She got it!

I can hardly believe it, but it's time for the preparations for Nutcracker to start again! It's a lot of work for the teachers and the dancers, but it's all worth it when they get on stage in December.

Kate was super excited about auditioning on Saturday and the wait was stressful. But last night we found out that she had gotten the long awaited part, the one she has been wanting for many years - She's going to be a party girl! Greg and I were so excited when we found out that we woke her up around 10:30 to tell her! Congratulations sis! You're going to do a great job! Now, let the madness/fun begin!

Getting back into a routine

A week and a half into school and we're still trying to get into a routine. All of Kate's dance classes started last week and any day now Josh will be starting soccer. Add to that homework and piano practicing and they're pretty busy kids. But they love it all and want to do it, so we're just trying to get into a routine. I think the hardest adjustment has been for Miss E. She LOVES her big brother and sister and can't wait for them to come home everyday. Even though it's a busy crazy time ... I wouldn't trade it for anything!

A special bond

If you ever ask Kate and Josh how many kids are in their family, you'll most likely hear "5." And then they explain, "We have twin brothers that died, but we'll be with them again someday." I can't explain it, but they have a very special love for and bond with them. They talk about the twin brothers a lot. So, when we reminded them that their birthday was coming up and that they would have turned 16 this year, they immediately came up with the idea of putting little matchbox cars on their grave. I guess they're hoping that they'll get a REAL car on their 16th birthdays. Keep dreaming kids!



I really can't imagine what life would be like with 2 teenage boys in the house. I know that the house would be a lot noisier, there would be more laundry and certainly a lot more food consumed and we'd be staying up late waiting for them to come home from dates. YIKES! I thought about them on Sunday when I watched the Priests bless and pass the Sacrament. I have a good friend in my ward who also lost a little boy a week after the twins. We laugh that we probably would be giving them "the look" as they sat on the stand together, chatting as Priests do.

What I do know is that I feel blessed to know that I'll someday get to raise them and be their mom. They, along with Greg and my other 3 kids, give me a purpose to keep working to be the kind of person that I need to be so that I CAN be with them again someday.

So, happy birthday boys! I love you!

The end of summer

We decided that we needed to end the summer with a bit of fun. So we headed to Boondocks with some of my siblings and Nana. We had a RIOT! This one picture explains how we all felt at the end of the day ...


but it was well worth it! Thanks for a great time everyone!

First day of school

Well, it's here ... like it or not ... the first day of school! Kate and Josh were SO excited and that made me excited! I've been teasing them that I'm happy they're going back to school, but the truth is I really love having them home. They're such good helpers and fun to be around (most of the time) but I think that Eme is the one who's going to miss them the most.


I can't believe that my little man is in 2nd grade. He was SO excited to be in Mrs. Turnbeaugh's class with his buddies. But I think that he was just a tab bit nervous. He LOVES school and has been counting down the days until it started again. You're going to do great this year bud! Have fun!


Kate is looking and acting WAY too grown up these days! She has opinions about what she wears and where those clothes come from. YIKES! She and Kenna could hardly wait to get into Mrs. Sandberg's classroom and find the PERFECT seat (right next to a couple of darling boys!) Good luck in your last year of elementary school sis! (that makes me want to cry!)

Summer's almost over!

With one week left until school starts (can I get a HALLELUJAH! Sorry kids!) we decided to hit the pool with some friends. It was perfect ... the kids had some swim/friend time and the moms got to chat and enjoy a little refreshment from our favorite place ... SWIG, of course! Thanks for a fun time!



And this little photo ... I couldn't resist! All three kids were totally glued to the TV the other morning. Ahhh ... the simple joys of summer - sleeping in, cartoons and pancakes.

Thanks Josh for smiling! Gotta love 7 year old boys! I love you three!