First Day of School - Fall 2011

Fist day of school for the boys always comes faster than we want it to. Summers at our charter school are shorter, allowing kids to retain more skills and knowledge and giving us more time off for breaks during the school year. We love it, but wish it lined up with the the school district a little better. It's always hard going school though, knowing the big sister is laying in bed being lazy.

So, here are my handsome boys on their first day of school, August 2011...

Joshua, 3rd Grade

Bryson, 6th Grade

Nathan, Kindergarten

...And the big sister, on her first day of school, a couple of weeks later.

Rachel, Sophomore

Joshua's Baptism

 

On Saturday, June 4th, my fourth child was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Since he was about 6, Josh has been so anxious. He was so happy that day that he could finally be baptized! Grandma and Grandpa Brown were here still from Sarah's graduation. It was a happy, calm, beautiful morning. After our traditional breakfast of rolled-up pancakes, we sent him in to get ready. I've never seen that boy get his church clothes on so fast in his whole life!

(See...? Everyone else is still their pajamas!)

After he was ready, he opened a present from us (his family) and was so excited, he could hardly stand it. He started reading 1 Nephi that very moment. He took his scriptures to the baptism with him and read in the car both ways.

The man of the hour... our future missionary!

At the church, we met up with lots of family and friends who came to share his special day. Grandma and Grandpa Dixon, aunts, uncles and cousins, home teachers, and primary leaders were there.

Daddy and Joshua

Our whole happy family!

Joshua with Grandpa and Grandma Dixon

 The Stake presented the baptism portion of the program and then we went to the room where the font is and witnessed his baptism. He was so happy, and hugged his daddy for a really long time (and that takes a lot... he's a very cuddly boy). While our "boys" got dressed, we were excused into our own little room where we waited for them and then had a little meeting for his confirmation. After our good bishop, Bishop Lothspeich, said some neat things about Joshua and the ordinance he had just participated in, Grandma Brown told some stories and shared her sweet testimony about the Holy Ghost. Then, surrounded by men that love him and hold the Holy Priesthood, Joshua was confirmed and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. It was so sweet, and beautiful words were spoken. I love, love, love that my husband (and equal partner in raising these amazing kids) is worthy and able to baptize and confirm my children. It brings tears to my eyes just to think of the gratitude I have that he is able to perform such vital ordinances for of our children. I'm so proud of my little Joshua and his sweet little testimony and desire to do what's right. He tried so hard during the weeks before his baptism to choose the right and be extra kind and thoughtful. Oh, how I love him!

After all the hugs, we came back home  to change clothes and... we partied!! Our new house and yard is so perfect for such events and it was an amazing beautiful summer day! We had pizza and pop (Joshua's choice) with fruit and treats. The kids played and the grown ups sat around and visited. It was wonderful, relaxing, and the perfect end to a perfectly fabulous day!

Aaarrrgghh! It's Captain Nathan and his matey, Uncle Richard.

Our littlest cousins Kassandra and Hailey

Grandpa and Grandma Dixon, Uncle David and Aunt Valaire, Mommy, Aunt Sheri, Gramdma Brown, Jared and Jeff

Grandpa Brown, Aunt Kristina, Shannon, Uncle Kelly, and Kassandra

Daddy, Uncle Richard, Aunt Kathy, Jesse Vincent (our junior home teacher) and Rachel

Resting and visiting. Grandpa Dixon is resting best! :)

Kassie loved her mommy's chocolate sheet cake!

We love our sweet Joshua!

'Tis the Season to be Jolly!

What a great month December was for our family. We had so many wonderful opportunities to "feel" the Christmas Spirit and so many great events with family that kept my emotions close to the surface and my tear ducts occupied for most of the month.

At the very beginning of the month, Rachel's choir sang at the Festival of Trees they hold every year at the Stephens Performing Arts Center at ISU. We went early to look at all the beautiful trees and the boys got to  sit on Santa's lap. Then while Rachel was practicing, the boys and I worked on crafts they had out for the children to do. The concert was really nice (the Century Choir and Band performed) and the boys were really good. We've never done that before, but enjoyed it enough that I think we might have to make it an annual tradition to at least go to see the trees and Santa (and Rachel if she's performing, too).

