The Fruits of Visiting Teaching

I took Zoey Visiting Teaching with me last week. Tina brought pears from her tree as a visual to go with the lesson about the fruits of the gospel. (Yes, she is awesome.) She gave me one to take home and Zoey's mouth was watering. She really wanted a bite. She was thrilled when I just handed the whole thing to her and let her dig in. Let's just say that she really enjoyed the fruits of visiting teaching that day.

It Must Be Autumn...

because we made these.


YUM!

New Glasses

Our cousins recommended a site to buy prescription glasses at unbelievable prices. Pairs run from $8 to about $20. They ship from China in only a few weeks and Taylor says the prescription is correct. Our Cousin Haley has also had a good experience ordering from them. Taylor loves having new glasses in different colors to coordinate with her outfits and I love having multiple pairs and not constantly looking for the one pair:)

The site is www.zennioptical .com. So if you are in the mood for a new pair of green or purple glasses and don't want to pay more than $20 - this is the place for you!

Blue Swirls are everyone's favorite!

Two tone brown look a little more serious.

Pink with designs on the side are really fun.

All three pairs for under $50 - including shipping!

Appetite For Awareness

This is the second year that Ed and I attended the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness fundraiser called Appetite For Awareness. The Wachovia Center was filled with booths from restaurants and Gluten Free vendors. Once inside the door, I could eat ANYTHING! It is so much fun to relax and eat all the delicious food without worrying even a bit! I think there were about 40 restaurants and at least that many vendors - if only my stomach could have held more!

We're planning on going next year - anyone want to join us for some GF fun?!

(Not the greatest picture, but I didn't take my camera with me as my hands were going to be full of plates of food!:)

Camping

I'm more than a little behind on my postings. School is off to a great start as well as seminary. I'm weird in that I actually love having a very early morning routine (we get up at 5am to be to the church by 5:45). I feel like I get so much done by 9am. On the flip side, don't cross me at 9pm because I become desperate to go to bed - I drive my family crazy!

The kids are adjusting well in school, Ed is starting to get busy with his new company, and I am keeping everyone where they should be when they should be there. As you can see from the previous post, we are also loving having baby Zoey throughout the week.

Anyway... we did go on our first official family camping trip over Labor Day Weekend. I was a little nervous, but we all had a great time. We went with 6 other families and stayed at a site with bathrooms and showers (non-negotiable in my book). Hickory Run State Park has a nice little beach, biking trails, and a waterfall complete with ledges for jumping (what is it with my family and wanting to jump off rock ledges into water?).

I actually liked it so much that I've already agreed to go again next year. My husband is stunned. I like to keep him guessing after all these years ;)

It was beautiful in the morning - I love this picture.

See... I was happy!

Cami showing off our family tent.

Little cuties playing at the beach.

The water at the falls was so cold that it literally took your breath away. Ariel was trying to climb onto Jim's head trying to get out once she jumped in. This picture cracks me up!

Valerie rescued cold kids after they jumped by pulling them onto her tube!

Cami jumping from the lower falls.

Connie, Shannon, and Amanda watching the first jumpers - Connie actually went a little later. Way to represent the women!

Taylor in Mid-flight!

Ed showing Jakob where to jump.

OK - We made sausage one morning. Should this food really be eaten in the first place? I mean, look at it! I was grossing out while it was cooking.

Leisha and cute Lily! This baby got passed around all weekend and was so good and cute. I loved seeing different kids holding her all the time.

Nice looking group of ladies - don't you think?!
L to R: Leisha, Pam, Shannon, Me, Kelley, Connie, and Amanda.

Connie and Shannon. These two kept me laughing all weekend. I seriously needed this time with good friends. Thanks to all of you!

Cami and Ariel sitting by the fire.

Valerie and Taylor playing cards. They had such a good time.

Andrew and Elley - I just want to squeeze them they are so cute!

Here's the whole crew (minus Ed who was taking the picture). Thanks to everyone and here's looking forward to next year!

My Little Friend

I am LOVING having Baby Zoey three days a week. She is so much fun to have around. She loves our dog and gets too much attention from my kids (in the little time they are home). It's fun taking her to the bus stop, having magnets on my washer and dryer, filling a basket with toys in the living room, and snuggling and reading books throughout the day. The only bad part is that I know how hard it is for her mommy to be away from her. I worked full-time for a few years when Dallin and Taylor were little and Ed was in Grad School. The only thing that got me through was knowing they were happy and loved at my mom's house. I hope I can give that to Zoey and Dalene. Most of the time I will send pictures home with Zoey for her mom, but occasionally I won't be able to resist a post of my own - seriously, this girl has some major cuteness going on!

She spends a good portion of the day following the dog around.

When the big kids ride their scooters, she thinks she needs to be a big kid too!

She loves to organize my rocks. She moves them all around until they look just right :)

It's fun to have a highchair again. She loves snack time.

The dog knows she is NOT allowed to chew on any of the baby toys, but Zoey is always bringing her toys and trying to tempt her. She was being so good and only chewing on her bone.

She absolutely loves going to the bus stop. All the kids give her plenty of attention and she figured out you are supposed to wave at the bus the first day ;)

First Day of School

This year all the kids started on a different day or time. I wasn't able to get a shot of them all together. Sigh... they are growing up so fast.

Dallin is a Freshman and feeling like the big man on campus since our middle school is 7-9th grade. He got to start a day later than the girls and enjoyed his extra time with me running around and having lunch at 5 guys. He is such a handsome boy (yes... I'm his mom and I'm biased!)



Taylor started middle school and is loving it. She didn't think she had very many friends on her team, but found many the first day and is able to see others during lunch. She looked adorable and has had a good start to the year.



Cami is the only Seguine left at Bridge Valley and is thrilled with her 3rd grade teacher. She is in definite control of her fashion decisions, but has agreed to let me be creative with her hair this year. We're trying to have original hairstyles at least a few times a week. She loves every minute of school and especially having all her friends around.