Such A Blessing . . .

Every time I pick up Kate I am reminded how blessed we are to have her. She is such a happy, easy-going baby. I try to cherish every moment I have with her because from experience I know that they grow up way too fast.

Back to the Routine

I've been looking forward to the girls starting school and getting back into a routine. Unfortunately, I was sick all last week and I am still trying to kick this dang cold. Needless to say, my house went to pot and I am still trying to recover. I am happy to say that our dinner group is back up and running (we took August off), so my family is eating again. All you need to appreciate the dinner group is to take a couple of weeks off. Jack misses the girls and doesn't understand why they are gone all day. He keeps asking if Halle is in California. Hopefully, with both girls in school all day, I will be able to get some big projects done . . .

Kate's Grandmas

Grandma T. and Kate after Kate's blessing.Kate with Nana when she was visiting last week.

Grand Camp 2007

Here are some pictures from Grand Camp. My parents started a new tradition this year (it was postponed due to my dad trying to die on us). It is for all the grandkids that are at least six years old. The seven grandchildren that live in Utah all flew on a plane by themselves to play with their grandparents for a few days. Harmon arrived with the kids at the airport an hour prior to departure, which turned out to be not enought time. They ran all the way from security and only made their flight by about 1 minute! Halle only had to make two stops to throw up due to nerves/excitement! Harmon was not too thrilled. Alex, my niece, was the oldest and helped out on the plane with all of the kids. I think Halle was the only one that spilled her drink on the flight - thanks for helping Alex! The theme this year was Alma 37:35 "O, remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God." They got t-shirts with the theme on them and they memorized the scripture. They went to Magic Mountain, the beach, took horseback riding lessons, went to Dana Point and went swimming at my parents. My kids had a ball and are already looking forward to next year. I am so glad my parents have started this new tradition.

The kids at IHOP after their flight arrived.

Lacey is so lucky to have two cousins her same age.

Nana and Halle got soaked on a ride at Magic Mountain.
They loved the beach.

My parents took the kids to see where we went to LaMadera, our elementary school. The old "Big Toy" has been replaced by a new and improved version. The kids loved hearing about our childhood and each came prepared with a story to tell about us when we were kids.
They stayed and played kick ball at the school.

They went to Dana Point.
Halle discovered she isn't afraid of horses after all.
Lacey loved her horse, Magic, and wants to take lessons here.

Cascade

We had another wonderful year at Cascade. This year had some firsts for the kids - their first time fishing and Lacey's first time on the knee board. We are already looking forward to next year. Here are some of our favorite pictures from our trip:

Oceanfront property - this was our home away from home at Cascade.
Jack made a bird feeder with the park ranger out of a pine cone. He liked eating the peanut butter and oatmeal mixture better than making the pine cone.
Harmon collects golf balls all year just so he can stand in our "backyard" and hit golf balls into the lake.
Jack with Grandma and Papa T.
Halle caught her first fish ever! Fishing was a hit with the kids this year. She got $5.00 from Papa T. for catching the biggest fish (it was a tie between her and Ryan).
Lacey even caught a rainbow trout. Papa T. gave her her own fishing pole.
Halle waterskied again this year and loved it. Most kids get scared right before the boat takes off but Halle was just excited. She can even shake her booty while she skis!
Lacey did so well on the knee board. It was her first year knee boarding and she loved it!
Lacey the surfer girl.
The kids loved riding the wave runners.

Jack with some serious bed head. He loved playing on the beach.
Kate spent a lot of time with me on the beach in her swing while I read. She was such a happy camper! I couldn't ask for a better baby (well, maybe one less barfy!).
Jack always wanted a ride on the four wheelers. Uncle Dan took him out one night before dinner. Jack got a little chilly so Dan zipped him up in his jacket. Dan said it was only about 30 seconds later that he felt Jack' s head nodding off to sleep! So he arrived back sound asleep on the four wheeler with his helmet on.
Grandma and Papa T. with all of the grand kids.
This is Jack on the way down the mountain. He played so hard the whole week. He is going to hate reality. Check out those lashes!

Thumb Sucker

Kate finally found her thumb on Saturday. I swear she has been trying since she was born, but she is now consistently getting her thumb in her mouth. Halle (our other thumb sucker) has been rooting her on from the beginning and is the most excited about her latest accomplishment. I have mixed feelings about her sucking her them. It is very convenient and I like not having to ever search for a pacifier, however, pacifiers are much easier to get rid of. We'll see what happens . . .

First Day of School

Lacey and Halle got home from Grand Camp just in time to start school. They were so excited to start school - I think mainly because of their new outfits. They both had a good first day of school. Lacey thought her new teacher, Ms. Meyers, was very strict (I like that!). Halle loved her new teach Mrs. Davis - she said that she was "Sweet!". I think I am going to be able to get going on some projects, or at least be able to start my blog. We'll see how this goes. Jack isn't sure he likes them gone all day. I think I might become a new woman!