Blueberry Muffins

Erin reminded me of a tradition I used to have with my kids when they were in school.  I had the bright idea of starting the school year off with a special (and easy) breakfast on the first day of school.  I don't know if it worked, but Jenny, Becca and Erin are still doing that for their children.  Blueberry muffins and orange juice, ahhhh that was so good.  I haven't done it for myself for quite a while, so I guess I'll have to get a box of blueberry muffins at Walmart on my way home today, so I can treat myself at least on first week of school.  Thanks for reminding me, Erin.
I just hope I can get Mandy and Bill to help me eat them!

It"s Started...Again"

Yep, here I am at school, for yet again, another first day of school.  It's kind of funny, as I look at myself, I find I've even done the "first day" of school stuff:

I tried to go to bed early and get plenty of sleep.
I'm wearing a new outfit.
I had my nails done (haven't done that for a year) even though I didn't do this when I was a kid on my first day.
I'm sort of excited (yeah, right)
Can't wait for the day to end!

New Car...again

I wasn't real happy with my pretty little 2009 Toyota Matrix (sport) that we bought last April, so we've been looking for something different.  I love Honda's, especially the Honda CRV,  but that one is a bit expensive, and Bill wanted me to get the Hyundai Santa Fe, or something like that, but we just weren't able to find one.  We drove by the same place we bought the Toyota and saw a Honda Civic, and it was the same body type I love...so, we traded in the cute little Toyota for this white (the color's a bit boring, but so what?) one.  I love it!  It has much better mileage, and when I speed, the police are less likely to see me.  It's those dang red cars that catch their attention.

One more thing.  I joined Facebook today.  How funny is that?  There always seems to be some coupon offer, or "deal" that I need to be a member of Facebook to be able to have access to it.  So, there you are, I did what I always said I wouldn't do.  We all break down at one time or another.  I'm kind of excited, even though I won't have the time to spend on it (nor do I want to spend time on it), because one of my "special friends" is my dear friend (and oldest), Vicky Asay who just returned from Argentina with her husband.  They've been down there for three years as Mission President (and wife).  I've been best friends with Vicky since the fifth grade, and for all of you that know me, know that was a bucket load of years ago.
Back to Facebook.  I don't really think I have time to go searching for long lost friend, so I just invited family members.  I hope I didn't miss anyone; I'm just getting used to it.

Two Weeks Left

This summer has gone by so fast.  In a way it seems like a long time ago since the last day of school (May 28th), but in other ways, time has flown by.  I think that's probably because I have to be back in school in 2 weeks! Yikes! It's still in the 100s, and I'm not particularly fond of  wearing "school" attire in this heat.
We're heading up to SLC in a couple of days to help Summer and Tyler move into their new home.  Wednesday's the big day, but if my back doesn't get any better, I may be of no use.  I woke up this morning with more pain in my lower back than I've felt in a very long time.  I've been gimping around the house like an old cripple.  I left church after Sacrament meeting, since my Primary class (10-11 year old girls), were all on vacation for the 24th.
I don't have any pictures to post this time, so maybe I'll try to snap some while we're up north.

Even though this isn't a picture of me (duh), it's just how I've felt all day.  Oh well, there's always tomorrow!

Time to pause

The day after all of our family left to either go home, or on to the rest of their vacations, it was really quiet.  I don't mean a good quiet, but sort of depressingly quiet.  I know I get a bit crazy with everyone here, and trying to keep some semblance of order, but I'd truly rather have that than this super, ever present quiet.  I have the rest of my life for quiet, I miss everyone right now.  Mandy has helped (Bill, too), and maybe that's why I'm only part crazy right now...thanks Mandy and Bill!

I went over all of the photos I took, and I want to post a few of them here (with commentary), so I can reflect later more accurately.  The older I get, the less I'm able to remember everything...duh.

Jessica wanted to have a girl's outing (since she has four brothers and no sisters), when they came, so we finally got to do it.  Jessie, Lauryn, Jenny, me, Mandy, and Erin went to Red Robin, and celebrated both Lauryn and Jessie's summer birthdays, and they got an ice cream sundae and were sang to by the waiters and waitresses.  It was so fun.  You can tell by the look in Jessie's (and Lauryn's) eyes that it was a hit!

Swimming was another thing we did as a family during that 100+ degree weather.  Ashley's parents have a fabulous pool, and they so graciously let us swim in it to our hearts pleasure.  Here's Erin with Landon, just chillin'.

It would appear that we were having a diving contest, or some sort of "getting yourself in the water the most dramatic, or skilled" way.  This is Ashley...way to to go Ash!

Here's Jen with her "double-double, whatever-you-call it" entry.

Erin, entering the water.

There was that great slide that everyone loved, so here's a few shots of the kids attempting to go faster and more daring at each attempt.

                        

Zach

Ryan                                                                                                              

   

                                                                               Jacob

 Jessica

                            Brycee-boy

 Here's Wesley, not too sure he wanted to try the slide.

OK, now here's the  pic I just had to post.  Adam E. taking the slide down.  What a physique!

 Mandy and Bill were very cool, being the casual observers. Actually, Bill thought the water was a bit cold, so he was actually waiting for it to warm up in the desert sun!

Lauryn definitely decided not to try the slide!

 I don't know if Jenny needed the noodle-floaty thing, but she and Adam  looked like they were having a cool time in the water with Wesley.


I'll get some more pictures in the next blog.  I have a ton, and I don't want to leave anyone out.

Happy Family Reunion!

Even though it didn't start out as a family reunion, with Will's baptism, Landon and Addison's blessings, and Ben flying in, we had ourselves a good ol' fashioned gathering.  We had a lot of fun, swimming, eating, and all around running into everyone (you should have seen our sleeping arrangements).  I'm going to post more pictures, but here's the family one.  I'm only sad that Becca, Noah and Kathy weren't able to be here.

Almost everyone's here!

Jenny and Adam arrived last night with Zach, Ryan, Jessica, Bryce, and Wesley.  Adam and Ashley with Kevin and Katie came over, too. We had homemade chili (me) and it was a mad house, but fun until the adults were ready to drop!  Here's a couple of photos I snapped of some of the cousins.  Notice how Wesley is holding onto Mandy's arm :)



                        Landon, Wesley, and Kevin and the TRUCKS.

Zach hamming it with Kevin, Wesley, and Landon.

This picture is sort of a joke (don't tell great-grandma).  The dress Jenny, Erin, and I are holding up is one mom wanted to give to me, and I said it wasn't my style (very gently, mind you), but when Jenny and Adam arrived, she got to Jenny's soft heart and now Jenny gets to wear it! 

    Mandy with Wesley and Kevin.