It's all over but the cryin'....I hope!

Well, miracles do happen. Somehow, my basement is set up, ready for preschool tomorrow. I must give thanks where thanks is due.

1- Scott. Seriously, you are amazing. You are a tireless work horse! Always willing to do whatever needs to be done. You notice the details and take care of things that I probably couldn't do on my own. So thank you so much. I couldn't do this without you!!!

2- Matt. What an amazing birthday gift to paint our entire basement, doors and all of the trim. And it looks amazing. Oh, not to mention putting together two cabinets and organizing my hundreds of books. (I appreciated the diversity of your piles....very creative!)

3- Ashley- Girl, you are a lifesaver. One that can't put anything up straight on the walls, but that's an oversight! Glad Matt was there to keep you on track as you were sorting books-could've taken all day! You're welcome to come and check them out anytime. Saving me AGAIN in the morning. I have ONE thing to say. Team Lift, girl. Team lift.

4- Dad. Even though we didn't quite make our midnight deadline, and your gun was double shooting-you managed to make it look amazing. You are SO talented and I am SO thankful that I am yours, forever. I love you! (And I'm not just saying that so you'll come and finish the baseboard....but will you?)

Tyler & Ashlee-Your spur of the moment trip to IKEA!
Rachel-Calling and calling and calling to secure those chairs for me! (I don't know what I would've done without those.)

Okay, it is super late and I have things yet to do. I will post pictures tomorrow. I just wanted to write this tonight before I go to bed.

Thanks to my family who encouraged and supported me to start this little adventure. I have a feeling it's going to be a good thing for years to come.

The "Color Cave" was Parker's idea. It has a little bookcase in there with color books. We'llprobably change the name through the year. The "Bat Cave" in October and focus on counting....The color isn't the greatest in my pictures, but you get the idea!

The First Day of School

Our two beautiful girls started school yesterday. I've been dreading it for about two weeks now, but I'm proud to say I didn't cry. Until today when they both got on the bus together, sat together, and then waved at me until I couldn't see them anymore. To my credit, they couldn't tell I was crying, and it only lasted a minute. I just love having my kids around me. And my house is really quiet right now. Landon and Presley are still asleep so it's just me and the radio. I guess I'll get used to it....

Parker is in first grade and has Mr. Cronin. Pacie is starting Kindergarten. She has Mr. Byrd. (Yes, both male teachers which seems different for such young grades and both first year teachers as well.) We had an open house for her yesterday and she was just excited to see that her teacher was wearing a Sponge Bob tie.

So today was the first day that Pacie got to ride on the bus. It was a big moment for her. And Parker just took her under her wing and is showing her the ropes. The benefits of having a sister that is only 17 months older than you. I just hope their friendship lasts for years to come.

We love you, girls! We hope you have a wonderful school year and know that you will be missed while you're away.


So tired! their bus comes about 7:45am. We weren't sure what time it would come on the first day so we were out there by 7:30 to wait!

The first real day for Pacie. I love how proud she is. Such a special day for them!

Random Sampler

A Boy and his bikes.

Some kids sleep with a teddy bear, or a blanket. Something soft and warm and cuddly. Not my boy! He sleeps with his trick-or-treat pumpkin full of motorcycles. He is...let's just say obsessed with them. All sizes, all colors, anything motorbike-he is happy. One of these night I will sneak a picture of him cuddled with his beloved motorcycles. (Like the dirty face too? I'm telling you, the no grass thing is getting OLD!)

A Day at the Races! (Or "Racings" as Pacie calls it...)

Scott has sacrificed more than one race this year for his girls. Dance had claimed more than one race weekend for Scott his season. So since last weekend was the last race of the season, we decided to go as a family for one last get-away before school started up again. We went to Kimberly and stayed with Sam and Nate. (Thanks again, guys for being so hospitable!) Just a few pictures of the day.

Presley's new trick-folding her arms. My 4 treasures. Me and my boy-of course he's so engrossed he won't even look at the camera!

Hanging out! This was the favorite view point. Resting with daddy between motos and racing cars down the trailer ramp. Landon loving the bikes-he really is going to be a racer when he grows up-I don't think I even have a choice in the matter! And my favorite picture of the day. Cheering on daddy! And now for a small tribute to my man.

I have to just tell Scott how much I admire his sportsmanship and his integrity. He did not have the greatest day on Saturday-3 second place finishes-(which is rare-usually it's first places all around) and one front flat tire on the last moto of the day. Scott never gets angry, mouthy, or full of attitude. Even when things don't go his way. He always keeps his cool. He is such a great example to other riders. They know there is something different about him. He doesn't race on Sunday's like most riders do. I just wanted him to know that he is our "Saturday's Warrior" and I am so thankful for the example that he is setting for our kids. I know that they watch him closer than he thinks-and they couldn't have a better role model. Love you, Scott.

