The First Day of School...

Zach started 2nd grade with a new teacher at Bonny Slope, Mr. Kelley.  Kate is back at Christ United Methodist for her final round of Pre-K, with Teacher Teresa.  They were so excited for their first day.  They woke themselves up, got themselves dressed and even did their own hair, Kate too!  My babies are growing up!  Good thing I am having another one.  The first day of school "must haves" this year were Vans for Zach and "Skatchers" that light up for Kate.  Since when did they have an opinion?  Again, it must be all part of that growing up thing.  

At the bus stop with Dylan, Noah and Nate!

The Last Week of Summer...

Is always bittersweet.  The kids get excited to see their friends again and I get excited for a schedule, but early mornings, making lunches and becoming a taxi make me wish summer could last just a little longer.  We didn't go anywhere during August so I thought we could at least go out with a bang spending a day at Oaks Park and a day going to the Zoo.  The kids had a blast!  Zach rode the scariest ride, the Screaming Eagle, and Kate rode her first Roller Coaster.  There was not a single ride they did not try. 

The Zoo was fun too!  Zach brought along his best friend Nate.  We went right as the zoo opened so all the animals were really active and we ended the day with a ride on the train.  The kids love the train!   My favorite part, as always, is getting an Elephant Ear!  That's always a good reason to go to the zoo if you ask me.  

Kate Singing Nephi's Courage...

Just had to share...we love you Kate!

McCall 2012...

Going to McCall is one of our favorite trips together as a family.  The kids love spending time with all of their cousins.  And Justin and I love the break of not having to entertain them for a week, in a good way of course.  In fact it's almost as if we don't see them for a week because they are so busy having fun.

Zach and Kate were pretty brave this year.  Zach was no longer afraid that a shark was going to eat him in the lake, so getting ejected from the tube and surfing with Uncle Brian were the highlights of his week.  He was on the tube so much that his nipples got chafed and he had to put band aids on them to keep from rubbing against his life jacket. And Kate loved the tube and was up for lots of swimming! Uncle Andy brought along his new toy, the GO Pro camera, with all the fittings to film what was happening behind the boat.  And Justin and uncle Brian grew out their Fu Manchu.  I sat around a lot being pregnant and all but got on the tube a couple of times with Kate.  And the rest was just like years past minus a couple of my siblings not being able to make it due to other commitments.  They were missed and hopefully will be able to come the next time we come.

We love McCall...