I can't even believe that summer is over for us and we are back into the routine of school. Unfortunately mother nature doesn't know that summer is over and we still have temps way over 100! Since I haven't blogged in quite awhile, I will give a quick run down of our summer:
My kids were coming and going to many different things. Lora and Mariah both got to go to Cali. (further reading on their blogs) Mariah also had EFY and Girls Camp, both of which were amazing experiences for her as always.
I made my first attempt (successfully) to drive to Utah by myself with the 3 youngest kids. Actually went pretty smoothly thanks to being able to stop off for the night in St. George at my sis in laws house, which is empty, so it is better than a nice hotel!
We spent almost 2 weeks in Utah with family wich was so GREAT and badly needed! We spent the first several days with Shawn and Cheryl and got to go camping with them and my dad. The kids had a blast and it was really great. Then we went to Kristen's for almost the rest of the time, which was so much fun. A tad crazy at times with so many kids but we had so much fun and I just loved spending all that time with her and the kids. All her kids are great but Connor and Abby I could just eat! They are so dang cute and funny!!
Then we had Lane's family reunion which he flew in for and that was awesome to see everyone again on his side. Spent a couple nights at my mom's and then back home to AZ and the heat. We left Abe at Kristen's and brought Haley home with us.
We came home to our foreign exchange student from China who had gotten here a few days before and thankfully my cousin April played hostess until we returned.
We had the next 2 1/2 weeks with her and it was nothing short of WONDERFUL! It was such a fun expreience for all of us. We really bonded with her and it was so hard to see her leave just a couple days ago. She was so darling and so great to just jump in and do whatever we were doing. She seemed to love being part of a big family, since she is an only child in China. I could write so much about our time with her...but maybe later.
In the midst of all this...I turned 40. Yes, I did just say that. I still can't really believe it myself. My friends took me out for a great night for dinner and then we went to see "Mama Mia" I thought it was so dang funny! I laughed my head off. It is definately a chick flick! SO if you are in the mood for a good laugh, grab a girlfriend and go.
ok...next, my BABY started Kindergarten!!! I guess I really am 40. I think it was actually harder on Lane than me though. He was pretty much a mother hen those first couple days to her. They are best buds though, so it didn't surprise me really. Funny, that Alex calls home feeling a little lonely and Lane is like "it's good for him" and then a friend calls to tell me that Emma is crying at school and Lane is like "I'm on my way!!" and was by her side within 5 minutes of the call! hmmm....
She is having a little struggle adjusting to the all day thing but each day is a little better.
I still have Lora here who doesn't start until Aug 11th so I am not yet really experiencing the quiet house thing, but I think I am really looking forward to it. Do you think it would be too indulgent of me to just float around on my mat in the pool for a few days after they all go back?? I got a new book for my b-day that I have been dying to start. And I might even have to celebrate with a diet coke even though I have stuck to my no soda goal 100% since Christmas. That's long enough don't you think??
Oh gosh...we did lots of other things as well this summer but my brain is a little fuzzy right now. I think because I ate a Swiss Cake Roll about an hour ago and now I have a headache. It wasn't even good. It tasted like crisco.
Here are a few pictures for you. Of course, Emma on her first day of school and then Abe as well. He started Jr. High. nice pic huh? Mariah leaves the house at 6:15 AM and she is quite grumpy in the mornings (sorry Miah, but it's true) so, no picture of her on her first day of her Junior Year. and of course Lora hasn't started yet, so that will be coming.
and a pic of our family with Elvira...our chinese lady, as the kids called her.
ok, well, I still have one more AWESOME thing happening to top off my summer. AMY AND HER KIDS ARE COMING TO STAY WITH US FOR 9 DAYS!!!! We are so excited!!!!
That's it for now. ta ta
