First Day of School + a little more!

This year, everyone was more excited than nervous to start school, which was such a great feeling. Jace was pumped to be a eighth grader and ready to rock Jr. High. With all of his friends waiting outside, he didn't want to be part of photo shoot, so he posed inside this year. 

James was off to Burton...a new school, but the same program. Only 9 of his friends will join him, so things will be a bit different after 3 years of the same. It's good to shake things up. He did NOT want to wear nice clothes, but did it anyway for one day.

Parks was ready to rule the school as a 6th grader. No nerves...just excitement!

Here the boys are with the grade they are going into...Pierce is holding a zero ;).

 Jace decided to cut his own hair...didn't go as planned.

We have been enjoying a bountiful harvest and caprese is on the menu all the time! Love it!

We spent one of our early out days at temple square meeting up with one of Mike's old mission companions and visiting grandma at work. It was fun to be there without the crowds and the craziness.

Celebrating my birthday is one of my favorite things ;)! It was low key this year. I met my amazing parents for lunch, where they gave me sweet notes and a generous present, then we shopped for a little bit and I found some new jeans to love. So grateful for these two awesome people.

 That night Mike and I headed downtown to Eva where we enjoyed a delicious tapas style dinner and lots of good conversation. It was a gorgeous night, so after our dinner we decided to walk the city. We ended up at the Gallivan center, playing lawn games, people watching, and listening to live music. It was my idea of a perfect night.

Every now and then, you get a perfect day, and the zoo last week with these 4 was just that...perfect. The weather was over cast, no one was in a rush and the zoo was practically empty. These four were happy as can be, sharing, giggling, and running all over the place. We only saw about half the animals because they spent so long watching the ones they liked, playing on the playground, soaking themselves in the splash pad and playing with hoola hoops and beach balls. Just the best! On the way out, Pierce asked whose idea it was to go to the zoo. I told him it was grandma's idea. He said, "It was a pretty good one. No actually, it was a really awesome idea."

This kid is a little celebrity when he attends the boys' schools. Everyone loves him, gives him five and shouts to him. This particular day, he left the classroom and said, "Mom, why does everyone love me so much?" I asked him if it was hard being so awesome and he said, "Yes, really hard."

During the first week of school, Parker ran for student council and WON!! He is awesome. There were tons of people running so it was tough. His slogan was, "Vote for Parker and Your Year Will be Sweet." He used candy bars on his poster and did a little speech incorporating candy bars. He did a great job. He was a little disappointed because one of his friends didn't make it...which was sad for Parker. Plus people can be mean when you win...it was a good lesson on how to both win and lose with grace.

Parker's team played in the Mayor's Cup and everything just "clicked." Parker was back to his amazing play and the team was phenomenal. So much fun to watch. Jace reffed the tournament and made a kinds of great money ;). 

We took a little detour and stopped to visit my grandma. It is hard to watch but she was making improvement. My boys were so sweet to help and serve her.

The Brett Reunion!

At the end of July we were able to participate in the Brett Reunion. Lucky for us, it was in Utah this year. It was especially wonderful to be able to reconnect with Mike's grandparents who are so loving and sweet to all of us. We were so pleased that Grandpa felt well enough to join us too! 

On a VERY hot and sweaty afternoon, we had a blast playing life size board games, eating and chatting! 

Pools are always a big hit and with the super hot sunshine, the kids stayed in for hours and hours. 

2 year olds + goggles are my favorite. This little girl loves the water so much she walked right in without her floaties and I ended up with very wet clothes ;). 

Cutest picture of these two! This is one amazing lady...still working from sun up to sun down...must be what keeps her looking so young. 

I told grandpa to pose for a picture, and this is what I got :). 

When they had had enough water, it was off to the tramp for a very wild game of something. 

The next morning we took over the bowling alley and had a blast. I am convinced that there is nothing indoor better than bowling for a crowd!

Nothing stops this guy :)!

After bowling and greasy food, we headed to the aquarium where we explored for the rest of the afternoon. Pretty cool place!

Sharks!

Fish nibbling on their fingers...no thanks for me. 

They walked across this bridge one million times. 

After the aquarium, more swimming!!

Big, strong uncles are super fun! 

Chaz and Jace were asking for it ;). 

At the end of the reunion it was time for Chaz to go home. We had a blast with him here and were all so sad he had to leave. We are campaigning for them to move into our neighborhood too!

One more night with a family dinner and we had to say good bye to all these sweet people. Sure lucky to come from such amazing stock.