A LITTLE LATE...

...but surely blog worthy! On August 11 Wyatt started his very first day of Pre-school! Thanks to my sister-in-law, Janet, we were able to find a great place to go to. It's called Academic Accolades...and Greta Sue Figueroa is the awesome teacher! Jared and I got to meet her and her assistant, Sheri, a couple days before school, and I was really impressed with both ladies. Wyatt is such a "people person" and a very smart little guy, so I knew he would really enjoy going to pre-school, and fter he got to meet Miss Greta I knew he would have a great time! He did give me a hard time on the way to meet her. He kept telling me, "Miss Greta is naughty." But as soon as I mentioned that she had play-dough and puzzles, he told me that he wanted to go see Miss Greta.

I was really excited for his first day of school and we got to the classroom early enough so that I could take some pictures and hang around for awhile. Right away Miss Greta read the kids a book, and after that Wyatt didn't even care that I was there. I didn't think that I would get emotional (he's only gone 3 days a week for 2 hours!), but I did feel a little sad. My baby is growing up, and although this is a small step, it is a STEP! The next step is kindergarten, and then elementary school ALL DAY! I realize that even though I am still teaching him at home, he is now around other people that are teaching him also. Have I taught him well up until now? Wyatt's first day of pre-school was perfect, and he told me that he wanted to go back the next day! Yeah!

THE NOSE
Here's a little lesson for everyone...courtesy of Wyatt.

This

+

=

AND

**The doctor didn't think it was broken, and now 3 weeks later it looks much better.

CALIFORNIA 2008

NEWPORT BEACH What a fun and fast trip! Although we were exhausted when we got back, we were so glad we went. The best part about the trip was that my brother and 2 sisters came! The last time we were all together for a vacation was 2 years ago! Next up, Hawaii...without kids. Jared and I decided to fly out with the boys Thursday morning and they both did great! It was fun watchng Wyatt roll his little Spider Man suitcase through the airport. He was really excited about flying and kept asking me, "Are we flying?" I was afraid the flight attendant might get annoyed with us and kick us off the plane. Towards the end of the flight Jared let Wyatt use his I-pod, and he listened to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang over and over. Luke actually "sat" on my lap like he was supposed to and didn't make a sound! He was really interested in looking out the window. The flight there couldn't have gone any better (of course it is just an hour 15 min. flight...still I was very proud). Right after we arrived we rented a car (Jared upgraded to the Lincoln Town car---you know, the car that looks like a boat. Wyatt was crying and didn't want to get in it) and headed to the beach house my sisters were staying in, changed into our suits, and went to the beach! The boys L-O-V-E-D the beach!! Wyatt was ever so excited to see his cousin Abbey and right away they had me and Connie chasing them down the beach. I enjoyed watching Luke run around. He has a great big pot belly that he sticks out, and to make it even better he lets his arms swing freely when he runs. He was very entertaining. That night we all gathered (my brother, Cam, and his wife Jenny and Johnny, a friend of Carrie's arrived just in time) for dinner at a family fav., The Old Spaghetti Factory, to celebrate Carrie's (which was that day) and Cam's b-days. It was really late by the time we got seated, and the kids were tired, but it was still delicous! Friday we spent all day at Disneyland. Whew! It was hot, but that didn't stop us from having fun. Wyatt was a pro this time and didn't cry on any rides. The adults had fun riding Space Mountain...FUN! Saturday was another fun filled day at the beach. Jared spent most of the day boogie boarding and even got me to get out in the COLD water for a little bit. The lifeguards were busy saving lots of people from the rip tides, but thankfully not any of us. That night we all gathered together again for dinner at Claim Jumper. Either I was really hungry, or that was by far the best place I have been to eat in awhile...or both. All I know is that it was goo-ood food. Before we knew it Sunday came and we flew home. Our flight was delayed an hour so we hung out at the airport for awhile, but with kids it felt like an eternity. I was a little worried this time that the boys would be tired and cranky, but not so. Jared and I both neglected to remember where we parked at the airport, but Jared found the car no probem...see, things couldn't have been any better!

Johnny and Carrie

Me and Luke waiting for dinnerAt Disneyland-My brother Cam and his wife Jenny (with Stella), and my sister Connie

I couldn't get Wyatt to sit still

Luke's run

At the airport on the way home

10 YEARS!

Earlier this month we drove up to Pinetop for my 10 year high school reunion. I was especially excited to get out of the heat and enjoy the cool pines, and that's exactly what we did. The reunion started Saturday with a family picnic during the day, and then Jared and I got to go eat without kids that night. The best part about the reunion for me was seeing everyone all grown up and running after little kids of their own, and it was interesting finding out what people have been up to. Jared really enjoyed getting to know the Christine he never knew. I think the best part of the day for him was when we took a tour of the school. He had fun taking lots of pictures. Most everybody looked the same, except me. My hair used to be really curly, but having children has changed my hair and so it's not as curly anymore. I usually wear it straight, but I wondered if some would have trouble recognizing me. Sure enough, I said hi to an old classmate, he shook my hand and said, "Nice to meet you." I laughed and told him who I was and he said he didn't recognize me with straight hair! Saturday night we had the privledge of staying with Jared's sister, Jenny + Family in Taylor, and then Sunday we went to church and had a great time visiting with the Shumway family! Thank you Don and Jenny for watching the boys and for always having a place ready for us. We love you! Here's to 10 years!

Wyatt's nose is another story...coming soon.

'98 Homecoming King and Queen

Jared's idea (this one's for you, Cam. This is the "senior slab") Our dinner table