Scarlett 1st Grade!

And just like that she is off to first grade. She is so excited to eat lunch at school and see all her friends. For the time being she is going to her old school Pinecrest until we figure things out. So she may have a couple "first" days of school. But she is a trooper and will do awesome! I loved that she laid out her outfit and even put her socks in her shoes last night. That's Scarlett, always prepared. I could tell she was nervous about the first day because she would touch her breakfast (which never happens). Scarlett is such a curious little girl and I love that she see beauty wherever she goes. This girl is SO observant and is always looking for treasures. If its small, shiny, and colorful Scarlett will find it and hold it close! She loves eggs, cereal, looking at picture books, playing with her cousins, crafting/art, and exploring our crazy backyard. I just love that she is mine!

UPDATE: Let's start about a month ago. When Scarlett did not get into Smalley we

started to think of other plans. Where do we put her until she can get in? We decided to try and get her into the Pinecrest by our house. It was still a drive but was the best option. Since she already goes to a Pinecrest location (by our old house) she was put on the top of the list for a transfer. They promised she would be in by the time school started. Well, she wasn't and I was so frustrated. They said that the first week kids move around a lot and they were sure a spot would open up. I would get email when she was in and then to call their office. Those
first couple days of school were horrible. We loved her teacher at the old Pinecrest but the drive was killing us. We left at 7:10 (I took her and had to wake up all the kids) and got home around 8:30 because of construction and traffic. It took another hour and half to pick her up and I had to wake Jack again from his nap. Ugh!!

I was checking my email franticly all week seeing if she made it into the closer Pinecrest! I just couldn't wait to have it closer! Then on Thursday I am down stairs and it's quiet!! What?! That never happens. Jack and Alice were playing with Legos upstairs. I get a very strong prompting to call Smalley. I push it aside and then it comes again. I call and they answer quick and I don't even know what to say. It takes a second and I finally ask if they have any openings for first grade. She goes to talk to the principle and comes back with a great answer!! They have a spot!! I just start bawling and shove my kids in the car to register her. Of course I left my phone at home so when I get back I have a notice saying I have an email. It's from Pinecrest saying she got in. It came just minutes after I made the phone call. I know (because I know myself) that I would have never called Smalley that day if I had read that email first!! I would have been so over joyed with her going to school closer that I would have put off calling smalley for a month or so. By then the spot would have been filled and I may not have gotten in. She started on Friday and bikes to school with her cousins. It's a dream come true! I was praying and praying that something would work out! A simple but very meaningful miracle that I know the Lord blessed us with.

Summer of Swimming

Here I am the night before school starts all teary because summer is over. It always goes by so fast and it breaks my heart. But still there is a part of me excited to get back to a schedule and have a small break from 24/7 kids. Also, Scarlett is so excited to start 1st grade and eat int eh big kid lunch room. She will be so missed while at school!

This summer has been an adventure for sure! We only had two short weekend vacations, one to Park City in June and the cabin July. So we spent a lot, A LOT of time at home. We love playing in back yard, visiting Emily down the street, and putting our new house together. When we need a break we go swimming of course. And we went swimming almost everyday, either at Life Time Fitness or at grandmas. We all LOVE swimming and sunning in the afternoon. Alice and Scarlett have become amazing little swimmers and learned new strokes. Alice even passed her swimming test at the gym (she swam 25 meters without stopping or holding on the edge). That means that both she and Scarlett can go down the slide by themselves and swim in the pool without me. Which means I can put Jack in the daycare, send the girls swimming, and I can sit on the side on the pool reading my magazine...heaven! Besides swimming we have been going to the library every week for story/art time. Jack runs wild but the girls loved it. Both girls did the library reading challenge and finished it with flying colors. One of the most memorable part of summer was listening to Charlottes Web while we drove around doing our errands. It took a couple weeks but we listened to the book and loved it. It was so enjoyable to hear Scarlett and Alice talk about the book and characters. Overall, we have had a great summer filled with memories and tons of fun!! Summer is and always will be my favorite time of year. I love the warm summer nights, freedom, spontaneous adventures, and spending tons of time with cousins. Already looking forward to summer again!!

Clara and Skyler's wedding

We have been planning this wedding ALL summer and my girls have been counting down the days. It has been a much anticipated event. Of course the day turned out perfect and the reception was beyond gorgeous. Here are a couple of my favorite things from the weekend

1. Being in the bride room in the temple getting Clarah in her wedding dress with ALL my sisters.  We helped her button the back of her dress, fix her hair, and put her shoes on. After we stood around her and all looked in the mirror. It was a surreal moment to have all of us together in the temple. It took many, many years of hard work to get us all there together. It was worth it. Following the Saviors plan is always worth it!

2. Going through the temple with Caity and Clarah together. Brady and Cherise were not in town yet but everyone else was able to make it. We gathered in the celestial room after and had a wonderful family hug. I dream of the day I can have all my children with me in the temple, worth and clean!

3. Seeing Alice and Scarlett get so excited to see Clarah come out of the temple. She looked beautiful and just like a princess.

4. Chatting with old friends at the reception and eating the super yummy homemade ice cream sandwiches. The reception had tons of flowers and it was so beautiful. A perfect summer wedding.

5. It was HOT. Super HOT! After Clarah and Skyler left we all jumped in the pool with our wedding attire on. It was so memorable. I always wished I would have jumped in the pool with my wedding dress on after my reception but my mom wouldn't let me. So when I saw the pool looking perfect I just had to jump in. Then everyone else followed. Even Scarlett jumped in with me.

6. Of course I loved having all my family together! Brady and Cherise drove into town with there kids and stayed at Emilys. Since we know live so close we were able to eat breakfast with them on Sunday and wave goodbye as they drove back to Dallas. I always miss them when they go and wished they lived closer. Nate and Brynne drove from Reno and were able to stay the whole week. Nate just had his white coat ceremony and started med school yesterday. So proud of him! 

The best part is that we get to have another bit wedding party in just a couple weeks. The wedding extravaganza continues!

After Caity and Clarah took out their endowments. Such an amazing experience. 

in-law pic

I got the party started and jumped right in!