Didn't I just get married??????

Sam started Kindergarten a couple of weeks ago and I swore to myself that I would blog this day so that I would ALWAYS remember it! I just can't believe she is old enough to be in school! All day Kindergarten too!!

Samantha was so excited, she had been counting down for weeks! She woke up at 6am and said "Mom the sun is up, lets go!"


She asked for German Pancakes for breakfast (her favorite) and we put on her first ever school uniform! I thought that I would hate uniforms but I actually love them! There are never tears over what to wear, Everyone is modest at school and she can wear the same stuff over and over and over again and I don't feel bad!

As we were walking towards the classroom Sam was so excited and then asked "mom, how long do I go to school?" I told her that she goes Mon-Fri just like Dad and his work. And then we have Sat and Sundays off! She stopped and looked up at me and asked "Well how long do I have to do that?" I laughed and just said "For the REST OF YOUR LIFE" or at least it feels like it! :) The funny thing was that she was so excited for school that she loved that answer!

It is amazing how the children just sit right down and just get to work! We walked in, gave hugs, and this was her 2 seconds later!

I think Nick had the hardest time out of all of us with the first day! Sam was excited, I was filled with anxiety hoping she would be fine, and Nick was just sad to see his baby grow up! I am so proud of her and she is doing GREAT! When she came home that first day I asked her what her favorite part of the day was and she said, "Mom, EVERYONE was just so nice to me. There was not one mean person at school and now I have so many friends." I laughed and asked her what their names were and she replied with "I can't know every single persons name mom, we just call each other Friend!" Can't you just imagine all these little 5 yr olds running around yelling "hey friend come play, or friend come sit by me at lunch!" Gotta love it!

We love our Sam so much and miss her like crazy, but I am so excited for her and her new 'friends' and for these new experiences that are so good for her!

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A couple of pictures of DAY 2!

Sam eating lunch with her friend Annika. We do know her name! :)

I would normally say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas but... NOT IN THE BLOGGING WORLD BABY! :)

So it is summer time and we are dying. No I am not exagerating not even one tiny bit! So we decided to go on a little road trip to get out of this crazy heat! The kids and I headed up to Mesquite, Nevada to do a little gambling! Right... Anyway my family has a time share there so we met them and were able to enjoy a little Rest and Relaxation!!Pax climbing up the rocks thinking that it leads to somewhere cool. Sorry buddy, it just ends! I love how he is holding on for dear life though!

We spent a couple days there and then made the rest of the trip up to Centerville! Oh... did I mention that I DROVE BY MYSELF WITH MY THREE KIDS? I too am proud of myself. :)

Once we got to Utah it was GO GO GO!

A little ZOO trip with Aunt Brooke, Jaxson, baby Macee and grandma Flannery. Utah's zoo is a lot better since the last time I was there. It was really neat!




We did Zoo's and fireworks, parades and concerts, new restaraunts and riding horses, and the list goes on. This is how I felt the whole entire time!

But boy was it worth it!!! There is just something special about being home for the 4th!



The best part of the trip for my kids??
COUSIN TIME!!!

There were swiming parties
I LOVE the boys in this picture. Gabe is just looking at Coop like "Yep, he's my best bud" and Cooper is loving it. So cute.

We had picnics and ice cream runs. (Go Yogurt Stop, my favorite)

Good old Papa took the cousins on a four wheeler ride. Look at his face and ask yourself the question "Will he ever take them again"? What a good Papa.

On the night of the 4th, we went over to Green's ranch in W. Bntfl and it was so fun. Dutch oven cooking, horse riding, smores. After that we did fireworks at papa Craig's and grandma Kris's. A perfect way to end the trip.

And actually it worked out perfect because Brooke blessed her baby that next day so we were able to attend. So that was the perfect way to end. Nick had flown up to Utah on Wed so he was there the last part of the week!

We took off after the blessing and made it as far as Vegas before we took a break! It turned into a 3 day break and it was great!

We walked up and down the strip every night and saw the shows. So fun!
Pax was having the time of his life! A little Daddy/Pax Picture...A little Mommy/Pax picture! Can't EVER get enough pics of Pax in my opinion!! We did M&M factories, and more swimming! I was a first time Vegas visitor so my hubby had a lot to show me!

Anyway it was a blast and I am soooo grateful for everyone who let us sleep at their houses, who fed us, and just took care of us! We LOVE our Utah family!!! (but we sure miss our Cali family!!)