Ring Ring!!!

Yes, folks, that's the Arizona school bell. It rang on August 10th and life has been smooth sailing. It was Parker's second year of preschool and he's so happy it's back in session. Look how glad he is to be waving good-bye. I'm so glad he loves it. We're looking forward to more reading, writing, math and lots of creative art projects. He so smart in that quiet, of course I already know that way...and so darn cute. Don't you just want to squeeze him through the computer?

This is Jace's first day of FIRST grade. I can't believe it. He is so old. He had a few butterflies in his stomach, but happily walked in the door and hasn't looked back since. He loves school and does so well there. I am constantly amazed by his abilites and the natural talent he has for so many things. Almost everything just comes easy to him, but best of all, he's a great friend to everyone. His teacher called the 6th day of school to tell me he'd gotten in trouble for talking too much, but she said, "More importantly I want you to know what a great kid Jace is. He is so smart and such a great reader, a natural leader and so kind to everyone in the class." I'm so pround of him!

A Little Romney/Brett (or HSM) Time

Rick, Marci, Bryce and Jenni and her girls came to Utah during my last week there for a family reunion, and it was so great to see everyone. My favorite thing about the Brett family? When they are together, it's like being in the movie High School Musical, so it's always a blast (and I'm not kidding)!

Grammy Romney
Grammy turned 95 while we were there and we loved visiting her. We went a couple of times and my kids were pretty good, but it's tough to be in a place where EVERYTHING is breakable. Hopefully they will remember her and how much she loved seeing their cute faces. She kept saying, "Where did you get such handsome boys???"

Children's Museum Part II
We had such a great time at the Children's Museum, we wanted to show our cousins. Most of the Brett's met us at the mall, but those without kids ditched to go shopping! (I don't blame them). My kids loved rediscovering everything all over againa and Mimi and Papa were always ready to play.

Pool Party

We are so glad Aunt Becky has a pool. We spent all day lounging in the sun and eating and eating and eating. Jace was in heaven with so many kiddos to play with and never wanted to come home. My favorite part was all the girly chatting and the million times I head people break out into song, then have others join in...harmonizing or beat boxing in the back. Or the piano playing with the girls gathered round, or a teenage boy, strumming a guitar, thinking up new lyrics. It was a constant music fest and I loved it. They are all such an amazingly talented and uninhibited family. I just bask in their abilities when I'm around and am startled by how few I have!

Disco Night

Everyone was so glad Becky turned 50, so we had a real reason to party, and party we did. It was an awesome night and the Brett Family singers stole the show. Everyone was supposed to come in costume, and when you are with the Brett's you know people really will, so I wore my mom's dress from 1977. She wore it to her wedding luncheon!

Strike!

We also all got to disco bowl together. Bowling is such a great family activity. My kids loved it, except James who just couldn't handle so many hours of fun. He fell asleep on me, and wonderful Kelly got blankets and pillows from her car to make him comfortable.

Thank You! Mimi and Papa and all the Brett family for such a wonderful week together. Can't wait for the next get together...you really are a fun bunch!

Finishing up the Utah madness...

We are home and the trip was more fun than I could have imagined. My boys are at such great ages and my parents were honetsly, ideal. I don't know how they kept smiling through such a wild summer of company. Here's a final wrap up.

PlayDough
Grandma, Mitch or Grandpa were always up for entertaning my little brood. Tennis
Jace was officially spoiled this year. Basketball camp, swimming lessons, and tennis lessons equaled one fun, busy summer and he loved it all. It's amazing how much they can learn in just a week or two.

Golfing

This is my boys playing in the sandtrap at night, but they did plenty of daytime golfing too. I couldn't believe how much they loved it. Jace and Parker golfed every chance they got which ended up being at least once a week, and Jace ended the trip with a full 18 holes with Mitch and Grandpa...he golfed them all and loved being one of the "big boys," with his shirt tucked in and refreshements at the snack bar. He is getting really good and hit a drive 120 yards, and a great long putt! He's definately better than his mom (and maybe his dad)!

The Children's Museum

We just had a ball at the Children's Museum. My boys ate every activity up and 4 hours wasn't even long enough.

Thank you Mom and Dad!

There honestly are not words to describe what a wonderful time we had...all thanks to my amazing parents who love us all so unconditionally. I hope I can be just like them.

She said YES too!

Mitch propsed too. He proposed to a Michigan gal, Kelly Komray and I am just as jazzed. The proposal went off without a hitch (I loved being involved in both!) and I even got to stay a few extra days in Utah to help Kelly and my mom with a few wedding plans. Their date? November, 20. I can't tell you how much I already love my new almost SILs. I feel so lucky...hope they like us as much as we like them!

She said YES!!!!

Beau proposed, Sharee said YES! and we couldn't be happier. She is darling and I'm so happy to be getting another sister-in-law. December 19th should be fantastic.

Snowcones

We have a snowcone place close by that we LOVE. Gummy and Gumpy were nice enough to take my boys for their favorite treat!

Family Night

It is always so good to see my extended family when I come to town. My Gummy and Gumpy are still so young and spry and travel a ton doing humanitarian work for the church. It was great to be at their house and eating TONS of food with everyone. My boys loved being with their second cousins too and really fun aunts and uncles. They are such lucky kids to have so many people love them.