Fall, for me

The transition from summer to fall, that significant weekend of Labor Day, always symbolizes change and new things to come. It's the start of a new school year, the start of autumn and all its festivities. I love it! I think the most memorable of school years was starting junior high at Bonneville in 1986 (and how terrified I was) and BYU with Jennifer in August of 1991 (and how terrified I was). For our family, Labor Day also marks the start of the holiday season, beginning with my parents' anniversary (see picture below) on September 5.


The end of August has since become significant for me for a lot of other reasons, more important than any school year or holiday celebration. I was set apart as a missionary and entered the MTC on August 30 in 1995. The fall always reminds me of those two months in Provo where my testimony of Jesus Christ grew more than any other time in my life.



Five years later, Matt and I were officially 'engaged' on Labor Day in 2000. He drove 12 hours from California to bring me the beautiful ring he had picked out. We had a memorable barbecue in my parents' backyard that Labor Day weekend with my parents and my brother, Ben, and and his new wife, Launi (just married on August 9, 2000).



Just two short years later, our first son, Casper, entered the world at 8:15 a.m. on August 31, 2002. Matt's and my life were changed forever. We became parents.


Now, Casper's 7th birthday, we've become acutely aware of how quickly the 'Labor Days' keep coming. The new school years aren't ours anymore, but our childrens'. If we're lucky, it will soon be their missions and their weddings we'll celebrate.

So, how did we celebrate?



Thursday last week was an 'early release' day from school and I picked up the kids and 3 of Casper's friends for lunch at KFC and bowling. What a crazy time! At first, all patrons had to fear for their toes as 4 seven year olds threw, dropped, slid and launched bowling balls of all weights and colors down lanes 32 and 33 (and 1 time down lane 31). Lucky for us, no one was hurt and not one game was interrupted. We got it down by the end, though, and Stewart, the lucky guy, not only won the game with 120 points, but got the only strike of the day. He also walked away with his own pair of bowling shoes, compliments of the lady at the front desk. It pays to be cute!! We capped off the celebration with dishes of ice cream and headed home.

We're grateful that Casper is part of our family! He's grown so much in these last seven years, we have to fold him in half just to sit on our laps at church!

Casper, we're just glad you still want to sit on our laps! We love how much you love toys and how much you love your little brother. We love your artwork and craft projects and most of all, we love you! Happy Birthday!

Back in School

Whitney and Casper started school again on August 10, which seems early to me, not to mention that it's still over 100 degrees! The day went much better than when Casper started kindergarten last year; it does help to have some experience and to have a helpful husband in tow.

Whitney was the most excited to start kindergarten--to have a class and teacher of her own and to be with all the new kids. The little boy sitting right next to her, Jose, just happened to be someone she knew from her little preschool last year, so that helped break the ice. When I stopped in for Casper's lunch check, the look on her face said, "Why are you here, mom?" I had been worried that she wouldn't be ready because her birthday is so late, but I feel very comfortable with it, now. When she got home at 3:40, she STILL wasn't tired!





Casper has a great teacher, Ms. Maitner. I honestly haven't heard much from Casper about his time at school. Each time I went into his classroom, it was totally quiet and all the kids were working. I need to get some tips! I'm guessing Casper will have a lot of pent up energy this year, but I couldn't be happier about the care and learning environment they are both in. I do miss both of them, especially the fun things we get to do together. However, I don't miss the 'fighting' and it's been nice for Stewart and me to get to play. The house is actually cleaner, already!

I loved the pictures from the bus stop at the end of the day--the first words out of Whitney's mouth were, "I was SO scared, mom, I didn't want to ride the bus without Casper, but he was so nice and let me sit by him, I was SO scared." Her next words were, "I can't wait to ride the bus in the morning!"

Dog days of summer

The one good thing about it being so warm in the day here is that the pool is like a big bathtub at night. I couldn't resist this picture of Stewart falling asleep in the pool in the floatie; it reminded me that the summer is coming to an end and we have a few days to sit back and relax before the hectic schedule begins on August 10.

I have mixed feelings. While it's been a great summer with lots of fun with our family and friends, I will be glad for the normal schedule, cooler temperatures and the fun school activities in the fall. While I'm excited for Whitney to start kindergarten (where has the time gone?), I don't agree with such a long school day from 8:40 - 3:40. It'll be a big adjustment for the kids to be gone from home so long. It'll be an adjustment for Stewart. It'll be an adjustment for me.

To give summer a big farewell, we've been keeping busy. At the end of July, my mom (Grandma Casper) came to visit and help me out with some medical appointments while Matt was on Reserve Duty. The kids enjoyed her stories, movies and Diet Coke!



The next weekend, we went camping with our friends, the Carlsons. They are terrific people and easy to be with. Matt and I were unusually stressed as Matt got home from his two week reserve duty just hours before we headed up to Mormon Lake and we forgot quite a few things, but Matt did get out on the canoe with Mark, Bella and Joshua, and Casper and Whitney. Carla is a great cook and I'd go camping with her, anytime! One highlight was the game, Splash Out, where you pass around a ball filled with a water balloon that breaks when the time runs out...the kids and adults loved it!





Today we went to the Childrens' Museum for several hours with Cambria and her Grandma, Judy. The kids kept so busy, it was 4 p.m. before we knew it. I loved watching them all interact together in the exhibits.





I've been letting the kids use my camera (yikes!) for summer projects. Casper is making a Star Wars still shot movie that I'm still trying to set to music (to be posted later) and Whitney spent quite a lot of time posing her dog, Shotzy. It's really cool to see your kids grow up and do things they've never done before.