That next weekend, we had our annual Brown Family Christmas party, which was far from traditional this year. Steve's parents bought us all tickets to see "A Christmas Carol" at the Hale Centre Theatre in Salt Lake for Christmas. (I think there were over 50 that they paid for.) Oh, what a fun event. Bryson got to sit in the front row next to Grandpa, and Nathan was sitting on the edge of his chair the whole time. We all loved the performance so much! The theater is so fun with it's sunken stage and audience all around, that you feel like you're part of the story, too. Bryson said to Steve on the way out, "Dad, I think I would like to go to the theater more often." We wondered if he'd like more to be part of the play...he spent most of his day quoting Tiny Tim. Josh really loved it too. He actually hugged "Mr. Scrooge" on the way out. It was so fun, and such a wonderful treat for our whole (extended) family to share in the spirit of that classic tale together. Following the play, we went to a church building and had our very traditional lunch, game exchange, musical present game, collection for "Secret Santa", and family program. That also was very special with the sweet testimonies that were borne following the program. After we cleaned up the church, we went to a friend's of Steve's parents who works at the temple with them. They had a "ride on" model train with a mile or more of permanent track through their amazing property. We started in their heated garage/shop where we sat and watched "The Polar Express" until it was our turn. We had instructions and then got on the train. It rode through the property past more lights and yard decorations than I've ever seen in one place, to a place they called the "North Pole". There some cute little elves, took us into a room where Santa sat and the kids all got to sit on his lap and put in their requests and talk with him. He then showed the kids a candy cane and explained that it represents Jesus. We all sang "Silent Night" together, and then "reverently" left to return to the train. The second half of the train ride was through the rest of the property where we passed large "billboard" prints (mostly of paintings by Simon Dewey) with spotlights on them and listened to sacred Christmas hymns and songs. It was such a fun outing, and gave the kids an opportunity to think about the fun of the season, as well as the true meaning of Christmas. It was such a fun day with the Brown Family, a great time together, and a wonderful way to bring the Christmas spirit into our thoughts and hearts.

We spent an extra night in Utah so we could go visit and attend church Sunday morning with my Grandma Law (my dad's mom) in Provo. That was a special treat for her, and for us. Then we spent the rest of the afternoon with Steve's mom and dad and left in time to hit Salt Lake City in the dark. We drove around until we finally found a parking space in a lot, bundled up the kids, and walked a few blocks to Temple Square. The kids couldn't believe how beautiful all the lights were and loved the story and huge nativity on the lawn between the visitors center and the tabernacle. We wandered around for about an hour until we were tired, and then headed home. It was really the very best way we could have ended such a fun Christmas weekend together.

The following Friday, Steve and I took the three biggest kids (Sarah, Rachel and Bryson) to Salt Lake City for the Tabernacle Choir's Annual Christmas Concert. We were so grateful to my mom for volunteering to have the little boys spend the night with her, and to Steve's friend who works for the church's public affairs department was able to get us tickets. It was a miracle of sorts. David Archuleta and actor Michael York were the special guests. What a fun concert! There was something for everyone to enjoy. There were dancers, the Temple Square bell choir, an organ solo, a very touching story, and the conference center decorations were incredible. The music that the choir and David sang were everything from traditional carols to original compositions, sacred hymns to festive songs. It was such a fun concert, and something we would LOVE to do again! One of the best parts, though, was running into Steve's parents there. The concert was the culminating event of an interfaith conference that his dad had been asked to speak at. Their reserved seating was in the row right in front of us! It was fun to share the concert with them as well.

