School Started August 3rd!

I know some people think it is crazy that we started school this week but really it is great. It is so hot outside that there really isn't anything else to do. The schools are all air-conditioned and they have indoor recess the first month. They might as well be in school and then we get a fall break and get out in May when it still isn't too hot here.

Chase is in 5th grade, Tally in 3rd, Cade in Kindergarten and Lane started preschool a couple of days a week. I am having a hard time with Cade being in school but he seems to like it and he has an amazingly nice teacher. I can't believe I will be home a couple of mornings a week by myself. Weird but true. One thing to note from Lane's picture. Yes, he is wearing a boot because he broke the bottom of his foot while we were in Idaho. He fell down a couple of stairs and we didn't think anything of it until he started limping more and more everyday. He has to wear that for a couple of weeks and then the doctor will reassess. I am sad he broke it but it is the cutest little boot you have ever seen.

The kids have had a good week. We are all a little tired getting used to the routine again. The kids are worn out but they are hanging in there. Its a been a good start to what we know will be a great year!

Cade turns 5!!!

I am having a major blogathon so if you haven't already looked you might want to scroll down to my other entries.

OK, so Cade is 5!!! I can't believe it has been 5 years. I'll never forget looking at him for the first time and thinking that he is the most beautiful baby I had ever seen. He was such a calm and mellow little fellow until 1. When he turned 1 all of his curious juice exploded and he led me on a curvy path for the next 3 years. He has taught me so much. He probably frustrated me the most but he has brought some of my greatest smiles and giggles at some of his antics. He is so kind and empathetic. He is my best sharer and is a great brother. When he turned 4 he started to change so much. He became my best little buddy and helper (this entry is making me cry). I can't imagine our home without Cade Lewis. Happy 5th Birthday.

He celebrated with a small party centered around the Batman theme. He loved and had fun with his friends.

Summer Vacation Part 2 - Utah

The second week of our trip we spent in Lindon, UT with Rhett's sister Tonja and her kids. The two sets of cousins can never seem to get enough of each other. While there we went to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House. It is a beautiful building and I am grateful we got to take the kids to such a neat event. We played outside, went to a water park, went to BYU and the Bean Science Museum on campus, did some school shopping, played some more, went to the movies, went on a picnic up Provo Canyon and played in the river and had a picnic with some of my old BYU roomies.

One really neat thing about our trip (and it just worked out this way) is that Rhett's parents were in the MTC (missionary training center) while we were there and we got to spend about 4 days with them before they flew to Kenya/Tanzania on their mission. It was a neat time and lots of family stopped by the house to see them so we got to see lots of family too. We are going to miss Ron and Linda more than words can say. We are excited to hear of their adventures and all that they are doing. I think they will be an amazing example for all of us but especially for the grandkids. That is not to say that our hearts weren't heavy as we had to say our goodbyes. It will be hard but thank heavens for the internet. We hope to be able to webchat with them starting in a couple of weeks.

It was a great vacation and was hard to come home to the heat!

Summer Trip Part 1 - Pocatello, ID

I am finally getting around to posting our trips from the summer. We spent two wonderful weeks on vacation. The first week was spent in Pocatello, ID with the Hugues'. They are our dear friends that used to live here but moved two years ago back to their hometown. We miss them terribly so we headed up there to visit. Our 3 youngest kids are the same ages as their 3 oldest kids. We had a blast.

The first few days I was by myself until Rhett flew up to spend the 2nd half of the vacation with us. While in ID we spent most of our time outside enjoying the beautiful weather. We played on the trampoline, the new playset, the GRASS, the slip'n'slide, went on a hike in the mountains, went to a water park, went to a parade, went to the park, went to the movies and just played and played. We even got babysitters and the couples went out a couple of times. The kids loved and I loved getting to be with Leslie and play with her new daughter. It was a fun trip that we did last year too. I think we have a tradition on our hands.

July 4th trip to CA!

Ok, this post is a little old but better late than never! Our family headed to CA to spend the 4th with all of my family. It is the first time we have all been together since my little brother and his family moved to GA 3 years ago. We had so much fun!! The little kids got reacquainted, we got to meet "Tate" (our 2 month old nephew), play games, eat great food, and just hang out. We went to Corona Del Mar beach one day and wished we could have stayed for a week. The kids can never get enough of the beach (and neither can their parents). We went to the park, BBQ'd, did fireworks and just enjoyed a great time. The other reason it was nice to go to Glendora is that my parents have bought a home here in Havasu and will be moving the first week of August. So, it was my last visit to my hometown for probably some time. It was a great community to grow up in. My parents have lived there for 37 years so this is really weird for them and for all of us. Overall it was a great few days.