Last on our summer list was getting our new baby, Ping. This is Casper's insulin pump. We'll keep you updated on the progress, but overall we're excited to have him join our family. The first 3 weeks have been rocky, but I think I've gotten the basal rates to a point that Casper actually woke up with a blood sugar of 93 yesterday and today and has stayed within 30 points of that, even after eating. It's made a huge difference in how Casper feels (and in how he acts).

Enjoy your 'dog days of summer' while they're still here!

P.S.NOT part of my summer enjoyment were the TWO speeding tickets I received in July from the 'Automated Traffic Enforcement' cameras that are so famous on our lovely Phoenix freeways. I haven't driven I-17 South all that often, so I missed the short speed trap that drops to 55. I was driving 66 and 67 mph. Each ticket is $181.50!! I could have bought some really cute clothes! :(

Date with the dentist

I just had to post this picture of my kids' last visit to the dentist. Not a tear, complaint or whine from the bunch, not even from Stewart. All came away with no cavities, too. I have to give the dentist and his assistant full credit for their calm manner and patience in describing each instrument and procedure. As you can see, Stewart sat without restraints during his cleaning. Kudos to Dr. Ellis, too, for challenging both Whitney and Casper to join the 'Thumbs Out' Club and stop sucking their thumbs. From that visit on, both are still thumb free during the night and all day long (only one relapse from Whitney). In combo with Ronelle's application of that 'nasty stuff' while we were at the beach, we just might be done with the thumbs. Now, what to do with Stewart's fingers? He just laughs when we put on the 'nasty stuff' and pops those babies right back in his mouth. :)

Sand between my toes

Seven loads of laundry later, I'm STILL walking around at home, feeling sand in between my toes left over from the beach...or is it just that I'm dreaming I'm still at the beach?

Our trip to Refugio State Beach over the 4th of July was certainly one of those vacations that has been hard to recover from. Foremost, we really miss being with our friends from Ridgecrest. The kids especially miss the freedom to run and roam with their buds in the water, in the sand and in the campground. It was so refreshing to see them all get along without any residual pushing or shoving. I surprised myself with a morning of Boogie Boarding that started out with a mouthful of water. Matt captured that moment perfectly (refer to slideshow). Whitney surprised me, too, with her joy in the water and in the sand, where before she's always been afraid or bored. Casper was determined to take both Stewarts (his brother and the Call's son) boogie boarding, though they weren't too interested in the water. Casper did great on the board! Looking for treasures in the tide pools was really beautiful and fun in the mornings. We also enjoyed sharing our campfires and food and funny stories while the kids gorged themselves on bags of marshmallows every night.

Casper has a totally new attitude about putting on his vest now that Mackay, Colin and Simon all gave it a try.

I already really miss some of the women I love most in the world--the ones who have helped me to be a better mom and person (you know who you are)! That Mongolian BBQ we ate for Kathryn's bday wasn't bad, either! Matt and I had our first date in a really long time thanks to Charity and Ben Call watching our kids while a few couples went to a great steakhouse in Solvang. We so owe you!

The 4th of July started out with a traditional parade around the campground and we couldn't be left out. Matt was very proud of his new bike and seat for the kids. It was something to watch him stay balanced!

Yes, I still haven't recovered...and I hope that sand stays between my toes until next summer. Thanks for such a great time!

Our 'Junebug' turns 5!

On our way home from the airport to pick up Matt after 2 long weeks without him, we stopped to eat at Sweet 'Potatoes,' the kids' favorite restaurant. As I watched the kids climb on their favorite dad, I was struck by the fact that it was Whitney's last night as a 4 year old and a lump got stuck in my throat...she's not a preschooler, anymore. In fact, she dressed herself that morning in one of her cutest outfits, matching headband, handbag and shoes. She even wet down her hair and combed it so that the curls went just right. She is a beautiful girl that wears size 6X clothes, size 11 shoes and...a bike helmet made for kids age 14 and older!!!! I could hardly believe it and neither could my witness, the Walmart clerk. It seriously is the first one that fit properly. I'll update my post with a cute photo of her on her new Barbie scooter from Grandma (wearing her new helmet, of course!)





We had a fun time with Whitney and her little friends at the Splash park near our house with McDonalds' lunch and cupcakes. I love you and am proud of you, Whitney and am so glad that you're part of my life! Happy Birthday, sweetie!

Our Cinco de Mayo Celebration

Do your kids ever inspire you to do things that, afterwards, you're so glad you did? Mine do, all the time, if I let them. Casper insisted all weekend that we make a pinata like they were making at school. I listened to him and, with a little guidance from the internet and from him, a quick shopping trip for balloons and newspaper, we actually pulled it off! After our family home evening lesson on Monday, we all helped glue tissue paper over the newspaper-covered form and dad figured out how to attach it to a rope (we'd forgotten to attach a hook before doing the paper mache work). Before I knew it, Casper had written out invitations to kids in the neighborhood for his 'Cinco de Mayo' party, and Whitney and I were off to the store again for a bag of candy, some chips and salsa and snow cone syrups. I made a few more calls during the day to friends and we had 16 kids and 5 moms show up for a fun after school event. I think the picture of Casper with that big smile on his face says it all. How did YOU celebrate 'Cinco de Mayo?'



That same day, Whitney had her dance class. I took a video that's about 2 mintues long. If you have the time to watch it, it'll probably make you laugh. Thanks for reading!