The very next day, Saturday, we headed to Boise for the Dixon Family Christmas party on Sunday. Sarah had a double date that her cousin set up for her, so we had to be there by Saturday evening. They had a lot of fun together (went to see lights, eat pizza, slide down icy slides at the park and play games). She was really grateful for a cousin with good friends that went to all that trouble to make sure she'd have fun. The next morning, we went to church with my sister, Kristina, and the had the family part that evening. We always do our "Christmas soup" dinner and treats and then act out the Nativity. It was a tradition we did as children, that has survived the years and is now part of our children's Christmas memories as well. Instead of reading the Christmas story from the Bible or another book, we sang the verses of "The Nativity Song" in the Primary Songbook and had the kids enter the "scene" as we sang about them. It was a very nice, quick way to review the story and act it out without all the chaos we usually have. Nathan was Joseph this year and chose his older cousin, Macey to be Mary. The other kids just picked what they wanted to be. The funniest part of the program this year was when Mary and Joseph entered and Mary just dropped the baby (a doll, thank goodness) into the "manger". As part of the program this year, we added a story called "Mary's Treasure Box" that I read as my mom and Macey acted it out. It's a story about Mary as a grandmother, telling her granddaughter, Sarah, who is James' daughter, about Jesus and the events in his life. For each thing they pulled out of the treasure box (like gray wool, straw, a flute, cloth, gold, frankinsence and myrrh) they talked about where it came from what it represents or what we learn from it. It was such a wonderful story. (I had photocopies of it because we used it for our program at our Relief Society Christmas Breakfast.) I would love to add it to my collection, but it's pretty expensive (maybe out of print or something). Anyway, it was a great program and we had a really fun time together.

The next weekend was Christmas, and we loved sharing that week before it together with everybody home from school and work, finishing shopping and wrapping, watching movies, playing games, building puzzles, and just being together. Rachel's piano recital was that Monday, and of course, she did a beautiful job. My brother, Michael and his wife Krystal, came and spent a night with us and we had a wonderfully fun time together. With the exception of a head cold settling in on me and Krystal, it was such a fun visit and we were grateful that they spent part of their vacation time with us in our new house.

I think more than all the things we saw or did to celebrate before Christmas, I really loved all the new experiences we had, and that we were together enjoying them. We got pretty spoiled on our trip last summer and really liked having so much together time exploring and discovering new things. I think I loved all these events because they seemed kind of like an extension of those wonderful memories. It was a very busy month and lots of traveling, but these memories we made together made this a year we'll always remember.

2010: Our Year in Review

If I was into sending out Christmas letters with our postcards, I would have sent a letter that was way too long, bragged way too much about my wonderful family, and still wouldn't have even touched on the enormous amount of gratitude we feel  for all we've been blessed with this year.

I do know, however, how much I love reading about all of my treasured friends and loved ones' families, so for those who took the time to search out my blog to see what we've been up to, here's our year in review (and what you would have read, had I sent out a Christmas letter this year)....

The two most exciting things we can share from 2010 is our family vaction this summer and our move this fall. We spent the first half of the year saving our pennies and in June, we packed up our Suburban to the very top (not kidding) and drove to Alaska. We spent almost a month traveling through Canada and Alaska. We drove about 8,000 miles in our car, rode to the top of the Space Needle, hiked a glacier, saw the ocean and lots of wildlife, caught our “first fish”,  rode a ferry, dug up clams, played with cousins, swam in a hot spring, camped in the rain, and had many other grand adventures. We had a wonderful time together and have so many happy memories! In August, a wonderful opportunity and blessing was dropped in our lap, and we took it and moved forward with faith! We moved moved into a new pre-loved house that is just perfect for us! It has lots of room inside and out, and is absolutely beautiful! We really like our new ward, and love that we have so many new friends already. We've all adjusted pretty quickly, which helped our new house feel like "home" almost from the very first day. It's just where we're supposed to be!

Steve (our Daddy) still works for U.S. Congressman Mike Simpson. He loves his job, and also had an opportunity to help his boss get re-elected by working part-time at night and on weekends on the primary campaign. By June, he wasn't quite busy enough, so he accepted the Mayor's appointment to fill a vacant seat on the Pocatello City Council. It's been an eye-opening experience, and as much as he loves working with the other members of the board, he's really had to make some tough decisions and then stand behind what he feels is right and best for Pocatello. We're so proud of him. As entrepreneurs do, he's also found time to pad the family income with his direct mail business which helped out a lot during the campaign season (and our move) with 65,000 pieces of mail we designed, had printed, labeled, and sent out for several candidates. He has also been crazy busy this year getting our old house ready to rent, working out the little kinks in our new house, serving on a couple of other community and state boards, spending incredible quality time with his family, and tinkering in a couple of other business ventures. He was also recently called as the Cub Master in our new ward. He really likes having the opportunity to be the "funnest" 10 year-old in the ward!

