First Day of KINDERGARTEN

Bria's first day of kindergarten couldn't come any sooner for her.  She was so excited all summer and kept asking when she would get to go to school.  I wanted to make sure her first day was one to remember and I wanted it to be a fun morning.  So, I made her pink, heart pancakes.  She even got to eat off the special plate.  The idea was to eat the heart so she knew I was with her all day like in the "Kissing Hand."  I know, cheesy, but you gotta be with kids!

 Can't wait!

 Erik had to get his picture of his first day of school as well!  He really thought he was going to school too.  He kept asking me where his backpack was.  Poor, little guy.  Well, he screamed when we drove away.

 Bria standing behind her teacher's name.  This is where all the kids line up to go into class when they first get to school and after recess.  Bria was not one bit nervous.  I was so happy to know that she was so excited.

 This is where Bria met her little friend.  When I went to pick her up from school they were holding hands on their way out!  It was pretty cute.  Either I am really naive or she is:)

 While Bria is at school, I do a little bit of school with Erik so he doesn't feel left out and he loves it!  The first day, we made homemade finger paints and colored shapes and practiced writing his name.

I can't believe I have a child that is in Kindergarten!  I know that time is going to just fly now!  I am so happy to watch my kids progress and learn new things.  It is very exciting.

I hesitated to post these weddings in one post because I am wearing the same dress!  And no, it is not on the same day.  Last month we were honored to attend the sealing of Jake and Courtney and their adorable boys.  It was such an amazing day.  We met Jake and Courtney at USU and became really good friends.  Seven years later, they made the decision to be sealed for time and eternity and I couldn't have been more grateful and excited!  We were so blessed to be there.  It was so emotional watching their sweet boys walk in the room all in white.  I am so grateful I was able to witness such a spiritual and sacred moment.

 Courtney and me

 The four of us.

A couple weeks ago, my cousin was married in the Logan temple.  It has been so neat to go to the temple Derek and I were married in and reminisce our own wedding.  My cousin and her husband were sealed in the very same room Derek and I were, so it was neat to sit there and remember our own wedding.  Caitlyn is more like a sister to me and I was so honored to be at her wedding as well.  Carol, my aunt, is like another mother to me as well and so we all are very close.  

 My mom and me

 My brother, mom and me

That night I got to play at Caitlyn's reception.  It was really fun because it was on a nice baby grande and I didn't have to worry about playing perfectly because I was just background.  It was really good to get back into playing the piano again.

Boating!

 Last Saturday we went boating with my entire family and had so much fun!  I LOVE boating and water skiing.  Unfortunately, it was too choppy to do any of that, but it was just as fun riding around and watching Bria have the time of her life!  Not so much Erik though.  He held onto this the entire time screaming, "STOP!  Slow down!  I need to get off!"  Poor thing.  He was born to the wrong family to be a fraidy cat!

 Zak LOVED it!  He was kicking his legs and squealing the whole time!

 I love how Zak's chubby cheeks just spill over his jacket!

 Bria loves jumping into the lake and swimming.

Somehow, Erik wanted to get in and regretted every minute of it, but I was so proud of him for overcoming his fears.

 One thing Erik is VERY good at:  Getting filthy.

 Bria and her cousins had a blast playing on the "beach".  I would love to actually play on the real beach.

Afterwards we headed to my parents for a barbecue.  It is always so much fun being all together!