Back to School

I'm almost sad that the new school year has already started. This summer was just way too short and even though we all stayed busy we didn't get to do half the things we had wanted to do. But I have always loved seeing my kids happy faces as they head off to school on the first day.

Preston and William attend Harvest Hills Elementary. The bus stop is right on the corner of our home so they don't have far to walk. They looked so cute and handsome as they headed out.

William is now in the 1st grade and his teachers name is Mrs Richins. She is, as William puts it "very old" and he's right. She's a much older teacher than most but she is awesome and I think she will be good for William. William loves her already and he says "My teacher loves me because I'm a good boy and I always raise my hand before talking. I know we will get along." His first words as he came home from school was "I had a really good day today and I think I can handle this 1st grade stuff".

He's so cute and so much fun. He already knows how many girls are in his class and which ones are cute!

Preston is already in the 5th grade and he got his first male teacher and that is exciting for him. His teachers name is Mr Fretwell. He thinks he's a good teacher and you can read more about that on Prestons blog

Preston is now officially the "big brother" at the school. I think this is good for him and I know he's enjoying that role.

Collin, Joshua and Justin all go to Rockwell Charter High School. It's a rigorous college-preparatory, liberal arts high school that has 7th - 12th graders. The 7th - 9th are in the Jr Hall and the 10th - 12th are in the Sr Hall. The boys LOVE IT. I was so worried because Joshua and Collin weren't happy about me putting them in this school because they didn't want to leave their friends. Justin was ok with it because his girl friend was attending the school. But I'm happy to report that the boys are very happy and I haven't seen this kind of excitement from the boys about school in years.

Justin is in 10th grade
Joshua is in 9th grade
Collin is in 7th grade

Justin gets to leave campus during lunch, which he loves. He's also excited about getting to drive to school once he gets his license just after the first of the year. I'm excited too because I won't have to drive them all the way out there. :)

All three of the boys are taking Mandarin Chinese as their foreign language. 7th graders are not allowed to take the class but the schools Director gave special permission for Collin to take the class because his brothers were and because Kimball knows it and can help them at home. Collin feels all grown up!

With it being a college-preparatory school, their going to be busy this year but I'm sure it will pay off in the long run. We have given the boys the challenge again to get a 4.0 for the full year. I'll keep you all posted on that one!!

I would post pictures of all the kids but they didn't turn out, not even a little. I really need to take a photo taking class!!

Banana Bread

I'm looking for a GOOD Banana Bread Recipe. I have one that I like but I've tasted better. Sooo, if you have a good Banana Bread Recipe, please please share!!

Happy Birthday Collin!

So Collin Turned 12 years old today. I can't believe that he's already old enough to be in Young Mens and to pass the sacrament.

Collin is my Blue Eyed, helpful, very bright and very loving third son. He was excited to have Kaylee added to the family because he was no longer a "middle child" but one of the older three!!

I'm very proud of Collin, for the friends he keeps, the desire he has to do what is right and for his helpfulness at all times.

Happy Happy Birthday Collin. I love you So Very Much.

Happy Birthday Daddy!!

Today is my Daddy's 60th Birthday. I came out to California to spend the day with him and to throw him a little party. It was really enjoyable and I've enjoyed spending the time with him and family.


As hard as it might be to adequately describe just how special and wonderful my dad is, I'm still going to give it a try...

I love my daddy so much. He really is the best dad I could have ever ask for. My dad has always believed in me and always told me that I could do and be anything I ever wanted to be. To this day my dad is probably the only person that has had complete faith in me and in the decisions that I've made. He has always been my biggest fan, something that every girl/daughter needs. Even to this day my dad tells me that he knows without a doubt that I'm going to do great things. He often tells me "If anyone could do it, you're that person", when I tell him some of my business ideas and dreams.

