Happy 8th Anniversary to us!

Today is Dave and I's 8th wedding anniversary. I can't believe it has been 8 years. A lot has happened, that is for sure!

Dave and I met in 1997, about a month before I graduated from high school and he was in college. My aunt and Dave worked together and she set us up on a blind date. I had a boyfriend at the time, but after a phone call from Dave, I, for some reason, didn't remember the boyfriend! :) We went out to ice cream at Baskin Robbins on our first date. After that we went out pretty regularly. (I broke up with my boyfriend.) He was getting ready to go on his mission in July. We dated up until he left. We hadn't known each other very long and so we agreed that I wouldn't "wait", but that we would write to each other.

We faithfully wrote the whole two years. I dated during that time, and he will never let me live that down! But the important thing is that I was single when he got back. He got back in July 1999. We dated and then broke up over a silly fight in January. It was over, I just knew it. I knew if Dave and I weren't together that it was time to move on. That night I called a good friend of mine and asked her if she wanted to move to Salt Lake with me. So, the next weekend, the two of us went to SLC, found an apartment, found jobs, and then moved two weeks later.

In about the middle of February, Dave and I started talking a bit. One night while we were on the phone, I got a call from a guy in my singles ward on the other line. Dave asked who had called and when I told him it was a guy for me, he said, "We need to talk when you come home." I went home to Idaho Falls for my birthday and that weekend we got back together. This time, we knew this was it! I told Dave that I wasn't going to move back home. So, he quit his job and moved to Salt Lake. I found him a roommate in my ward and he found a job.

We got engaged May 13, 2000 and were married in the Idaho Falls Temple on September 8, 2000. We went on our honeymoon to Puerta Vallarta, Mexico for a week and had a blast!

We have done a lot in the last 8 years. We have had 3 beautiful children. Dave has had 2 jobs. We have moved 4 times and bought 2 houses. We have owned 5 cars and a dog. We have gone on some really fun vacations and had some neat experiences. We have had ups and downs, but the good times have definitely outweighed the bad. I love Dave very much and hope that our future is as bright as the past.

I love you, Dave!

Peaches!

So, here is round two of my canning experience this year. We went to Brigham City this last weekend and bought 2 big baskets of peaches. I canned 14 quarts today and have one basket of peaches left to do that aren't quite ripe. Peaches are quite a bit of work, but, very worth it!

1st day of preschool, yea!

My little girl started her first day of preschool today. When she found out that she didn't start until about 1 1/2 weeks after Easton started school, she was sooo sad. So, we have been counting down the days and it is finally here! She didn't have a nervous or scared bone in her body. (She rarely does.) The teacher wanted us to bring them in on the first day rather than just drop them off. So, I got her out of the car and she just ran off and yelled, "Bye, mom!" I had to yell to her to have her stop and wait for her poor mom. I am not sure that she was very excited that she couldn't go in alone. I am thankful that she is outgoing, it has always been a trait that I am lacking.





So, now I am cleaning house, doing laundry, watching a little T.V...all while my house is quiet with a sleeping baby. It is a good feeling, but I have to admit, it is a little lonely. How I have looked forward to having quiet moments. But, when I get them I just look forward to having noisy moments again. Never happy! :)

Kids are funny!

Easton and Paisley each said funny things tonight. I need to get in the habit of writing them, or typing them, so that I do not forget!

The kids often get dragged around with me when I have errands to run. They have learned to dread the sound of my voice saying, "We are going to run errands! Get your shoes on!" That is usually followed by two loud groans. :) Anyway, today Paisley, Avery, and I ran errands. When we were driving in the car, Paisley said, "When we go places it is like, go to Brandon and Erin's, leave, go to Brandon and Erin's, leave, go to Brandon and Erin's, leave." I was listening and didn't really understand what she was saying. Then I realized that when I say "errands" she thinks I say "Erins". (Dave's brother's wife is named Erin.) So, she just thought we had nicknamed our running around as we are going to Brandon and Erin's! :) So I had to explain the difference between "errand" and "Erin".

We have Easton in flag football this fall. Tonight he had his second practice. As we were walking to the car afterwards he was telling me how one of the kids had accidentally hit him with his elbow and it had really hurt. He said, "But, I didn't cry mom. Cuz there is no crying in football!" :) He said it so proudly, too, like he had fought off the tears! :) I don't know if a coach told him there is no crying in football, or if he just figured that. Cute, anyway!

Applesauce

I have found a new hobby that I really enjoy. Canning! I started canning last year when my good friend, Brook, offered to teach me. I caught the canning bug! Last fall I did peaches, pears, applesauce, tomatos, and a ton of apple pie filling. (We gave away the pie filling at Christmas to friends and neighbors.) I really loved doing it and seeing the results in the pantry afterwards. After I had organized everything in the pantry when I was done, I would walk past and stop to open the door just to "admire" my hard work! (Nerdy, huh?) :)

So, I have really been looking forward to the fall this year to start again. We have eaten almost all of what I made last year. Today my sister-in-law, Stephanie, and I made applesauce. She has apple trees in her backyard and she was nice enough to share with me. My brother, her husband, Andrew, also came for a while to help. He was a big help and it was fun to have him there! Thanks Andrew. Steph and I made some with red hots in it which made pink applesauce. It was a lot of fun. In about 3 1/2 hours we made 31 pints of applesauce! Not bad!

