365+1 Week 38

I can't believe it is Friday and I still haven't posted up my photo-a-day for last week! I had better get going while I have a second!!

Photo's #260-266:

Jeeping up AF Canyon.  Some friends of ours invited us on a Sunday afternoon drive to see the fall leaves. We made our way to Cascade Springs and went on an off roading adventure that landed us at the Deer Creek Dam in Provo Canyon.  The mountains were alive with breath taking color and it was  so great to discover it with such good friends!!

Lunch time.  It is just the Eva girl and me, and she pretty much wants Mac and Cheese every single day.  I don't let her of course, but she puts in the request time after time anyway.  She also prefers them to be eaten with sweet little green peas- go figure!!

"Errand" My weekly trip to the wally mart. I feel like I am over there every other day because no matter how thorough I think my list is, I ALWAYS forget something, or grab the wrong thing, and have to go back... sigh.

Breakfast Crepes.  Last night I taught my beehive class how to make these.  We had some left over batter, so the girls woke up to an extra fancy breakfast in honor of it being Wednesday- I mean, why not!

Thursday has now been designated classroom help day.  I am at the school from 11:45am - 3:05pm.  I just rotate one hour in each of my girls classes helping the teacher correct, file, record, print, etc. Pretty much I do whatever they need. There are required service hours at the school, and this is definitely my preferred way to spend them.  I enjoy seeing how the teacher interacts with the students, I love watching how my children learn, and I get to know the other students they spend most of their day with.

Friday my girls had the day off from school.  We decided to spend our morning taking a hike in our lovely mountains. The weather was so perfect- it would have been a crime not to!

We hit the trail out of Kiwanis park and made our way up to the waterfalls, one big one and about 4 smaller.  Then we just kept on going! This picture doesn't show it, but there were many brightly colored leaves and the girls were enjoying the activity of gathering up as many different varieties and colors as they could to bring home and put in their collection books.

The artwork is starting to come home, and so our wall of display is starting to grow.  Just one of the wonderful fallout's of being back in school!

365 +1 Week 37

Photo's #253-259:

Bronco Football has begun, pretty much every Sunday night for the next 12 weeks will look like this: family pile up and popcorn. (Usually they are all wearing the Bronco Orange)  Man, I do really love these people of mine- and this photo, while not perfect, really makes me happy!!

When she has reached her limit of soccer watching- thank goodness for modern technology :)

"One Word" Today was the Anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.  I remember that day vividly- I remember being glued to the TV for days after as we all watched the destruction, devastation and sadness.  Now, 11 years later- this is the word that comes to mind- courage to make it through, courage to endure, and courage to look forward with hope!

"Pantry" After dropping Eva off at school I came home to make myself a little lunch and opened the pantry to find a little surprise from my baby.  She must have been playing in there while I was gone exercising.  She has an entire bucket full of bouncy balls, and yes, she has named them all!  It made me miss her a bit, but brought a huge grin across my face.

The last of the summer light, the last of the pleasant evenings, the last of the sidewalk art for a season. A familiar chill has started to seep into the air and I had to pull on a jacket while I watched them play.

As I have stated before, Olivia's PFS has returned, to our dismay and sadness, and to the confusion of her doctor.  She said that non of her patients in the past have ever had it come back after the year of daily treatment medication.  So, it was back to the lab to have test after test done.  Her puppy dog eyes always break my heart, but she was a champ after two days of poking and hopefully we can get some answers- cross your fingers!!

Eva has truly been enjoying her soccer team and playing on the field.  I love this shot of determination.  Although we have started a new game on the sidelines- how many times do the cute little 5 year old's end up belly down on the grass!! It is a surprisingly large number, but completely adorable :)

365+1 Week 36

This last week Abby did finally get better, I started to feel crappy for a couple of days, and Liv launched into another PFS episode- so you could say it was real fun over here at our house! But we are all the more thankful for our heathy bodies today! Fall is in the air and all is well on the home front this week!!

