THREE LITTLE 'INDIANS'

One little,

two little,

three little indians!

We asked the kids to go brush their teeth and the came out with headbands, a scarf, and definitely the attitude of 3 little indian children playing on drums. (Faith mentioned that we should have named Kate 'slammer' since she always slams doors. I guess that that could be her 'indian' nickname.)

FIRST DAY JITTERS

We were lucky enough to do 'first day jitters' twice this year.

On Monday, Faith went to school and had 2 hour early release. She truly enjoyed herself and I think that this year is going to be a good one for her. Her teacher is Mrs. Collett and she is now officially a 3rd grader. (Yikes, yes, I am feeling my age right now.) She said that her first day was good. Ian and Marrissa S. sit by her. She also got a very fun 'brown bag' assignment (pick five 3D items that describe yourself that fit in the bag and present to your classmates.)

Faith in front of our red door.

Dawson in front of our red door on Tuesday ready for kindergarten.

Sister and brother holding hands getting ready to walk to the bus.

Me being told that I can't take pictures at the actual bus stop as to not embarrass the children.

Faith dropped him off at his door, and I later found out that she was late to class. (Hopefully this will not be a regular occurrence.)

When asked how his day went, he said, "The bus was the best ever." How was kindergarten? "It's a lot like preschool mom." (long pause) "I didn't get in any fights." (big smile)

How can you resist such a cute kid with fun words like that? I guess that we made it through the first day jitters and are ready to learn, grow, and have fun!

CHUBBUCK DAYS PARADE

Our service club has the opportunity of participating in Chubbuck Days parade each year. Here are a few pictures of our experience this day.

Our float picture. Where serving others and joining hands meet!

Faith, Dawson, and Kate standing in front of the float.

Getting up on the float and smiling with Kaden too. It is starting to sprinkle now.

Kate just not too sure about doing this.

I made it up there too!

Are your pompoms ready??? Let's go!

Cheese!

We were very wet by the end of the day, but it was a lot of fun seeing friends and neighbors along the way. Something else very special about this is that it goes down Ponderosa St. too!

SQUISH!

Here is Brandon's accident when he was parked!!! SQUISH!

a new camera

We recently bought a new camera, which means a few things.

1. The pictures are great, then fuzzy. I need to read the manual.

2. I don't know how to get them on the computer.

3. If I do manage to get them on the computer, I can't find where on the computer they are to get them uploaded on my blog.

4. And then there are mega posts. I have posted 4 different posts today (excluding this one), so go ahead and read backwards!

Love you all! Hope summer is going well!

FULL SENTENCE WITH ATTITUDE!!!

The other night we were enjoying the weather. It was just perfect and the sun was going down. Dawson started watering the flowers and then everyone needed a turn. We were visiting and laughing and having a great time when all of a sudden a hear the cutest, little voice that says, "Hey Mom! Watch this!" And she tried to squirt us!!! LOL!!! I laughed, grabbed the camera, and then Brandon said, "This is going on the blog!" LOL!!! So, here it is!

BEING SILLY

Fun times finding old Halloween clothes!

24th of July parade

Faith cheesing it for us!

Kate & Faith

Another one

Our sick Dawson with 5th Disease

Just trying to make it through the parade!

Grandpa Kelly approaching

His big photo

Willy Pincock chatting with family!

We sit next on the Pincock's lawn every year. Hopefully they don't mind. We enjoy having 'a spot'.

TAKE MY PICTURE MOMMY!

Kate just absolutely loves getting her picture taken. Every time she sees the camera, she says, "Take my picture mommy!" It is the cutest thing.

Here she is posing in front of the piano.

THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY

There are days that all of us have, as I'm sure that you know. The days where things are going wrong, and there is nothing to smile about. In fact, those are the days when I have to try and remind myself to breathe. Those are the days when I really need to make a list of what makes me happy.

Hopefully you can make your own list for those not-so-great days.

1. The kids that scream to 'start a show' or drown my flower bed with too much water. They really make me smile and keep things interesting.

2. The husband that doesn't say anything when he comes home to a messy house with yummy smells around or a clean house with no dinner cooking. He really cares about me and loves me no matter what. A friend commented on Saturday, "I seem to see you everywhere. The gym. The ball field. Stake baptisms. The stores. You are everywhere. But I notice that you never have your children with you!" That's because he is always willing to do his share and give me a break from the 'interesting.'

3. Friends and phone calls. Isn't it so nice when you receive a phone call when you are having a bad day? Friends can make you laugh and always know when something isn't quite right. I am blessed with so many great friends that I can't help but smile when I think of all of their smiling faces.

4. A good thunderstorm. The smell is like nothing else and really gets me smiling.

5. A good book. At times, I enjoy diving into another world for a quick escape of a chapter or two. I love to laugh out loud and smile at the little things.

6. Music. Our last anniversary was filled with surprise ~ a new piano. At times of stress, a little tinkling of the ivories really calms me down. I smile for the sounds of something that I can make my fingers do.

I love having the vinyl in my kitchen that says, "Come what may and Love it!" -Joseph B. Wirthlin

It's important to remember that each has challenges, trials, and bad days, but we should enjoy whatever comes our way and LOVE IT!