Sunday, August 28, 2011

Hot Springs

To divide up the drive home from Utah we stopped in Glenwood Springs. After finding out that the traffic back home would have taken us 3 extra hours, we were really glad we stopped!
The diving board and slide were a highlight of the pools.




Wedding

A visit with Great Grandma and Grandpa Rose started out the day. My fond memories of playing games and doing puzzles with Grandma were repeated for my own girls. Then we headed to Salt Lake to see cousin Elizabeth come out of the temple. All the memories of my own wedding day came flooding back. Seeing all of the brides made me realize I'm not 20 anymore. Really? I still feel like I am...OK, maybe not 20, but definitely not 30.





Then thanks to Uncle Jeff, Peter and I were able to attend the wedding luncheon. The girls went with Jeff to McDonalds and Kung Fu Panda. The girls asked if Jeff could go on every trip with us. I wasn't sure if it was because he is so much fun to be around-which he is- or if it had something to do with waiting outside the temple for 2 1/2 hours.



We finished the night with the reception and a fun day ended with cousins. We spent the next day with them before we left for home.

A New School Year

This summer we would find the girls all snuggled together quite frequently. (Each of them does have their own bed.)


Now that summer has gone, although it really doesn't feel like it...It is back to school and these girls are very excited!

Hannah (7) couldn't be happier starting school. She loves her Spanish immersion teacher and thanks me every day for putting her in the program. Katie (5) who is in half-day kindergarten, loves the idea of going to school but actually going is a bit scarier. She has a hard time transitioning to new things. Luckily her teacher realizes that attention just causes problems to escalate, so they give her the time she needs to transition. I love that her teacher will do that for her. She comes home every day talking non-stop about her day. She has started walking with Hannah to school without mom and dad and that seems to be helping. Madi (4 in one month) was not so excited that her preschool didn't start for 3 weeks. She has an endless amount of energy, swims like a fish, and can usually be found in a bathing suit or leotard and flip flops. It has been fun to spend time with just her and see how cute she is on her own. All the girls love being with friends and jump at the chance to have someone over to play.

This will be my last school year with one child home all day since Katie is in morning kindergarten and Madi is in afternoon preschool. I am trying to soak in the time I have with them and use it so that I can give Hannah the time she needs.

So with just one daughter around most of the time, what am I doing with my time?

Teaching 6 classes/week, leading 1 run and coordinating Run Club at Life Time Fitness
PTA President at the girl's school
Compassionate service leader at church
Helping Hannah practice Suzuki Violin
Reading with the girls for 40 minutes every day-20 minutes with Hannah/20 minutes with Katie and Madi reads to me as I pass out on the couch
Reorganizing all of my closets and cupboards-it is going very slowly but is lookin' good.

I am still managing to cook a handful of meals a week (usually in the crockpot) and keeping things presentable though not always bright and shiny at home. So, if there is not another post for quite some time you will know why!

Peter's work is keeping him busy. He has seen some major improvements in his speed and ability in the past 3 years. Owning your own business comes with many struggles but he seems to be taking them in stride. Peter's humor is definitely a plus in those more trying times. We are so blessed to have healthy children, time to spend with each other and sufficient for our needs.

I love being surrounded by family, friends, the school, teaching, church and the neighborhood. I love having so many great people be a part of my life. If you are reading this-you are definitely a part of my life! Thanks for the impact you have made on me, the memories we have shared, your smiles, and your friendship!

4th of july


Annual Pancake breakfast followed by parade!

Gilroy Gardens

June included a trip to see my parents in CA over the Father's Day weekend. We spent a day at a theme park nearby. The greatest part about small theme parks like these is that you get to ride the rides as much as you want and you don't have to wait in lines for too long. Some good friends--the Kendalls--joined us for the day. The kids absolutely loved being with old friends. It totally made the day. Thanks for making the trip to spend the day with us Travis, Jenn, Gloria, Grayson, Cami and Livee!

Hannah and Grayson on the swings. I remember the swings being one of my favorite rides as a kid. Now as an adult I had to pass the last few times. The kids rode this ride more times than I could handle.

What kid doesn't love to drive a car!

Peter and Travis and the kids

Grandma and Madi

Katie with Grandpa-getting ready to ride the swan paddle boats.


Grandpa and Grandma Rose's house is famous for the snails. The girls look forward to hunting for them when we visit. This time was no different, although Hannah's "bravery" seems to have increased.

We also visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium.



Sunday was father's day. It has been a long time since I have been with my dad on Father's day. It was great to be with him. He took the next day off to fill and throw water balloons with us in the yard. I think we must have tied balloons for 3 hours. Thanks for the memory Dad!



Great Sand Dunes

We started out the summer with a trip to the Sand Dunes. Uncle Jeff came with us. We were so glad to get to spend some time with him. We played in the water run off, hiked to a waterfall, camped for a night and then Madison fell on a cactus. She wasn't too happy after that, so we decided to head home.