Mmmmmm.......

Not much I can say about Jiles.....but this is the face that I feel blessed to look into each day!
Mmmmmmm. He. Is. Delicious.

He is still hands down my best baby. Not that my other kids weren't good (I would not have continued to have them if they weren't) - but Jiles is particularly good natured. Still an amazing sleeper....sleeps for 11 hours or so, then wakes and stays in his bed playing for another hour or so. Sometimes I just start to miss him so I go and get him up!! Eats well, plays well, and loves everyone. He is a 'trouble maker' though, too....just like the shirt says. Don't let the smile fool you!!

The Pink Cupcakes.....

The Pink Cupcakes.....this is Ella's 3rd season playing soccer. As luck would have it we have had some sort of pink as our team color each time. They have always used 'pink' in their name...this time around what could be better than cupcakes?? Yum. We are lucky to have had the same group of 8 girls play together each time, so they have all become friends and really enjoy their time together.

Ella is in no way a very aggressive player......but for the last 2 games she has scored a goal!! She gets so proud of herself and runs all the way back to Coach Suzy and gives her a high 5. I am so thankful for the amazing weather that we have had this month for all of the sporting events that we go to. Having the opportunity to sit and enjoy our children during these nice nights, I feel like there is nothing better. Happy, healthy kids, the opportunities that they have to grow and learn, a mom and dad that love each other and want to spend time together, too many blessings to count!!

Miss Morgan.....

Homecoming 2010 - Alta High School

The stress for Morgan began when she realized that her date was not much taller than she is....so the shoe frenzy started. We had neighbors, friends, her shoe closet emptied and even went and purchased a pair to try and find the perfect pair for Homecoming this year. She was so funny, there was no way that she wanted to be taller than Clint. As it turned out he was wearing a black pair of vans so Morgan wore her white pair....silly girl. I don't know if that is something I would have ever tried - but Morgan can certainly pull it off.

They looked cute together and had a full day. Dances were not this extravagant when we were growing up, she was exhausted by the end of the day. It all started around noon with rock climbing with a group of 18 other kids, going to Goodwood for dinner and after the dance they watched a movie outside at one of the boys homes. She is happy as can be back at Alta and enjoying her senior year in High School.....so proud to have her as my daughter!

Football season again!!!.....

I LOVE FOOTBALL!!! There is no other way to say it. I love everything about it.

I love that my boys love it.

I love the 2 hour practices on the field in the warm evenings.

I love picnic dinners while watching practice.

I love the time we spend together as a family because of it.

I love making new friends.

I love my boys in their uniforms.

I love new red 'pimped out' cleats.

I love watching Drew and Jensen rock someones world.

I love Ella in her cheerleading outfit.

I love game day Saturday.

I love winning (and sometimes losing).

I love watching Drew teach and take care of Jensen.

I love exhausted boys - tired boys are good boys.

I never thought it would be such a big part of our life, but it is and I wouldn't change it!!

I LOVE FOOTBALL!!!

Tired little girl....

Ella is tired.....that is the only way I can describe her. She has become a little sponge since she started school a few weeks ago. She is learning each day and comes home and reports everything that she now knows.

"Mom, do you know who lives in the White House?"
"I do, Ella....do you??"

"Yup, Aqua Bama."

Said it matter of factly and with a sense of 'big girl' in her voice. I loved it. She has also gone on to tell me all about the 'glove' (globe) and how it shows where there is blue it is water and where there is green it is where people live. She said the other day while practicing writing her numbers... "Mom, I know how to make 'cha-chings'..."

I said, "What??" - she then proceeded to draw a dollar sign for me, $$, you know 'cha-ching'

Duh.

She is like a light that has turned on. Not that she wasn't bright already, but she really digs this school thing. I am so glad, because it makes each day easier when it is time for her to get ready and go. She has homework each night and loves to do it. I realize it most likely won't last, the enthusiasm, for now is perfect.

At the end of one of our long and busy weeks this is as far as she could make it after she fell asleep on the couch watching T.V. - walking only 20 steps to the kitchen floor and laying back down. The girl was OUT!!

Don't you wish that you could only sleep so soundly???

Off to Kindergarten.....

Where do I start other than I truly don't know where the time goes....you have a baby, take an extra long blink and then she is off to big girl school. Yes, I am a crier. I had my meltdown late Sunday night once all the kids were in bed and I realized that the day I had been dreading was here. My baby, my best girlfriend, my lunch partner, my shopper, my snuggler was on her way out the door.

How did this happen??

Then I look at her in these pictures. She is a beautiful 5 year old who is ready for the world of school. She is ready for learning. She is ready for more than I have to give her. I have loved each and every day that I have spent with her this far and I am looking forward to this next step, although painful, exciting.

Ella was nervous about school once she got there, she didn't want to put on the name necklace that her teacher had made for her. Once she was settled in her chair, backpack hung, name tag on and her first assignment underway it was time for me to leave.....

The afternoon was quiet. Jiles asleep and me wandering my house. I am sure I will get used to the quiet, and on most days, quite enjoy it. I love you Ella....thank you for being my girl. I will miss you with my whole heart!

On a side note....

Ella has only been in school now since Monday and this morning she said to me..."Mom, I want to skip school today." I told her that was against the rules, and she followed up with "That's so dumb, I have already gone for 2 days!"