Weekends go too fast!

Well, it was LOTOJA weekend again. I decided this year I didn't want to go, didn't want to be a support person, and didn't even want to watch. I must be a bad wife or something but driving all the way over there with all the kids and no help just wasn't sounding appealing. We'll go again next year but this year the kids and I enjoyed a quiet weekend at home. (PLUS, we were JUST in Jackson Hole 2 weekends ago!)

Nate took 2nd place in the team relay. They only lost by 40 seconds BUT they beat the previous record by 8 minutes. Pretty impressive! Nate's dad completed the entire 207 miles in 11 hours. SO amazing! His best time yet!

The boys and I cleaned the house, ran errands, and watched movies. Actually, I rented the first season of Downton Abbey and watched all 7 hours. LOVED IT! Now I need to get my hands on the second season.

The kids and I also had a fun outdoor smore fire night. We sang lots of cheesy camp songs too. I love that they were SO into it. They are never allowed to grow up.

Parker was a good helper while Dad was out of town.I just love how Anna looks like a baby doll every time Parker picks her up. It's the cutest.

 I've had multiple people tell me lately that I look exactly like Anna. Hmmmm, I'm not 100% convinced.

 And Oh, how we love when Daddy gets home. He has the magic touch for getting his girl to fall right to sleep.

It's been a great weekend.....except for a few moments while holding the baby in the foyer at church. She let out a HUGE fart. I kept holding with her and playing with her then I looked down and saw I had poop.....ALL OVER my WHITE skirt, and shirt. It was all over her NEW outfit too so HOME we went for a complete change of clothes. Gotta love it. Oh, and one more thing. I've been released from BOTH Activity Days AND the piano playing calling (YES! HOORAY! YIPPEE!) 5 year old primary class, here I come! ☺

A sweet moment.

Me: "BOYS! Are your shoes on? Is your homework in your backpacks? Did you brush your teeth?"

Me: "HELLO? Am I talking to myself....you'd better not be on the computer or playing that playstation again!"

I walk around the corner and see this:

Dallin: "We're just talking to baby mom. We miss her while we're at school."

2 months.

Time is just flying by and our little Miss is growing so fast. This little girl has been on the go since she was born. I don't think there are many 8 week olds who have been: to Yellowstone, to Boise 2 times, to Utah, to Lava Hot Springs, to Chesterfield, to Rigby Lake multiple times, baseball games, soccer games, to Teton National Park, Jackson Hole and more.

She smiles and coos and has brought nothing but JOY into our lives. She has grown 2 inches since she was born and is tipping the scales at 11.2 pounds! She is getting so strong and holding her little head up so well. I LOVE that her face just lights up first thing in the morning when someone is smiling at her. She sleeps great, eats so well (obviously...check out those cheeks!), and has such an even temperament. She doesn't love her car seat but she loves to be carried. Her Daddy holds her until she falls asleep every night...maybe a bit spoiled? ABSOLUTELY! We wouldn't have it any other way!

Craters

We talked the Perry's into staying another day so we played some more on Monday! We decided to head over to Craters of the Moon since it was along the way home for them. We started out with a quick pit stop at the World's First Nuclear Power Plant. Just like last time we went...I still didn't understand a thing I was reading. haha

 The tour guide at the front took one look at our herd of children and said, "This place isn't really for children." We just smiled and headed on in! The kids had a blast.....this dumb lady doesn't know what she is talking about. They may not understand everything (like myself) but they had tons of fun!

Craters was WINDY but so wonderful. We hiked up the cinder mountain, saw the splatter cones and hiked into Indian Cave.

Blessing Day

Sunday was the big day. We had so many family members come and everything was just perfect. Emily and I worked hard the day before getting all of the yummy food ready. (Honestly could NOT have done everything without her!) We made chicken salad, eclairs, frog eye salad, spinach strawberry salad, veggies, cookies and more. Emily painted me the most beautiful picture with Anna's name and we ended up hanging it on the wall behind everything. It was absolutely beautiful and brought everything together so well.

I made some pretty cute blessing dress napkins too. It's all about the details!

I also made some cute little flower bags with mints as a little thank-you for coming gift.

