Sweet Victory

So for the last two years Aunt Sarah and Nicholas have run in the Race for Recovery in Provo Canyon. Last year it was a very hard course for Nick, it took him over an hour and much of it is uphill. Nick ran this years race in 47 minutes. I am so proud of him he had so much improvement on this 5k. Aunt Sarah is so awesome for coming up here and running with Nicky. It is such a fun thing that they do together. Of course the best part for Nick is the sports drink at the end. Nicky is for sure one of the boys that you could say the way to his heart is through his stomach.

I am so thankful for Nicholas and the joy that he brings to this family. I am so proud of him for doing things that are a real challenge for him and not just finishing but also improving. He is a great son and I am glad that he is part of our family!

First Day of School

Well I know that school has been in for a month and a half, but I just got the pictures downloaded. So this is Nicholas's first day of 3rd grade and Aeryka's first day of 2nd grade. I know I have two more kids in school but they started later and I kept forgetting to take a picture. Robby is in Kindergarten and with the all the joy he can muster he tells me that it is bowing (BORING). Jessy is back in preschool. She is starting to remember the routines down but I believe her favorite thing is that she gets to spend 3 mornings at Nanny house visiting.

Oh yeah, that cheese ball picture is what I got when I asked the kids to stand together for a picture.

Manti Pageant

Well, we decided to take the kids to the Manti Pageant this year. I knew Nicholas would not make it through the whole thing but I didn't think he would fall asleep before it started. I also didn't know how excited a little three year old would get to see all the costumes and the pageant. Jessy loved it. She had to let out a very loud WOW, when the angel Moroni was on the top of the temple. She was the most excited of all the kids. We were also glad that Kiarwin was able to meet us there. We were not able to see them a lot during the summer so this was a fun time to get to see them.

I know I only have one picture, our camera that had the other pictures on is broken so we will wait to see if we can get some more from Kiarwin.

I am so thankful for the time that we were able to spend together as a family this summer. It was fun to get to do a few fun things together.

Family Pictures

We are so lucky to have an Aunt Sarah who enjoys taking pictures. She did these pictures this summer for us up at the BYU-Idaho gardens. Nicholas just had to have a waterfall in his picture. These pictures say a lot about our kids. The two clowns with the cheese ball smiles are pretty much like that all the time. My kids are also hand holders and I love that Robby and Aeryka are both holding Nick's hand.

So I have a friend (Krista) who ends all her blogs by saying something that she is thankful. I love that! So I am stealing that idea and I am going to try and remember to do that from now on when I blog.

Today I am thankful that I have a sister that will take my kid's pictures any time that I ask her. She does a great job and my kids love spending time with her (as do I).

15 years ago

So Fifteen years ago I was going to the temple to be married to my sweetie however, they neglected to tell us that we needed to be there two hours earlier, so yes we were two hours late for our wedding. Good Times! I can promise you I have learned a few things since then and we are not known for being late any more!

I can't believe that Ron and I have been married for 15 years(when did I go and get that old?). Ron took me out to lunch for our anniversary to our favorite restaurant (Gloria's Little Italy, Yummy). We knew with school starting on the same day with Nicky we would probably not get out during the evening (after an hour of crying and snuggling he was doing O.K.).

I am so glad that we were at least able spend some time alone together. I am so grateful for a wonderful husband who loves me and our kids. Ron is a great husband who tries to show me everyday how much he loves me. I am so thankful for a wonderful husband, a great father, and having a priesthood holder in our home!

Grandma's Front Yard

What is the best thing about grandma's front yard?? The big willow tree of course. Nicholas and Aeryka loved climbing in grandma's tree. This summer their goal was to climb as high as they could. They actually got quite high. Then they thought it would be fun to start jumping out of the tree. I am so glad that my kids can entertain themselves. Sometimes I have to hold my breath and just let them be kids, because the jumping out of the tree was not my favorite activity ever. However, a good time was had by all.

5K Run/Walk

I know it is hard to tell from these pictures what is going on but this is the cousins/ friends waiting for Nick, Aunt Sarah, Colton, Austin, Nicole, and I to come in from the 5k. The first 4 names ran the 5K and Nicole and I walked it. It was so much fun for everyone and it was fun for the younger kids to do the 1 mile run. It was really fun to just spend some time with our cousins and our friends. I hope that we all can do it next year. I know that Robby is planning on it he is already practicing.