Picture Day!

On our 2nd to last night in Oklahoma, I asked my super talented friend Ashley to take some family pictures for us.  I'd been wanting to do it for a long time, and why not put it off till the last minute when you have a ton of packing to do and nothing else better to do with your time than find coordinating clothes and make everyone look pretty?

Other than the pictures on my side bar that are my favorites, I have just a few more I had to share (okay, there are more than a few).  I'll just mention my favorite part of each photo.

Just because it has all of us

 Sarah's truly happy smile

 Jared - left out and with a sour look about it

 

 Trying to get a picture of Jared, and Andrew jumped in for a squeeze

 Andrew's totally cheesy smile

 Emma pulled them in for a hug

 Looks like they are discussing serious stuff here...

 Andrew's pure delight

Biggest blue eyes (not touched up, by the way)

A glimpse into the true nature of Emma and Jared's relationship... she can't get enough of him, and he deals with it.

Emma smiling with her teeth - very rare

Man... I love my little family.

First Grade - First Day

Sarah started her first day of first grade today!  It has seemed like a very, very long summer for us.  From packing up our house in Oklahoma, to visiting family in Utah, to unpacking our house in Iowa, to a L-O-N-G last three weeks of summer.  I think we were all more than ready for school to finally start.

I think I was just as nervous as Sarah was for the big day.  She's been telling me for a couple weeks that she was sad because she didn't know anyone in her new school.  Every time we'd meet someone new at the park or around town, they would have a kindergarten-age kid or a 2nd grader, but never anyone Sarah's age (or Emma's age for that matter). Sarah has always been a little like me when it comes to making friends.  We feel more comfortable waiting for the other person to approach us than to risk walking up to someone we don't know and might not want to know us!

So, as our whole family went to the school for the send off, I gave Sarah a hug and started tearing up.  I'm so worried for her.  I hope she gets brave today and meets 20 new friends.  When I realized Sarah was about to cry, thankfully, I was able to control my emotions and tell her what a great day she was going to have.  We left her without any tears, only looking slightly nervous.

 We can't wait to hear all about her big day!

Sweet Dreams

In preparation for my parents "speaking assignment" at church and luncheon at their house the day before they were scheduled to leave for the MTC, Dennis and Andrew helped my dad clean up the yard and mow the lawn.  Andrew had already had his bath and was headed to bed when Dennis asked if Andrew wanted to ride for a little while.  That was an easy answer!  Within a few minutes, Andrew was sound asleep.


He dreamt of John Deere all night long.