Photo's #246-252:

Today was my cute little niece Hallie's blessing day.  While I did take some darling pictures of her delicate little face I don't want to steal my sister-in-law's thunder so I will refrain from posting any right now :) But I did make these yummy Home Made Twix Bars to bring to the party and I had everyone wanting the recipe. I mean really, who doesn't like a Twix Bar?  I can not by any means take credit for this culinary masterpiece but will send you over to the site where I found them: High Heels and Grills.  They are almost too simple to make, so enjoy!

My most favorite mother-in-law was celebrating her birthday over the weekend, so with school out and Paul home from work for the Labor Day holiday we went out to lunch together!
 Happy Birthday Paulene- we LOVE you!!

"Utensil"  This is a dinner trick that Paul likes to perform for the girls.  They CAN NOT believe that those forks can balance on such a small point! Have you ever tried it? Can you make it hold without falling?

EVA LOST HER FIRST TOOTH!!!  She told me in the morning after breakfast that it felt loose and by bedtime that night she had pulled that thing right out, all by herself!!!  She was beaming with joy- mostly because she remembered that the Tooth Fairy brought Liv an EXTRA dollar if she would pull out her tooth by herself  :)  There was no convincing her that it was a one time thing- and the Tooth Fairy did in fact remember that part of the deal!!!

Fall- Glittery pumpkins and acorns. I spent the days putting out all the decorations and house adornments.  I almost can't believe it is September, but I do like that it is holiday season right around the corner.

EVA LOST HER SECOND TOOTH!!!!!!!  Again- that morning she told me her other front tooth felt wiggly and sure enough by the time our day was over she had pulled out that little bugger- this girl is so tough!!!  Once she sets her mind to it, she can not be stopped! Let me tell you, her piggy bank is over flowing :)

Just take a look at one of Abby's giant pumpkins!! It is GIANT I tell you!! I can't quite tell if she is more excited about the prospect of carving this huge beast of a pumpkin, or the fact that she had just come home from her first ever BYU football game with her Dad?  It's a close toss up I think!!

365+1 Week 35

Last week was a pretty busy and crazy week- I really don't know how I survived- especially Wednesday when I was quadruple booked!! But we are now starting to get into a groove and I just keep telling myself "6 more weeks" and then things will start to settle down!! Oh, and my goal this weekend is to get the tea party photo's edited and posted, finally :)

Photo's #239-245:

Sunday evening we were invited over to a friends house for dinner and dessert.  They provided the steak and chicken kabobs and I provided the dessert- Blackberry Trifle.  This is my sister's recipe that Abby and I find completely delicious.

First Day of School!! All three girls started today and the excitement in the house was at new levels!

Abby is now in 4th grade. I almost can't type that because I can't believe she is that old!! She is in Mrs. Knight's class and LOVES her to absolute pieces- she is overjoyed to be back at school.  Her favorite part? She has an actual "Math Book" checked out from the school to get her assignments from.  I know, she belongs to Paul, not me!!

Olivia is in 2nd grade this year and is in Mrs. Gorell's class.  She was happy to find that all of her close girl friends are in her same class and her teacher is very fun and nice.  Her favorite part? Going to science class and can't wait to start her report on the planet Jupiter.

Eva is a full fledged Kindergartner!! She is in Mrs. Strong's class, the same teacher the other two had.  My baby is in school- and it feels so strange! I am not one to get teary and sentimental at drop off time.  I am always so happy for them to grow and learn and have wonderful new experiences, but after I dropped her off I was surprisingly sad! It was so weird to go home and eat lunch by myself, Eva has always been with me. That said, she LOVES school and is already starting to make some great friends and show her independence.

Skills practice in the back yard with dad.  Her coach has given daily homework drills to help each player improve.  Here she is doing her juggling.

While the temperatures were still very warm, with school started it just seems like fall is in the air. At my Dad's house the trees are dripping with fruit, including his apple tree- they will soon be ready for harvest.

