First Day of Preschool

To be honest when people would be so excited about their little one's first day of preschool, I would think, "It's just preschool."  I didn't get it.  I had never had any of my children in preschool before and I didn't think it was that big of a deal. I guess I was wrong.  It was a big deal for Gage and me (and even Mallory). Although Gage made the cut off for kindergarten this year, he is staying home because he just needs (and I want) one more year.  After Trevor and Boston started school, I soon realized that he would really do well somewhere besides just at home. I have a really good friend who called up the preschool where her daughter goes and asked if there was an opening and thankfully, there was. Gage was soon signed up for three days a week at preschool. He had his first day on Tuesday and with only a short bout of crying, he got through the day with much success!

Our Family Retreat

We signed up to go on a weekend family retreat at The Center for Courageous Kids. It's this amazing camp for kids with illnesses that is supported completely by donations and sponsors. We went for a weekend retreat that was for families with juvinille diabetes. It is in Scottsville, KY which is right outside of Bowling Green. The boys kept asking us what it was going to be like. To be honest, I didn't know. I looked at the website and saw lots of fun things like horseback riding, a lake, a bowling alley, etc., but I just didn't know what would be on the schedule for our weekend. It was amazing. The boys and Mallory just loved it and so did Zane and I. It was jam packed and at the same time, so relaxing. There were 30 families there and many counselors. We had counselors helping us and loving on our kids the entire time. We rode horses, canoed, bowled, danced, fished, made so many crafts, cooked and swam. The boys loved the woodshop the best. You could go in and there were rows and rows of precut wood in different shapes. You could use a wood burner, trace shapes, paint it, glitter that baby up or just stick stickers all over it. Mallory made 5 different things while Boston spent all of his free time there. It helped that our family counselor, Ashley, worked in the woodshop so she kept him under her wing. The boys keep asking when we can go back. A year will be a long time to wait, but definitely worth it.

Gage's Racers (again)

At last year's walk

Our family is doing the JDRF Walk that supports finding a cure for juvenile diabetes.  We tend to be low key about Gage's diabetes (for the most part) because we know that he is one strong dude and that life has to go on. But, I know that the money raised for the walk goes directly to finding a cure and we really hope that someday Gage won't have to worry about his blood sugar, have shots, test himself, or just feel tired and sick. So, as a family, we support him by doing the walk (and by not eating candy in front of him!). If you feel like it's your year to help out, you can go here and donate directly to our family team- Gage's Racers.  

Family Reunion in Utah

We didn't know that we were going to Utah until half way in to the summer. The boys had been signed up to go to an All Sports Camp at BYU with their boy cousins back in April, but we weren't sure if we were just going to fly them out or if we would all go. By the first of July we made plans to go out there as a family and realized that all of Zane's brothers and sisters would be there at the same time. So, grandma Betty flew out too and we made it a mini family reunion for that first weekend we were there. Zane's sister did a great job at putting together a schedule for us and the kids. It happened to be the Highland Fling that weekend, so the kids got to go to the parade, eat junk food, and watch fireworks. And, we spent a lot of time in the pool. Half of the group left for home by Sunday and just Kerri and her kids were there with us at Shannon's house for the rest of the week. The boys went to the sports camp and LOVED it. They played soccer on Monday, tennis/gymnastics Tuesday, football Wednesday, baseball Thursday, and basketball Friday. It was a day camp so we would drive them to Provo everyday which gave us a chance to see Devin, hit 7 Peaks, and do all of our church calling shopping while we were there. Also while in Utah we met up with Lacey and her family on Monday as they were coming from Wyoming and on to Idaho to make their new home. I got to get together with my dear friends Kath, Jen, and Emily to celebrate Jen's birthday at Macaroni Grill. But, mostly we hung out with our family, made some great meals, and swam a ton. It was just such a nice trip. We came home Monday night before school started and we are still trying to recover from the 2 hour difference. We'll recover and I won't complain too much.

First Day of School

Trevor's doing the "first day of school" dance!

I feel like I was just writing about the last day of school. So fast, that summer. The boys were excited to go though and that's really all a mom cares about. Trevor got the teacher he dreamed about, Mr. Hudgens, with his two best friends and Boston has the same teacher he had last year whom he loved. So the first day was exciting and comfortable. Trevor came home singing, "I have Mr. Hudgens" over and over again. All was well.

