First Day of School!

I can not believe that school has started all ready. We just got out two weeks ago and it does not seem right to be going back so soon. Austin started the fourth grade, (which seems crazy to me that my first born is in the fourth grade, I must be getting old!) He was a little concerned because we switched tracks this year and most of his friends did not. He was relieved when he showed up and saw a couple of his good friends from 2nd grade so things are good now.

Easton is now in the first grade. Thank goodness his two best friends are in his class. I think that we would have had a major meltdown if he was on his own. He is still not quite so sure about school. I ask him what he did on his first day and he said "nothing". I said "nothing?", and he said, "well, nothing fun"! He is one that needs to be constantly challenged and engaged in something. I thought that he might be a little nervous when I dropped him off, but he threw his backpack in line and ran off to play on the playground. He is certainly my child that stresses the least. Austin, on the other hand is another story!!

Things that make me smile!

This is nothing new or earth shattering, just a couple of cute pictures and things that I thought were important to me. I had been thinking of things that make me happy the other day. Our lives are really busy and crazy right now, but I know that I need to remember the small and seemingly unimportant things that make life great. I read an article in the Ensign a while ago, about not sweating the small stuff and not freaking out when things go wrong, because they will. That got me thinking about what makes me happy and how I need to relax about things a little bit. So here is a list of a few things that make me smile:

* Sami wanting Christmas songs sung to her in July, and the fact that she sings to herself on the potty!

* Ava When she give her "pat-pats" (This is when she gives you a hug and pats your back at the same time, too cute!)



* Easton wanting peanut butter on his pancakes. My grandma Skidmore did this when I was younger and I thought she was so strange!

*Austin having to have popcorn and apples when he watches movies just like grandma Mary.

*Having a handy man for a husband. After the disposal, dryer, and the van broke all in one week he was not going to pay one more person to fix something, then the washer broke two days later. Needless to say 1 week and $40 later, we had a fixed washer. He is the man!

*Sami when she calls me "Mama Jo Jo." I have no idea where it came from or why it makes me laugh, but it does.

*Watching Matt perform wrestle mania with the kids.


*Sami talking about going to visit Grandpa Mel so he can read books to her.


There are countless more, these are just a few. I have the greatest husband and four wonderful kids, even through all of the meltdowns and tantrums I still love them!

Last Day of School, Finally!!

Having year round school, it seems like it goes on forever! The boys had their last day today, only to have to start back up in two weeks. Easton graduated from kindergarten today and Austin is moving on to fourth grade. I can not believe how big my little boys are getting. Easton had a graduation ceremony where they sang songs in Spanish and English. They all did a really good job. His teachers said that he has a good grasp of the Spanish language.

Easton with his friends Paris, Broc and Parker.









After fighting the girls to be quiet during Eastons program, we had Austins award ceremony. Austin received an award for being on the honor roll every term this year.I am proud of both my boys. Their teachers could not say enough good things about them. It must be from all of the good parenting they get!!
It is times like this when I really miss Matt being around. He is busy with finals, and I know that he would rather be with us instead of pulling teeth out of some poor suckers mouth, well maybe he wouldn't! After Sami had her daily meltdown on the floor of the multi purpose room, I vowed to never take the girls in public again when they are expected to be quiet and calm. I had thought of getting a sitter, but then decided against it. What was I thinking? I know they will grow and things will get easier, right?

Anything to stay cool!

It has been unbelievably hot in Henderson lately. We are trying anything we can think of to stay cool. The pool is almost to warm to make it much fun. It is no longer refreshing. We decided to try ice blocking at the local park. We had a great time. The kids were a little confused about what to do, so Matt had to demonstrate for them first before they would try it on their own.

The kids are great at coming up with fun things to do in our patio that we call a backyard. Even with as little as it is, they seem to be able to find things that keep them occupied for a little while. Kids are great at improvising with what they have!

Ava loves popsicles so much that she will go to the fridge and point and scream, that is her new way of communicating right now. Why does she need to learn to talk, when we all give her what she wants anyway! You can certainly tell that she is the baby of the family. Hopefully she will grow up to be an independent person despite all of the babying that she receives! Don't you love her little "hoochie" swimsuit? Hey it was free, and you can always use another suit!

Mom and Son Time!

Matt and I decided that we needed to spend some one on one time with our kids. We felt that Austin and Easton were being lumped into the category of "the boys" instead of individuals. So last week I took each of them out on their own special mom and son date. Easton chose to go to Macaroni Grill. He was so excited that the waiter gave him an adult size drink instead of a kids drink. It was refreshing to be able to see Easton as himself and not the little brother that is always trying to do what Austin does. We talked about everything from school, to where he wants to live and the things that he likes to do the most with his family. I asked him on our drive home if he had a fun time and he said, " Ya it was fun to be with just you with out Sami throwing a fit!" I then asked him if he would want to get rid of Sami, (just to see what he would say) and he said, "Well maybe for a little while, but then we could get her back!" Kids are great. At least I can count on him to be honest with me, at least until he hits 14!

Austin also chose to go the Macaroni Grill. He loves the bread and oil and vinegar to dip it in. He ate an entire loaf himself! We talked about books, which I am glad that someone in my family likes to read as much as I do, how he wants a pet rabbit when dad is done with dental school and we actually have a yard to put a pet in. We also discussed where he would like to live after school is done; you can tell what the hot subject has been in our home lately. Austin has been concerned as to why he is required to do more at home than the other kids, and so we had to have the oldest child has more responsibilities yet can receive more privileges talk. Hopefully he understood. He is a great kid and I am so grateful for his help in the family.

So of course now Sami thinks she needs her date with dad. So they are going to Wendy's this week. She has real high standards!!

Fourth of July

I know that this was a few weeks ago, but better late than never! We were able to spend the Fourth weekend in St George with Matts parents. It was fun to soend some one on one time with them. We went swimming, to a few museums and of course the Pizza Factory! We were all happy to be able to spend some family time together. Matt has been busy with school so it was a much needed family break! We had a great time.

Wedding Bells!

My sister Stephanie got married on June 27. It really was a nice wedding at Thanksgiving Point. Samantha was the flower girl, which she took as a very serious job! The boys were grateful that grandma let them out of having to wear pink ties and let them wear green instead. It was great to be able to see a lot of friends and family that we don't get to see that often. Austin and Easton loved being able to eat as much of the desserts as they wanted!I had to put the picture in of Sami and Cooper because Cooper makes me laugh every time I look at this. They were watching their shadows on the cement and thought it was hilarious. Ava had the most fun stealing Brighams paci and then deciding to give it back to him. I am waiting on some pictures of the whole family, when I get them I will post them. Congratulations Stephanie and Eric!