I truly believe that if I hadn't had my dad while growing up I would have turned out like 99.99% of the kids that grew up on our side of town. I grew up in a very poor, rough and shady area of town that was full of violence and drugs. My dad protected me from those things. I might not have appreciated those things while growing up but I sure do appreciate it now.

My dad is also an AWESOME grandfather and I have six kids to second that. My kids adore their grandpa. My dad makes sure to pay attention to the kids' interest and likes. He likes to talk to them, hang with them and do things with and for them. I'm so glad my kids have their grandpa in their life.

My dad has shown me, my husband and my kids a great example of love by loving and honoring my mom. Even while traveling the rough road that they have been dealt off and on all their married life, my dad has loved my mom. He treats her well and would do anything for her. Every man should love their wife in this way...Through thick and thin, fire and ice or health and sickness.

As you can see, my dad is awesome!

Happy Happy Birthday Daddy!! I love you more than you probably realize. I wish you many many more birthdays. Thanks for being the best dad ever and for believing in me and being there for me when I've needed you.

I Love You Daddy!

I Liked It!

William is so funny. He's got a thing for girls.

Last week Justin's girl friend came to visit and William wouldn't leave them alone. He followed Justin and Kylee all over the house, talking away with Kylee. Once Kylee left William went downstairs to tell Justin something...

Here's how the conversation went(according to Justin & Collin):

William - "Justin, you know what?"
Justin - "What?"
William - "Well, ummmm. Well, ummmm. hmmmm"
Justin - "WHAT William?"
William - "You know what, ummmm, your girl friend is HOT!!"

After the boys told me about this I asked William "So William, Justin told me something..." and before I could say anything William interrupts with "I can't help it mom, she IS hot. I like her."

Well on Saturday Julie came over to help Dave move his stuff out. While I was at the store Dave and Julie went to leave. Apparently William asked Julie for a kiss and then went on to explain that he really liked it. When I got home from the store William was on the phone talking to??? You guessed it, Julie. He called Uncle Dave and asked to talk to Julie. LOL

When William hung up the phone I asked him who he was on the phone with and he said "Just Julie. I like her." His brothers started telling me about William asking for a kiss and William's faces got all smiley and he says "ya and I liked it!!


Let me remind you that he's only SIX YEARS OLD. I'm going to have to keep a close eye on William, that's for sure, because he might like the girls but the girls sure like him just as much.

*smiles*

Stephanie Meyer

This is a huge shout out to Stephenie Meyer. I'm amazed with her ability to write the way she does. Her words flow and you do feel all the emotions of the characters she writes about. I did my fair share of crying through the book. I am very HAPPY with the ending but I won't go into details just in case someone hasn't read it yet!!!

Thanks Stephenie For an amazing read. I look forward to reading any and all books you write.

It's Finally Here

So yesterday morning I went over to Barnes and Nobles at 9:30 am to get my wristband. The wristband meant I could get my book at 12:01am when it was officially released to the public. Holy Cow!!!!!! The line was wrapped the front, side and back of the store. People had slept out overnight to be sure they got their wristbands. Luckily one of my Laurels was further up in line and a Barnes and Nobles manager said that Kristy (my Laurel) could pick up my wristband for me. This made it so Kimball and I could still make it to the Temple to do a session.

Anyhow my friend Amy and I left at 9 pm to head to the pre-release party and to get our book. Double Holy Cow!!!! There were so many people there that you couldn't even walk around the store. But the amount of people outside was even more overwhelming. I would have to guess that there were at least 2000 to 2500 people in line to get that book. Luckily we got wristbands for group E and by 12:38am we had purchased our books and headed home. YA!!!!

After a detour to pick Josh and his friends up from the Batman Movie I got home to start reading. But I got sick and went to bed. It's all good now though. I'm feeling good and after this post I will temporarily stop being mommy, wife, mentor, friend. I will just be a happy cloud of happiness reading my book. I'll let you know if I liked it later.

Oh, and it's 754 pages...It's 9:44am on August 2nd. Lets see how long it takes me to read the whole book!!!