Our Forever Family

Alyssa is so EXCITED to finally have her turn to go to school.  She was so worried before that she didn’t know how to do homework.  I reassured her that her teacher would send home stuff to work on.  Her teacher is Mrs. Porter.  Jason had her last year. Alyssa’s friend Taylor.  They are in the same class together! When the bell rang I told her to go in to class.  She started to run that direction then quickly turned around with a panic look on her face and said “I don’t know what to do in class!”  She was happy with my answer that the teacher would tell her what to do.  After school she said she made 2 new friends and was super duper happy when she got home, and hungry!  She will do great in school.  I am not worried about her a bit! Cambria, Taylor, Alyssa, Beth We got a carpool this year!!  We even had to split it up!  There are 8 kids in our neighborhood in AM Kindergarten.  We split up the boys and the girls.  On our week to drive we have one day a week where they go home w

Jason’s birthday finally came!  Seems he starts the countdown after school ends every year.  He had a great birthday.  I took donuts to his class at the end of school.  He loved that!  This was Jason’s first year to have a friend’s birthday party.  Mostly because of the fact that he didn’t have many friends in West Jordan.  He was the only boy in his Primary class and he had just started school there and was making new friends in class when we moved.  When we were making the list of boys to invite to his party last week he ended up with a list of 12!  He was beaming and said “I have so many friends mom!”  Only 2 of those 12 live outside of our neighborhood. We decided to do a water theme.  The kids had slip n’ slide races and water balloon fights.  We ate pizza and had cake and ice cream.  They also had fun playing with all of the presents everyone brought.  After the party David took Jason and Cameron to the Springville High School Football game.  I am sure they are loving it!

The first day of school was heavenly!  I love love LOVE my children!  BUT…when I can accomplish a task without being interrupted every 10 minutes it makes me feel like I am not a scattered brain mom and can actually get a few things done during the day. A few new things I am trying this school year.  First they make their OWN BREAKFAST.  I have always made their breakfast.  I have frozen some things or they can choose cereal or toast or instant oatmeal.  Next they make their OWN LUNCHES.  I decided to do this while talking to my SIL, Heather.  Her kids do both of these by themselves.  I thought it was a great idea.  My kids actually liked the idea and were excited to make their own stuff.  It has been more chaotic than if I was doing it but I think it will get better. Jason- 1st Grade.  Teachers: Mrs. Shaffer/Ms. Chen (Chinese Teacher).  Loves that he gets THREE RECESSES!!  And was so excited to eat Pepperoni Pizza for school lunch on the first day.  “It was SOOO GOOD!” he said. Me

After the Lee Family Reunion was over we drove to the McGary Family Reunion.  We decided to do a small, organized reunion at my parents house.  We camped in tents outside in the yard.  It worked out great to stay there.  The kids rode horses, 4-wheelers, shot bow and arrows, jumped in the bounce house, LOVED the water slide, outdoor movie night, tubing at Scootney, the dads and older boys went paintballing, rocket launchers, new tree house was built, Minute to Win It Games, and visiting and playing with their cousins.  Once again my kids are so lucky to have so many cousins their ages to play with!  My dad  converted his shop into our eating place.  It was named “The Mess Hall”.  He even got an air conditioner going in there so it was nice and cool.  These Reunions were the perfect way to end the summer!  We were exhausted but filled with memories when we got home.  Families are the BEST!!

Mt. Rainer We went to the visitor center and then hiked in to Grove of the Patriarchs where we saw 1000 year old trees!  They were amazing!  And the hike was beautiful! Once we got in we got out our sack lunches!  The kids had a blast!!   Our last night we had a testimony meeting around a bond fire.  I was proud to see both Melanie and Cameron get up.  It was Cameron’s first time ever to share his testimony.  I know he felt something special during this family reunion.  Saying good-bye was hard for the cousins!  There were so many great memories made and friendships with cousins were strengthened.  There will be many teenagers at the next Family Reunion!