Back To School

Sophie's first day of pre-school.



And here they are after school. All three of them go to the same school this year. Landon will be at the Middle School next year, so this will probably never happen again.


The kids going back to school is definitely bittersweet. It is good to get back into routines and learning, but I am going to miss them. And I can't believe Sophie is old enough for pre-school. That happened way too fast. But she loves it. No turning back. The boys enjoyed their first day too. What will Aud and I do?

Cute Sophie Quote: "And mom, we went to recess. Recess is the name of the park that lives by the school."

Lots of Pictures From Our Trip Part II

A few more from Southern California







Baby Samuel's Blessing Day






Bear Lake, Utah

Lots of Pictures from our Trip Part I

On our way out West, we drove through Greensburg, Kansas, a town that was devastated by a tornado a while back. It is being rebuilt in eco-friendly ways.

We drove through the pan-handle of Oklahoma. Our first time in that fine state. And through part of Texas.

This was a run-down but very yummy cafe in Tucumcari, New Mexico where we stopped for dinner.

Landon walking through a cool labyrinth outside of this Cathedral in Santa Fe.

William in front of the London Bridge in Lake Havasu, Arizona.

Vince in front of this fence where people apparently throw old shoes. I'm sure there is a story to this somewhere.

Sophie in Joshua Tree National Forest.

This was a long drive. We all had to take our turn.

The beach in Oceanside, California. The kids were pros at catching sand crabs.

Sophie and Morgan

Near the tide pools in La Jolla with Aunt Kellie.

Landon and Cody

Vince and Aud

One of our beach neighbors made this cool sand castle.


I love Carson in this picture. He cracks me up.

Sophie is Four

Sophie turned four a few weeks ago, while we were at the beach house in Oceanside, CA. We celebrated with cupcakes and presents right after breakfast and then headed out for a day at Sea World. Sophie is a happy girl and I am blessed to be her mom. She keeps things interesting and fun. She loves clothes and shopping already. She changes outfits an average of five times a day. She sings and sings. She has lots of friends and a great imagination. She likes a bit of drama. She is so excited to start pre-school a couple of days a week. She is growing up too fast.

Here she is wish a Sea Star.

She loved riding the tea cups with Aunt Kellie. It was a good birthday.

Victory

I bought reusable grocery bags months ago, thinking that would be an easy way to decrease our footprint here. But I never remember them until I am at the check-out. So frustrating. But today I remembered and filled all six of them. One small victory for the planet. One huge victory for my brain.

Ten Years

Yesterday Vince and I celebrated our ten year anniversary. We had big plans for this one - London, Mexico, a night away from the kids at a cheap motel. But since Audrey is still nursing and pretty much owns me, the big plans will have to wait. But we did have a good date. We had dinner at the Porcupine, one of my favorite restuarants and then hiked up to Mary's Lake at Brighton Ski Resort. We had a great time. We have had a fun ten years together. I am excited to see what the next ten will bring. I am blessed to share my life with Vince.