First Day of school!

Maren started Kindergarten this morning! It was raining like crazy (no recess the first day of school)! We were searching everyone's closet for rain gear and running just a bit late. She walked right down to her classroom and Ms. Rooke helped her hang up her backpack and her raincoat! She kept coming over and hugging me while her teacher's aide was trying to get her to pull her doll that she made for the board out of her bag. Then she saw her teacher and went and found her spot on the carpet. I left with a grumpy Esme, because she could not stay with Maren. Can't wait to see how her day went.
Jonas has two teachers this year. One in the morning and one in the afternoon. He also has Marsha Catmull who used to be in our ward as his aide. He has really enjoyed his first week of school. For one of his first projects they had him bring five things from home that describe him. The kids then get to guess who the things belong to. Jonas took his yellow karate belt, a Star Wars game, a helicopter (since he want more than anything to be a pilot), and his R2D2 figure. No one in his class could guess it was him. Anyone in the family would have gotten it due to the Star Wars theme. The only thing we left out was a picture of key lime pie. He would eat it three times a day if he could.

Hannah has a male teacher this year. He is the fun teacher, but I find him very organized and involved with his kids. Which I find is a must! I have had bad experiences with the other sixth grade teacher with PTA. They would never do anything with their kids last year. Lazy or just uninvolved, I don't know, but I am glad that Hannah has Mr. Mellor (did I mention that he will be teaching them guitar lessons this year).

Kelsie is a big time senior this year. She leaves school half a day for a dental assisting program at the tech center which I think is amazing. Not just because she is following in her mothers footsteps, but because she can basically graduate high school making about what a first year teacher can make. This will help her put herself through college and give her good experience if she decides to go to hygiene school. And it only cost us $40. Wow!! What a smart girl, just don't tell her I said so, she will get sassier than she already is.

More from yesterday!

We spent all day in the Jordan River Temple

There were a lot of brides there that day and my mom was one of them.

Did I mention how wonderful it was to do all of this.

Mom was so happy. I agree with Whitney that she hasn't looked this happy in a very long time.

We're connected!

The year mark was today, I didn't think I would make it! A lot of hard work went into getting everything ready. My mom and dad were sealed. It was a lovely day. I can't believe I am saying that, only because it is the anniversary of my fathers death. We had a wonderful time in the temple!
We were sealed as a family and my dad was sealed to his parents!
Great day!

Lorena why do you look so great in all of the family pictures!

The witnesses!
Thanks to all who went to dinner, I completely forgot that this was such a sad day a year ago. What fun is had among family and friends.

Josh's Work Party!

Josh had a work party up Little Cottonwood Canyon! I can't remember which ski resort this is. It was great to get up here. We don't usually come up this canyon during summer or to ski in the winter due to the kids ski free at Brighton. Even though it poured on us some of the time, we had a great time.

Thanks, SPS!

All the kids were able to do lots of the flips on the tramps.


Maren barely made the 30 pound weight mark to jump, but she decided against it.

Lift to the alpine slide, which I must say was my favorite part.

Es and Maren love the bouncy houses.

Jonas was amazing as he scaled this tall maountain. He was given the hardest side and made it all the way to the top. Ooops, I just deleted the pic that shows him at the top.

The girls loved running up and down the big hills that made up the ski resort.

Jonas and Hannah climbed a bunch of ropes while Kelsie and I rode the zip line. I can't even tell you how scary that was. First of all, it was a very windy day. They closed the zip line just after Kels and I went down. I bet I was going about 60 down that thing. I slammed into the springs that are supposed to catch you and gently stop you. What a nightmare! I thought I was dead for sure, I saw the end coming. The springs just gave way and my rigging flew into the bar at the end and then I got snapped back. The fellow who was there to help you get down came running over and was falling all over himself asking if I was okay. I knew that had been pretty bad. Kelsie is a bit lighter than me, so her ride wasn't so bad. I must say that it will be my first and last ride ever.

More climbing of the ropes!

It was a fun day with our family! I have some mechanical bull riding video that will come next!

Bridgette is here!

My sister Bridgette is here from Alabama. It is so much fun!
This morning she was getting showered and Maren was wanting into the bathroom with her. Bridge said that if Maren saw her naked that it would burn her eyes, and Maren asked why. Bridge said that she had had to may kids. Then Jonas piped up and said that he could come in because he had seen lots of naked girls. Hee, hee!

Ward Campout!

We took Whit to our 2nd annual ward camp out. I will just say that it was very interesting. I think it might be the last one we go on, we will have to see.

Volleyball was fun, but a bit treacherous. The little girls and older girls had quite a bit of fun with their friends from the ward. Here is the problem, Jonas. There is a family that has kids his age that I would like to keep him away from. Sara suggested taking Gabriel with us next time so he has someone his age that he can hang out with and be safe.

What can I do? Any suggestions? These boys will be around for the rest of our time in this ward. We are supposed to be fellowshipping them, yet I feel the need to keep complete distance. They are all in cubs together, but it is done on a stake basis, so there are more boys his age to hang with. What happens in three years when they go to YM. I won't stand by and hope for the best. Do I take him to another ward for YM, do we move.

ADVICE!

A Blog a Day!

We have had many experiences this August and I want to Blog them all. So I have made a commitment to blog everyday. My nephew, Seth, came out from Batavia, IL to go to EFY at BYU. He spent a day with us and we took him up Big Cottonwood to Silver Lake. He was wanting to hike all the big mountains, but he had to settle for a slow walk around the lake with five kids.

Some of the wildlife. These weren't so wild. We will remember to bring bread with us next time.

This dear was very brave.

Kelsie and Es watching the dear!

The kids enjoyed taking turns on Seth or Kelsie's back.

The rest of the time they spent climbing rock, which lined the entire lake.

Esme was very determined to do everything that her siblings did!

Joy! A picture of me.

It's official!

One of my kids has her own blog!

kelsjmullins.blogspot.com