My Friend Lacey Gets Married

A childhood friend of mine has just got engaged and so I excitedly awaited the day till her wedding. During Labor day weekend Jared and I drove up to Washington and stayed with my parents for the evening and then began our trip across Washington State with another of my childhood friends, Pam Kobylarz. 

Pam and I have been friends since First Grade, we grew up doing everything together. We met our friend, Lacey Konkright, in Eighth grade, and now Eighteen years later, we get to celebrate a wedding all together. 

Pam and her husband, Jullian, drove over with us. We had a great time driving together and catching up.

We got to Yakima around 3:30 and checked into our hotel rooms and got ready for the wedding. 

The ceremony was held at a vineyard and Lacey's older brother performed the ceremony. 

Afterwards we gathered inside the barn and had a grand old time at the reception. 

Pam and I all dazzled up.

Jared, Me, Pam, and Jullian. 

(I'm not very tall but I have on some crazy tall heels...just fyi....)

Me and Pam with the beautiful bride, Lacey.

We had a great time dancing to awesome music, roasting smores, playing Jenga, and eating cupcakes. 

Pam with her family, Jullian, Janet, Mark and the bride, Mrs. Lacey Griff. 

It was great to see old friends and make new ones. I wish the best for Lacey and her husband, Brian. 

The Farmer's Wheel Line

We don't have a sprinkler system in the normal sense, our home is surrounded by wheat fields and the wheel lines that water those fields also waters our lawn. One day the wheel line was connected wrong causing a water leak. The farmer asked if it would be okay to flood irrigate my lawn and I was perfectly fine with it. 

Lots of homes in our area flood irrigate thier lawns and the kids play in the water all day long. Today we got to play in a foot of water all over our lawn. Jordyn got her sand toys and had a grand old time. 

The older kids got home from school and immediately put thier swim suites on.

Kenzie doing a cart wheel.

And splashing onto her back...

Lexie tried it too.

Oh the fun of youth! 

First Day of School 2013

I'm really excited for this year with my kids. I've met all their teachers and I feel like we are all on the same page. I love how willing they are to help even from the very beginning and understanding of my concerns for each of them. This year is going to be awesome!

Mackenzie (9) Fourth Grade, Eli (6) First Grade, Alexis (8) Third Grade

Jared started his first official day as principal on August 1, 2013 but his first day with kids is also today and he's super excited. We've worked hard for this day to come and are so greatful for the opportunity. Jared really wants to prove himself and I know he'll be great at this job. We thank our Heavenly Father for blessing us with so much. 

The kids waited for the bus and I watched. I was good and didn't cry and then once the bus pulled up, they took eachothers hands and crossed the street together. I have such sweet children! My tears began to flow. 

Jordyn is my little buddy and at the end of the school day, we were waiting for the other kids to get home. 

The bus drove by and then realized that my kids were suppose to have been dropped off. It skidded to a halt and my beautiful kids returned to me. Oh how I do love them!

All united!

Scripture Study

"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he shall not depart from it." Proverbs 22: 6

I'm trying to teach my children to have a love of the scriptures. In the morning, at 6:45, we gather together for family scripture study. We read together the scriptures and explain what they mean and then we kneel together for family prayer, asking our kids, "Do we have any empty spaces?" and they respond, "No we are all here. "(Our family motto is No Empty Spaces!) Most times we are in a circle holding hands but sometime we've got some kids leaning over the couch or benches, but at least we are together! Afterwards, Jared leaves for work and then the kids take time to read the scriptures by themselves. 

It just warms my heart to see them sitting there reading the scriptures. 

Playing Dress Up

Playing dress up is one of my kid's favorite things to do. We have a whole dresser down stairs filled with hats, capes, purses, shirts, skirts, etc...etc.. You never know what they will come up with.

Lexie and Eli as a Southern Bell and a Eighties punk rock Vampire.

Lexie: " Oh dear me, you did not just try to suck my blood!" (imagine that said in a southern accent.)

Eli: "Dude! I'm gonna totaly suck your blood after I do my sweet  dance move!"

The kids also had friends over and so they dress up too, but they use their play make-up. 

Sam and Lexie

Same and Lexie doing the Congo.

Brooke dressed up Jordyn and so they had to have a picture together too.

Kenzie and Brooke

Even though I don't let them use their regular church clothes as dress up, Kenzie and Brooke really wanted to dress up all "pretty".

Brooke dipping Kenzie....sorta....

Splash Pad

We went to Rexburg to the splash pad with some friends. It's always nice to get out of the house and spend time in the sun. My kids love playing in any kind of water and so going to the splash pad in Rexburg, ID was a perfect place to go. 

Jordyn and Eli warming in the sun.

Alexis going down the water slide.

Alexis will stop for a picture any time.

An even better picture of Lexie in the water slide.

Mackenzie trying to sneak under the water spouts.

A little cold with the breeze that came through, but still willing to pose.

Stepping on the spouts.

Playing with the baby spouts. Jordyn didn't want to get wet but she was okay with her legs and arms getting wet!

Eli doesn't like getting wet at all.

Mackenzie having fun with the little spouts.

Ammon Days

Ever since living in Ammon, ID, we have loved going to the Ammon Day Celebration. Every summer they have a huge BBQ and activities for the kids to do. We come back and enjoy the festivities as often as we can. 

Waiting in line for the delicious hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, baked beans, and watermelon. 

The had inflatable toys for free. The kids loved going on each one. 

Here's Lexie and Jordyn going down the slide.

Kenzie on the slide.

They had free goodies for everyone. 

Lexie very much loved having her cotton candy.

Jordyn really liked the snow cones.

Eli enjoyed the snow cones too, but they were very messy!

They gave out little trinkets and toys at each of the booths too. 

There was a ride that spun and went up side down in circles, kind of like the NASA type ride things. 

Alexis and Kenzie really wanted to ride it. It seemed like they liked it but by the end I could see that there was a lot of concern and perhaps sickness spreading across their faces. Once the ride stopped, they were quite releaved! 

We got to spend our day with our friends, the Evans, which was great. Afterwards, we went back to their place and the kids enjoyed Mac N Cheese while we went out together. Yes, it is nice to have kids that are old enough to babysit for an hour or so!