First day of School!!

This year was a very exciting one for our family. Jackson started first grade. Spencer goes to preschool and even my little Payton is in his first year of preschool! All of my kids are growing up so fast. So far so good -- everyone loves their teachers and school is great!

Payton is 3!!!

I cannot believe my baby is already three but I am defiantely glad to say goodbye to diapers!!! Payton has such an amazing spirit of determination and I think it was brought out by his diffuclt first year of life. He was such a little trouper with his casting and bars for his club foot and the other day when he found his bar and shoes and wanted to put them on. Obviously he was too big but I am glad it is not the painful memory for him that it is for me. He has his dad's wonderful imagination and his mom's love of music. I also notice a love for art work which may mean he could get some of his grandma's talent to paint -- which we would love! It has been an amazing 3 years with him and this is just the beginning. He made our family complete with a small, medium, and large boy in the family. Happy Birthday Bwabwa! We love you!!

Utah Trip

We went up to Utah for my brother's wedding and decided to make a little vacation out of it. We had a really fun time staying with my cousin, Aubrey, and her family. We were able to do some really fun stuff there. On Friday we went to the Rec Center around the couner from my cousin's house and the kids had a blast. It had a Pirate ship outdoor playland as well as an indoor play area with a water slide and a lazy river. We had to force our kids down the big water slide a few times but Jackson decided it was fun and we were glad to see that. It is bitter sweet when you have to force your kids to do something you know they will enjoy but the reward comes when the finally come over to your side. Spencer did it twice with me but then he was done. He asked me if he could just do it once and I said "no, because the first time it will be new and the second time you will know what to expect so it won't be scarey" and he seemed to accept that so I was pleased. Spencer even smiled the second time down. After all of out water fun we got the kids bathed and fed and then the adults went out. (We had a babysitter of course) Troy and I, Aubrey and Chad went to see Angels and Demons and it was good but first we had to eat at Texas Roadhouse which is One of our favorite places.

Saturday was busy but a great day. We were able to attend the open house for the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. (For those who may read this and are not members of our church -- anyone is welcome to walk through the temple during the open house. Once it is dedicated then you must have a recommend to enter) This was exciting for my boys who wanted to know what the temple looked like. It was beautiful and the boys learned a lot. Saturday evening was Chris wedding and it was small and beautiful. They seemed so happy and excited to begin a life together. We are excited to gain a sister-in-law and two more boys cousins. After we put the kids to bed Saturday night we played American Idol. We had lots of fun with the game and stayed up too late. It was worth it though.

Sunday was church and the glorious hour of 9am instead of our usual 2:00pm meeting time. It was nice to sit with Troy and be able to tag team the kids instead of being by myself with him watching from the stand. We came home and some took naps and then headed over to my Uncle Jerry's house for dinner. We had a good time just being together -- something we don't get to do enough. We watched a little Planet Earth and then went home for bed. Jackson and Spencer were given some "mystery scooters" that had been left at my uncle's for a while without claim and they were very excited to use them. Even Payton was giving them a try. It is so fun to see them excited about stuff like that.

Monday was another fun day for us. We were able to go to the Airplane Museum and the boys had lots of fun. It was hot outside so we were glad to see the planes on the inside as well. They also had an area for the kids to dress up in flight suits and get in the simulators -- Troy had fun with that too! Then we took the kids to a Brazilian BBQ place and had a big lunch/dinner. It is an all you can eat place that had waitors come around and cut off these great meats for you and it was sooo good. The boys liked the fired bananas for dessert and then home for our last night.

It was so nice to have some time away as a family and be able to relax a bit. We really had a good time.