SORRY, our IMAC is SICK!!

Sorry, our computer is currently getting diagnosed with whatever its current status of health is:). We hope that it is nothing too severe. Hopefully, we will add a new post this weekend. Thanks for still checking in on us while we have been delayed.

HaPpY bIrThDaY gRaNdMa GrAfF!!

Happy (belated) Birthday MOM!!!

 (It was yesterday, but technically we are celebrating it today.)

I love my mom and hope that she allows herself to have a wonderful day because she truly deserves it.   There are so many things about my mom that I admire.  One of them would be her strength.  This year has brought a lot of trials to my mom personally and as I have watched her endure through these and continue to endure through them, my love for her has grown so much. I watch in awe at the person she is.  She is a good grandma to my children and to all of her grandchildren and they all love her so much!!! I love how when I became a mother I understood my mom so much more and in so many more ways!! (Funny how that works isn't it?) I love how she has been and is so supportive of the things that I have chosen to do in my life.   I just want her to know that I look up to her so much!!! You are the best!! So please take the time to relax and celebrate this special day!! 

*I would have loved to post a picture of her, but she has threatened me.  Just know that she is truly beautiful:)! (Maybe I'll sneak one on if I can)

Peyton's 1st day of Preschool!!

Today Peyton started Preschool!  Where did my baby boy go?  I can't believe that time has gone by so fast, yesterday he was my baby, and today he is all grown up.  He was so excited to finally be big enough to go to preschool with Miss Julie and Grandma Smith..... He has watched his brothers over the past few years and has eagerly anticipated the day when he would get to go.  He attends Watch Me Grow Preschool in Washington City..... We love it there, they love my kids as if they were their own.... I am so proud of him for going all by himself!!  (and a little sad to know that he doesn't need me as much as I wish he did)  He was so excited to wear his new Speed Racer backpack and wear his new Guitar {Rocker} shirt!!! We love you Peyter-pie!

HB Jeremy

Happy BELATED Birthday!!

I just wanted to shout out to my older brother Jeremy and wish him a very happy birthday (which was yesterday, sorry)! I love him and look up to him a lot.  One of the things I admire most about Jeremy is that when he decides to do something he has the drive and determination to see it through!  He is always good for a laugh and brings life to a lot of family outings!  Also, I will forever be grateful to him, for without his friendship with Nate our paths might never have crossed!  Thanks Jeremy, we love you and hoped that you partied like a rockstar!

*By the way this photo was taken this summer.  Jeremy was wearing one his little girls'  gymnastic tops!! It was hilarious.  Just the fact that he could fit into it! Just goes to show that he loves to bring a smile to your face.

SUNLIGHT

It is amazing to me that my Heavenly Father truly knows me so well...Today as we entered sacrament (just a little late) the bishop was speaking... We sat down with the kids and tried to  get them settled with their things as I turned to listen to his talk.... as he was speaking and amidst all the chaos of my children he related this quote from President Gordon B. Hinckley:

"My plea is that we stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight.  I am suggesting that as we go through life we accentuate the positive.  I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still our voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment and endorse virtue and effort."

I have heard this quote many times and it is one of my favorites, but today it hit me a little differently.  Nate and I have been through a lot of trials in our years of marriage.  This year alone we have seen our share, especially recently.  I have been praying for the ability to endure them.  As I truly listened to the meaning of this quote in my life right now, I realize that in able to endure my current trial I need to be more positive and look around me and realize all that I have been blessed with (which is a lot) especially my little family.  I realize that I talk a lot about the chaoticness (if that is even a word) of my life, but I sometimes fail to recognize that this chaoticness is a blessing to me.  Without it would mean that my life wouldn't have been blessed with all my beautiful children.  For them I will eternally be thankful to my Heavenly Father because they are MY MIRACLES..... and a testament to me that my Heavenly Father loves me.  Too many times we all focus on the negatives and not so much the positives.... but it is my challenge to myself today to "look a little deeper for the good" and to "enjoy more fully the sunlight." (for me my sunlight is my children)  I know that even through the darkest of storms, sunlight is bound to follow.

*If you get a minute listen to the words of Someday I Will Understand over on our playlist, it goes along with this post and how I feel.  Thanks!

ScHoOl Is In SeSsIoN

NEW SCHOOL. CHECK

NEW CLOTHES. CHECK

NEW BACKPACKS. CHECK

NEW TEACHERS. CHECK

School has officially begun!!

 On Monday night we took the kids to Back to School night so that they could meet their new teachers.  This was good because they also got to get a feel for their new school.  Then came Tuesday the first day of school.

Karter is in THIRD grade this year. (Wow, he is getting so old and grown-up)

His teacher is Miss Adams.

Traevn is in FIRST grade this year. (Wow!)

His teacher is Mrs. Webb.

and Brekken started KINDERGARTEN this year.

His teacher is Mrs. Watson.

His official first day was Wednesday, but he did get to and do a treasure hunt on Tuesday and meet his teacher again.

They were a little nervous but definitely excited to start the new school year.  They love that they get to go to the new school, which is only about a block and a half away so they get to ride their bikes, scooters, or walk!!!  Nate gave them all their traditional father's blessings the night before school started to help ease their anxieties.  I love that my children love school (I hope that that lasts:).  They have already made new friends.  I think I get just as excited as them, I love buying them new school clothes, backpacks, and supplies.  

