signs of the end of summer....

Tired of fighting the unwinable battle of morning glory, you give up and appreciate it's now blooming state in its natural habitat.

Fresh peach shakes start at Taco Amigo

The rare quiet house doesn't signal mischievous children, simply absent ones.

You are amazed and almost giddy that every time you walk into the kitchen between the hours of 8 and 2, it's still pristine! You walk in often just to make sure it's not your imagination having a heyday.

You long for the opportunity to dust off a jacket and experience a crisp morning or cool evening, signaling the beginning of yet another beautiful season here in Utah.

First Day of School!

The first day of school and I could only get the youngest two to pose. I wasn't covert enough to get some of the older boys . Another year of school is here again and I can't believe it!

Mark's Birthday!

My baby is nine! He is getting so tall and growing up so fast. My favorite thing about Mark is that despite his advancing years, he still gives me hugs and reaches up to hold my hand when we go places. I love his smile and silly smirks. He is getting a quick witt and says things that brings laughter to our family. We had a fun birthday with him. Ate at Brick Oven, his favorite place and came home to open presents and have cake. Cassie, made and decorated his cake this year. I thought she did a great job! Mark consulted,it was one of the few occassions where they actually got along! Happy Birthday Mark, I love you and you will always be my baby. (picture him rolling his eyes as I call him that!)

Girls Camp 2010

I just found the camera Cassie took to Girls Camp and uploaded the photo's. As you can see, they had a great time! It was at Aspen Lakes in Heber. The theme was Survivor. Each tent was a tribe, and througout the week there were competitions and they even had an area for treemail. It was well organized and planned. I had the opportunity to go up one night to bring dinner with the Relief Society presidency. I couldn't believe how much I missed it! I am so grateful she had the opportunity to be around great young women and leaders.

will time stop already!!

I can't believe this summer is almost over! It seems like just a couple weeks ago I was wondering how I was going to survive. I have not been a great picture taker, but I thought I'd take a moment and journal about what everyone has been up to.

Ryan, I think that is his name, we don't see much. He has been so busy taking a class online this summer, spending all kinds of crazy hours planning the next year with the Seminary Council, working two jobs and trying to find a few minutes here and there to talk to his mom. He is growing up so fast and getting more independent every day. I have started to freak out a little less at the thought that this is his last year in high school. Tomorrow, my sister, her daughter, Ryan and I are heading south to check out a University. Then next week we are going up north for a tour of another one. Eek! Ok, maybe I am still freaking out! I am so proud of this big guy of mine, he works hard, has a great head on his shoulders and helps me here when he can.

Josh, the constant comedian, has been keeping busy too. He and two of his friends decided months ago that they wanted to try out for the high school golf team. They practiced every week and every chance they got and all three made the team. Josh is so excited! I am proud of them for setting a goal and working towards it. He has been trying to earn money to fund this new adventure and is wishing he had a regular job. We are grateful for a great neighbor who has had him work with him on a couple of roofing jobs. Josh's new golf shoes, size 15, yes I did say size 15 arrived yesterday. When you have feet that big you have to special order all footwear. Thank goodness his heart and sense of humor are as big as his feet. Josh is also Mr. Social and doesn't think our house is the cool house. He is constantly at one of his friends and I am grateful that he has such wonderful friends. As a mom of a teenager, good friends for your kids is so important.

Cassidy turned twelve last month and started a whole new social schedule. She will be going to Jr. High this fall and is in Young Women's. She went to camp and youth conference just after her birthday. She paints her nails and toenails every other day, loves to talk on the phone for hours and hang out with her best friend Aubry. She is learning to be a great cookie and brownie baker and Josh and his friends are using that skill whenever they happen to stay at our house long enough. So I am extremely grateful when she bakes.

Mark got to play baseball earlier this summer and had a blast. He loves baseball. He and Kelly went to an Owls game last Sat. night and I am still hearing about their great seats and all the fun plays. He has loved cub scouts and is about to earn his wolf badge. He has had fun hanging out with his friends and cousins this summer. He will have his nine year old birthday just before school stars. My baby is nine! I think I feel another freak out moment around the corner.

This has been a fun summer and I can't believe school is just a couple weeks away. I know I will blink and Christmas will be here and then sneeze and Ry will be graduating and another summer will be starting. I don't know when life started to go in fast forward mode, but I would like it to rewind or at least pause sometime soon. If someone has the secret to slowing things down, I would love to have it.

isn't it ironic...

You are always wearing a white shirt when you open a can of tomato sauce and it leaps out to greet you.

A gallon of orange juice always falls on the just mopped kitchen floor.

Homemade ice cream, swimsuits and non camouflage clothing fall in the same season!

The pattern socks are always the ones that get lost in the laundry.

You run into someone you haven't seen in decades only when you go to the grocery store in sweats, frizzy hair and no makeup.

Company shows up only when your house is a mess! ( I need an enter at your risk sign instead of a welcome sign on my front door.)