Once again, I have a list a mile long, and here I sit. You may have heard that Stephenie Meyer's book-in-the-works, MIDNIGHT SUN has been leaked-- therefore, causing her to leave it unfinished possibly FOREVER. So, she decided to release the first 12 chapters herself, and here I sit GLUED to my laptop. What's a girl to do?
MIDNIGHT SUN
Maggie started school a week after Johnny so today was her first day. It's weird to think that she's the same age Johnny was when we moved to Tucson. She's had her outfit picked out for weeks and she didn't sleep at all last night she couldn't stand the anticipation of it all! She got to go to the bus stop and wait with Johnny and play with her friends at recess and then ride the bus home with them. She had the biggest grin getting off the bus today, she just loved it. I'm so proud of how grown up and independent she is, I'm grateful she's had Johnny to watch and has the confidence she needs to be a great kindergartner!
John just picked up 2 night classes at BYU and felt like he needed a reward for himself. This is what he came home with on Saturday after going to the store for something completely different. No arguments from me, we had a great time playing it on Saturday night with lots of our family over. This game ROCKS! 
I am too wussy to stay the night camping, so we didn't stay the overnight, but we had a fun time just going up for the evening. I didn't take enough pictures, I didn't quite capture the DIRT like I wish I would've. I had bought new sneakers for everyone because we didn't have any, and they ended up BLACK. So, I did take an "after" picture, but it doesn't quite do it justice without the "before" to compare it to. Everyone was sad to go home and so maybe next year I can suck it up and we'll stay the night too. 
It's not very often that these two sisters get along. They don't sit by each other, share anything, or play together. The TWO things they do share: hairstyles (forced by myself), and a love for Hannah Montana.
Mom is happy becuase:
* The kids get to go to the same school for TWO years in a row!
* One less to make lunch for (he eats A LOT!)
* It's quieter during the day
* He's on a later track so we get more time for zzzzzzzzzzzz's
* His bus stop is closer to our house
Johnny is happy becuase:
* He gets to go to the same school TWO years in a row!
* He has a great teacher
* He has lots of friends he already knew in his class
* He grew really tall this summer (size 10 pants, size 2 shoe, and size Large shirt)
* He loves eating lunch at school
For Father's Day John got tickets for US to go see Brian Regan. We've been waiting a long time and were so excited that our friends got tickets for the same night. We had a yummy dinner at Chili's and then went to see the show. He was hilarious and I recommend that you look him up if you haven't seen or heard him! It was a sold out show and there were 4000 people there! I'm stealing Christy's pictures from her blog because I didn't get any. Anytime we go anywhere I know she'll take enough pictures for all of us (it's a good thing, Christy!)! Thanks for a fun night!
Going all out to make sure SAM is comfortable while he sleeps
Saturday night's movie: Nim's Island 
Can you say Hannah Montana?
While I should have been scrubbing toilets, vacuuming, dusting, and cleaning house today to make up for our summer absences, this is what I was watching instead:
Breaking Dawn Interview
I watched from #'s 1-10 and I really feel a lot better about the whole book. I needed some answers and I feel relieved to have them. I'm also halfway through reading it again and I really love it now the 2nd time around. So, if you have an extra hour today-- watch this interview, it is worth your time!
Okay, so I was just so,so,so excited to read this book and I finished it yesterday morning and I just can't get it out of my head. I keep running through it all in my mind and I just can't decide whether I liked it or not. I read some of the reviews on Amazon from other readers and most everyone hated it. I also went to some discussion forums to see what more people thought and they were somewhat positive. I felt like it was kind of hokey, it ended happy, but I don't FEEL like it's over yet. What I would like to know is what YOU think?
Also, my friend in Atlanta introduced me to this band, I found them on I-tunes and actually really got a kick out of their music. If you are a Twi-hard, I recommend you take a listen!
We always spend the first weekend in August at my Grandpa's Farm for a family reunion. Our weekend usually consists of: staying at the CUTEST log cabin hotel, tractor hay ride (Grandpa has to get everyone to scream out of fear before he's done), lots of visiting, yummy food, flag ceremony, movie outside at night, playing with lots of cousins, and FUN!
I don't have many pictures, I feel bad I didn't take more.
This is the little cabin we stay at:
This is my Grandma opening fruit snacks for Josie & Audrey, exciting right?
Here is my Grandpa helping the kids dig a hole to put in a pole to make a sign
John has always wanted to go see my Uncle Blake's bees. This is him bringing us back some honey
Top 10 favorites from our Cabin Trip 2008:
10- Jordan's AWESOME sandcastle made with the kids
9- West Yellowstone ice cream cones
8- Running around the Island every morning, so peaceful!
7- Playing in the water
6- Games every night
5- Spending so much time with my brothers and sisters
4- Watching Josie play with Brizzo (Scott's dog) who TOWERS over her!
3- Always YUMMY food, and Mom's cinnamon rolls!
2- Sleeping in ...
1- Watching a crazy storm roll in, like I've never seen up there before
Johnny LOVED baseball this summer! We had a great time practicing outside and watching his games. He's looking forward to more practice and playing again next summer!
We have pushed and pushed this summer to get Johnny to learn to ride his bike and he would just quit because he couldn't do it. I was afraid he'd be 12 and still not be able to ride with his friends. UNTIL I got some good advice from a couple of friends and some motivation from Maggie's friend the next door down: TAKE THE PEDALS OFF! We took the pedals off of Johnny and Maggie's bikes on evening and they just pushed themselves around for hours loving it! The next day we were outside and figured they were ready to put them back on and here is what we have:
BEFORE:
AFTER:
We've been so many fun places this summer! Florida was so much fun, we had a great time just being together and seeing new things. We didn't dare go to Disney World without the kids, but it left us lots of time to explore other places. We did spend a lot of time at Downtown Disney, but we also go to see The Kennedy Space Center, lots of trees, Bay Hill Golf Course, lots of trees, Cocoa Beach, and lots of trees. John never got to see an alligator, which was a disappointment for him--but not for me. We got to eat out alone, see movies alone, and just hang out. What more could you ask for from a "kidless" vacation? Thanks Mom & Dad for watching them!
