New School Year!

I can't believe school has started.  Where did the summer go?  It always passes so quickly.  But as I write this (it's now October!) the days are still warm, which makes me very happy!

I might have mentioned this earlier, but this summer was crazy.  Stressful. Busy.  And crazy.  We did have some fun summer moments, but boy was it quite the summer!  We snuck in a few fun things before school started.  Like an afternoon at the pool with friends. Not very many people were there which made it extra nice!




One evening we did a quick trip to the fair.  I can't remember where Cal and Clark were...scouts?




Lee bought a new phone and the kids love the photo effects. The cutest little reindeer at the fair!




My kids never tire of Legos or Duplos.


We enjoyed seeing the partial eclipse at Lee's office.  Our new friends, Sara and her kids, joined us.




Lois and kids and my parents came down as well. This was the official last day of summer vacation.


After another pool visit we eventually made it home.  Our family home evening lesson that night was about letting out light shine this year at school...a repeat from last year.  As the world grows darker and darker, our lights will shine brighter and brighter.  We need to have courage and choose the right, share the gospel of Jesus Christ, be kind and serve others.


Just like that the dreaded morning came....though it went quite well.  Clark started high school!  I have to tell you, this was quite the smooth transition.  I thought it might be sad or crazy for me and Clark, but it went well.  He was ready to move on.  This summer he started football and marching band.  It was too stressful for me!  Clark talked to his football coach who told him he should pick one activity to be in.  Marching band won out and I am a happy mom.  I don't like my kids being involved in tons of stuff! Clark missed meet the teacher and his freshman orientation, but we visited the high school so he could see where all of his classrooms were located.  Plus he had been at the school a few times during the summer because of football and marching band.  I think that helped the transition as well.


Cal is the lone child at the middle school!  7th!


Shanna is in her last year at the elementary school.  5th!


And what do you know, Haley is in her last year at the elementary school as well.  5th!


Elden will be the lone guy at school for two years starting next year.  But for now he gets to enjoy 3rd grade! 


Which in all the grades...I think 3rd is the worst thus far!  It's been the biggest adjustment for my kids.  Mainly the girls and Elden.  Or maybe it's just me.  The big thing is the homework.  I think there is too much. Funny enough all the 3rd grade teachers have no kids, or little kids so don't know what it's like to have older kids and lots of homework.  I talked to Elden's teachers about it but thus far their solution is to just do it at different times.  I'd be happy if more was taken off their plate. I guess that is what I really don't like about summer ending....now we have more activities to be to and homework and projects!

I took Reed, Rhett and Blake with us to drop off the kids at school.  The cousins didn't have school for two more weeks!  






While the kids were at school Lois and I played!  We had breakfast with friends, enjoyed a trip to the park with a friend, then Lois' boys went swimming.

The kids had a good first day though!


I think these are so funny....




This is definitely a filter Haley would like!


With school starting cub scouts started back up.  Their pack meeting was a fun night of games and treats.


I started back with copying!  I need to get to the school earlier on copy days as there is always a lot waiting for me!




I thought this was so cute. And I think it's awesome that Cal didn't know what the NFL, NBA and such are, haha. But he knows about Lamborghinis!  #properparenting


Since Clark is in marching band we've gone to all of his home game performances at half-time. The first game we stayed the whole time and brought everyone.  I volunteered to bring cupcakes and work at stand selling cupcakes for the first game.  Shanna, Elden, Cal and Haley enjoyed helping me decorate them.




Clark coming in! 




Such a pretty night for a game, and what an awesome view!


Shanna and Elden made a candy thief movie one day in late August.


I also started teaching a merit badge and the kids enjoyed playing outside during that.


One August day was 60!  Pretty crazy!  Hot chocolate and cookies were in order for a snack!


One of the few times I've put in over 28 gallons in the Chevy.  It was incredibly low.


Oh, and let's not forget seminary! Clark started seminary!  Our ten years of early morning have started!  Clark's class starts at 6am, but they eat breakfast at their teachers house every morning.  Yes, every morning.  She is awesome!  It's my friend Tara Bell that teaches them.  Lee and I take turns driving.  Mostly he drives, but I've gone a few times.  Clark usually shows up around 5:40 to eat.  We are still able to come home and have family scripture reading and family prayer before he and Cal head out the door.  It works great! It definitely threw off our gas budget though.  I've readjusted for that now.


Tara does so many fun things with the students.  One of them is cute handouts!!!  Most every Friday they have game day and are quizzed on gospel doctrinal mastery.  They can earn "Mormon Bucks" which they will get to spend a couple times a year.


And my friend and her family bought a rental property.  She showed me this book which I want to buy and read!  Rental properties are still a few years in the future for us, but we would love to have a handful! Now....to just save for our next house--that alone will be an accomplishment.  We are almost done saving for Clark's future braces and need to finish Hawaii savings.  Then we'll start on the house, ha ha. Happy school everyone!