Feeling grateful

It's been while since I blogged, life has been so busy. I've come to the conclusion that life is always going to be busy so I better just get used to it =). Lately I've been filled with a lot of gratitude. I'm grateful for my hard working husband, my ever so adorable kids, and the wonderful people that surround me. I am so lucky to have so much! I'm grateful for those in my life who lift me up and inspire me to be better. With life being as crazy as it is and filled with so much, I am grateful for those that keep me grounded. I think it's easy to get caught up in the "thick of thin things" and it is an everyday effort for me to keep myself focused on the things that matter most. Here is a little bit of what we've been up to lately.

Lot's of fun sister time. These girls kill me with their cuteness, they giggle and run and scream and dance all day! I thought girls were supposed to be the quiet ones?

Brigham lost his first tooth

Going on a witch hunt to Gardner Village

First basketball game! Brigham LOVES basketball and has made 8 baskets in his first three games! I am so proud of my little guy for getting out of his comfort zone and getting into the game!

The kids came with me to decorate for our multi stake dance. They were such good sports! We were there pretty much all day between decorating, me teaching a flash mob to the youth of our stake, and the dance.

Halloween train ride

It was so fun to go to Brighams school for the costume parade and then to help with his party. I am so glad he's got a great teacher and such good friends in his class.

Halloween was a fun/crazy day filled with school parties and parades, trick or treating on Main st, the ward trunk or treat and then trick or treating at Grandmas. When the day was over we were filled with a ridiculous amount of candy, great memories and me wondering why I filled our day with so many activities? The things you do for your kids.

Cousins

Supposed to be sleeping but instead yelling "Mom watch, watch mom" Life is filled with fun and games for this little one, not a care in the world

I hope these two stay best friends forever

I asked Molly to get dressed and this is what she came back with. Seriously girl. She is to funny

nail painting and makeovers seem like a daily thing over here and it's only getting worse with with baby girl #3 on the way, yikes!!

I got this idea from a cute friend of mine. We have been getting ready for Thanksgiving by picking out a slip of paper each day that helps us think of all the things we are grateful for. I have really grown to love Thanksgiving and what it celebrates.

August

Wow, summer really flew by! In August we tried to play as much as possible knowing that school was about to begin. We had a great time at parks, with friends, celebrating Molly's birthday and trying to fit in all those last minute summer fun things. Before school started I wanted to throw a little back to school party for Brigham, Mckell and Jeremy. We read the Kissing hand, colored and of course took our back to school pictures. My favorite part is always the fathers blessing that the kids receive. How special that is, I love it and the kids do to! At our back to school party I wanted to serve food that reminded us of the cafeteria, only slightly better =). We had Kissing Hand sandwiches, tater tots (Napoleon Dynomite anyone?) and brain berries (aka blueberries). We had 7 up to drink along with 7 up-lifting ways to start the school year. Dessert was a little disappointing... For my fellow Oak Canyon Junior High friends, you will remember the "pink cookie". This wasn't just any normal granny b's cookie, this one was perfection! On my quest for the pink cookie, I discovered that they no longer make them (tear). The Alpine school district banned them because of the high calorie content. It is truly a tragedy. We had to settle for yucky walmart pink cookies, boo!

Here are some pics from August

At temple square. At least Mckell seems to be enjoying herself! It was a fun day packed with all the fun temple square activities.

The kids have been dying for school to start and everyday they ask me how many more days until it starts. We decided to make a count down to school chain, problem solved.

Warning, if you come to our house to play, you are subject to multiple dance and gymnastics lessons. Mckell is a tough teacher and will correct any mistakes. Hmmm I wonder where she gets it?

A fun little space project. Brigham is REALLY into learning about outer space right now. Every night before he goes to sleep he asks me to quiz him on his knowledge about the planets. Such a funny boy!

This is Molly pretty much everyday, love that girl!

Just the girls

Me and Molly at her birthday dinner

Happy Birthday Molly!

I can't believe she's 2!

Notice all the empty chairs?

Back to school party

Not even close! I feel bad that our children will never have the real pink cookie when they go to school.

Celebrating Molly and Jaden's birthday with the Haynie's

First day of school and looking so grown up!

We came outside to find this. We must have some good friends out there!

The sun was shining bright on the first day of school and Brigham was so excited to go to the big school. I was a little sad though and shed a few tears after he walked through the doors. It's hard to let him go but he loves it so much so I am happy for him. His favorite part of school is recess. We love his teacher Ms. Mailes. She is new to the school but spent the last four years teaching in Taiwan. I think she'll be fantastic!

Brigham got lucky and has two of his friends in his class. We found one of them outside just before going in. Aren't they cute?

I'm glad to say that we survived the first week of school. Next week Mckell starts school and I go back to teaching. I hope it all goes well =)

Is it summer yet?

We have seriously been so busy this summer that I am constantly asking myself when will summer actully begin? I think in my mind summer consists of sleeping in, hanging out with no where to go and nothing important to do. This summer has been anything but that. We have definitely had some fun times but honestly, I just want one day where we can just chill. I'm getting a little anxious with it being the end of July already. I count on my summers to rejuvenate and get ready for the upcoming school year and I don't feel like we've really had that yet. Well, such is life right? Here are some pics from the last few weeks. The kids and I headed up to Idaho for a fabulous family reunion. We didn't quite feel complete without Jeremy, we were so sad that he wasn't able to come. He sure was missed! We also celebrated Brigham's 6th birthday. So fun! brigham is a great kid and I can't believe he's 6! I also went to our stake youth conference which was incredible. I love my calling and the incredible youth in our stake!