The past week...........

Reina moved up in the world of car seats! She just hit 20 lbs, and will be one in less than a month. She is loving this new change. Every time we load her up she points to the dvd player on the ceiling, and yells, as if she is telling us to turn it on. Funny how quickly they learn huh? This past week she also started walking EVERYWHERE. She was already into everything, and now it is worse, exhausting! She had her first ear infection this week, and I felt so bad for her. Isn't she cute?

Here is the troublemake trying to sit in Taryns' desk at school.

This past week, Taryn had her turn bringing the all about me poster to her class and telling them all about herself. She was really excited, and I loved watching her around her classmates. Please don't knock the zebra pants. I only paid $2.99 for them at Gymboree, so I couldn't pass them up even if they are ugly, hahaha!

Taryn reading at her desk. She was reading before school began, and she loves it. She is getting better, and better each day. I am proud of her.

My sweets holding up the poster that we made, ALL ABOUT HER. She had to write 3 things she didn't like and when I asked her, one of them was the microwave. She then explained to me that when she is in a time-out, that is where I set the timer, so she doesn't like microwaves, HAHAHAHA!!

I can't believe how busy I am with 2 kids at school, and 2 at home. At least I am rarely bored right? I hope everyone is doing well, and has a great week ahead!!

Opening Social

Each year in our neighborhood they hold an opening social. This was our first time, and we had a lot of fun. Aaron had to study that day, so I ended up taking the kids by myself, and they were so good. I am grateful that I have such well behaved kids, so I can do fun things with them, even when Aaron is busy. The social was completely free, and had a TON of activities for the kids.

Mason getting his face painted.

Taking a lunch break. Eating hot dogs, chips, and drinking lemonade ;)

Taking a little train ride.

Eating snow-cones, almost as good as they were in Hawaii :)

Bridalveil Falls

Last weekend we drove up to Bridalveil Falls to check it out. It was a nice way to get out of the house for free. The kids loved it. I wish we would have known to take their bathing suits, but they had a blast anyways.

Lovin' my baby. I can't believe she is 11 months next week. The time goes WAY too fast.

Reina getting her feet wet. She stands on her own now, but not in that freezing water of course.

Kylie, Aaron and T. Taryn and Kylie LOVE to be photographed, it is really funny!

The falls.

Reina on the bridge in the stroller.

Taryn on the bridge!

On your mark, get set, GO!!

LOVE this picture!

Mason sliding down the hill, just being a boy.

Cute Hairboard!

My step-sister Monika had this hairboard made for my 3 girls. They are so cute, and it helps me keep their prettys organized. I still need to finish putting all of their flowers and bows on it though! Thanks Monika!!!

Yummy Recipe!

Just wanted to share a really good, easy, and fairly low-cal recipe with everyone. I suppose many of you have already heard of this, but for those who haven't, you will love it! My neighbor, and friend in Bozeman (Amy Orr), gave it to me, and now it is one of our favorites.

Carmel Apple Salad:

6-8 Apples of your choice
I tub of cool whip
5 regular size snickers bars

Directions: Chop up the apples into small pieces. Chop up the Snickers into small pieces as well. Put them together in a bowl. Mix in the cool whip. Enjoy! If you are not eating it immediately, put it into the fridge, because it will melt if it is in the heat. It is so good.

*I have heard people adding a block of cream cheese and sugar, but I love it just like this, and since I am trying to lose weight, it is much lower calorie with just the cool whip, and I use the light cool whip.

We have a busy week ahead, and an even crazier weekend. Friday night is the Law Partner opening BBQ. Sat. am we have a primary activity, clothing exchange, then our neighborhood opening social. Sat evening it is our ward end of summer pool party. It is busy, but on the weekend, I will have very little cooking that I have to do, YEAH! Happy Labor Day everyone!

A Few Odds and Ends

Kylie has been a little bit sad with Mason and Taryn at school. I have been trying to give her some special attention and let her know what a big girl she is. Today was fun. We had been running around crazy for Mon. and Tues., so today we just hung out, made lasagna, and watched the Tinkerbell Fairy movie while Reina napped. Sometimes I feel like I expect too much from her, and remind myself that she is ONLY 3! She is fun to be around, and a big helper too.

Last weekend Mason had his friend Noah spend the night. This was the first time he had a friend spend the night. We are glad Noah stayed although he fell off of his bike, and was hurt. These 2 are great buddies, and the girls love when Noah comes over too!

So last week was our anniversary, and we claimed no gifts, just letters. Of course Aaron bought me ballons and roses, and this chocolate caramel rice crispy treat. We went out to lunch that day, and on a date that Thurs. night. The funny thing is, all of my vases are in storage, so I had to be creative about what to put the flowers in. His old Home Depot thermos doesn't look great, but it worked, lol.

He studied late at the library, so I made him his favorite blonde brownies and wrote his letter. I put some of our wedding day snapshots around it. He really liked it!

This is a picture of the kids on Masons' first day of 2nd grade. He looks like a jack-o-lantern, and really likes school! Look at this handsome kid!!

Ts' First day of Kindergarten

I can't believe Taryn is in Kindergarten! It was a lot harder for me to say good-bye to her at the school than it was Mason. Maybe because he is a boy, and boys are more tough. T was so excited to go. I didn't cry, but my eyes did well up! She had a great day, and Kylie and I missed her. I went to Target after I dropped her off, and Kylie told me twice that I left Taryn in the car, haha. (proud to say I have never done that) I am so glad I chose afternoon kindergarten, because we are a little slow in the morning. I have great carpools worked out so I do not have to go to the school 3x a day, thank goodness! One of my carpools is actually our old next door neighbor from BYU-H. We were pregnant together, bid farewell in Hawaii wondering if we would ever cross paths again. I never thought our babies would end up in the same kindergarten class! Life is crazy huh?

Reina and I. Reina is so funny now. She is nearly 11 months, and like the rest of my babies, already saying words. She says uh-oh ALL the time, and it is funny because she sounds so stressed out when she says it. She also says go when she wants to get down. She says night-night, nana (banana), dada, and mama. Looks like we have another LOUD child on our hands, haha.

We were a little early (ok the 1st ones there) dropping T off, so we decided to find Mason at recess. He was glad to see T on her first day. He is a wonderful big brother, and loves to go get her after class to bring her out to the car.

Her sideways cute hairdo. Gosh, I have come a long way in the hair dept!!

My sweet girl. Where does the time go? I love these kids so much, it is sad that they all grow so quickly. I am grateful to be able to be a stay at home mom. The sacrafices are so worth it, there is no where else I would rather be. Lucky to have a hubby who supports me being home with them, and relieves me when I need a break!