The Celebration

There was a bit of craziness trying to celebrate Gage's birthday on the first day of school.  I think this time of the year might a bit harder than celebrating the ones we have at the holidays.  Even so, we had fun.  I took him to Target to pick out his gift (since we didn't have quite enough time to get him something) and then to lunch at Red Robin with a friend (my friend, not his!).  That night we were ready to celebrate and Gage had fallen asleep on the family room floor and Boston right next to him.  That was quite unusual.  We woke Gage up and had a nice dinner that he had picked out from Coscto (frozen burritos and quesadillas!).   So, it was a bit of a quirky dinner, Gage had super high blood sugar (not a happy camper) and Boston lay asleep on the floor.  But, the highlight was a cake that he helped me make earlier that day full of Swedish Fish.  All day he would say, "I'm not 4," but finally the day after his birthday, he was ready to be 5.  Funny guy. 

He's 5

Today, this one is 5.  I think they are all growing so fast, but don't I (along with everyone else) always say that?  He is a fun kid.  He is so silly and cleaver and feisty.  He makes our world wonderful.  Happy Birthday Gage. 

SD Photos

San Diego

I guess we were waiting all summer (all of 4 weeks) to go to San Diego.  While waiting, Trevor went to Cub Camp, Zane to Scout Camp, and we played with friends.  So, the big trip to southern California has come and gone and we returned late last night.  It was wonderful.  It was great.  It makes me wish that I lived closer to my family.  But, since I don't, I will relish these trips.  I went out with the kids for the first week and then Zane joined us for the second one. My friend Melissa from here in Kentucky and her kids came out also for the first week which was such a treat. It's great to have friends with you so you can take them all around and act like a tourist and see the things I usually don't have time to see. Some of the highlights from our trip:

• Mucho food  from Rubios, El Indio, and In n Out.
• Lots of treats from 7-11 and Beef N Bun, including my favorite peanut butter shake.
• The Beach - I think I am the only one in my family who really LOVES it, but we did make it twice and that made me happy.  Although I nearly lost a child at the beach in Oceanside and let's just say it's not the one I thought that I would lose (whom I did dress in bright yellow and orange that day).
• The pool.  I wish we had one.  I even got to get up early and do laps.  The kids had swim lessons thanks to a great teacher that came to the pool in the evenings.  Pools are awesome.
• Time with cousins - slumber parties, beach parties, swimming holes, and just plain old fun.  Seeing the cousins who came all the way from Spain - muy divertido.
• Watching my mom study and ace all her college Spanish tests and helping her practice her skit!  She just had her last day today and she totally aced that class.  Dad, it's time to have her speak in the Spanish Branch with you!
• Visiting the Spanish Branch with my family.  I learned "Jesus Wants Me For a Sunbeam" in Spanish.  I might have to teach it to our primary.
• Taking the ferry to Coronado and riding bikes around the island with our big group.
• Seeing "Harry Potter" and the Padres play all in the same day.
• Breakfast at Cafe 222 downtown and at Kono's on the pier at Pacific Beach.
• The San Diego Zoo.
• Crepes in the evenings made by my mom.
• Touring the aircraft carrier - The Midway.  Boston was amazed.
• Body surfing at La Jolla with Gage on my back. 

Now, this wasn't a planned family reunion, but it worked out that Brett and his family were there from Spain the same time that we were.  Kory and Erika came down from Long Beach.  Tanya and her family came often from Temecula. Devin flew home for the weekend from BYU. Caitlin lives down the way and we got to see her a lot.  Kasey came the night of the dinner at La Jolla shores.  Jellie and her sweet family were the only ones missing and they are in Hawaii.  It's amazing how you can all be together,  but really feel that someone (or a few someones) was missing.  Jellie, you were MISSED.  We needed you there for your constant smile and to see that Cache kid tool around.  Soon, I hope.  

Right before we left for San Diego, we actually planned another trip to Utah. So, in a week we will head there for the boys to attend All Sports Camp at BYU with their cousins. We will get home right before school starts.  I am already tired, yet excited, thinking about it.  I am getting my photos downloaded and I will post some soon.  But, how will I choose from all 700+ of them?