Seven Heaven

Well it happened again....one of my babies got another year older!!  Emmrey turned 7 on Wednesday September 11th.  She is our little list maker, so she had a list made several weeks ago with the items she was wishing for.  Just in case we didn't see the one on the way to the bathroom, she made a second copy for the fridge;)

 She woke up to breakfast in bed (actually she was awake first, she just waited patiently in bed for us to get it together).  Her request was for banana choc chip pancakes with a side of strawberries and milk to drink, of course.  

Emmrey loves the idea of having breakfast in bed, but she never really eats much because she is too excited about her birthday. It is a total bummer having to go to school on your birthday, so we let her open her gifts from her grandparents before school.

She was so excited about what they sent her:  money, a Zoobies (glow in the dark pillow pet) and a darling little dress with matching shoes that she wore to school.

Bailee had to leave early for swim practice and wouldn't see Emm until after her second practice at around 6:00 pm, so she left her this little note ...I thought it was so sweet:)

Then it was off to school...with treats in tow!!

 After everyone got home from school, work and swim practice we headed out for dinner.  The girls get to pick their birthday dinner (whether at home or out).  Emm chose Applebee's which I thought was strange because it's not a restaurant we frequent.  When I probed her a little more about her choice, I discovered it was because she really wanted Mac n Cheese (her favorite).  So we paid about 5 bucks for what I am pretty sure was a box of Kraft Mac n Cheese (restaurant style:)  Oh well.... sometimes it's about the experience..right?

Back at home she was greeted with a new bike and a few other gifts.....she was a little disturbed that this bike came with training wheels so those things had to go ASAP;)

 Emm was thrilled to open two Strawberry Shortcake dolls she had been wanting to add to her collection.

Her sissies put their money together and bought her this cute little game called Fibber.  She also received a Friend LEGO set, a Wii game and new jammies.

She made her wish and blew out the candles....I think she may have wished for another celebration to come soon (this girl loves her a party;)

She just couldn't decide on her cake flavor, and really wanted chocolate and vanilla.  So that is what we did!!  I had some help from our Cake Boss (aka Karsyn) and it turned out pretty good.

  We just can't believe our littlest is already 7.  She has filled those years with pure JOY!!  We are so blessed to be your mama and daddy.  Love you the most Emmy Boo:)

Lovebirds

Today these two Lovebirds celebrate another year together.  They have been through a lot over the course of their marriage.  It has been neat to watch their bond with one another strengthen over the years. Right now they are on a little getaway....just the two of them.  My parents started their family very soon after getting married, so they never really had time alone before children [and lots of them;] were added to the mix.  I know they wouldn't have had it any other way, but I am so glad they are able to take that much needed time together now.  I feel so blessed to be their daughter and learn so much about marriage by watching them.  Love you both so much!!

 

Back in the Saddle

Our girls started school last Tuesday.  We got home from our trip to the Redwoods late Sunday, which gave them only 1 day to get geared up for a new year.  Starting a new school year can be stressful enough, but add to that a new town + new schools and you've got a recipe for some very anxious little ladies (and parents).  I was a little unsure about our timing with the road trip the week before, but it turned out to be just what we all needed to keep our minds off the inevitable.  The night before school started our nerves were definitely getting the best of us...it's scary to step out of your comfort zone!!   Lunches were packed with notes of encouragement for good measure:)

In addition to starting High School at a brand new school + brand new town (did I mention that already?), Bay started practicing with a brand new swim team.  They have a pretty grueling practice schedule which begins at 6 am.  So first day of school or not, she and I were up at 5:00 am to get her there on time.  She was pretty bummed that she had to go to her first class with wet hair....but that is the life of a swimmer I guess.  Luckily she is not super high maintenance when it comes to that kind of stuff:)  Can't believe I have a Freshman already.....I'm totally in denial!!

Bailee- Freshman

 Bailee will be a Central Indian and will be navigating all new territory.  They run on an A, B, C day schedule...so it can get a little confusing [especially that C day...right Bay;)  She is taking a pretty heavy load in addition to swim team and choir.  She has Algebra 2, Honors English, Biology, Spanish, US History and Health.  Right now her favorite seems to be English...She also gets to take Seminary this year which she is pretty excited about.  

[taken at HS orientation]

Kars and Emm got to sleep in a little later and leave for school together:)  In Cheyenne 6th graders are still at the Elementary School, so I was more than happy they would be at the same school for now.

Emmrey-1st grade Karsyn-6th grade

However, we did not drop them off at the same building.  Of all the Elementary schools here, we live in the boundary for the one that splits upper and lower grades in two different buildings.  They are not even on the same campus...so it's basically like taking them to 2 different schools (although they operate as 1).  How crazy is that???  On a positive note, the school is small and therefore, so are the classes which I can appreciate:) Kars goes to the Miller building [grades 4-6].

There is only one 6th grade class, but it does have 24 kids in it.  Her teacher is  Mrs. Norgauer.  Karsy seems to like her teaching style, she likes to have fun...but also knows when its time for work. She made a good first impression at Back to School Night, so we are hopeful.  The biggest challenge will be keeping this girl from getting bored;(

Emm goes to the Deming building which is several blocks away.  It houses grades K-3 and although it's old [they both are] it has a certain charm.

Emmrey's teacher is Mrs. Flock.  She seems to have a real knack for working with kids, but maybe not so much with adults?  I may learn I am wrong on that...just first impression.  Emm really seems to like her, so that is what really matters.  There are only 15 kids in her class....love that!! It is soooo strange for me to not know the ins and outs of the school.  In Cody I knew every teacher and they knew our entire family.  I kinda felt like I was dropping off my girls with strangers and just hoping they were in good hands....such a different experience.  I hope lots of volunteering will change that a little bit:)

We had our traditional Back to School Dinner.  This year, Mark was actually in town...whoo hoo!!  He got to help drop the girls off and everything...they were thrilled:)  I detoured from the "school" theme and just went with a simple "Choose to Shine" theme....hoping the girls will use this as their motto for the year:)

 Dinner was simple....we had a candlelight dinner with personalized pizzas that each of us made to our liking.  It is always a great way to end the day and listen to the girlies share how things went for them:)

Here's to another school year!!  I am so proud of these girls and their courageous attitudes with all that has been thrown at them this year.  I really do hope they choose to shine:)