A New Post

Well, I'd almost given up on blogging.  I've had a post in the wings since October.  I dabbled with it a little in November, and then in December.  In January I finished it and tried to upload pictures.  Then after I uploaded pictures, Blogger refused to save it (rude, rude, RUDE blogger)!

In February I was still too offended to touch it and March just sort of ended before I realized it.  But its April now, I'm on spring break.  I've had the whole day without any sort of schedule (minus sending my kids off to school because their spring break didn't line up with mine).  I've cleaned out my fridge, done 4 loads of laundry and edited a few pictures.  No more excuses.  I'm going to blog!

But where exactly do I start? Should it be with the 4 birthday's I missed? The two seasons of soccer?  the holidays of Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day or Easter? Should I write about my job? Jackson's brand new "he's in remission" news? Abby's first, and second lost tooth? How about her dance recital?  Or the boy's piano recitals? Or our trips to Washington and Utah for Carter and Dexter's baptisms? Seriously?  I don't know where to start, it's all so overwhelming.  It seems wrong not to post pictures.  I could start there...

Right around William's 3rd birthday, he fell asleep on the same fuzzy white blanket I had used to take his newborn pictures.  He just happened to be shirtless.  I seized the opportunity.

Before...

After.

He's my baby and he always will be.  There will be no others behind him.  It breaks my heart that he's getting bigger, and bigger.  But he's also getting better and better (and naughtier).  I do love this sweet boy.

How about Abby's dance recital?  She gets to dance with her cousin Brynn and bestie, Lily.  Both Uncle Cory and Uncle Brandon came out to see them and of course, Mimi and Papa too.

And just because I already had these collages done.  I'll throw in Christmas too.

William (who only replies to William, Will, or his favorite, Will the Thrill.  DO NOT call him Bill or Billy...you've been warned).

Our princessa.

Carson.

Preston (who now wants to go by Stone.  It's not my favorite).

There.  I posted.  It's a step in the right direction, yes?

Camping 2012

After 6 LONG years, we finally got to join the Miles Family for our annual camping/hunting trip. Yeah! Only this year, the hunting was a no go (insert frowny face). I'll spare you the boring story of fish and games new redistricting rules and the lottery to get tags and whatnot. Instead, this became and off-roading trip. Everyone (with the exception of us) bought new Polaris Razors and there are a plethora of trails to explore in the Dixie National Forest. Everyday it would rain so that left us with perfect weather (not too hot, not too cold) and plenty of mud to trek through. After the first two days of bumming rides off people, Trevor caved and rented us a Rhino for the rest of the weekend. The kids faith in their hero was validated and renewed.

I don't think I have to say that we all had a flippin' blast. We did. The trip was too short but the memories will be long (awwwww, that was such a sappy sentiment).

I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the story.

~Will quickly learned how to "help himself" to snacks.~

~We had a couple of tree climbers.~

~She used the dog as an ottoman.~

~Carson and Auntie Ashley (they were so great about giving the kids rides).~

~Mimi and our littles. Will would "white-knuckle" the handle but begged for more!~

~This might be my favorite. He spent HOURS trying to teach her how to shoot.~

~Will loved the outdoor bathrooms. I think it solidified his potty-training.~

~Another climber!~

~The dogs found the weak link.~

~A rare tantrum (no seriously).~

~Brenda Marie and Gina Marie, the boys couldn't hang with us!~

~Gina got me muddy! But I'm not complaining.~

~Pres with Uncle Robbie.~

~Oh, wait, maybe this is my favorite!~

~All four in the back seat of our rented Rhino...it was...cozy.~

~Even squished between siblings, he can still fall asleep anywhere.~

~Kiki snuck my A.O. M&M's. She was so happy until her mommy took them away...the tantrum was epic.~

~The newest Indy.~

~I love me a campfire surrounded by family.~

First Day Of School 2012

That is so messed up right? Who in their right minds would start school on August 7th? Oh, that's right! We live in California and 80% of the folks here are left minded!

Having got that off my chest, my three biggish kiddos did start school last week, much to Carson's dismay. To the boys, this "first day of school" business is old news. Just give them a few bucks for lunch, pound a fist in the van and let them be thank you very much. I did make them wear new, CLEAN shirts (much to Carson's dismay) and insisted on taking the mandatory picture in front of the house. I got my camera out, flicked my finger to hit the "on" switch and realized it WAS on. On and dead. I cursed myself under my breath (no back up battery either...rookie mistake) and pulled out the ol' iPhone, thus the iffy pictures.


~Preston-5th Grade-Mrs. Serian~


~Carson-3rd Grade-Mrs. Labron-Frazier~

Enough about the boys, let's talk about ABBY! She's a kindergartner!


~Abigail-Kindergarten-Mrs. Simonian and Mrs. Taylor~

I love, love, love me a kinder! And I love knowing and loving the kinder teacher! Mrs. Simonian was Carson's teacher last year and she was ah-mah-zing! She has always taught kinder, with the exception of last year (count my many blessing's name them one by one). We were overjoyed when we read Abby's name on her class list. She job shares with Mrs. Taylor (they've been job sharing for 17 years) and they couldn't be cuter or more enthusiastic about their job. Love that!


~Mrs. Taylor and Mrs. Simonian, so cute!~

~The Kissing Hand~

Abby was all too willing to shimmy into her new yellow skinny jeans (much more fashion sense than her brothers). She was a tad nervous, as expected, but was surprisingly stoic. Even when the little girl in the back of the room broke into hysteric sobs, Abby kept right on listening to Mrs. Taylor read "The Kissing Hand". She had a great first day and even napped a little that afternoon!

~Yogurtlicious after school!~

~My tired kinder with William doing his best to wake Abby up!~

Will and I bonded over Target slushies and Diet Coke. I was really looking forward to some one on one time with him. Instead, I'll be teaching preschool with Miss Heather at the Learning Tree Preschool! Yay! It's a great opportunity and I get to bring my little buddy with me. It was a last minute call from the bench and I'm happy to step in and take over for Miss Tami (who is moving to Utah, boo). Before then I think we need one more family vacation. We're taking off Thursday for camping in Cedar City. I can't wait! Neither can Carson. 7 days of school can really take it out of a guy!