1 Year Old

We can hardly believe that iswas 1 year ago ( almost to the minute!) that we met our sweet Caleb. He has brought us so much joy! We love his easy smile and sweet personality. Today was really the first time at church that he fussed to be able to get down and go, he is usually happy to sit on my lap and look around. We had a fun little party with just our familytoday. Caleb loved grabbing his cake the first time, but once he tasted it, he was not impressed! He is almost walking and says mama....still a tiny guy, but so much fun!

We are finally home to stay for a while. We got home from a two week trip to Lake Tahoe and Idaho last Tuesday and snuck in one more trip for a day at the beach and our nephew's baptism yesterday. This week we have to get back into routines and ready for school next Monday. Elijah was thrilled to find out this week that he will have the same kindergarte

n teacher Aubrey had. Courtney and Aubrey are still anxiously awaiting their assignments. Mark even has a new schedule this year teaching seniors for the first time. It should be a fun new challenge for him. Christian has a preschool group set up for two days a week. It is 6 three year old boys, so all the moms are a bit nervous about keeping all that energy going the right direction, but is should be fun!

Well, I have certainly been horrible about writing. I guess my every week plan didn't quite work.
The last few weeks have been very enjoyable. It was great to have Shannon and family here and then head to Idaho to see Amber and her family. It also worked out to meet up with Shannon on our way through Idaho Falls so I got to see them again for a little while. It was also good to have Nathan here for a few days - it would have been even better to hakve the whole family but I certainly know about the cost of airline tickets so I can't complain. Dad and I will be heading to Chicago in October and we will be meeting Nathan and his family in St Louis for a few day and then head up to see Grandma for a few days before going home. My goal is to see everyone of you at least once a year and so far I have pretty well managed that. I sure wish it could be a lot more often. Dad is still working most nights on that cabinet order so he sleeps about 4 hours a night. It will probably be a good thing when the fish are gone for the year. I have been really enjoying my kayak and hopefully I will be able to get out several times before the weather gets too chilly.
Dad just got home so I'll stop for now. He has to head out again in an hour or so for a seminary meeting.
I Love You All.
MOM

Busy Summer

Now that summer has officially ended, I have figured out a way to get pictures off my camera. Apparently my SDHC card can't be read from the computer I have, so I finally got my camera cord back that was left in Virginia.
Yes, that is right, our summer is officially over! The first day of school was last Thursday. The kids have been dying to go back to school, since right after they got out at the end of May. Not to say that they haven't had all kinds of fun over the past 2 months, but they do love school.
Shortly after school got out, we headed up to Virginia for several weeks. It was fun to be able to spend time with my family, especially that first weekend, since we were ALL able to be together, for the first time in several years. As we all know, it's not easy to get EVERYONE together at the same time.
Nathan flew back to attend the Stake YM High Adventure, and had a blast for 4 days, white water rafting, rock climbing, golfing, hiking, camping,...and all the other fun things that boy scouts like to do. He managed to get a little bit of work in over the next couple weeks, but also helped to carry out Youth Conference. Meanwhile the kids and I tried to find fun things to do while in Virigina. We made several trips to Washington D.C., and I think the kids had a blast. The finale of our trip was first greeted by Dad coming to get us, and then spending the 4th of July downtown at the Capitol watching the fireworks.

Our Alaska visit 2010

We just got back Tuesday night from a great two weeks in Alaska, spent the night in LA and finally made it home Wednesday afternoon. We are very happy to be home, but not too thrilled about the 105 degrees it has been the last couple of days. Luckily we have friends with swimming pools! We will be home for about another week, then head to Lake Tahoe for a few days and on to Idaho Falls. If only we could swing by Mississippi, we could see everyone!! I guess Nate and Sharolyn need to plan a trip out here!

Anyway, here are a few pictures from our trip. We loved mom and dad's new kayaks and the kids are still talking about how fun itwas to use hammers and nails while building the treehouse. Even Aubrey and Prince became the best of friends. The boys made it to the top of the Butte and the girls to the top of Twin Peaks trail in Eklutna. Thanks again mom and dad, Scott and Yvonne and Cassie and Nate. We love and miss you guys!

See... this is not elaborate!!

I can't believe so much of our summer has gone already. They have been predicting rain just about everyday but it really hasn't been too bad. Shannon and family got here on the 30th and we have been enjoying our time with them. Over the fourth of July weekend we worked on a tree house of sorts. When I suggested making a treehouse I was thinking of a couple pieces of wood stuck up in a tree. Of course, once Dad started thinking about it, it got a lot move elaborate. Anyway, it is done and hopefully the kids will have fun playing there. Shannon and Mark headed for Girdwood yesterday and took Caleb with them. Elijah went to Scott and Yvonne's to spend some time with Xavier so I just have the girls and Christain here. Last night Cassie and I took the kids to see Toy Story 3. I only slept for a few minutes so that was pretty impessive for me.
I hope you all had a fantastic fourth. I wish everyone could be here.
I Love You All
Mom
I planned on attaching some pictures but apparently the SD card that they are on doesn't work in my computer so I will have dad post some pictures.

Just a quick note to tell you all that I miss you and love you. I am feeling a bit "homesick" for all my family of late so I figured I would remind you all that even though we are spread far and wide, I love you and think of you often.

Love you tons
Megan