First Days

Harrison and Gillian on their first day of 5th and 6th grade. We were running just a little late, so I had to take their picture in the parking lot of the school.

Rachael on her first day of 2nd grade. She was being a goof ball, as usual, and was claiming that her backpack was crushing her. (The two biggest items were tissues and her lunch box.)

School started this week (yay for mommy). Rachael started Monday then Harrison and Gillian started on Tuesday. They were all excited in the different ways and things are going good so far, they all like the teachers and recognize some kids they knew before we moved.

James's first Word

On Monday James said his first word. He said dada. He also his first tooth yesterday.

Planning Ahead...WAY ahead...

Christmas is just around the bend, it seems, in all its craziness. With the economy taking an unfortunate turn, I have a proposition to make for our Large family. Would a Christmas PARTY be better than gift exchanging?? I know what a black hole our financial world seems like most days, and hope that everyone else is doing okay.

This party would be held at a place yet to be determined. The main activities would be children with icing of sugar cookies and reading of christmas stories, while the adults sit back and enjoy a hot chocolate and hot cider buffet and perhaps (yes I KNOW it seems cheesy, but what do you expect from me?) singing of christmas carols.

Each family would have certain parts to prepare, ie. one family might bring the hot chocolate mix, another sugar cookies and icing, etc.

Please give me some feedback. I know our Christmas is going to be scaled down quite a bit this year in our home, and thought this might be a no-pressure-enjoy-being-with-family time.

Happy Birthday!!!

Happy birthday to Aaron (tomorrow) and Erica (last friday)!!!

Save the Date

Ahnna's baptism will be Saturday, October 17th at 1pm. We'd love to see you there.

A Day at the Museum

Jon's job at the bank ended Friday but was able to get a decent offer with the Army which he took. He will leave early November for training in South Carolina for three months to be a Paralegal Specialist. After he finishes his training we will be moved to a post. In the months until then he still has to go to trainings and drills with the Guard. The first one is this Friday and it's for two weeks, so we decided to take a day and go to the Museum and the Main Library today.

Collin's birthday!

I think he had a good birthday. I made special arrangements for the kids in primary to sing the "regular" happy birthday song, since he's not familiar with the primary birthday songs. He was getting antsy afterwards, so I tried taking him to nursery for a little bit(he always seems to end up there 3rd hour), and he told me he wanted to go to primary. With a couple trips out(bathroom, water fountain & getting snacks), Collin did end up sitting thru most of primary sharing/singing time in the primary. He has not sat thru most of the 3rd hour in primary for almost 2 years now!!! Couldn't have asked for anything more. Here's a video of his opening presents. You'll probably hear, some little girl wanted to help too.