My sister took some beautiful pictures of our sweet girl. She is getting so GOOD at photography! My heart just melts looking at my darling little girl.

 I LOVE this one. It's like she's saying, "Yep! It's MY day today!"

I sure didn't take very many pictures with my phone darn it. Too busy running around making sure the food was ready and everything.

Nate gave Anna such a beautiful blessing. I'm so grateful for him and for the priesthood that he holds. I love that he has the opportunity to bless each of our children. Anna was promised and blessed with many things. It was a wonderful day and I am again so appreciative of all who came to share this special moment with us.

The Perry's at Mesa Falls

So much to recap from this past weekend! The Perry's and my Brother and Sister in law came over to Idaho Falls on Friday. We decided to head up to Mesa that morning. It was beautiful up there and the leaves are all just about to turn. It smelled like fall in the air and it was so nice to inhale some clean non-smokey air!

We enjoyed some Big Jud's on the way up and then headed home to start making food for the big blessing day. LOVE the Perry's. We're so grateful that they are in our lives. We're so happy that even though we don't live in the same town anymore that we still take the time to see each other. It really doesn't matter what we do when we get together...we always have such a FUN and MEMORABLE time!

Looking forward to a crazy busy weekend!

This little angel is going to be blessed by her daddy. A day I have looked forward to for SO long. House is clean, food is being prepared, friends and family are on their way. This is what life is all about.

My male model

Nate is in the Ensign again! A few months ago Brother Call called and asked Nate to "model" again for an upcoming article. He's in the September issue on page 72.

I tease him now. He is the official "male model" of the family. If this law thing doesn't work out he has great new fallback career option. ☺

Still, its pretty cool to be an a magazine that goes throughout the world!

Back to school

Today marks another first day of school. Blessings were given last night, outfits set out and lunches packed. With that, 3 boys were all ready for a new year.

Dallin starts 4th grade:

Parker starts 2nd:

And my Landon starts KINDERGARTEN! (In the afternoon...hence no shoes in this pic)

My Sweet Landon: (AKA Lou, Little, Loo-Lee, Lando),

I swear you were JUST this tiny, sweet little boy about 5 minutes ago:

I see a LOT of your baby sister in you. I've always thought she looked exactly like Parker but now that I have gone back I do see you there as well.

Today is your very first day of school. A year ago I was dreading this day. Just the thought of sending you out into the world made me sick. I'm not sure why I was feeling this way...perhaps because you were my baby and I feel this fierce need to protect you. I decided against sending you to a preschool outside the home because I wanted to spend my days with you. I wanted to teach you and help you learn. I felt I could do that because you were the only one at home during the day and heck, I did go to school to learn about teaching young children! I figured I could do an ok job. I'm so glad that we decided to do the mom preschool and that I had those years to spend with you. I even considered keeping you home with me another year....mostly for my own selfish reasons. I couldn't do it though. You are SO smart and SO ready to go. You've been the baby in this family for 5 years up until a couple of months ago. You'll always be MY baby boy and is it hard to let you go.

I'm excited that you will be going to a great school and that you have your big brothers to look out for you. I'm glad that you're only gone for a few hours...just long enough for me to get some things done and pick up the house a bit. I'll sure miss my little buddy though. The house will seem so quiet without your high pitched squeaky voice and your sweet helpful nature.

As I walked away and left you standing in line ready to head into your classroom I started to choke up. You were smiling from ear to ear and I was hiding my red tear filled eyes behind my sunglasses. I was so grateful to see Parker come running across the field to welcome you to school. You are blessed with brothers who love you and look out for you.

Being a mom is hard. You spend days and days doing these day to day tasks and then suddenly you look up and realize that your baby boy is going to kindergarten and your oldest is going to be 10 in a few weeks. Where did the time go? Have I taught you what you need to know? Are you confident and thoughtful....caring and driven? Have I done a good enough job preparing you for the mean things people may say and do? Do you know that you are a son of a Heavenly Father who loves you?
I guess all I can do is just keep trying....and you will just keep on growing. And I will always be here for you....your first day of kindergarten, high school, college, and forever.

I love you baby boy. I'm excited for you. On to the next big chapter!

Momma