Thursday was spent at the doctor.  The night before Abby had come into our room crying that her stomach was hurting and then proceeded to throw up all night and into the morning.  We were concerned at the level of stomach pain and the Pediatrician told us to come in and run test to see if it was her appendix.  Well after all was done she began to feel better and the test were inconclusive so we went home.

Friday she awoke feeling ok, but as the day progressed so did that stomach pain.  It was back and worse then ever.  She started throwing up and rocking around in a ball on the floor.  We made another call and this time we were told to head up to Primary Children's Medical Center.  They are the only ones around that will preform an appendix surgery on kids.  So up we went- the longest drive ever when your daughter is in so much pain! But when the surgeon looked at the ultrasound he saw a healthy appendix and said surgery was out. While we were relieved she wouldn't need surgery, being told it was just a bad stomach virus that she just needed to ride out was not the best news.  We finally went home around 1:00 am totally exhausted. She was feeling sick for several more days, but eventually started to feel better. It was a pretty stressful weekend!

Saturday we were able to attend my darling nephews baptism (well Olivia, Eva and I). As we were driving home we went through one of the worst rainstorms of my driving career! The lightening was filling the entire sky, the thunder was SO loud, and the rain was drenching.  At one point I couldn't see the road with the wipers running full blast.  Needless to say, the girls thought it was the coolest thing ever, once they realized we were safe in the dry car!

365+1 Week 34

We are officially back into the school schedule, it is only day two, but so far so good! I can hardly believe that I have the afternoon to myself!  It is fantastic- except now I have no excuse for my dishes being piled in the sink...

Photo's #232-238:

While I am cleaning the work office the girls like to leave art work/questionnaire's for their grandpa to enjoy.  They look forward to the correspondence and love the element of surprise. I like to think that he ENJOYS these things and that they aren't at all unprofessional when he has business to conduct!!!

It was a Lego building kind of a day- I love stumbling upon the joint creation masterpieces. Everyone worked together, all had a say on what and where. My favorite part- the flowers planted in front of the house.

One last swim at the pool before school starts.  Because the rest of the valley had already started we basically had the water to ourselves all afternoon.  Lets just say that Liv never left the big red twisty slide except to take this picture for me!! They were in heaven!

Back to school hair cuts.  Another outing that I put off until others were already attending school.  We walked right in and had the salon to ourselves.  The stylists told me it was a good plan being that they had given nearly 600 cuts on the previous Saturday and Monday!! Liv cut off 5 inches and Eva just got a trim to clean things up.  Abby (despite Paul's plea to keep it long) needed a change up.  She always wants a sassy little bob and so that is what she got- She LOVES it and that makes both Paul and I happy as well.

Dance class has begun.  The countdown started weeks ago and the days had finally arrived.  This year we signed up at a dance studio nearby and she is taking a class twice a week- Tap one day and Ballet the other.  Her classes are smaller with more one on one instruction and the teachers seem really fun and talented- Olivia is elated!!

"Today" This is one of my favorite dresses.  I love the color, I love the subtle print, and I love the little puff sleeve. Just love it.

Look who is playing soccer!! Eva has been waiting for this day to come since, well, the day she was born!! She has watched Abby play 4 days a week pretty much her entire life.  She KNOWS how it is done, she KNOWS what to do, she KNOWS that wearing a uniform is the best thing ever(especially when it is her favorite color), now she just wanted to do it already!!  And yes, she did wear that uniform for three days straight, even to bed, leading up to this moment :)  Five year old's playing soccer IS one of the cutest things ever!

365+1 Week 33

This week we are still out of school, even though most of you are back into the full swing of things.  Although all of our extracurricular activities are starting back up, we have several things planned to take advantage of the smaller crowds around town!!

