Back to School

Back to School! Can you believe it? Summer went by so quickly which is ironic considering I was worried it would be too long (we were used to year-round school). I also cannot believe Liv started second grade. She was so excited for school... I think she was a little nervous too, but she'd never admit it! She couldn't wait to see all of her friends & meet her teacher, Mrs. Jolley. It seems like just yesterday I was waiting in line outside East Sandy Elementary ready to meet my second grade teacher, Mrs. Osborne. Time definitely goes by too quickly!

Abby, Olivia, Lauren, Katie

Growing too fast!

We had a little photo shoot of the kids at the end of May. I about died when I saw the pictures for the first time: A) I LOVE them. Katie did it again! B) I can't believe how BIG they all looked in them...especially William & Liv. I am already in shock that I have a 2nd grader this year. The pictures definitely didn't help! Here are some favorites.

Dance, Dance, Dance

Dance recital...check! It was the last thing on our list. Now we are officially done with all activities & summer is ON! Liv did a great job dancing in Utah Dance Center's production of "Beauty & the Beast." Her part was called "A Dance with Belle." So proud of you Livi Lou! You are growing up so fast & becoming a great little dancer!

Paradise

We are back from paradise... Grand Cayman that is. We spent 9 days & 8 nights in a beach house on Seven Mile Beach. I have never seen such a beautiful beach... the water was so blue & there literally was not a pebble in the sand. There weren't any waves to speak of so the kids could swim in the ocean like it was a swimming pool. Olivia & Will were in the water NONSTOP. We all had a great time & were sad to have to come home. Thanks to my cousin, Jackie, for organizing the trip. We will DEFINITELY have to do it again.

The highlight of the trip was Sting Ray City. A MUST DO if you ever visit the island. The kids & I were a little intimidated at first, but loved it once we got in the water. So glad we had the experience.

More pictures to come!

Will's Words

Sorry for all of the "Will's Words" posts lately, but Will has been providing me with a lot of material. This kid is hilarious!

Scene: Driving in the car. Will is sitting next to Lyla & looks at a sore on her finger.

Will: "Lyla, what in the hell did you do to your finger?"

I know I should have gotten after him, but I could not stop laughing. He kept saying it over & over! I wonder where he heard that from? Certainly not his mother!

Spring Happenings

This post is LONG overdue. I can't believe how fast Spring came & went. The past few months are a blur. We were crazy busy and I seriously thought I was going to lose it a couple times. We all survived... And we had a lot of fun along the way!

I love watching the neighborhood come to life with the warmer weather. It's so fun to go on evening walks & see everyone outside. I love living in a circle where the kids can play outside without fear of them getting hurt. On one night, I counted 18 kiddos playing in front of our house. We love our neighborhood & feel so blessed to live here.

The highlight of Spring for William was the release of "Ironman 2." He went opening night with his dad, Grandpa Jerry, and Uncle Ryan. He went in full Ironman attire (mask included) & was the hit of the show. Everyone was giving him high 5's . Of course he totally ate up all the attention.

With Spring came driving all over the valley for Liv's singing performances. She takes from Clayton Productions & totally LOVES it. I think she has found her niche. They do such a great job. This year they sang a collection of Disney songs. Her solo came from "Alice in Wonderland."

Will's Words

Scene: Watching "Karate Kid" in the movie theatre.

Will (in a REALLY loud voice): "Mom, those boys are really mean. If I was there, I would kill them with my huge muscles."

Will's Words

Scene: Sitting around the dinner table at Nate's parents' house.

Will: Grandma, were dinosaurs on the earth when you were born? Did you have one as a pet when you were little?

CLASSIC!

Twas the Week Before Easter

Since Easter is on Conference weekend this year & we don't have church, the kiddos sported their new finery today. My friend Adrienne sewed their outfits for me. They turned out so cute. Thanks, Adrienne (www.cosettescloset.blogspot.com).

P.S. I really need to learn to sew. I am loving the "homemade" clothes look. It reminds me of when I was little & my mom would sew all of my back to school clothes. Fabrics are so cute now days... much better than the polyester duds I wore (no offense, Mom). I love the mixture of all the different fabrics & textures.

Annual Neighborhood Egg Hunt

Yesterday was the annual neighborhood egg hunt. My kids look forward to this all year. Every time we drive by the park, Will reminds us that "that's where the Easter Bunny comes." Unfortunately, Will couldn't go to the hunt this year... He had his first soccer game. Our cute neighbor & friend, Abby, came along in his place. The girls all had a great time. Lyla was ALL about the chocolate & not so much the Easter Bunny. She wigged out! Not that I blame her... He is a little freaky looking. Is it just me or is his head on crooked?