My Big Kid

I can't believe that I've sent my boy off to kindergarten. Seriously, he just can't be that old already. He was so completely ready for it I just couldn't hold him and his big ol' brain back. He was super excited and didn't really have any worries at all about it. He told me he'd miss me while he was at school, but that was ok because he'd only miss me a little while then he'd come home. I, on the other hand, almost cried as he walked into class...and I'm not a crier. It was a big mommy moment.

Everyone was excited getting in the car that morning.




The next week and a half the mornings didn't go as smoothly. They kids had a hard time realizing he had to be there ON TIME and couldn't drag their feet all morning. Now they're totally use to it and get out the door pretty well.

Nathan came that morning to see his first born off into the big bad world.


Look, we have matching dorky faces.


Jared was giddy. Madie wasn't quite sure what to think. Abby was enjoying the ride. She always enjoys the ride.


See, excited!


And this is his friend from church. They're not in the same school class, but they play at recess together and LOVE to see each other.


And then the first bell rang and the kids lined up. Then the second bell rang, the teacher opened the door and told the kids to say goodbye to their grownups.

Kids cried.

Mine did not.

He waved, said goodbye, turned to follow the line into the class and didn't even look back. Not a single glance.

Then I almost cried.

Then it was over. He's officially in school and LOVING it!

Real Food

Abby turned six months and it was time to start her on some solid food. Funny thing is, she's our chunkiest baby, but didn't really have any interest in food. She didn't act like she hated it, but she wouldn't really eat it either. We started with rice cereal, tried fruit a few days later, but when she didn't want either, we went for pudding. And pudding she liked. A lot. A lot, a lot. So after she figured out that food can be yummy she'd eat a bit of the "real" baby food for us.

Waiting for her first bite.
This is the first high chair we've ever owned. We've never had room before so we used the boosters you strap onto your kitchen chairs. The high chair wins my vote. Deciding factor: wheels

Hmmm, what's this?

Sure, I'll try some.



Mom, what are you trying to do to me?


I'm now making our own baby food. Way easier than I thought it would be and she likes it. Can't say I blame her for not being all that into the jarred stuff. It's gross.

Street Food

The kids and I took my mom to the Brentwood farmer's market. And dang, it was hot! We all wore jeans and the kids put on winter hats. I know. We're weird.



My kids can't walk by a fountain without stopping to play in it. Jared was excited.

That hat gives him elf ears. Funny.

Madie was a bit enthused herself.


Abby was pretty neutral.


Then as we were leaving we passed by this completely awesome door! The light was all funky on it, but I'm tempted to dress the kids all cute and go back at a better time of day.




A time of day when more of my pictures will look like this.


And this is what most shots of my kids look like.


So if you wake up Saturday morning wondering what to do with your day, stop by the farmer's market.

Independance Day

I love the Forth of July! It's one of my favorite holidays! And we've started a tradition of inviting friends and family out for a pancake breakfast. We've been going to Contra Loma, a big reservoir with a giant pool and trails, but I'm thinking next year we might as well just go to a regular old community park where we don't have to pay to park.


Although sitting under a big mature shade tree sure is nice.

Kim is so on top of things. She actually thought ahead and dressed her family in patriotic colors.


I should have known someone would be taking pictures of me and gotten up early to do my hair that morning. Oh well.


We wouldn't let the kids play in the lake, so they cooled off in the water fountain instead. Look at that wet hair.


Our friends cute little girl. I took pics of the other kids too, but I caught them all with crazy looking faces, so I'll spare you.


Except my kids of course. You know I'll force you to look at their pics because I think they're adorable, even when they're crazy.


He's sopping.


Kerri getting her baby fix.


I always take blurry pictures of my mom. I don't know how it always happens. It's like she's got some kind of magic camera manipulating powers.


And Dad didn't have to work. Yay!


And being that my kids are huge arts and crafts lovers, we did a patriotic craft. I watered down paint and put drops on their paper that they then blew with a straw. It made fireworks. Then creative Jared decided to turn his into a flag. He asked for tape and did it all on his own.




That night we lit off fireworks in my parents court and had a good ol' time. (But I forgot my camera) And rice krispy treats. We ate a lot of them. Over all, a very good day.

Nathan, at last

I didn't take many pictures camping and exploring Bryce Canyon, but here they are.



There was an ATV trail near by and if you went out at sunset you got to see lots of stuff like this.


And this.


We hiked a short part of one trail in the canyon. Walking from the parking lots this sign made me think, hmmmmm.


And the trail was STEEP! This is us at the top.


The view. Pretty.


And on a side note, we drove through this on the way there. What kid wouldn't get a kick out of that!?!


Then we went home. The end.

Actually, thanks, Kim and Susie, for a great trip. We had a blast!

The end, for real.

Our Trip, Day 3

On this day we visited Temple Square in Salt Lake City. My poor kids were so worn out from the day before and I still dragged them out to see it. I hadn't been there since I was a kid and really wanted to check it out.

Here is Jared all ready to go.


And this pic pretty much sums up the whole day. Jared in a pretty good mood, Madie on the verge of tears.




We didn't get to go in the tabernacle because they were doing rehearsals, but we did go into another beautiful building with a giant pipe organ and awesome details. Here's the ceiling.


Madie and I went and sat by ourselves for a bit to try and cheer her up.




Jared was such a good sport.


And Abby is happy 98% of the time.


We sat down on a flower bed retaining wall to feed the baby and this is what I saw when I looked up. Pretty.


Of course we checked out the visitors center. The kids weren't too interested, but I liked it.


And then we went to check out the temple. There was construction and we had to walk around to the far side of it to get close. The kids were tired and Madie had to ride on my back most of the way, but I'm glad they hung in there so I could see it.


These steps were crazy steep and the doors were GIANT!


It was really nice seeing the temple, then Grandma Susie took us out for a yummy lunch!


The next day we spent getting ready for our camping trip family reunion and picking up Nathan from the airport. Pictures of that to come.