Julia (Me, the Mommy) still loves being a stay-at-home mom. My kids are my life and I love that I have the opportunity to be totally involved in their activities and schools. This was also a year of change and growth for me as I discovered and learned much about myself and developed many new physical and spiritual strengths. I end the year much healthier and happier than I started it, and much more the person I want to be. I spent  a few months preparing for our trip and then a few more preparing to move. It's been a crazy year, but so many blessings have been thrown our way, I know that the Lord has watched over and blessed me to be able to keep up and be the kind of mother and wife I want to be. On our 3rd Sunday in our new ward, I was called to serve as the 2nd Counselor in the Relief Society Presidency. In the short time I have served there (almost 2 months now), my heart has been changed, and I've seen the Lord's plan for our family start to unfold. As you can guess, I haven't had a lot of spare time for hobbies this year, but I still love baking, blogging, and reading, and playing with my family the most.

Sarah (17) has had a pretty good year. It's been a healthy one (heart-wise) with relatively little action in that department. She found out this year that she has a pretty severe case of Scoliosis, which has caused much more heartache and many more challenges, but takes it all in stride and remains her sweet little self. She is a senior in High school, and is beginning the new year with college and scholarship applications dancing in her head. Besides our family trip and moving, the highlight of her year was attending EFY at BYU-Idaho. It was such an amazing experience for her and she came back a changed teenager! She loves to spend time with our family, and all of her extra time with friends (live or on Facebook).

Rachel (14) has become the best traveled member of our family. In March, she went on the American Heritage Tour with other 8th Graders in the community. Her favorite things were spending time in New York City, and seeing "Wicked" on Broadway, and making so many new friends! She earned all $3,000 herself (with help from her terrific parents) and had a wonderful experience. She also started high school this year and absolutely loves it! Being in a "real school" now, she can wear make-up, "real clothes" and make many new friends. She stays busy with piano lessons (taking and teaching) and friends, and thoroughly enjoys having her own room!

Bryson (11) is in 5th Grade now and still loves school. He was recently released from his occupational therapy and had grown and matured in such amazing ways. We hardly ever see evidence of his Asperger's anymore, and his confidence is apparent in his constant smile. His drawing talent has continued to blossom as he draws everything from the most detailed dragons you've ever seen to cartoon mice with goofy grins. He absolutely loves scouts, and earned his Arrow of Light just before we moved. His new scout leaders are amazing and he is looking forward to camping and many other adventures in the spring with his new troop. With our move came a whole handful of friends just down the street, a few he already knew from school. Having so many friends to play with all the time is a new thing in his life, but just one more blessing that came with our new house.

Joshua (7) is in 2nd grade and has discovered the joy of reading. He loves non-fiction the best, and any information he can gather about space, electricity and mysteries of the natural world are the best. He still loves to take apart and build things, but has discovered a new love for science experiments. He loves to draw, too, but his drawings are usually of mechanical or body systems, or data charts from his experiments. He also loves to play the wii, run around the yard, and play with his brothers and friends.

Nathan (5) is spending his last year at home with Mom. He is such a fun boy. He spent the first part of the year being a pirate, and the last part of it being a scarecrow. He often changes several times a day, and mom has to be careful to keep up. He also loves to draw and shows much promise of following in his big brother's footsteps. He started sounding out words this fall and has recently "published" his first book, "The Wizrd of Pos." He also loves running errands with Mommy, reading books, visiting Great-Grandma Mangum, and following his brothers around and playing legos with them.

Our family has been blessed beyond measure this year, and knowing that our Heavenly Father loves and watches over us is among our greatest treasures. We are so grateful for our forever family and all the amazing things that have happened this year to help seal our bonds of love and friendship. We pray that you, our family and friends near and far, have also felt the love and blessings of God rest upon you this year. We love you and hope you all have a merry Christmas and an amazing new year!

