Cody's 1st day of 1st grade

Honestly, we bought Cody new clothes.  The bad part is that he is so used to wearing shorts that are too small for him that he thinks shorts that are the right size are too big.  That is what happened here.  He thought his new shorts were too big and refused to wear them.  I had to wash them and they are still "too big".He wasn't excited about 1st grade but he was excited about wearing his new shoes that we bought him.  His first or second pair of Vans.  They were on sale at the BX or he wouldn't have gotten them.Cody has the same teacher he had last year.  Ms. Rossall is an awesome teacher and I am excited for him and he is excited to have her again.  The part that bothers me is that he is in a combo class (kindergarten and 1st grade) so I hope he learns everything he is supposed to learn in 1st grade.  I am already making sure I work with him more at home so he doesn't fall behind.

I was lucky this year.  He agreed, reluctantly, to let me take a picture of him in front of the school sign.  I tried last year and he refused.  Now we have photographic proof that he went to Irving L. Branch Elementary School :D

 

He is also excited because he has about 4-5 kids in his class again.  That makes things easier for him to transition to a new school year as well.  He also made a new friend as well (although he kinda new him from last year).

 Here is to an awesome year as a 1st grader.

Last weekend of summer break

Last weekend was our final weekend of summer vacation.  It turned out to be one freakin' awesome weekend.  I made the plans and I am so glad I pushed it.Jason took Thursday and Friday off and we drove down to San Diego.  We heard about the Mormon Batallion Historical Museum from friends and had to go.  After settling into the hotel we headed to Old Town for dinner and the museum.  Trying to find a parking spot, WOW, I couldn't believe how many people were at Old Town San Diego on a Thursday night.  We finally found a parking spot in the Museum parking lot and then walked to the restaurant we wanted to go to.  Now this restaurant is, we think, the restaurant that was recommended to us by friends.  We were told about a Mexican restaurant near the museum that has AMAZING mexican food.  We figured no problem, we can find a mexican restaurant.  Yeah right, there were half a dozen mexican restaurants.  We decided on a restaurant that we found out about at the hotel.  I am SO glad that we did.  This restaurant was AMAZING.  I am willing to drive back down to San Diego just to eat there again.So, we headed to the museum and the boys loved it.  Their favorite part was the end though, panning for gold and playing with the water pump.

Saturday we decided to go explore the USS Midway aircraft carrier.  They happened to have a plane on there, the SBD Dauntless.  It was a plane that Jason's dad guarded on Guadalcanal during WWII.  I had a blast exploring a ship.  I couldn't live on one but it was neat to see how the Navy lives for months at a time. 

After that, you can't go to San Diego without visiting Sea World.  It was the second time we took Cody and Wyatt.  They loved it, of course.  They wanted to feed the dolphins but we got there too late to do that.  Luckily they were allowing you to feed the Sea Lions, so they did. 

The best part of the whole weekend...we were sealed as an eternal family.  We got to take all 3 of the boys to the San Diego temple and become an eternal family.  It was awesome.  I was worried about how the boys were going to do in the youth center with the sisters that watched them while Jason and I were taking care of all the stuff we had to do.Silly me, the San Diego temple had been closed and we went on the first Saturday after it reopened.  It was PACKED.  So packed that I actually got "kicked" out of the bride's room because they didn't have room.  It was fine though, I kinda felt out of place being there anyway.Needless to say we were there for a LOT longer than we anticipated.  We should have been done with everyone no later than 1:45, I don't think we even got started until closer to 2 or a little after.The boys looked amazing in white and were so excited to finally see us in the sealing room but Wyatt was only happy for a short time.  When he kept being told on where to go and what to do he got frustrated and threw a trantrum.  Then he didn't want to participate in the sealing.  Our sealer gave us some time to try and talk some sense in to him but he just wasn't having it.  Another brother came in to try and calm him down but as usual, it wasn't happening.  Finally that same brother took Wyatt's hand and held his down so our sealer can seal us as a family.  It was quite an experience.Cody and Garrett were amazing and I couldn't be more happy on how well they both handled the situation.  Of course, after Wyatt was crying Garrett started in so trying to hear what the sealer was saying was difficult.We hired a photographer to take some pictures after the sealing so as soon as I get those I will post them on here for everyone to see.  I am so happy and can't believe we made it.  Now, I can't wait to go back to San Diego and be able to spend some time in the celestial room.

We have all joined up...

Just wanted to stop in and say hi from San Diego.

We got a late start but still was able to visit Old Town San Diego.  We ate dinner at this awesome Mexican restaurant called Cafe Coyote.

After dinner we headed to the Mormon Batallion and enjoyed a fun tour about the mormon batallion members.  After the tour we panned for gold, Jason found some nuggets, and then had our picture taken.

Wyatt wasn't happy and really didn't want to take a picture.  Garrett was more interested in my hand and what he could chew on.  Cody is such a ham he was ready to go as soon as we said we were taking a picture.

8 years

I decided to post this a day late because I was a day late on Garrett's 6 month post. Yesterday Jason and I celebrated our 8 year anniversary.  I can't believe how fast the time is flying by.  Just 2 more years and I can get half of his military retirement  :D 

I love him more than the day we got married.  To see him with our boys and just how much they have changed the rough and tough man I married.  Of course, he is still there but he has softened up so much just because of his love for our boys and for me.  I know that he would do anything for any one of us. 

(Don't judge too much, I was pregnant with Garrett in this picture but it is the latest I could find of just the two of us)

Soon we will be going to the temple to be sealed as an eternal family.  That day I have been waiting for since I found out about the blessings.  It was long time coming but I know it is so worth the wait.  I know that with Heavenly Father and our faith we will all continue as a family after we have passed on. I love you so much Jason and look forward to growing even older with you.(I would say old and gray but we are both there arleady ;D  ) 

6 months

Well, Garrett has made it to 6 months.  I really can't believe he is halfway to a year old already.  I can only imagine how fast the next 6 months will go.  Especially with so many things going on in the next few weeks. 

I am a day late getting these pictures taken because I woke up with a migraine yesterday but here they are.

This one I love because it is so a look he would give any day.  He always looks like he is learning from everything he sees.  I can't wait to see him in school and how much of a sponge he will be.  Oh yes, I can wait but I am excited to see the type of person he becomes as well.

This one i love because it shows off his half smile that he is always giving.  He is so playful and loves to have attention.  (Maybe that comes from a mom who is spoiling him and 2 older brothers that love him so much).

I hope that all three of my boys grow up with such love for each other and become the best of friends.

This one is my favorite of the shots I go.  This realy shows what a playful little boy he is and his willingness to so easily give someone a smile or laugh.  I love it.  Unfortunately you can't see that he now has 2 teeth, both on the bottom.  He sprouted those about a week or so ago.  I can't believe how fast he is passing every stage there is as a baby.

I am going to miss this stage of motherhood.  My only hope is that all my boys feel like I was the best mother and strive to be good father's and husband's someday.

Thank you for letting me be your mother each one of you.  I love you all!!!

Happy 6 month birthday Garrett!!!