Back on the Horse

Here's the thing... I love summer.  Love.  Love.  Love.  Carefree days spent by the pool and at the beach... life just does not get any better.  But... if I had to pick a second favorite season... it would be fall.  Hot chocolate.  Sweaters.  Apples.  Pumpkin spice everything.  Crisp autumn air.  It's gorgeous!  And back-to-school is the precursor to said fall paradise.  

Really though... this year I was kind of sad to see everyone go back to school.  But they were sure excited... 

Kate started preschool this week too!  My baby!!  Preschool!!!

 We got to school to meet her teacher and she was just beside herself with excitement.  She wrapped her arms around Miss Tammy and Miss Barb... and was beyond stoked when she got her very own "cubby".  I think she is going to have a super year!

Ryan is also returning to preschool this year.  After some long talks with Shaun- we decided it was going to be best to give Ryan one more year before Kindergarten.  Ry is smart as a whip- but he's just not quite emotionally ready for school.  Almost.  But not quite.

Ry is actually pretty excited to be the Big Man on Campus... he loved showing Kate around the school.  He pointed out the bikes and the best places to have a snack.  It was pretty cute.

On another strange note... I am also going back to school... as a preschool teacher!!  Ryan and Kate's school was looking for some help this year and I was beyond excited that I was one of the ones that was chosen to help fill their open positions!  I'm a little leery of being on someone else's schedule... does that make me sound flakey?  Maybe.  It's just that for the last 8 years, it has been MY way... I'm sure it will be fine- and I'm so excited to be working with little ones again!

Anyway... here's to a great year!!!

Big Day

 I can't even write this post without getting teary!!  It's so not fair that my babies have to grow up!  I keep telling Shaun that I just want to rewind 8 years and do it all over again.  He asked me if I was sure I really wanted to do that... since it hasn't all been smooth sailing.  And even with the ups and downs along the way- I would love to do it all over.  I have loved being mom to three beautiful and mostly well behaved kids.  Sigh.  But... that's not the way of it.  Until science figures out a freezing spray I can spray on my kids to make them stay the same age for as long as I want... I just have to put up with these huge milestones that make me feel old.

Ty turned 8 this year and was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on August 3, 2013.  I am so proud of my little guy and his decision to follow his Savior's example and be baptized.  He took this decision very seriously and wouldn't make it until he had thought seriously about it and had prayed about it for about a month.  He came upstairs one day and told me, "Mom, I think that it's the right decision to be baptized.  I want to make my Heavenly Father happy and I know this is what I need to do."  Talk about setting off the water-works.

I just can't believe what an amazing little boy we have.  He put on his white jumpsuit and he just looked so grown up!

 We are so blessed to have Ty as the "Big Brother".  He really tries his best to BE his best most of the time.  He always watches out for his brother and sister and is my biggest helper.  He loves to tease his dad and ride bikes.  I love you Ty.  And I am so proud of you!

Family Pictures

On our last night in So. Cal, we got dressed up and went back down to the beach (sorry Shaun) for some much needed, updated family pictures.  The sun was setting and it was so pretty!

So I know we are all blurry here... but when I saw Ryan's face I just about died...

So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Good Bye!

Well... we made it to the last day on the beach.  Sniff sniff.  I'm already excited for next time!  

Sandy toes...

This was the sweetest picture!  Shaun noticed how often Kate and I went out to the ocean hand in hand... and he snapped a picture for me.  Love that man!

Old Man out body surfing...

The boys and their sandcastle... don't worry... they had some help!

Kate was so good to take a nap for me everyday on the beach.  She just snuggled up in my lap (or in this case Grandma's) and just zonked for a good two hours.  Love my babies!!  They are/have been the BEST nappers ever!

So these next pictures might be disturbing... or funny... depending on your point of view.  Ryan may well use these to show his therapist in the coming years.  But to me- they just show you what a... unique individual my baby is.  It was the last day and Ryan hadn't been out on the boogie board yet.  And I was determined that he at least get out in the water once.  Thankfully... I conspired with grandpa and he agreed.  Good thing he's stronger and more determined than Ryan- otherwise, I don't think it would have happened.

But when gentle coaxing wouldn't work... Grandpa just picked him up and headed out.

Kicking and screaming the entire way.

Even after it was all said and done... Ryan let us know his displeasure...

But grandpa just took it all in stride.  

Too bad Kate didn't run fast enough when she found out it was her turn...

Her face didn't change much from the time she got onto the boogie board to the time she got off... But she didn't go near grandpa again until we left the beach.

Love me the sun...

Ryan was plumb exhausted...

Thanks for the fun times on the beach grandma and grandpa!

Thanks for putting up with sand in your butt Shaun.  We love you so much!