First Day of School, Ryan's out of town convention, Bear Lake,

Monday August 24, 2015:

Monday, I took the kiddos to Back To School Night, so they could meet their teachers.  Morgan has Mr. Mower (5th grade), Jaxen has Mrs. Mair (4th grade),  Joshua has Mrs Watson (4th grade), Gracie has Mrs. Woodruff (4th grade), and Rachel has Mrs. Williams (3rd grade). It was a long night, since it was just me and the kiddos with five teachers to visit. 

Tuesday August 25, 2015:

Tuesday was the first day of school for the 2015-2016 school year.  The kiddos were excited, but also a little nervous.  I think they were more excited to wear their new clothes and to see their friends again, than about actually going to school.  Here are some photos that we took for the first day.

Gracie, Morgan, Rachel, Jaxen, Joshua

Gracie

Rachel and Jaxen were nervous to wait for school to start, so I stayed with them until the bell rang.

Rachel, Gracie, Jaxen, Joshua, Morgan

August 23-August 28, 2015:

Ryan was out of town for the first week of school.  He had a Safety Convention for work that he attended in Dallas, Texas.  On the plus side, he was able to visit his parents and sisters, Shauna and Kris, and families while he was there.  They were even kind enough to cook for him on his birthday.  He was in heaven with Hamburger Stew, Salad, Corn Bread and Chocolate Cream Cheese Cake for dessert.

Visiting a Salt Mine for work

AT&T Stadium where the Dallas Cowboys Play

Ryan and his mom with his birthday cake

Ryan Celebrating his birthday with his family

Saturday August 29, 2015:

On Saturday, Ryan took the kiddos to Bear Lake with his brother Jay and family.  They had a great time. They played in the water, played in the sand, tried to paddle board etc. etc. etc.  Gracie said it reminded her of going to the beach when we lived in Michigan.  

Home base at the beach

 Playing in the water and sand

 Attempting Paddle Boarding

 Gracie and Ryan

 More Beach Play

 Group Shot:

Since Ryan was gone all week, he gave me the opportunity to miss my family, and to stay behind to get some things done while the kiddos were gone.  I was able to run 5 miles, finish mowing the lawn, change and wash all the bedding, De-clutter and organize the kiddos rooms, put away the new school clothes, take 6 bags of outgrown and old clothing to DI, take Dafunny for a walk, and attend the Adult Session of Stake Conference at our church.  It was a great weekend.

End of Summer Activities

Sunday August 16th, 2015:

With five kids, any sickness usually makes it's rounds through our house no matter how much I scrub and clean.  Rachel and Morgan have both had Hand, Foot and Mouth, so naturally this virus claimed it's third victim.  Jaxen came down with it on  Sunday.  He and his dad got to stay home and sleep while the rest of us attended our Church meetings.  We had Ryan's nephew Geoff with us, which helped keep the kiddos quiet and entertained.  Fun story: Ryan forgot he agreed to say the opening prayer in Sacrament and hadn't told me, so I was blessed that day to do it instead.  Surprise.  

The following day, I threw all blankets in the washer/dryer again.  Each of my kiddos has a favorite blanket that they drag around, sleep and watch t.v. with.  They have had them since they were babies, and they are the first items to get scrubbed, cleaned and sterilized when there is any sickness.  Here is a picture of Rachel trying to see her blanket in the washer once she realized I had confiscated them all for cleaning.

Wednesday August 19, 2015:

This week has been a pretty slow and low key week.  We are all summered out and ready for the routine of school, and to have a little bit more space from each other.  Even Dafunny enjoyed her quiet drive to the groomers, and her time away from loving hugs and kisses that last all day.  Here she is sitting quietly and patiently in the passenger seat (She is usually running all over the car trying to get away from the kiddos.).

Here is Dafunny waiting for me to finish folding laundry, so we can go for a walk.

Friday, August 20, 2015:

On Friday, our fourth victim was claimed by Hand, Foot, and Mouth.  Gracie got to hang out at home to sleep and watch t.v.  We started our fourth round of cleaning.  At this point, I'm not sure it made much difference, but who knows.

Ryan took some of the kiddos to Highland to see their cousin Tyler play football, and Mekena cheering at the game.  They had a great time, and were sooooo excited to see them in action.  They love Tyler and Mekena and really look up to them.  

Mekena and Rachel

Aunt Annette, Tyler, Jaxen, Rachel and Joshua

Saturday August  21, 2015:

On Saturday, Morgan had her softball team over for an end of season pool party to celebrate placing 2nd.  We had a pretty good turnout considering it is also the last weekend before school starts, so most people are school shopping or getting in one last vacation.  She had a great time with her friends and Ryan and I had a nice visit with the adults.

Kids swimming and lounging around

Erin and Morgan trying to feed Dafunny (who also joined us for s host while).

Pool Fun!!

Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday:

The Cubs minor league team from Iowa was in town this week to play the Salt Lake Bees.   Ryan was like a child in a candy store.  He took three of the kiddos on Wednesday,  he and I went for date night on Thursday, and the whole family went on Saturday.  He/We met his brothers, Zach and Rob, and their wives on all three days as well.  We all had a great time.  The minor league ball parks and teams are usually family friendly and have a lot to keep old and young entertained.  It brings back many memories of going to see the White Caps when we lived in Michigan. (Again, I will post pictures when I get Ryan's photos downloaded).