The little princess Gretchen on her first day of preschool. YIPPEE! 

Parker the BIG kindergartener. 

The D-Man heading off for 3rd grade. 

School days are here...happy days for MOM! :)
Well, it finally happened, our action packed summer came to a close this month. School is officially in session for the kiddies. Dallin is now in 3rd grade, Parker started Kindergarten, and Gretchen has her first year of preschool. Dallin got off to a rocky start after he got some mysterious illness (which the drs. did not know what it was...I know, what you are thinking, GREAT doctors) and he missed the first week. He got back just in time to take a 25 word spelling test, made a 93, a grammer test, made a 100, and a thunder thursday timed math test, made a 100. So, he obviously did not miss too much. Parker only went on Wednesdays the first 2 weeks. But his teacher is really sweet, and he seems to like it. His favorite thing is the bean table, which is like an indoor sandbox minus the sand and plus the beans. Gretchen LOVES school, and yells YIIPPPEE! when she wakes up and finds out its a school day. She actually got upset today because I did not let her stay and eat at school. BAD Mommy! She is having a blast, but has come home everyday with some sort of injury, knees scrapped, paper cut, cuticle ripped. I have no idea why she is so clumsy, Richard and I sure aren't. I did have mixed feelings about school starting. I like having fun with the kids, and going places with them. BUT they were getting a little sick of each other, and I actually have a few hours each week to myself. Of course, I am filling it up fast, substituting at the preschool, volunteering in the school library, and Parker's class. Who knows what else will come up? I am trying to get my Early Childhood Education degree, so we will see how that goes.

Yes, they are working, REAL hard, see the shirts and ties? How about the laptops? Oh, sorry, no internet connection in the houseboat on the island in the middle of the lake.  

What my husband does at his management "meetings". This one was outside of Atlanta, GA. 

Dallin cruising on his new skateboard. 

Uncle Ryan helping Dallin learn to use his new heely shoes. 

Owen and Elijah liked the present opening. 

The birthday boy and his loot. 

The family of the baptism/birthday boy. We are so proud of him. 

Dallin and some of his biggest fans! 

Dallin on his baptism day. 

Dallin is getting old, and so am I!
Dallin recently celebrated his 8th birthday. WOW! What a big, mature boy. He also was baptized on his birthday, which was very special. I do not think that he ever stopped grinning the whole day! Papa, Grammer, Aunt Dare, Uncle Ryan, Elijah, Owen, Aunt Minnie, Aunt Mary, and Uncle Fred all came to see him and his baptism. While everyone was here, we went to Dollywood, and the Black Bear Jamboree dinner show. He got some great gifts, and made some great memories. He even got a journal, and a remembrance book for his baptism. The baptism was beautiful, and well attended. He had about 50 family members and friends there. Papa and Grammer spoke, and Uncle Ryan played a beautiful song on his guitar, then we ate some yummy refreshments. I hope that the day was special to Dallin, I know he said he had the best birthday, and that is one of the reasons being a mom is so GREAT!

The girls sleeping in on their last morning. 

The boys sleeping on their last morning, the only morning that they slept in. There were bunk beds, but they all chose to sleep on the floor all week. 

Shannon and Sydney flying the barbie kite. 

Richard and Gretchen flying kites. 

A little game of checkers between Trevor and Dallin. 

These 2 are double trouble, Gretchen and Sydney. 

Dallin going down the slide at the neighborhood pool. They had some awesome pools. 

Parker learned to swim while we were in TX. HE is now a swimming machine. 

Welcome to Dr. Pepper, TX 

Dallin LOVED the Dr. Pepper plant.  

Kara, Sydney and Gretchen enjoying a little icecream with sprinkles, and glass bottled Dr. Pepper's made with imperial sugar instead of corn syrup (the only place that still makes it this way). 

Now that is my kind of dr. pepper, and Parker, Kara, and Gretchen. 

I had died and gone to heaven...Dr. Pepper, TX