Call Me Spider-Man

Zach and I were making an "All About Me" page (with some help from friends) for his preschool class. We are not particular about calling him Zach or Zachary, so I asked him which name he wanted me to put on his page.
"Do you want to put Zach or Zachary?"
"Um, Spider-man."
"No, you have to have Zach or Zachary?"
"Zachary."
"Zachary or Zach?"
"Zachary."
"Ok, Zachary it is."
"Mom, can you call me Spider-Man?"
At least he enjoys playing and pretending.

Beginning Reader

With about four weeks of Kindergarten down, Brandon brought home his first homework book. It consists of different things they are talking about...letters and the sounds they make, numbers, writing his name, and some sight words. The Kindergarten teachers have taken what is, in my opinion, a really great approach. "Don't push your child if they are not ready, please work at their pace." So, I asked Brandon if he wanted to work on it and he did.
We started going through the book and he was doing so well. Telling me the names and sounds of the letters, reading sight words, rhyming. I was excited and so was he.
When Brandon was younger, he didn't talk...at all. He made some noises, but didn't have any words. So, we put him in speech therapy. He did well, but I was always a little concerned that he would have a difficult time in school. He is doing well.
He doesn't like school, but that is because it is all day and he said, "It takes too long." However, he enjoys learning and is so excited to show me what he has accomplished. In fact, he just came up to me as I'm typing and is picking out the words he knows. Way to go, Brandon!

Jack

Congratulations, Natalie and Garrett. They welcomed Jack into their family when he decided to show up Sunday night. He was 7 lbs. 1 oz. and 20 1/2" long. He was born at 11:11 PM on September 6. He is doing great and we are excited to have him in the family.

Where Has Summer Gone?

Really. Where did it go? I know we had nearly 3 months with no school, but what happened to it?

I'll admit: By the time August rolled around, I was so ready for school to start again. My kids were feeling ready too. But then, all of a sudden (so it seemed), school started. Jacob and Riley went off to school Monday. Jacob is spending his sixth grade year at a different school this year in an accelerated learning program. Riley is happy to be back with her friends and some cousins this year.

So that I can remember that there was a summer, I'll post some pics of some things we did this year.

We played at the splash pad a few times. Always fun on a hot day. Although, my kids usually ended up playing on the hot toys. Go figure.

We played soccer and baseball with some families in our neighborhood.

We hit the zoo a few times. They've gotten some new animals as you can see from above.

Made it to the Lagoon a couple times. I don't love it, but the kids do and that makes it fun.


We went to the Oquirrh Mountains Temple open house. We were so blessed as a family to attend the open house together. Especially since we had already been to the Draper Temple earlier this same year.









We went to the Treehouse Museum with a free pass from a friend. Thanks! The kids had a lot of fun.













And, finally, the biggest project of all...we got grass! Who knew that could be so exciting? We love it. The kids can play in our yard. We even got our swing set put up. It took a lot of hard work (Nathan had lots of blisters) and we are so grateful to many people who helped out (including a local University football team that helped lay the sod).

So, that is where our summer has gone.

Happy Birthday, Nathan

So, Nathan has finally caught up to me. Today he is 33. Although, he will tell you that I am still older. Yes, technically, I am 1,193 months and he is a mere 1,188 months. Just a few of the things I love about Nathan:
He works hard.
He takes care of his family.
He tries so very hard to make me happy (not a simple task at times).
He enjoys spending time with our children and he's a good example to them (and me).
He supports me in my various roles...mother, callings, volunteering, and friendships.

I love you, Nathan! Happy birthday.

Second White Dress

Baptisms are always very special. Riley was baptized last month. This day was made extra special by sharing it with her cousin, Tylee.

Riley and Tylee have had a kind of special bond from the beginning. When Tylee deccided to show up three weeks early, she was born exactly one month after Riley. Then, my brother and his family moved down south and decided to bring Tylee back this way to have her blessed. Riley and Tylee were both blessed in our ward on the same day. They even ended up in matching dresses (not planned-her mom and I just happen to have picked out the same one).


So, this year when they both turned eight and my brother once again was far away, they brought Tylee up here to have her baptized. We were so excited to share this special day as both girls put on their second white dress and prepared to enter the waters of baptism.



We are so thankful we could share that day with many family and friends that came to witness Riley's baptism. And as the the poem by Elder Perry's daughter says,
"And if I try my very best,
Then richly blessed I'll be,
Wearing inside God's holy house
White dress number three."
But that's a long way off right? Just don't blink.

Lucky 13

Thirteen years ago I was blessed to be sealed to my wonderful husband in the Logan temple. I remember that day so well. How exciting it all was. It was so beautiful outside, a lot like today. The sun was shining, but it wasn't too hot.

Now, thirteen years and four kids later, I love him even more than I did that day. Each night I kneel down to thank my Father in Heaven for this wonderful blessing. The circumstances of our meeting were a little unusual, but it all worked out. We are meant to be together.

He works hard to take care of me and our family. He does whatever needs to be done whether it's putting in a yard or cleaning up pee. I look forward to spending all of eternity with this man. I love you, Nathan!