Thank you, Steph, for the apples! Our next project: apple pie filling. (Just not as much as last year!!) :)

Messy, messy, messy!

Saturday night we had a ward carnival. They had a dinner and carnival games for the kids. They also had cotton candy and snow cones. Obviously the kids had a lot of fun. What isn't fun about cotton candy, games, and snow cones all in one place?? We didn't know that they were also having a pie eating contest. They announced it and Dave said that he was NOT going to sign up. Pretty soon a lady came around and told Dave that she was putting his name down. Dave said he didn't want to because he was "too fat!" :) We asked him what he meant. He said, "Haven't you ever watched those hotdog eating contests? The fat guys never win!" :) But, with a little encouraging (a.k.a. pushing) from me, he relented.

They had vanilla and chocolate pies. Dave chose a chocolate. And, well, the pictures speak for themselves...

He didn't win, but he didn't have his whole heart in it, anyway. He said that it wasn't something that he really wanted to do again! :) I am just glad it was him and not me!!

Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary!

I have the greatest grandparents! They are extremely sweet and loving and are willing to help anyone. My grandpa served in the Korean War, taught school, coached sports, was a principal, and finished up his career as a superintendent. He loved working with children. While serving in Korea he once played "Santa Claus" to a bunch of Korean orphans. He is just a neat man! My grandma had 4 boys. She was a wonderful mother who raised strong, polite, hardworking men. She loves to read, do puzzles, play card games, and just be with her children and grandchildren. They have 12 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. It is fun to see how happy they are when they see any of the little kids!



They recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Last night they had a big party to celebrate. It was a lot of fun. They had many friends and family attend. They looked so happy as they visited with people. I asked my grandma if she had fun. She said, "Yes!" Then I asked her if it was worth being married for 50 years to be able to have such a fun party! :) She laughed and said, "Yes!"


Easton and Paisley had a lot of fun playing with their cousins. The party was at a hotel by the river and so they were able to play outside. Easton played "karate" all night with his cousin, Stockton, and Paisley played with her little cousin, Madalyn. Avery was good while we enjoyed the refreshments, but then started to get pretty crabby. Dave ended up taking her home, and that left me to just enjoy talking to my family. (Thanks Dave for taking one for the team!!) :)





This was the scene from their party! Very beautiful and very fitting!



Thank you grandpa and grandma for your great example of marriage. Thank you for everything that you do for us and have taught us. We all look to you as examples in our lives. Congratulations on 50 years!! That is an amazing feat! :) We love you so much!!

First Day of First Grade!!

This morning I had great plans to get up early, get myself ready, get the kids up, make breakfast, and be out the door to walk Easton to school at 8:10. Well, I guess all of that happened except the getting up early. I forgot to turn my alarm on and so I woke up a half hour late. But, we all managed to be showered and out the door at about 8:12. Even with the pancakes. I made the pancakes especially for Easton, but he didn't feel like eating much, so he ate yogurt. Oh well, the rest of the family enjoyed them.

He was so excited when I woke him up. He came bounding up the stairs saying, "can you believe it is here?" He was so happy. He talked all the way to school.



We walked with my friend Heather and her kids. Her son, Rece, is also in first grade.



We got to school and they were just having the families come in to drop them off. So I was excited to be able to actually see him safely to his classroom. I got stopped a couple times talking to other moms and he quickly told me to hurry because we were going to be late.



When we got to his class he walked in and never looked back! I stood in the hall waiting for him to look back and wave, but he didn't. That was okay, though, because I know he must be completely at ease. I admit that my eyes wanted to tear up, but I was strong. :)

Last night, Dave gave Easton a father's blessing. That really comforted me. It was a special moment in our family and I know Easton felt the Spirit. He came up after and gave me a big, long hug. I love my boy! I am so proud of him. He is going to do great this year, and each year in the future.

Back to School night

Last night Dave and I took Easton over to Discovery Elementary for the Back to School night. We left the girls with our neighbors so that we could make it a special time with just Easton. (Thanks Todd and Valerie!!) Discovery Elementary is a brand new school they just built in our subdivision. When we got there they were doing a ribbon cutting ceremony. Then we went in for a little information assembly and then on to meet the new teachers.

Easton's new teacher is named Mrs. Grimm. She is brand new, this is her first class. She is also a newlywed as of April. She seems really sweet and nice. I was debating with a friend on whether it was better to have an older teacher with experience or a younger teacher with lots of enthusiasm. I think there are pluses and minuses for both. But, I feel really good about Mrs. Grimm and I think she will do a great job.

I just find it hard to believe that summer is already over and school starts tomorrow! But even harder to believe is that my baby is going to be in first grade! He will be away from me all day. It doesn't seem that long ago that he was learning to walk and talk. I am kind of sad, yet sooo excited. I am excited for him to start all day school and experience all that goes with it. I am excited for him to eat in the cafeteria and meet new friends. I am excited for him to learn to read better and to just learn something new each day. He is such a sweet boy and so smart and has such a bright future before him. Oh, to go back to first grade! He is so lucky! :)

So, tomorrow I will be walking him to school. Crazy it is already here. Tonight we will be going to go get new school shoes and then we should be all set! First grade here we come!!!