she would smile with her lips together more often then not. Today as I watch her she smiles with her teeth showing for all to see. I have found her in front of the mirror just smiling and looking at herself! She is so beautiful! She is so happy and very confident! I love this girl!

BeforeDuring

After

~Signs of Fall~

The Aspen tree in the front yard is starting to show signs of Fall.

~Garden Shopping~

For our first garden, we're doing pretty good! It was nice to tell the girls to go out in the garden to pick what we wanted for dinner! I could get use to this.

~Water Fight~

I love Summer. Today we hung out around the house doing chores, BBQ, and just hanging out. After Ward had wet down Drake and let him playin the hose water he asked the girls to feed the dog make sure he had fresh water. They worked together to get this done, one feed him and one got him water. Once Jolene had the hose in her hands you could see the thoughts going through her head with Raychel only a few feet away. Just like I thought she would do, she turned the hose on her sister. She did a really good job of keeping her way and of course she was soaked when Jolene was done with her.

New Beginnings

I can't believe Summer is over, at least the vacation part. The weather is still very much Summer. The girls were so excited and nervous to return to school. Last night we had back to school night at Jolene's school. It was nice to walk through the halls see familiar faces, visit with friends and ease her nerves.

Jolene will be in 3rd grade this year. When I got her up this morning I had a flash back of taking her to preschool, how little she was, her excitement to go to school like her big sister, her love for learning and her fear of being apart. She has grown so much, she still can't wait to be like her big sister, she still has a love for learning and some days she still has a little fear of being apart. On our way home from back to school night I told her this was going to be a great year, she laughed and said, "That's what you said last year!" Well, it was and this will be too. Raychel is in 7th grade. She has been at the middle school since 5th grade and has done really well. This year she is at the other end of the school with the 8th graders. She said she feels like a new kid because she isn't familiar with this end of the school. The day before school started a friend and her got to help the teachers for most of the day. She had a great time, got to meet several teachers she didn't know, and was able to ease her nerves by being there in a relaxed setting. This morning when we dropped her off I got half a hug and off she ran. As I got back in the van, I was so proud! She is growing up and wants to be grown up! Where has my little Raychel gone? She is a beautiful, smart, confident, happy young women ready to take on the new school year. Jolene and her best friend, Whitney, are in the same class again this year! Jolene thinks the teacher knew they were friends and put them in the same group facing each other! It made her happy to know someone sitting by her. The best thing about her teacher this year is she was her reading teacher last year and they really hit it off! This is the first year Jolene has "allowed" me to take my camera to school. I figured I better behave and not take to many pictures, but to make sure the ones I took were good ones! Jolene at her desk