Our Forever Family

Things have been going surprisingly well while David has been gone. When I talked to him last night on skype he told me I sounded great and that maybe he should leave more often. I told him no, that wasn't a good idea. I have been getting myself up in the morning at 6 am to go running. Yes, I leave my kids home alone for about 15 mins. I tell them before bed that I am doing this and if they wake up and I'm not there to just climb in my bed and go back to sleep. So far they have all stayed asleep, not even knowing I am gone. So it has worked out great. I love getting in my exercise before the kids are awake. Along with that and getting myself ready every day it makes a world of difference of how I feel. David sounds great when I talk to him. I have talked to him everyday so far. I was even emailed some videos that I watched today. They were fun to see. He really is enjoying it over there.

Monday, July 26th was the first day of 3rd grade for Cameron and Melanie got to meet her teacher. Melanie's first day of 1st grade was Tuesday. It was very exciting for them! Cameron is in a portable this year. The benefit is they won't ever change classrooms when they go back on track after they track off. But the disadvantage is obvious, a portable. He hasn't complained about it. Cameron is still working on the "look natural smile" when I take pictures. This was Cameron's favorite new shirt. It says "This shirt is a hand-me-down". Silly kid! When I asked him how his day was after school he said "perfect". The second day it was "awesome." I have heard great things about his teacher, Mrs. Tysver. It should be a fun year for him! Melanie was thrilled to be in school all day and quite frankly I am too!!! She knows about 1/2 the kids in her class and she was excited to get to know some new girls too. She is my social b...

Melanie put on one of her school outfits today after church and asked me to take pictures. She then started clearing off the table and pulling my honey and wheat bucket over for props. All her poses were her idea. I just shot the picture! When she looked at the pictures of herself she said "I look like a teenager" very proudly! That is right up there with her asking me a couple of weeks ago, "Mom, how do you become famous?" This girl is growing up and maturing WAY to fast! Yes, ALL the poses were her own idea! Then of course the rest of the kids hammed it up for the camera! A blankie and a finger, can't have one without the other! Cameron's new BYU hat. This hat was his main "have to have for school" item. He wants to be just like his dad! And a picture to send to David so he doesn't forget what we look like!! I talked to him 2xs Saturday and also today. He is having a blast in the Philippines! He is there with 2 other guys worki...

Jenna will be 7 months tomorrow. I took her to the doctor to get her 6 month shots last week. Here are her almost 7 month stats. Weight: 16 lbs. 11 oz. Height: 26 inches Head: 43 cm. She is perfectly proportioned at 50% in all 3 categories. Jenna is rolling all over the place. Moving her body side to side while laying on her belly to grab toys. She loves to put her feet in her mouth. Her two bottom teeth are close to cutting through and her top ones are coming down! She is sleeping from 9-7ish, with out waking up. (She is spoiling me!) LOVES, loves oatmeal, rice cereal and any baby food from a jar. She is a great eater! Sucks on her bottom lip. Favors mom over anyone else to hold her. Still sleeps in mom and dad's room in her crib. (Not by choice really, there is just no where else to put her right now!) Sits up all by herself. Takes 2, sometimes 3 naps a day. Gets her feet under her, looking ready to crawl while on her belly. Still adored by her siblings and still wrapped aro...

David left today. Destination, Philippines. Total days gone, 12! This will be the LONGEST we have been away from each other since being married and the LONGEST for me with all 5 kids by myself. I am okay though, right? I am thinking like the Little Engine that could, "I think I can, I think I can." I am going to stay positive and stay busy with goals for me to accomplish everyday around the house. Like my kitchen cabinets that need to be cleaned out and organized! I always feel better in a clean and organized house. David will be gone when the kids start the first week of school next week, so I was so glad when he remembered to give each of the kids a father's blessing before he left. I wasn't thinking that far into the future and would have been so sad if that didn't happen before school. After all of the kids received their blessings, I got one to. I was crying before it even started. Nothing unusual for me though. I am WAY to emotional and I will a...

We FINALLY celebrated our goal of finishing the Book of Mormon this last winter at Lagoon. It was FUN, FUN, FUN!!! We loved everything about it! When we were walking from the parking lot to the entrance the kids were squealing with excitement and whooping and hollering! They could hardly contain their excitement. This was the first time for any of them and it had been 9 years since David and I had been to Lagoon. Did I mention we were excited?? We dropped off our cooler full of food at the food pavilion and then went straight to all of the kiddie rides. Our kids are still young enough to enjoy all of them. And it worked out great because each one of them had a buddy to ride the rides with. Cameron showed the most excitement about getting on the rides and then would do this while on the ride. Duck his head and hold on for dear life!! Melanie and Alyssa were in absolute heaven! They had a blast together! And for a Saturday the lines to the rides weren't long at all. Esp...

I finally remembered to buy baby food while at the store last night. Jenna had her first taste of rice cereal and LOVED it! Alyssa loved to feed her. Melanie came over at the end and wanted a turn to feed Jenna too. My little mommies in training!

Day 3 The Basin City Parade Amazing Tradition Memories Family Candy Hot All these things describe the parade for me and they all were there this year. Except for the last one. It was NOT hot. It wasn't even 80 degrees! We brought sweatshirts for all the kids and they were put on immediately after sitting down. It really was that cool. We eventually shed the sweatshirts and felt the sun finally. It never got really warm though. The kids waiting on the curb for the parade to start, bags in hand! The boy cousins. They all stuck together! The Nielson's on the other side of us. I love small towns! Catching the candy! Jenna did good and then finally gave out towards the end and had a nap. Colby and Trisha Tyson and Becky Seth and Heather Juan and Alise The fire engine's honoring the recent fallen fire Chief, Chet Bauermeister. Macy and Jenna. 5 Days apart in age. I see more fun memories for these 2 in the coming years. The plans to go boating were thrown out the door t...