Oh yeah and Peyton starts his 1st year of PRESCHOOL next Tuesday so stay tuned for pics of him!!

HB Grandpa/Dad!!!

We love our Grandpa!!! He is the absolute best!! I have always known that I was blessed with such a great dad!! He has always been such a perfect example to me in many ways!!! He loves his family and especially his grandchildren and would do anything for them.   He is always there for us when we need him.  He is probably the most kind and thoughtful person I know.  I have always been a daddy's girl!!! I love my dad so much!!! He has endured so much in his life and still he is the most Christlike person I know.   I am thankful to him for so much but mostly for loving me unconditionally!!! I love you dad!!! We hope that you have an awesome birthday and party hard while you are in Texas!!!

Organizing and.....ROADRUNNERS!

Saturday was a pretty eventful day.  Knowing that this was the last weekend before school started we decided to finally tackle the boys' closets by organizing them, getting rid of old clothes, and by just making more room for everything in them.  It started out alright and we finished about 7 hours later, with only one mishap.  We were almost finished with Peyton and Brekken's room when once again we heard screaming (as you can tell this is pretty much the norm around our house.) So we rushed to see what had happened and once again our poor Brynlei was the one injured.  Peyton had been closing the door and her fingers were shut in the jam, only he couldn't figure out why the door wouldn't close and kept on doing it.   So after a quick trip to the hospital to visit Grandpa (once again) and to get an x-ray to make sure it wasn't broken (which thankfully, it wasn't) I returned home with two very swollen fingers and a very sad little girl.  She certainly is one tough little girl (she has to be to be in this house, I just wish that she didn't have to end up getting hurt along with it.)  When that was all taken care of it was back to the dreaded closets... Like I said about 7 hours later..... we were finally ready to start the day (only at 5 PM:))  

We had promised the kids that if they were good this week we would take them to the Roadrunners game on Saturday night. Karter and Traevn had earned 4 free tickets from their summer reading program, so they were super excited that we were finally getting to use them.  So off we all went to the game.  It was really fun!! The mascots kept coming up to where we were sitting and kept the kids pretty much entertained. The kids loved to dance to the music that played over the loud speakers, it was hilarious!!!!  After about 2 hours into it, we decided to take the kids home (by then Peyton and Brynlei were getting tired, plus we have early morning church..) We will definitely have to go to more baseball games, its something that the whole  family enjoys!!

Karter's New Do!

In May Karter decided he wanted to grow his hair out and blonde it up!! His inspirations:  Keaton & Noah... Karter LOVES(& worships) his two older cousins Keaton and Noah.  He has always wanted to have hair like theirs, so I finally gave in and told him that he could.  He was super excited!!  I told him that once he started that there was no going back.  (secretly, I thought that since he decided to grow his hair out during the hot summer he would eventually cut it to keep a little cooler..) But he was determined.   Eventually, it grew and we experimented with cool new ways to do it.. His favorite:  The faux hawk! So today, I took him over to Kim's house (my hair lady, and also Keaton & Noahs).  He went in smiling and even endured the heat from the hair heater, and came out smiling!  (seriously, you would have thought that it was Christmas today)  Here are some pictures of the entire growing out process... (the first one is of his inspiration)

The end look makes him seem so much older/grown-up.  Personally, I think he is incredibly handsome! (but then again I may be a little prejudice:)) 

WHY so SERIOUS?

So while the kids were away, Nate and I played.....On Friday while the kids were off having their fun at Grandma & Grandpa's house, Nate and I had some much needed alone time.  This time is much coveted, so we take it whenever we are fortunate to have someone watch the kids.   Anyway, we decided to try the new restaurant in town, Players.  It was actually really good, and had an awesome variety of food.  Then we headed to the late showing of The Dark Knight.  All I can say is GO AND SEE IT!!!! It was soooo good.   Heath Ledger was phenomenal!!!!  He is incredible in this movie and did an awesome job as the Joker. He really did pass before his time and this movie just goes to show it.  So definitely spend the extra money and see it in the theater  (don't wait to rent it!)  

*Definitely not for kids!!! (Maybe mine will be lucky to see it when they are in high school, maybe :)) 

sLeEpOvEr

Friday night the kids were invited to sleep-over at Grandma & Grandpa Abbott's house (this was Brynlei's 1st time:)).  They LOVE to sleep-over and always have lots of fun... This time was no different.  They ate, played, and watched a movie (Harry & the Hendersons). Then, as always, on Saturday morning they ate pancakes.  They love this because Grandpa will make it into different shapes for them to eat.  Next.........

they played,  they love riding the new airplane at Grandma & Grandpa's house.  Then Grandma & Grandpa had something special planned.........

The kids got to make, paint, and decorate wooden boats in Grandpa's new workshop, or as the kids call it "Grandpa's Toy Shop!"  They had so much fun.....

I am so thankful that my children have such awesome grandparents.  I know that it isn't an easy task to take all 5 kids overnight,  and to make it so much fun for them.  My kids absolutely love this tradition of sleeping over at Grandma and Grandpa's house, and talk about it for days after.  They are always asking when they get to do it again.... My children cherish the time that they get to spend with their grandparents, they look up to them and love them so much.  I am lucky that they are a part of our children's lives, and that they take the time to make special memories for them to remember.   

Thank you so much for making such a fun night for the kids to always remember!!