Back to school!

The kids started school this week. Tanner is a Junior, Blake 8th grade, Jacob 6th grade, Reid 3rd grade and of course Rylee started kindergarten. I think they were ready to start. Rylee loves her teacher, and has made a new friend, Paige. She was so excited to start school. I kept the smile frozen till she was out of sight. She didn't even look back. Tanner has a pretty heavy load this year, but hopefully can stay on top of everything. Blake is enjoying his math class that he was concerned about at first. Jacob likes being big kid on campus this year. Reid is loving being back with his friends. It appears they all have great teachers so far.

Rylee and Reid started soccer this week. I am coaching Rylee's team. It's pretty funny coaching kindergarten girls. They would rather hug each other and play on the playground than chase after a dumb soccer ball. I'm not sure Ry will keep playing after this year. It's pretty funny.

Tanner and Blake had games this week and are enjoying soccer. I don't think I do so much right now.

I spent a good portion of my week preparing to buy a restaurant here. I think most of you know about that by now. We are buying tomorrow. It has been crazy busy trying to get everything lined up to start there. I've worked a little there learning the ropes. I'll be there every morning from now on while Rylee is at school. Chad will be there during the evenings. We are excited about this new adventure. I know it sounds crazy, but we feel like we've been led along this path and when ever I get cold feet and pray about it, it is confirmed that this is the right thing. It's been a roller coaster of emotions, but hopefully we are about done that part of it.

Chad and I went to Rexburg this last weekend for our anniversary. He had work in Idaho Falls, so I just tagged along. It was weird, we drove all over Rexburg and there was very little that was even familiar to me. I guess I was young and self-absorbed and paid little attention to anything but my little world. I did recognize my apartment, and Chad's, the park where I first asked him out, and the library. That was about it. Sad, really. We walked around the temple there. It's beautiful, almost as nice as ours :) Well, my family is enjoying the night without me, so I think I'll go join them. Oh, I'll post a picture of Jacob ready for his paper route, poor kid can barely lift the bag, and a picture of us after the dedication.

Dog days of summer?

I made it through this week! This week we mostly finished gathering stuff for Blake's eagle project, mostly finished remodeling the 3 bathrooms, Chad and the boys finished up YCC (more on that later), worked more on buying a business, mostly got the kids ready for school, took a mini vacation, had great company visit, (my mom and dad were here for the weekend), soccer practices, scouts for me and Reid, and I guess that's enough. Oh, and the best part, the temple is done! We went to the dedication this morning. Wonderful! Rylee was sad last week that she couldn't go, but she was able to play at a friends and was sad when we picked her up. Chad and the boys had lots of practices for YCC and the performance was Saturday night. I don't care what they say, it was worth every minute they put into it. It was incredible. They did a great job! I think there are a lot of leaders who crashed today. I hope they can remember the positive experiences more than the negative ones. Thursday we made all the kids drop all their responsibilities and we went to Boise for a family day. It was a lot of fun to be together. We went to the Discovery Center, did a little school shopping, went out to lunch at Louie's pizza, went to a park, and then home. When we got home my parents came to spend the weekend. YEA! We've had a great time with them. It has done my heart good to see my mom doing so well. It's just amazing, miraculous, that she is even alive, let alone able to travel far enough to come here. Well, I need to go get dinner made, and start putting backpacks together, school starts tomorrow, sniff sniff.

Rest in Peace "Jim"

We have a sad story to tell. Jacob has been taking some friends to church lately. There were six of them, now there are only five. He has been taking his gum wrappers and making little guys out of them. He sets them up on the bench and no one is allowed to sit in front of them, because "how would you like it if someone sat in front of you?" We take up a little more room on the bench because we have to make room for Jim, Phil, Bob, Bill, and the twins: Fred and Jed. Well, last night after dinner he made a boat for them and took them to the sink. Unfortunately the boat capsized and Jim went overboard several times. He tried to get a suntan on some toilet paper and then Blake flicked him back into the water. (Blake denies this He says it was Tanner, although he sprayed him with a spray bottle since a tsunami came.) He couldn't take that much water, since he was made out of paper, and tore in half. Jacob was sad. (yes, really) So, he took some lifesaver plastic wrappings and made a casket for him. Then he took popsicle sticks and made a sign that says, "here lies Jim" This morning he dug a hole and buried Jim. He got after Rylee who laughed during the funeral. He told her it was not funny. He told Blake he should not be at the funeral since he was the murderer. Just another story in my life. You can all see Jacob's purpose in my life. Keep the humor. No, he is no longer for sale. (today) I was wondering if they would let me take the camera into church to get a picture of them on the bench.

