Third Grade

Today was the day!

My baby started the 3rd Grade.  He was pumped!  He could not wait to go back to school...and in the brand new building!  He has Mr. Manger this year and he is so excited to be with all his buddies again.  I can't believe he is so big!  I was quite teary-eyed this morning when I dropped him off.  When I picked him up, he was so happy and told me all about his day!  I love my Brody Bear...

Labor Day at the Ranch

 Monday was Labor Day!

We wanted to go to the beach, but were scared of the crowds.  So we decided to head to the Ranch and enjoy the pool instead!  We had Trini and Mia with us and we had so much fun...

 Check out Cali's suit!  I built it!  Out of two of my old one-pieces...

Trini the Greenie!

After 4 fun-filled hours of pool time, we headed home, got comfy and BBQ'd some kabobs for dinner.  We had a nice relaxing night together and watched "School of Rock"! 

Sunday with Trini & the Fam

Trini's here!!!

August had 5 Sundays.  Which means I was in charge of finding an RM for Missionary Sunday.  I wanted Trini!  So, I flew her down for an extended weekend.  She got in Saturday night and Cass picked her up because we were at the concert, and dropped her off at our house.  Sunday morning, I made us chocolate chip pancakes and then we all headed to church together.  Jeremy, Cali and I all spoke in Sacrament Meeting.  That was fun!  Then Trini gave an awesome presentation to our Youth.  We came home and hung out, took naps and made dinner.  My parents, Mark and Tracy and Cass, Marsh and the Graham Baby all came for a fun dinner party!

After everyone got their Bauer fix, I drove Trini down to the beach for the sunset...

We took a nice walk along the beach and I enjoyed talking to her.  She is one special girl!  I'm so glad I get to have a special relationship with her.  I am so blessed and my heart is full!

Jack Johnson with the Big Kids

 For Jeremy's birthday, we got him 4 tickets to see Jack Johnson.  The concert finally came on Saturday night!  We decided to take Cali and Gav with us.  And after dinner at Surf Brothers and Rock n Jenny's we made it to Rimac Field at UCSD.

It was fun hanging out with our kiddos...

 And we got concert t's- (although Jeremy didn't really like his...oh well...)

The show was amazing!  So much fun!  AND we got to see Daddy eat someone else's pretzel off the ground...AWESOME!  (not!)  We made some fun memories!

Just thinking...

This is another one of those personal posts...

Today was hard.  Actually, its been a rough week getting used to the new school/work schedule.  I'm feeling pretty worn-out.  Today was also awesome.  It was one of those days, where I was feeling overwhelmed and useless.  But then, my kids got home and that all changed.  They were happy.  I got to have nice little chats with each one about their day and other stuff going on in their lives.  I even had a nice talk with my teenager.  He's so amazing.  I'm so busy and do so much.  I'm constantly running here and there...but its for them.  They make it all worth it.  So, I learned today, that you can have a hard, hurtful, stressful, overwhelming, happy, eye-opening, memorable, sweet, fun and loving day...all at once!

Goodbye Hats

Luke loves his hats.  He has worn them everyday for the past 4-5 years.  He has even slept with them under his pillow, to make sure he doesn't forget to wear them.  The only day of the week that he doesn't wear them is Sunday.  Well, has decided that he will no longer wear hats in Middle School.  

And he wanted to have a retirement ceremony for the hats.  I jokingly suggested we have a ceremonial burn.  He seriously loved the idea.  So, Sunday night, after his and Gav's Father's Blessings...we had the ceremony.  He took it very seriously.  He made sure we all gathered around the fireplace, while he lit the fire and watched them burn.

Bye Hats....they were good hats...

Papa's Birthday at the Beach

 Monday we headed out to the beach for our traditional FHE after the kids got done with school.  We met up with our crew and got to celebrate my dad's birthday!

 He turns 63 today.  He is the best!

 We enjoyed the food, the company and the sunset...

 Mom brought his gift from Gavin and Shawna...

 And we got him a new shirt...

He loved it!  Doesn't he look cute in it?  I love my Daddy so much.  I am so lucky to be his daughter and so grateful he is my kids' Papa!  Happy Birthday Daddy!