Overheard

I was reading one afternoon (Breaking Dawn) and Pacie came in to lay by me. I asked her what she was doing. Her response:

"Mom, I just need a piece of quiet."

In the car on our way to Utah the kids were watching Stuart Little 2.

Pacie: "That cat can talk?! All our cat says is meow."
Parker: "Well that cat is just talking in his head."

Pacie-when she realized they had mistakenly put mustard on her hamburger...

"How could they DO this to me?!"
(Not dramatic at all.)

Happenings....

Summer is flying by-and we are busy flying with it! Always busy doing something-so here are some of our happenings over the last week or so.

Everything is better with butter...or so Presley thinks!

I turn my back for one minute...well maybe two and she is out of her high chair, onto the cabinet, freely digging into the butter tub. Ahhh-maybe everything is better with butter!

Oreo and Fluffy

What were intended to be farm cats for my mom and dad quickly turned into our pets as soon as Parker held them! (Much to Scott's dismay...) The kids are all so proud to have them around. I caught Landon trying to give them rides on his tricycle yesterday. Parker is a natural with them and is treating them like her little babies. And seriously, how cute are they!

Helping Gramps

Landon is quickly adapting to country living. He loves to be outside in the dirt. Not having grass yet is his personal paradise! I think he had three baths yesterday. Anyway, he is a true boy, always wanting to be outside playing, riding his bike or helping gramps.

Our Birthday Week!

Presley turned ONE on August 2nd. A little background on her cake. When she was maybe a couple of days old I was rocking her and starting singing, "Little Darlin' Ooh, it's all right" From there, her nickname became Little Darlin' or Darlin' Ooh, and her song is "Here comes the Sun" by the Beatles. It is a fitting song for her. She really is sunshine in our home. She is a very sweet, adventurous spirit who brings happiness to whoever is around her. I can't believe she is already one! Time seems to fly by. We love you, little darlin' ooh.

Scott and I have birthday's on the 4th and 5th of this month too. So three birthdays in a week! We both turned 29...again! Hard to believe, I know. (33 and 37...the truth can hurt sometimes!) He spoiled me with a new I-pod Nano, which I am LOVING! Thanks Scott, for making my morning runs so much more endurable! We made him a cake, somewhat moto-x style, and got him some pants that he's been wanting for a while. Then last night my parents watched the kids so we could go out to dinner. We went to Jakers and it was so good! And so fun just to be together with the 2 of us. It's fun to be able to celebrate our birthday's so close together because we can justify celebrating for days at a time. We are going to see a movie this weekend to keep the celebration going!

With only a few weeks of summer left, you can be sure we'll be living them up to the fullest! We are in the process of finishing our basement too, so I'm sure many hours will be spend down there trying to get everything put together for my pre-school starting the first week of September. But until then-we will keep enjoying the freedom of summer...while it lasts!

Ahhh, Summertime.

If you are like us, summer is going by way too quickly. I love summer-always have! And yes, it is going by way too quickly! I just wanted to post a few pictures of our activities the past few weeks. We've been having an amazing time. Still a few weeks left-we're going to try to live it up to the fullest so that before "life" starts again, we've made lots of memories!

Boating with the Nulph's.

Our kids hadn't been on a boat before so we weren't sure what to expect. (Parker asked me if it was the kind of boat that is big and white and has games on it-a cruise ship! Not quite yet!) They all LOVED it! They got to ride on the tube and just had a ball! Pacie's teeth were "shaking" a bit...but we all had fun! Thanks again Tyler and Devri!

We had visitors from England come and stay with us for a week. Scott was able to baptize a golden lady named Doreen. In September, we went back to England to be a part of her wedding to Don. They came and visited in April and decided to come back again to visit Yellowstone. We were their tour guides! We stayed at our little cabin for a couple of nights and saw the sights of Yellowstone. We had a great time! Cooking hot dogs and S'mores was probably the highlight for the kids! Presley had her first marshmallow-which obviously she loved!

We saw Old Faithful, lots of animals, and went into Mammoth, which was a new part of the park for me. It was a beautiful day and I'm glad we had visitors or we probably wouldn't have gone this summer. The girls found giant dandilions to blow- We also visited the paint pots, which is basically boiling mud. Even the ground was super hot! And my favorite part of the day, was the the English pronounce "geyser" like "geezer", so all day long, Don, who is super funny anyway was making jokes about "the old geezer at the geyser (pronounced geezer).

Randomness- Presley lookin good! Watching the Hannah Montana 3-D concert with the Sweet's kids, Rilee and Brody, what we look like to our kids, the budding photographers, and a toy built for two! Landon is so good to share with Presley!

And FINALLY! It's official! Presley is walking!! Just in time for her first birthday too! Starting off by the couch, she takes off, a short pit stop squat and then, she did it! Yea! How cute is she?