Back to School

We sent this one off to first grade on Monday. She was beyond excited.




She wanted a pic of her backpack. Not my favorite, but I let some control go with this one.



We already had the best teacher in the world last year, so this year, well.. the jury is still out.




So now I am home again with just 3 little ones. Savoring every minute with this little guy.


He's so happy.



Ryder was making Coop crack up. So cute.


I feel so good that my Kyra is still home splashing in the pool, instead of sitting in kindergarten where she is supposed to be (in California anyway). An extra year of childhood is definitely a better choice for us. And I'm pretty sure she thinks so too.




I think it is going to be a pretty good year.

Idaho Family Reunion

We packed up the fam and flew up to Idaho for a big bash with Kyle's side of the family. Talk about fun, oh my gosh the kids thought they'd died and gone to heaven.

The cousins.


Breckyn drunk with love for cousin Sadie.


The reunion was at Kyle's sisters house. They have a HUUUUGE yard with grass, orchards, gardens, pastures, a blueberry patch, the biggest sand box ever with a play ground... and on and on. This is exactly what Kyle pictures for his future home someday. (Me too, if it comes with a full time caretaker.)

We all took rides with this little pony.




Ryder was in heaven with the big boy toys.




Lessons in the chicken coop.


Collecting eggs.


Berry pickin'.


One day we spent at a state park playing in the lake. Soooo fun.


Kyra and cousin Dillon.


That's my fat baby.


Still sportin' the 'hawk.


Thanks for the fun! Can't wait to come back again..

Visit from my Sis

My super amazing sister brought her wonderful family (that's 7 kids, people!) for a visit. My Mom came along too. It was so much fun to have them all here. The kids had a BLAST with their cousins. And I got a nice long break from Cooper while my cool nieces took over the baby care.

McKay and Kyra hit it off.


How low can you go?


The big boys. Taylor just got engaged to a super cute girl.


Cammie and Ryder. Cammie just moved to Alabama to work on her masters and was informed she has an accent.


Breckyn is obsessed with Mary. She was on cloud nine the whole time she was here and hasn't stopped talking about it since!


Patty (or Isaac) doesn't seem to mind the love. Breckyn just informed me the cats new name is Isaac. Whatev.


Elise and Mom/Grandma. Cuties.


Emma and Brigham. These two are very entertaining :)


The girls in their jammies, planning their take over and our demise.


Thanks for making the long trip! It was so fun to hang with you all! :) Where are the pics of Bronwyn? She was there too, I promise!

future plans

Ryder: Mama, Ima go radiator spings for college, k?
Mom: What? You are going to college at radiator springs?
Ryder: yeah, Ima ride my lighning queen car there.
Mom: Cool! Can I come to?
Ryder: Mmhmm. You can ride Dine-co.

Spanish Church

We go to a Spanish church. We love it! Of course, we do speak Spanish. The children however... weeell, let's just say we have to tell them if is a prayer or not. It has been a struggle for us to keep them somewhat quiet and still. I have been very creative in the past, bringing their favorite (quiet) toys, books, coloring books and crayons, snacks, fancy quiet books, file folder games... rotating it weekly to prevent boredom, blah blah blah. They were always wild animals no matter what I'd bring for them. Until I decided they (the girls) are too old for all that and they are capable of sitting still and quiet for an hour. They each have a church bag.

Inside they keep a notebook and a pen. Maybe some water. That's it. And guess what, it is all they need! Of course, Ryder is a different story entirely, but he is 2.

Breckyn likes to read, but I wouldn't classify her as a bookworm exactly. Writing is her favorite. She definitely see's herself as an author and will write pages and pages of stories, quizzes, journals, lists etc. She can't spell a lot of words correctly but it does not stop her, she spells it how it sounds. Like, 'Picsee Holoe', and 'you did stoopendis!' I love it! I find the best things written in her church notebooks.




Kyra happily draws queens, fairies and princesses. I love how she keeps her 'Cheerleader Champion' ID card that she got at Chuck E. Cheese. Very important to keep that.


Now if I could just figure out what could help Ryder be a little less wiggley and a lot less quiet, we'd be doing pretty good!