Timmy n' Alex

We are so proud of our missionary brothers/uncles.  I am so grateful for their service and for their examples to my kids.  Sydney and Cooper always remember to pray for "Timmy n' Alex on their missions."  They wanted to write them some letters a few weeks ago, and we decided to email them instead of snail mail them, because we didn't think they would receive them before they left for home.  Tim comes home October 5th... only one email left!!! And Alex comes home on October 19th!  We are so excited to see them!

1st Day of Preschool

Sydney and I started our first day of preschool yesterday.  I don't know if I have ever seen her so excited.  The night before, Matt gave us all father's blessings.  What an amazing and great tradition.  I remember always feeling so at peace about school, when my dad would give me blessings, and I am so grateful to have married a man who holds the priesthood, so we can have that same power in our home.  Sydney loved getting her blessing, and we talked with her about feeling the Holy Ghost in her heart.  Then Matt gave me a blessing.  Let's just say, I really needed one with all that's been going on in our lives lately.  It was so nice to feel the love Matt has for me, and the love that Heavenly Father has for me, and it really has helped me focus and feel a lot better.  Of course, Cooper wanted one too.  I've never seen him sit so still in my life.  It was the cutest thing to see him sitting there with his arms folded, and just listening to what Matt had to say.  When Cooper was done with his blessing he put his hands on Matt's head, not wanting Daddy to be left out.  It was such a special night for our family.

After our blessings, we put the kids to bed.  Sydney had a very hard time falling asleep, and didn't do so until about 10:30.  She was in and out, up and down, singing, getting books out... you name it.  I was pretty frustrated, thinking she would have a hard time waking up early in the morning.  However when morning came, and we woke her up at 7:45, she popped right up, jumped out of bed, and yelled, "where's my backpack?"  She was ready to go, and so excited!  Matt took the morning off, to see Sydney off, help me out, and watch Cooper while we were at school.  So, it all went very smoothly and as planned.  Hopefully most mornings are that way for us!  When Sydney was eating her breakfast, I couldn't help but take a picture of her.  She has grown up so much, so fast.  I really can't believe that she has started preschool!

I really wanted to take some first day of school pictures before we left.  And luckily, we did have enough time.  They turned out so cute, and really just show how excited Sydney was!

Our first day of preschool!  And I'll just say, "First Day Jitters" don't go away when you are a parent, or a teacher!

While I was taking pictures, Sydney was so excited, that she just started jumping.  Luckily, I was able to snap a few of those.  So funny!

Her excitement transfered to Cooper and Matt.  It was a big day for all of us...

As far as school went, Sydney seemed to do great.  I was so glad that I got to be there, and watch her, something most parents aren't able to do.  She loved socializing with all the kids, and when we left, she asked me when she was going to be able to see all of her friends again.  For me, everything was great too.  I really felt good about my decision to teach this year.  A classroom is definitely somewhere where I feel at home.  I know there will be challenges, as there are with any job, but I am confident that this was a good decision and that both Sydney and I will have a good time this year.  I still can't believe we have reached this phase in our lives!  Can't kids just stay little?

Summer Fun

Oh summer, how we are going to miss you.  We are going to miss your warm sunshine, your schedule-less days, and your fun activities.  We have had such a fun-filled summer!  Some highlights of this year include:

Soccer Games

Baseball Games

Sidewalk chalk with Pamps

Movie Nights

Banana Splits

Extreme Home Makeover

And...

Summer Fun: Bike Rides and Running

We bought Sydney a bike in early spring this year.  She had a lot of fun learning how to ride it, and perfecting it this summer.  She can ride pretty far!  We also bought bikes for Matt and I, and a bike trailer for the kids.  We have enjoyed going on bike rides together.  Sometimes Sydney will even ride along side us on her bike.  She loves to always bring a "baby" along to ride in her basket.  

The bike trailer we bought can double as a running stroller, so I enjoyed getting some exercise this summer- both running and biking.  For awhile I was going on a daily run in the mornings.  One morning, Sydney got on her "running shoes," grabbed her "diaper bag" and two babies, and was all ready for our morning run!

The kids loved riding in the bike trailer.  One day I rode to my mom's house a little before nap time.  On the way home both Sydney and Cooper fell asleep.  I couldn't resist taking a picture!

I definitely enjoy getting exercise outside, rather than a video inside.  As winter creeps in, I will be sad to say goodbye to our runs and bike rides.

Summer Fun: Friends

We have been able to spend a lot of time playing with friends this summer.  Here are some of my favorite pictures...

Summer Fun: Birthday Parties

Sydney and Cooper had quite a few birthday parties this summer. Since we have moved into a neighborhood, with lots of friends nearby, and since they are just getting older, we are finding that Sydney and Cooper are getting invited to a lot of birthday parties.  They sure love it!  There is nothing that Sydney loves more than a birthday, and Cooper has joined in always saying "happy day!"

Kate's Birthday

We had fun celebrating Mason's first birthday!  It was so fun to watch him open presents and eat his cupcake.  Sydney insisted on helping him open every present.  We are sure enjoying having a cousin, especially now that the kids are able to play with him more!

Sienna, one of our cutest little neighbors, also celebrated her first birthday.  It was definitely the bash of the year and was Sesame Street themed.  Sydney and Cooper had so much fun at the party, and especially loved meeting Elmo.  Sydney often calls one of her dolls "baby Sienna."

Summer Fun: Sidewalk Chalk

Another fun summer activity... sidewalk chalk.  We all loved it!

Sydney writing her own name...

Summer Fun: Cowabunga Bay

We got season passes to Cowabunga Bay this summer, along with many of the moms/kids from our neighborhood.  We typically went once a week and had a blast.  Sydney and Cooper loved the beach pool, the lazy river, and the water slides!  We are so lucky to have such good friends to go with!

Summer Fun: Swimming

We were lucky enough to be able to go swimming A LOT this summer.  Not only did we do Cowabunga about once a week, we also swam at Nana and Papa's pool, and our clubhouse pool, usually once a week.  Jana, Corie, and Cadie, were so nice to come and pick us up to go swimming, since we typically don't have a car.  It was nice to get out, and to have their help with the kids in the pool.  Cooper and Sydney love hanging out with the Walch family, and they love swimming, so it was a perfect combination.  At first, Cooper was pretty hesitant in the water.  He had to be held close to your body the whole time.  But by the end of the summer, he was swimming back and forth between people by himself, with Sydney's floaties on!  Sydney, our little fish, would jump in, swim back to the side, get out, and jump in again, over and over again- all without her floaties!  She is a great swimmer, always puts her head in the water, and she has such composure- isn't scared a bit.

I am sad to see my favorite season go, and kind of feel like we got jipped because we had such a long, cold spring.  It is just crazy to me that fall is starting, and that Sydney and I start school TOMORROW... Yes, I am kind of freaking out about that.