My in-laws rock...

They are so patient. Mya fixed Grandmas hair and Grandpa helped Austin with lots of scout "stuff". In the picture they had carved a bear out of soap. We worked them to the bone when they were here! Blurry pictures...I did find my camera though. I have to start using that instead of my phone! While they were here they also:

-cooked

-cleaned

-took each of the kids on a date

-built shelves

-hung pictures

-told the kids bedtime stories

-stayed up late talking with Eric and I

-went on a kids-free date with us

-went with us to the kids prep day

-went with us to get the kids school uniforms

-organized

-unpacked

-washed ALOT of laundry...like 97 loads

-washed ALOT of dishes

-helped bury our under ground dog fence

-this list could be never ending...

August B-days

Mya and I had different ideas about her birthday party. I wanted to invite all of my family and kids over for one big party. She wanted a few friends and have a cooking party. Let the pictures tell the story...

Austin's cupcake creation

Ali and Tiana

Happy 7th big girl! I love you!!

(We made little pizzas, assemble fruit kabobs and decorated cupcakes.)

Aliyah is modeling the aprons I made for all the party goers. Austin opted out but would like a army one with orange fire flames on it at some point thankyouverymuch. Notice, NO PINK on these little babies...no siree...it's all purple and Caribbean blue around here these days.

For my birthday Gabby helped the kids throw a surprise party for me. Cake, party hats and all! Eric then took us all out to Hello Tokyo for some hibachi but only after he SPOILED me! I had asked for bread loaf pans. I got

-loaf pans

-gift card to the outlet mall

-a new stinkin' piano!

Who does that!!!???!! A husband looking to earn some serious good husband points, that's who!

We Have Adopted a Teenager

You may remember Gabby from a previous post about Mya's sixth birthday. Blonde,right. (The other is Maddie, her sister)

She lives with us now. Lots of reasons. She will leave for LDS Business College in January so we only have her for a few months.

This is how she pays rent. This and babysitting. Did I mention I am ok with this arrangement? (She did finish the laundry by the way.)

First day of Preschool.

Poor Aliyah had to wait a whole 1 1/2 weeks after her brother and sister started before she got to go to school. I finally told after the next "church day" you will go to school. On the drive home from church yesterday it finally all clicked! She has been talking about her new friends that she is going to make ever since. She got up at 6:30 and got dressed this morning. We didn't have to leave until 8:45. Poor thing... Right as I was leaving, the dishwasher repairman showed up so I had to send her off with Eric (who luckily was leaving a little late today)! So I hopped in the picture with her. I should do that every year with all the kids I think.

First Day of School

So, as always the first day of school came once again. I was sure it wasn't coming this year, but it did. I love/hate the first day of school. The house becomes eerily calm and quiet during the day. I love that. I begin to regret all the things we didn't get to do during the summer. I hate that.

So sweet and pretty :) Miss Priss had left her booksack (yes that's what we call it in the south) at school when she dropped off her supplies so she only had this box her teacher asked her to bring on the first day to show off. Not nearly as cute as her "not pink because I hate pink, but girly enough for people to know I am a girl" teal, black and white plaid booksack. (And yes, she "hates" pink and her bow and shoes are...PINK! But she picked them out, not me which is totally different.)

Orange is the "cool" color this year. It was an orange bag or bust. But look at the face, how could you say no?

We can do this... I love/hate uniforms. Actually that is a lie. I just love them :)

Next year Liyah-Bear, next year...

One More for the Road

Aliyah waked out to wait for the bus with the older kids, looking super cute for her first day of preschool.

Mya- MOM! Look at Aliyah! You have done a good job raising that kid!

Funny Children...

Austin- Why doesn't the rabbit ever get to have Trix in the commercial?

Me (driving)-mmm uh. (I have always thought the same thing. Such annoying commercials.)

Austin- Really?! What would it hurt? Just let the rabbit have some Trix, yo!

Mya- after eating a few bites of broccoli that she hated- This food mocks me in all sorts of languages.

Aliyah- to Austin when he had to wash the car for a punishment, in the sassiest voice she could muster- Get it right homeboy, get it wrong homeboy!