Christmas 2009

As we reflected on the past year, we realized, with much gratitude and joy, the great blessings Heavenly Father has granted us. We are employed, healthy, and happy. What more
could we want? We have enjoyed many special moments together and marvel at the blessings and miracles we are granted daily. Through our successes and struggles, we are more aware and grateful for what we have: a most amazing family.

Steve just finished his 2nd year working for the U.S. House of Representatives for Congressman Mike Simpson. He runs the office here and represents Mike at meetings and ceremonies. It has been a great experience for him as he's able to set his own schedule, work with wonderful people, and make connections with people all over southeast Idaho. He also serves on two community economic development boards, one as the chairman. He took somewhat of a "break" from local politics this year, determining to spend more time with our family. It's been marvelous for us. However, politics is "in his blood", and he still meets regularly with local Republicans. He currently serves on the Stake High Council, and we joke about dad "going to his church", but he usually takes at least one week a month to come sit by us at ours. His entrepreneurial spirit is still alive and well. He spent much of the year taking courses on internet marketing, looking at some avenues for a business that "runs itself". Through success we had in some direct mail pieces we created and sent out for a couple of friends, a new idea was born, and he's most currently working on a direct mail business. He's a wonderful daddy and husband, patient, funny and so supportive. We love him more than we can express!

I spent the year being the mom. Running kids wherever, volunteering many hours at the school as the PTO secretary and in classrooms, helping my boys with their homework, doing 323 loads of laundry, making 1,089 meals, and cleaning up the house too many times to count. I really love being a stay at home mom. I serve as the Stake Young Women President, which comes with the perks of working with awesome youth leaders (and their adult leaders) on things like youth conference and girls camp. The summers are pretty crazy, but I get to attend those stake activities with my girls and love the special testimony-building moments we have together there. When I make time for me, I love reading, blogging, card making, baking and spending time with my kids and sweetheart.

Sarah has had a great year this year. With a low-fat diet and handfuls of medicine, her health has improved dramatically. She feels so much better most of the time which has greatly increased her spirits, too. She is a Junior at Century High School this year, only missing a handful of days so far. She turned 16 and attended her first big dance this fall. She has a great group of friends now, and spends her time doing what teenagers do (whew...finally!). She likes to be with her friends, a good book, her mp3 player, Facebook, and the guy she attended the dance with (not necessarily in that order). She's recently found a new hidden talent in the choir at school and loves to help in the kitchen. She's in the Laurel class presidency at church and is a great example of faith and goodness.

Rachel has spent her year fulfilling her dream of going on the American Heritage Tour with the 8th graders in the community next spring. She decided last spring that she really wanted to go, and after Steve told her we couldn't afford it (over $2500), she moped for a couple of hours. He let her, then talked to her about ways that SHE could afford it. She put her mind to doing just that. Within a week, she had 6 children lined up for piano lessons, several babysitting jobs in the wings, a yard sale scheduled, and plans for a hand-delivered coupon packet (daddy's specialty) during the summer. She worked really hard, and by the time school started in the fall, she had earned $2100 of her money. She turned 13 this summer, traded her glasses in for contacts, started wearing make-up, and turned into a beautiful young woman overnight. She also serves in her Beehive class presidency. She loves to play the piano, read, write on her blog, and be with her friends. She's pretty excited to be at a public high school next year and wear "normal clothes" to school again. With all her drive and self-discipline, it's been so fun to watch her grow and mature.

Bryson had a pretty life-altering year this year. After so many struggles with school and some hard times at home, we finally found out that he has Asperger's Syndrome, one of the high-functioning autism spectrum disorders. So since summer, we spend our days in rigid routines, going to psycho and occupational therapy, encouraging social and physical experiences, and loving and enjoying our sweet boy with new eyes and hearts. He has responded well, and with his new accommodations at school and home, is thriving. He is still an incredible artist and loves to draw. He recently discovered that he kind of likes to read, too. He loves prehistoric creatures, ancient civilizations, and any animal that's ever existed (and some that haven't). He also loves cub scouts and just beams with pride when he earns his awards. Bryson is my special buddy, loving and sweet, tender and quiet, and good all the way through.

