It is sad to see Summer beginning to slip away..... less time at the pool, the snow shack is starting to close, no more sleeping in and staying in our pj's until noon, homework after school, etc. etc. etc. (Above) Will's last shaved iced, after his first day of first grade. He was a trooper and had worked so hard! He deserved a little treat.
Eli always wants in on the action when we take pictures. I was snapping a couple of Will in new school clothes and Eli always wants a few of himself. I am happy to oblige, he's a little stud muffin!
My other little stud muffin in his sweater vest uniform style. I love him, he's the sweetest, cutest, most tender hearted kid ever! I miss him while he's gone for so long every day and I think about him often, hoping he's happy, working hard, getting enough to eat/drink, etc. I suppose that will never go away completely. I think part of being a mom is having a bit of your own soul out there walking around in your kids bodies! He's doing great though!
Our cute neighbor friend Hunter has a moped. He is the coolest 17 year old around and is so sweet to give my boys rides. Eli was in heaven of course. Thanks Hunter!
Soccer is keeping us busy twice a week with practices and games. Will is improving every single time and is doing an awesome job! He plays on the "Red Bombs" and is really starting to enjoy the game and playing with his friends. Eli of course if jealous that it's not his turn to get out and play just yet! Maybe next year buddy!
A few Saturdays ago, Will really wanted to go out and sell some lemonade to earn enough money to buy some Legos. Scott was so sweet and nice and helped him get everything all ready and take it outside and set it all up. He sat there with Will for over an hour while Will sold his Peach Punch. Will had a great time and did awesome! He earned 18$! I'm thinking I need to take this up myself!
Will and Luke are buddies, and they love that they see each other at school. Luke's classroom is right across from Will's classroom so they always hang out before the bell rings in the morning. Cute little dudes!
We took Will rock climbing to the gym last week. He had fun but was a little nervous, since it was his first time. I think he'll do better and have more fun next time he goes.
For Labor day weekend we went with my sister to her cabin up above Park City. It was beautiful and the air was nice and cool.... it got me SO in the mood for Fall! We hiked up to this rock to watch the sunset. The kids always have a blast with their cousins, and what's NOT to love about a cabin in the mountains?
"Thumbs up if you're having fun!"
A little family picture. I love my little family and spending time with them as much as I can. I have such a great supportive husbands, who helps out and has fun with our kids. He makes my laugh hysterically and I love that I still think he's funny after 12 years! Our boys are always up for a good time and are becoming great little hikers. Eli especially loves all the rock throwing he gets to do.
While we were walking down to the cabin after watching the sunset, my nephew said "Will is so nice! I sat down because I was kinda sad and Will came and sat by me and tried to help me feel better. I really liked it, and I think Will is the nicest kid!" It was cute, but true! Will is a nice kid!
My sister
Cousins. Will and Matt - best buds (and occasionally worst enemies) :)
There were fire restrictions, so couldn't make a fire pit outside. Well, nothing gets between me and my s'mores! We roasted our marshmallows over the stove and had a very scrumptious late night treat.
The cute little cabin!
This cutie started school this week! Preschool that is. He was beyond excited to FINALLY get to use his new back pack. He was up early and wearing it before it was light outside! So far he is enjoying Joy School with our neighborhood friends, if we could only get him to sit still for more than 2 minutes at a time!
Every afternoon when I go to pick up Will at school, Eli has a little cat-nap in the car. It is a nice moment of quiet that I look forward to! While he sleeps, I read my scriptures. This day (above) he fell asleep with his hand in his bag of crackers, and I'm pretty sure he had some in his mouth as well!
I started teaching again! It was a random moment, but I'm so happy! I teach ESL at Utah Valley University. My class is early in the morning (8:00-8:50) every day, which is the only tricky part. But so far, it was worked out great, thanks to the help and support of Scott and my sister. Scott is here to get Will off to school and then after my sister drops her kids off she swings by and picks up Eli since she drives right past my house to go home anyways. Then I pick Eli up on my way home. It makes for early mornings, but I LOVE that by 9:30am I'm already home and that it doesn't interfer with the rest of my day. It is just for this semester, so we'll see how it goes and if they ask me to continue teaching, I will think about it. My class is beginner.... VERY beginner. Some of my students have only been in the United States for like 20 days or something crazy. I have 8 Spanish speakers, 1 South Korean, 1 Chinese, and 3 Saudi Arabians.
Eli likes to still my phone and take pictures of himself. I found these gems not too long ago.....
After he had taken several of himself, he asked me to take one.... he's such a poser.
On our way up to Logan the other night we stopped by and went to the Brigham City temple open house. It was so pretty and the boys loved it. Will told us "I really felt the spirit there mom, especially in the sealing room." I would have to agree, I always have a tender place in my heart when I go to the sealing room. I have two wonderful memories of being married to the love and best friend of my life, and the beautiful day we sealed Eli. The sealing rooms in Brigham City are beautiful, they were my favorite part!
After the temple, we sped up to Logan to attend a special dinner and award thing for Glenn. It was really cool. Glenn and Martha are amazing people! They have lived a life full of service and charity. Dinner was yummy and it was so fun to see Wes, Lorinda, Owen, Ashlie, and of course Glenn and Martha. We sure will miss Papa and Gigi when they leave for Finland in just a few days!
We've all been battling colds and Eli was having an especially hard day. I came downstairs and he had pretty much passed out on the couch at 5pm. That made for a really long night, but he was cute all curled up on the couch. How do kids sleep in the weirdest positions?
Will has saved and saved so that he would have enough money to buy himself some Legos. He was so excited when I told him that Saturday was the day! He did great, was so patient while we ran errands and then finally got to the toys. He paid the cashier himself and everything.
After running errands and the excitement of Legos, we had to run to soccer. The boys did awesome! They scored three goals, which was a huge improvement from the week before. Here are three of them, Will, Drake, and Ethan. We car pool with Ethan every day and his mom and dad are Megan and Jon Ward (Ashlie's sister). We love that they live so close, makes us feel like we have more family close by! Drake is our neighbor, he lives just across the lawn from us. It is so fun having them all on the same team! We always enjoy a little lunch afterwards too! :)
Last but not least, earlier today we were all laying on the couch. I love snuggling with my boys and I don't mind having a cold when it means snuggling and relaxing. We were sad to miss church, but needed some down time to get feeling better! I love my boys and I love my life. We are busy, but so blessed in so many ways!
Now we are ready for Fall! I'm ready to get out my Fall decorations and I'm loving the cooler mornings and the idea of wearing my boots and scarves! Fall is the best, football, soup, scarves, tall boots and tights, leaves changing, Halloween and Thanksgiving, and lots of family time!
