Since Melissa was at Especially For Youth in Provo all last week, she missed her first day of school. So, today Monday the 17th is actually her first day. I had to get a picture of her and here it is. She was a little disappointed her Dad wouldn't let her take the truck to school today. She got her license and wants her own car so bad. She is excited about cheer this year and all the things that will be keeping her busy...(no time for boys).

First day of school 2009

Natalie's first day of Junior High.

Trenton was so excited...he wanted to ride the bus to school...BYE!
Zane and Claire having fun in the backyard.

Yesterday the kids started school. Way too early if you ask me. I think school should start after labor day in September, but who listens to me? It really crept up on us and I am still getting supplies that their teachers are requesting. Melissa's classes are requiring $110 in fee's..not to mention all the other "stuff" for cheer, over $700. I thought this was public schools, don't our taxes pay for all this stuff? Natalie goes to Flagstaff Middle School and they have a very strict "uniform requirement" this year. It is a little ridiculous but Nat told me yesterday that lots of people were not following the code and they didn't get in trouble. Zane is having a little trouble getting used to his playmate Trenton being gone and asked all day long when he was getting home. It was seriously driving me crazy.  Melissa comes home tomorrow and so her first day will be Monday..the normal day for school to start..who starts school on a Thursday? Weird...hmm..I don't know , maybe I'm the weird one. Comments welcome! ha ha 

Summer 2009

Getting on the little plane.

Brian's little sisters Lacey and Ashlyn.

I did alot of this!

My favorite view...

me, Ash, Carrie, Tiffany, and Debbie..hangin' out at the pool.

My father n' law Lonnie jumping off at Montezuma falls.

Brian chillin'

All of us on our way to Tortuga Island.

On our way to Vernal...La Fortuna, Costa Rica

Brian and I on Segways in San Jose, Costa Rica

At breakfast in our house in Tambour..the pacific side of Costa Rica.

My mother n' law Debbie on the canopy tour.

An Iguana the size of a child..on Iguana bridge (100's of them in the trees!)

At a favorite restraunt...we went there 2 nights in a row!

Trolley ride with kids to the sawdust festival in Laguna Beach..
Boys running on the beach in Laguna.

Claire enjoying a nice "sandy snack"

The girls coming through Immigration at LAX, returning from Japan.

Trenton's Soccer game on Wednesday..he scored a goal!

Wow! Where did it go? School is back on Thursday the 13th and I feel like summer just began. I am a little sad that the "fun" is over but it will be so nice to not have my house trashed 24/7. The month of July was a very busy one with our trip to Costa Rica. It was so nice to have a vacation without our kids..I mean I do love them and all but 10 days with out having to change a diaper, get someone a drink or give anyone but myself a bath was PRICELESS! ( Thank you Lonnie and Debbie for a glorious trip) We got do do alot of fun adventurous things like zip lining and river rafting, my favorite! The house we had in Tambour was so beautiful and perfect for all 14 of us. 

Then we got home for 2 days, did laundry, repacked, and took off for Laguna Beach for 10 days. Brian came for the last 4 days. The girls went to Japan to see their dad and had a really good time. Natalie took 400 pictures! So now that all the fun is over and it's time to get back to "reality" I guess I can just dream of our next vacation and hope that it's not too far away.....