Joshua has decided this year that he prefers to be called Josh. (I think it's because it's faster to write.) But, he's still the same sweet, cute, cuddly kid he's always been. His darling little smile has saved his life on many occasions, as he's still our busiest, most inquisitive child. He builds traps, tears things apart, wrestles with his dad, and comes up with the most amazing things most of us couldn't even fathom. It is fun to watch his face light up when he finishes reading a book, or gets his spelling words right. He's excited to be in school all day, but is still practicing just paying attention and sitting still. He's a cuddle, a laugh, and a wildly vibrating ray of sunshine.

Nathan is such a fun little boy. He's very intrigued with letters and numbers and also loves to draw. He and Mom spend a lot more time together alone and we've become such good friends. He loves to go run errands with mom, play on the computer, read stories, watch movies, do puzzles, and make play dough "cookies". He is usually very loving and sweet, but has practiced his different moods and independent thinking a lot more this year. He's really grown up a lot, and has become quite a strong-willed little boy. He makes us smile all the time with his funny little antics, and has decided lately that he's either a pirate (aargghh!) or Santa Claus (ho ho ho!), complete with costume. We're so grateful he's in our family, too.

We have been so abundantly blessed this year, but among our greatest treasures is our wonderful family and the incredible blessing that we can be together forever. We couldn't stand it any other way.

Halloween with Mystery, Inc.

This Halloween's costumes were inspired by a cute little dog costume I bought at our school yard sale last August for Nathan. Since the girls are a little too big to do the whole Halloween and Trick-or-Treating thing, I thought we should have them all be the Scooby Doo gang. That way, the girls could dress up, too, and help the boys for me! Besides, the boys love to watch the old Scooby Doo cartoons. They all loved the idea and we went searching for clothes and accessories to make it work. Both the other boys had clothes that worked great, and for the girls, we hit three different thrift stores and Wal-Mart, and borrowed a few accessories from a friend, and had everything we needed. I was so excited with the way their costumes turned out, and the kids all loved them. Bryson had a brilliant idea that Steve and I should dress up as the "Mystery Machine", but we declined. Sarah, Bryson and Joshua all won movie tickets in the costume contest at the school carnival, and we got a lot of comments. Joshua's yellow hair ended up being a nice neon green, and Rachel's red hair spray ended up all over everything in the bathroom, but it was so cute, and so worth cleaning up the mess!!

Freddy (Josh), Shaggy (Bryson), and Scooby Doo (Nathan)

Velma (Sarah) and Daphne (Rachel)

The whole gang from Mystery, Inc.
Scooby-dooby-doo!!!

Family Pictures 2009

We haven't had our family pictures taken since Joshua was about 6 months old. Yeah, six years ago. Well, we wanted a bunch of fun pictures and didn't want to spend our life savings, so David spent the good part of a Saturday in October taking our family pictures. He has a new hobby in photography and is really very good. This was his first "Family Portrait" shoot, except for his own, so we all learned some things. We had four locations in mind, but we started out pretty cold, and then the sun came up pretty fast and made things a little more complicated with the shadows and light. He took about 260 shots, and we hoped a few of them turned out okay. With that many people, you always have somebody blinking, not looking, talking, or crying. Well, he got many more than a few good ones, and I am so happy with what we ended up with. Actually, there are too many to choose. I might just make a collage for the wall instead. There are just so many that are so fun! I love my brother and am so grateful for his willingness to do this for us!!

Hours in Line for H1N1 Flu Shots

Sarah's cardiologist confirmed what the pediatrician told us...that she really had to have an H1N1 (Swine Flu) Shot. Originally, we weren't planning on getting one for any of us. Something to do with a government-infused scare tactics, not enough testing, more problems with the vaccine than the flu...yadda, yadda, yadda. Anyway, we figured we'd be careful, sanitize, and be fine. Well, with both doctors telling us she needed one, we figured Bryson should probably have one, too. And because they're both high risk (with Sarah's compromised immune system because of her heart problems, no spleen, and PLE, and Bryson's asthma), the other kids should probably get them too. We've always had our kids immunized, and never been crazies who refuse shots that could protect our kids, so we figured we better just do it.

