1st Day of School!

Saratoga Shores here we come!! Our "early birds" were up and ready by 6:30 today!! (I guess we had nothing to worry about with switching to the earlier 8:00 schedule. And what fun to get to come home at 2:15 every day--1:15 on early out). After breakfast we all walked to school together...mmm...it was a beautiful summer morning and the sun was just coming up over the mountains! We dropped Bridget off at Mrs. Diamond's 2nd grade classroom (out in one of the portable trailers) and Luke at Mrs. Zito's 4th grade classroom inside the school. With over 1300 students this year, there were two more trailers brought in to add to the 3 others they already have. This brought two problems to Luke's attention: 1. a higher chance of being in a trailer this year...AGAIN. and 2. They were placed right on top of the tetherball courts---his favorite recess activity! Nevertheless everyone is happy with where they are: Bridget told us that she wanted to be in the trailers this year and Luke was pleasantly surprised when he learned he was not--after 2 years out there he was starting to lose hope of ever being inside the school!! A new school is being built down the road so hopefully next year the trailers will move on to a new location.

Meanwhile, back at the house, Will and Jonah and I will be trying to have some adventures of our own until the kids come home!!

Jonah rolls over!

Yay!! He has been coming very close for a few days now. But today while laying on a blanket and "chatting" with Bridget and I as we organized her room, he just rolled over and had a big smile for us when he lifted up his head! Then tonight while we were talking to Adam on the phone I asked everyone to get ready for prayer and as if on cue Jonah rolled over!! Everybody laughed and cheered for him!! Yay Jonah!

Stella

I just had to share a picture or two of darling Stella, aka Stellar (Uncle Adam's name for her)

Summer Sunsets

I love to be outside when the sun is setting. It's my favorite light of the whole entire day. Every summer we like to take walks on Sunday evenings and this summer has been no exception. Adam or I will take Jonah in the baby carrier and the rest of us will walk together and it's been a great time to talk and enjoy each other.

Here are a few pictures of the kids in the yard after our walk.

Luke took a moment to hold Jonah on the porch.

Here is Will running across the road to our house. Adam and I had been quite amazed at his ability to run bare foot at full speed across our rather rocky pavement. But one day I discovered his secret: he runs on the tar paths and I caught is on film tonight! Clever Will!

Bridget loves cartwheels!

Tubing

An evening out on Utah lake. We've decided our favorite time to go out on the boat is in the evening on a weekday! But beware of mosquitoes the second the sun goes down...one night we were having FHE out there and stayed a bit too long and we were all nearly eaten ALIVE!!! I'm serious!!

Sparklers

4th of July week

Our neighbor had a pool party which we were excited to attend. The kids all went down the slide and jumped off the diving board a hundred times!

Sugar cookie making was the order of the day today and everyone enjoyed working at our little factory; cutting out, sprinkles and icing being the favorite jobs. Jonah looked on quite contentedly from his little chair. The kids just love it when he sits in it. He looks like a little man in his arm chair!

7:00 am on the 4th of July: Flag raising ceremony at the Neilson's home (neighbors up the street). Luke's Bear Den was in charge of the ceremony. Luke's part was to carry the flag and help put it on the pole. He did such a good job! It was a good way to start out the holiday, remembering why we celebrate it and paying tribute to those who have died for our freedom. We all enjoyed it. (Except for Will who we left sleeping soundly in bed)!

But he later joined the kids rested and rearin' to go do some biking and playing outside!! The weather was perfect all morning with a nice breeze keeping us from staying inside. I sat on the porch reading and holding Jonah while the kids played and it was all very enjoyable.

When it came time for our BBQ though, the winds picked up and we had to run to catch the bounce house and blankets from escaping the yard. Phew! But we moved our picnic inside and had lot's of fun. We opted out of driving to see fireworks and as in years past, enjoyed a nice display courtesy of the neighbors, as well as many more that we could see from afar! Oh and of course the kids enjoyed dancing with the sparklers!