crazy crazy crazy

Chad probably thinks I'm referring to him. I'm not. Just our life. He has almost finished the 3 bathrooms. Flooring coming in tomorrow. That will just about do it, except for trim. Later I'll put pictures of before and after. My bathroom is beautiful now. I'll really miss the leaky, rusty sink. Soccer has started now. Tanner and Blake both practice nearly every day. The other three should be starting this week. AAAAAAAGH! I'm looking forward to October. Tanner and Blake both registered for school Wednesday. Rylee got a letter from her kindergarten teacher welcoming her. I was surprised at the emotions that brought out in me. I thought I was OK with it. Good thing mom and dad will be here that first day. Reid had a great day yesterday, he had friends all day. He thought it was not enough, though. Jacob is going up for sale pretty quick. Any bids? he's real cheap today. Maybe not tomorrow, but if you send me an e-mail tonight you might get a great deal. We have a very strange child, but I'm too tired for it tonight. Chad and I got to go clean in the temple last night. It was the last night of the open house. I was sad that it was ending. It's just been so neat to be able to go so often. Dedication is Sunday. I can't wait to go inside after. Chad and the boys are also anxious, the program they've been spending so much time for is Saturday night. Yea! Anyway, I'm not going to spend more time here telling you all our goings on. It is just too crazy these days. I need a rest. So off I go.

Fun Day

( By the way, check out the Tanner and Blake's ties. They love to go to D.I. and express themselves in old ties.) Really, Chad and Jacob's are a little weird too.

We had an awesome day today! Blake gave a great talk on the purpose of the sacrament, then Tanner was ordained a priest. It was so neat! Chad's parents, Melissa and our family were all able to go in. The other priests stood in and helped in the ordination. I'm afraid I cried a little. He had his interview with the bishop before church and came back with a funny look on his face. He said the bishop talked to him about what being a priest means and his new responsibilities. Probably a little overwhelming. Anyway, he's a super kid. I couldn't be prouder except for the other 4 great kids we have! (not that they make me prouder just equal haha)

So I have been off here for a while, for good reasons though. Kalauna and Brody came to see me. We had so much fun. Rylee cried when they left and the next day also. Brody is such a cute baby. He has a great smile, except when anyone besides mom picks him up from his nap. Funny how attached they can be. Thanks for coming Kalauna!

Tanner, Blake and Jacob all started newspaper routes a few weeks ago. They start pretty early around here. They get up and going about 5:15. This doesn't seem so bad now, since they can come home and go back to bed. We'll see when school starts how that is going to go. These are their mission fund routes. We started a perpetual mission fund for our family. They are all putting some of their earnings into one account then they keep adding to it even after they return for the others. We are hoping this will make it a little easier on our finances when we have almost 8 straight years of missions. (hopefully)

Tanner turned 16 last week! I can't believe I have a 16 year old. I swear I'm not much older than that myself. Or I would think that if Jacob would quit pointing out my grey hairs. He stretched his birthday out for three days. Wednesday was his real birthday, and we had breakfast together, then his friends took him out for pie, then Chad and I took him to lunch. That night they had another practice for temple program. After they had a concert for the kids. There were about 3,200 people there and the speaker said it was Tanner's birthday, and had everybody sing to him. So he had a huge party, (no idea it was coming) That was fun for me, I was talking to him on the cell phone then and was able to hear them singing. It was funny. I'm sure he appreciated it.

Thursday we had our family cake and ice cream. Friday he had a bunch of friends and played games at the park. We took over treats about halfway through to check on them (spy), and ended up using our first aid kit on a couple of the girls. Just minor injuries.

I've been working on the bathroom for the last couple days. We're getting close. Hoping to have it done by this weekend. Kinda depends now on the plumber, electrician, and flooring people that need to come back and finish up their stuff after we finish ours. So we should have lots of free time coming up. That was pretty funny. We are contemplating a new adventure...if things go the way we're hoping...just something to do in our spare moments. Which reminds me. I get to coach Rylee's soccer team this year. I'm excited about that. Tanner has tryouts this coming week, Jacob and Reid are also playing this fall. Should be fun times. They asked me to coach Jacob's team also, but since he and Rylee play the same nights, that won't work.

Well, we are having fun times. Life is Great! Anyone want to buy a house? that would make life even greater. CHOW --------noodle

Blake eagle project

I am doing my eagle project. I am doing hygiene kits. The items per kit I need are: 2 unbreakable combs, 4 packaged toothbrushes, 1 tube of toothpaste, two bars of soap, and2 15X25 hand towels (no dish towels, please) I would like to have them done by aug. 20. Money would also be accepted to buy any supplies I need in the end. Thanx