Back to School

Today was the first day of school and while I'm sad to see our fun summer end I was definitely ready for a quiet house again. Everyone came home happy, even little Mallory who faced the big scary high school.

 Mallory: freshman, Kenzie: junior

 Every year I end up with a goofy picture of the boys...that's just who they are. This morning the sun was too bright so this is what I ended up with. Also, notice Dallin in his socks. That's because he left his new tennis shoes (the only pair we could find) in the car Mark took to work. So instead of sending the boys off on the bus we had to race to the clinic to get the shoes out and then get to school just in time. What a way to start the year!

Brady: 3rd grade, Dallin: 5th grade

Summer Decor

Most of the colors in my house are reds, browns, gold and olive green. I'd been wanting to freshen it and update it for awhile now. I decided to use some brighter colors for spring and summer and then bring back the warmer colors in the fall. Here's a few things I've done (for my sisters who don't get to visit often enough).

These are hydrangeas from our front yard. I love these flowers, they start out white, turn a soft green and then more of a pinky mauve towards fall.

Here's our entryway ledge that's a fun place to decorate for the season or holiday.

I found this cute little canvas sign at Michael's for only $1 in my favorite color. Love it.

These dried flower/ball things were only $1 each at Michael's too!

Here's the fabric I changed the curtains in the kitchen out with (after approval from friends and sisters via cell phone picture in the middle of the fabric store). This is such an easy way to make curtains, I didn't even sew these and they'll be easy to switch out with the old ones next month.

I'm really enjoying using more greens, yellows and white to brighten everything and bring the outdoors in. Gives it a whole new look (although I can't wait for fall to come with its gorgeous colors).

Brady, my baby

Now I know that this boy just turned 8, was baptized and will be starting 3rd grade in just a few weeks, but he is and will forever be my baby. Case in point: this picture taken from my bedroom floor at 9:45 this morning (how are my kids ever going to start getting up early for school?!?). If Brady has a nightmare or thinks he sees a spider downstairs he quickly comes running up to our room, no matter the hour. I lay out some blankets on the floor and he instantly falls back asleep (while I usually can't go back to sleep for a good long while...grrrr.) He will always bring his bear blankie up with him because he can't sleep without it. Some of my sisters were talking about taking blankets away from their 3 year olds and I'm thinking I missed the boat on that one. Do you think there will be room in Brady's mission suitcase for a well-loved bear blankie? Also notice the footie pajamas that still look so cute on him. He decided to wear them last night so he wouldn't scratch the 10 or 12 mosquito bites on his legs.

Yes, he's definitely the baby of the family and for sure is the most spoiled. This kid can get me to buy him a lego set almost every time we go to Target just so I don't have to hear him cry and throw a tantrum. After four kids you'll do anything just to keep the peace. Whether or not this translates to getting a sports car when he's sixteen remains to be seen.

Good Riddance

 

You may recall just how much I despise the calcium plant directly behind my house. This picture from last summer shows it in all it's decrepit glory. Three years ago when we first came up to see our house being built I almost cried when I saw this ugly building framed by my big living room windows. We had changed building lots while we were still living in Phoenix and I didn't realize what sat behind us until it was too late.

Well look at the view now:

One of the happiest days this summer was when a big tractor came to dig up the field behind us to plant corn. Yay! No more ugly dry weeds and sagebrush! Then, piece by piece they dismantled the calcium plant and the structures around it until it's mostly gone.

Now when I look out all I can see is a gorgeous sea of green as the corn grows higher and higher. Although I don't know what the future plans are for this land I'm sure going to appreciate the beauty while it lasts!

Brady's Baptism

This weekend was a great celebration for Brady's baptism. Crazy to think that all of my kids have reached this stage now. We had a house full of visitors for the big day.

Utah Trip

So much for the lazy days of summer! I feel like this is the first day I've had in weeks where I've had time to finally sit down and catch up on my blog. We have just been go, go, going! First up was a trip to Utah. We like to visit my mom's hometown of Beaver, UT for the 24th of July. Most of my cousins gather there and it's fun catching up with everyone. The parade is always a highlight:

brother Trevor, Mark and brother-in-law Matt

 sister Lindsay and youngest brother Jordan (who's going to be a senior this year!)

 cute girls

 

cute boys

 Uncle Pat and Aunt Kathy in the parade

 Me, big sis Melissa, Lindsay and Mom

 The parade always ends with the fire truck spraying (or rather soaking!) all the kids. Dallin and nephew Nathan were the brave ones this year.

We finished out the weekend with waterskiing, a family BBQ and fireworks, church, a  beautiful drive in the mountains and playing games with cousins. I always love being in Beaver, my second hometown.

Monday morning we headed to Provo for McKenzie to go to EFY at BYU. Mark had to get to back to work Tuesday night but I stayed in Salt Lake with the kids for the week. We had a great time visiting friends and family. Highlights included shopping at the Park City outlets, meeting up with Phoenix friends at Raging Waters, swimming in the Rasmussens' new pool and going to the Parade of Homes with the Robertsons. The kids loved the "UP" house in Herriman.