The health department was having H1N1 flu shot clinics in Pocatello a couple of weeks ago. They had to cancel one because their shipment of vaccine was less than they expected. So, at the only clinic in October (and the only place the vaccine was available) people started lining up 6 hours before the clinic began. We were beginning to get a little paranoid about how to make sure we got Sarah's shot, until my mom called earlier in the day to say that if we brought her by the school (it was happening at the school where she works) at a certain time, that she could get in line to get one with her. Steve went and checked her out of school, sent her in to meet Grandma and then got in line to save the rest of us a place. We were in line, all the way around the church across the street, by 3:15, and worked on homework on the sidewalk, whined about being bored, and tried to calm the ones that had just figured out why we were there. It was fun.... okay, not really. We stood in line for 3 1/2 hours before we were able to get the kids their shots.

We did have a little excitement, though. Some wonderful Domino's Pizza owner had his drivers come around 5:00 with a whole bunch of pizzas that he was passing out to different sections of the line. I couldn't believe how generous and thoughtful that was. There were so many tired and hungry kids and pregnant mommies, it was very appreciated. About 15 minutes 'til the front of the line, the news station asked to inteview me, and I had yet another 5 seconds of fame. (Couldn't find a clip this time, though.) When we got to the front of the line, the nurse confirmed that the kids would all have to get shots since they had so recently had their seasonal flu vaccines, and Josh fell apart on me. He thought he was getting the nasal spray again. They all did fine, though, and we stopped at K&B and let them each choose a candy bar for their reward. Poor kids. We're such mean parents. I really hope it was a good thing to get the vaccines and it really will protect my kids from harm. We're still really going through the soap and sanitizer, though!!

Back into the Swing of Things...

Well, we've been back in school for... a month for my Charter School kids, and 3 weeks for my Junior at Century High School. Yeah, I can't believe she's that old, either. Rachel is in 8th, Bryson 4th and Joshua 1st grade. I can't believe any of them are that old. The first day of school was pretty exciting. Sarah was still sleeping (she still had another week of summer break), Rachel was spending record time in the bathroom with the spiral curling iron, and the boys were dressed by 7:10 and making their sack lunches in the kitchen. Nathan was all caught up in the excitement, too, making his own lunch and packing his "pack-pack". (Sarah and I had to take him to the park to eat his packed lunch that day.)

Joshua, Rachel and Bryson on the first day of school
August 14th, 2009

...And Nathan on their first day of school...

Sarah's first day of school
August 20th, 2009

So, after a month, how are things going? Bryson had a major homework meltdown and Joshua had a little period of "bad choices" at school the first week, but everyone seems to have settled in and is doing great now! ...Whew! We love the kids' teachers, the new administrators at the charter school, and the new routine that comes with school schedules. Rachel's life changed a little bit this year with some of her good friends leaving to the traditional jr. high, and the new homework load of 8th grade. But, she's been busy, involved in student council and mostly happy. Sarah has only had one "sick day" so far, and we're thrilled that she's enjoying her classes and strengthening friendships. Nathan and I hang out all day at home (if we're lucky) and plan to have lots of trips to the library for storytime and special mommy-time at home. All in all, I'd say school is going great, and things are good. I'm holding my breath that life won't get much crazier and that homework time won't put me in a mental hospital this year!

Baby Blues is one of my favorite cartoons. Steve clips it out for me at least once every couple of weeks as it seems to apply so directly to my crazy mommy-life with my great kids! This was one he cut out last Spring, during burn-out season, but it also seems so applicable now....

Pioneer Day Celebration

Pioneer children sang as they walked, and walked, and walked....
Sarah and Rachel walked with the float in the Pioneer Day Parade and held signs with some of the other young women in our ward. They were wearing cute little blow-up alligator swimming floaties around their waists. Of course, Sarah thought they were cute and funny, and Rachel was embarrassed to death. We brought the quick shade and lawn chairs and found a pretty non-populated spot on Center Street with friendly and polite neighbors. It was really fun this year. After the parade, we did our usual run up to the fairgrounds to fight the crowds and heat and stood in line to get our traditional Pioneer Day lunch: hamburgers or hot dogs and corn on the cob, watermelon, and snowcones. Yum! That's what summer's all about. It was really hot that day, and I opted to hold everything while Steve took the boys into the petting zoo. When they were done, we made a bee-line to the car before they noticed anything else to do or eat.

