Time Flies When You're Having Fun!

Courtney is officially 12 years old! I cannot believe it, my mom always lectures me to "enjoy your kids, it goes so fast", once again she is right. I can remember plain as day turning twelve and all the gruesome details. Courtney is such a good girl. She has not been a difficult child to raise. She is cheerful and agreeable, not to mention a HUGE help. For her birthday all she wanted was a Nano, so she combined many birthday resources to purchase it. We gave her a birthday party and a little cash toward the Nano. So, about half way through her birthday, she asked if she could start wearing make-up today. WHAT!? "Of course not" I said. "But mom, you said when I was twelve, remember? Like you did." (thanks a lot mom). So of to Wal-mart. I think that we ended up with a good compromise--clear mascara, light pink eyeshadow and light pink lip gloss. I think I can handle it, I think. Then to drive the dagger deeper, she went to Young Women's on Sunday, where the first lesson was on pro-creation (of course). I feel strange that all this is happening to me. I never pictured myself much further than married with a baby. Time flies when you're having fun!

Mystery of a Diamond Thief

For Courtney's 12th birthday party she really wanted a mystery party. Something I had never heard of. So online I went and stumbled upon an awesome website. Here we picked out a mystery called "Mystery of a Diamond Thief" Specifically designed for an all tween girl party. It was a neat website. You just type in each girls name under a character in the mystery, it then generates a cute invitation specific to her character. It had instructions on how to dress and all the characters personality traits. We delivered around these invitations in "top secret" envelopes. We took pictures as we handed out the invites and the girls could then go online and view their characters (with their pictures) and who would be playing all the other characters. They could also type messages to each other. During the week we dropped of clues and lines for each round of the party. The girls were so excited by the time the party day came! We put caution tape all around the house-inside and out. We hung big, black question marks on all the walls. The mystery took place in a girls academy so we made the kitchen into a cafeteria, where they ate on lunch trays. It was a huge success. The girls all came dressed up and were in character as they arrived and never broke character the entire time! They were real hams. They said it was the best birthday party ever. It was fun for me too, we all know how I love a good birthday party!

A Cool Day in Cedar Canyon

We spent the day in Cedar Canyon on Saturday. It was so hot in St. George that we wanted to escape. We drove a short distance to Duck Creek in Cedar Canyon. It was beautiful! Green and most importantly COOL. It was 65 *! We took a lunch and rode our 4- wheeler. We played games, explored mammoth caves, and the boys shot BB guns. It was so nice to know that we could go somewhere close and escape the desert sun. We had a great time!

I "See" Said the Blind Man!

At Bowen's kindergarten check up, we discovered that he needed glasses. We went to the optometrist to verify, and sure enough he is far sighted with astigmatism. We picked out the cutest pair of glasses. When we picked them up at Costco, he wore them around the store to see if they fit. He kept looking down and taking giant steps. Needles to say, it will take some getting used to. I think he is the cutest boy in his new glasses.

Back To School

Well, for us the summer is over. Even though it was 105 degrees today! The kids went back to school on the 15th of August. Courtney started 7th grade...unbelievable. Seriously I remember so much about that year. Boy I feel old. Jackson is in fourth grade and Bowen started Kindergarten. They all seem to like it. The boys walk to the school, and I can watch them the whole way. Courtney on the other hand has to be at the bus stop at 6:40! Its just getting light out, but she insists on riding the bus. I am always really sad to send the kids back to school. I really do love the freedom of summer and the extra time to play, read, cook, sleep, and lounge. The kids are getting old enough to "hang out" with and I enjoy their humor. Bowen is in afternoon kindergarten with his friend John. They like us to watch them walk to school, but not to actually walk them to school. So it's just Cooper and I. I thought he would be bored out of his mind, but apparently I was wrong. He seems to savor the time alone with mom. I am looking forward to keeping the house clean for over an hour and working on some unfinished projects.

Watch Out - New Bloggers

I guess the blogging bug hits everyone sooner or later, so here is ours. Be patient with me as I learn how this all works. As most of you know we have moved from our home, of nine years in Lehi, to St. George (actually Washington). Being away from our families and friends has been hard, and exciting all at the same time. I think my kids adjusted instantly, I am still working on it. We really like our neighbors, our ward, and the schools. I know the Lord is gently leading us along. We love all the outdoor activities here, and we are slowly figuring out all the neat places to visit. The winter and spring were so great here, summer, on the other hand is toasty! Carter is enjoying his job and is staying busy in a pretty slow market. Things seem to be picking up a little though, we are expecting eight new families in our ward this week alone! We love all of you and miss you so much. Keep In Touch!

Our St. George Summer

Cousins Are The Greatest!