Photo's #225-231:

I have been released from my calling of serving in the Ward Primary Presidency and issued a new call into serving in the Young Women's Presidency.  Truthfully- my heart was broken over this news.  I was desperately sad to walk away from a presidency that I truly loved with all my heart and from those darling children that brought me so much joy each and every week :(   But, I know that I have a place in this new endeavor. Even though I feel really out of place still, the girls I will be working with are fantastic.  Truly, wonderful young women, and they have a lot to teach me.  My mother told me that just maybe I am being put here for my own learning in how to work with, love, and except teen girls- you know, because I have three of them just around the corner!!  Please send all your prayers my way for the next while, OK!!

 Abby was wanting to make cookies for a family night activity.  Who am I to say no!! We all worked together on a new recipe "Ultimate Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip" which had us roll the balls of dough in sugar before baking in the oven.  They were a delight!!

Our first picking from my Father's garden- I look forward to this all year.  You just can't beat a vine ripened tomato.  BLT's, Bruschetta, on a grilled burger, just sliced with a touch of kosher salt...

Backyard swimming with friends.  Got to love it!! This year we upgraded from our classic little blue pool.  While the set up and take down are more labor, now Abby can actually sit in it and they all can swim together :)

Today I pulled out my card making supplies.  It has been far to long since I got myself all paper crafty.  I had some cute cards to make for some spectacular ladies and it was a grand time putting them together.

Tonight was the event of the year for my girls. The 3rd Annual End of Summer Tea.  Here is just a glimpse of all the goodness- more to follow.  This kind of fun and delight does deserves it's own post!!

With my new calling I had to jump right in- Saturday was the youth temple trip.  We drove up to the Logan Temple to take part in some Baptism's and then we were lucky enough to have reservations to the first day of the Brigham City Temple Open house.  Both structures are so beautiful, but I was in love with the design and furnishings, and finishing touches of this new Brigham City Temple.  Paul and I had a great time spending the day together and with such great youth, friends and neighbors.
Thanks Dad for watching the girls for us!!

365+1 Week 32

Whew!! I am finally getting myself caught up after our fun filled week of family playing.
Enjoy the following and know that I am content inside to be back on track with my photo postings even though it is always so hard to narrow down the photo's from a vacation!!

Photo's #218-224:

"Pair" Today after church we were on our way up to spend some more time with at the Davis family get together before many family members went on our way to other events.  These are one of my go-to pairs of shoes- comfy and cute.  Also every time I wear them Olivia has to reach down and stroke those shiny patent toes-always makes me smile.

This year was the return to Albion Idaho to play at my Dad's Family Reunion.  It is always fun to see everyone again, play, eat good food and talk about old times.  After a creative and fun Family Home Evening put on by our host this year, Aunt Bonnie, we mingled around the roaring fire and roasted up smores, mallows, and starburst until all our tummies were about to burst.  It was a great first day!

Day 2 was spent (aside from swimming) getting to know knew cousins, kid crafting, and riding around on the banana bikes (I still don't know why they call them that!!) as well as some good old fashion bug catching!

My Brother's Slack Line Walking talents seem to be rubbing off on the next generation :)

Day 3 was spent mostly in the water- pool, hot tub, slides- and my brother Cory sent candy flying through the air in the Candy Cannon (this is a pic of all the kids proudly holding up their cups of loot). Not pictured (because of space!) was Aunt Mardi's sawdust hunt, ALWAYS a blast!

Day 4 we said our sad goodbye's. Many of these fun people I won't see again for two more years! But I do always make sure to get a picture of my girls with the Greats before we pull away and head for home. I just LOVE those two!!

Tonight after a long exhausting and emotional day (details later!) my mother and sister took me and the girls out to dinner for a girls night.  It was much appreciated and we always go to the same Chinese place- all of our spouses don't much like Chinese food, so this is our tradition!

This afternoon we met my Brother's family at the movies for my nephew's birthday.  Seeing "Brave" has been on our summer to do list for months and it was great to finally go- and with such fun people to boot!!