We got home and Steve was watering the plants in the front yard. Rachel opened her water bottle and dumped it down his shirt. Pretty soon, there was an all-out waterfight going on in the front yard, and my poor husband was without his hose. A few minutes later, I heard footsteps on the roof and Steve opened fire with the backyard hose. Rachel didn't stand a chance.

Sarah and I were hiding and laughing on the porch, using picture-taking as my excuse so I could stay dry. Before I knew it, he bent the hose around the roof and squirted me and Sarah down. So, of course we joined the fun. Afterall, we had to get him back! We all had a great time, except Josh, who loved being the hose guy and squirting everyone when they came to fill up their buckets and pitchers, but cried everytime somebody dumped it over his head. We finally got smart and gave him an umbrella as a shield and had him sit on the sandbox and watch.

After an hour of drowning each other, we called a truce so we could all clean up and dry off. Of course, we did have to stop and pose for a picture first. What a fun, fun day! Spontaneous moments are usually the the stuff great memories are made of!

Contemplating Waffles and Eternity

One night when the girls were gone for mutual to a camp certification night at Scout Mountain, we decided to take the boys and have a little dinner of our own in the mountains. We made some sandwiches and drove up there, too, hoping to grab a picnic spot and have a little quality time with our boys in a setting that they love. We were disappointed to find out that Scout Mountain doesn't have any day use picnic areas anymore. They're all camping spots and cost $10 per use. So, we headed back down the mountain and stopped at Cherry Springs. Steve and I ate in the amphitheater area while the boys ignored their dinner and picked flowers, played with giant leaves and caught caterpillars. We had a fun time together. We decided to head home when the mosquitoes got so bad Bryson was running around in circles so they wouldn't land on him. Funny boy.

On the way home, Steve and I were talking softly while the boys sat quietly and stared out the windows. (I think they were tired, but really fighting sleep.) All of a sudden, Josh said, "Dad? Do you thin the girl I marry will like waffles?" Trying to stifle his laugh, Steve answered, "I'm sure she will son." Josh thought about that for a second and then said, "Good. Because I really like waffles and the girl I marry has to like them so we can eat them all the time for breakfast." He settled back into his thoughts again and all was quiet in the back seat. Steve and I joked about him taking all of his dates to IHOP and making sure they order waffles before he considers them marriage-worthy. What a sweet thing a six year-old perspective is. Life is so good when all that really matters to your future is whether or not your wife will eat waffles with you.

Scenic River Classic: The Day of the Race

Development Workshop, Inc. in Idaho Falls holds the Scenic River Classic each year to raise money for their programs. My dad works there, and because he's always bragging about his kids and their abilities, he told them I would submit some t-shirt logos to the company to use for the race. I did, and after some adjustments, here's what they used for the t-shirts. I'm glad my dad is so proud of my abilities. I wouldn't very often volunteer to do that kind of thing without his "nudging".

I walked the 5K with my mom and dad, my brother David ran the 10K, and Byrson, Josh and Kyle (David's son) ran the Kids' 1-Mile. I came in just under an hour, rounding the corner to the finish line the same time David did. It was interesting to learn that he runs exactly twice as fast as I walk. It's a beautiful course, around the Greenbelt (the river and waterfall area) by the temple. The kids' run was at a nearby park. Steve brought Sarah and Nathan up to Idaho Falls to watch and cheer us on.

Bryson heading for the finish line

Joshua finishing his race

Me and my cute little runners

After the races, they give out free slabs of Great Harvest bread and Farr's ice cream cones. Bryson wore his medal all day with such pride. It was really cute. It was one of those days that you go to bed feeling good that you did something to help. I hope we can afford for more of our family to participate next year.

On the way home, we did our usual trip over to feed (and chase) the ducks and geese by the river. Josh saved his free bread slab especially to feed to the birds. Glad they liked it. (Hope whole wheat bread doesn't do weird things to a goose's system.)