First Day of School

We now have a SECOND GRADER and a KINDERGARTENER!!!!

Elena was so excited this morning she couldn't even eat breakfast. She was dressed and ready to go before 7:30am. We were also so happy to see that one of her best friends had switched tracks and was in her class. Noah was laying around all morning, but when it was time to go he was up and out the door. We thought he would have a tough time saying goodbye and getting in line. Oh, no as soon as his teacher said line up he just walked away from us. I think his shyness is all a game. I am so glad he wasn't one of the 4 boys crying going into class.This year should be fun!

Happy Anniversary

Happy Anniversary Ben!! It's been a wonderful 11 years. The time seems like yesterday when 12 twelve years ago I walked into your apartment and saw you watching the Olympics.(Oh yeah that was yesterday - At least the Olympics part) 11 years ago we were married in the Los Angeles Temple, 8 moves and 3 kids later I would do it over in a heartbeat. You have been the ideal husband from the beginning. With your sarcastic humor and joy for life we have had many fun and funny moments together. Most of all you have loved me unconditionally and have loved our children more than any father could. Thank you for the wonderful 11 years and so many more to come. I Love You!!

Last Days of School

Elena just finished 1st grade on Friday. The last few days were full of fun for her. On wednesday they went on a field trip to a park with water features and had an ice cream party for all those that memorized their math facts. On thursday she had an awards assembly where she received an award for being on the A/B Honor Roll all year. We were very proud of her and she was proud of herself.
This is her awesome teacher, Ms. Lowry. She really pushed Elena this year to come out of her shell and was able to get her to read aloud in class and be confident working on the computers.

Her End-Of-Year Performance was so cute. She was one of six kids that got to come out and introduce their class. She did a fantastic job.

She was very serious about the performance and we could hardly get her to look at us or even smile.

She had a really fun year and made some really good friends. Now we are out of school now for two weeks and will start 2nd grade and Kindergarten for Noah.

Ben's Surgery

Yesterday Ben went to the hospital for surgery on his arm. We had found a mass on his arm a few years ago and for the last couple years I had been bugging him to go have it looked at. So right before our vacation he finally went in and they did an ultrasound on it and found it was a solid mass that needed to be removed because it was growing embedded into his muscle. Doesn't he look cute in his hospital gown.
So they found that it is called a lypoma (I think that's how you spell it). Basically it is a fatty tissue deposit and his body for some reason produces these masses. This one just happened to get quite big.

The surgery was pretty quick and he has a few days to recover. He can't shower for two days though. I hope he doesn't start to stink by tomorrow.

He is feeling good but now his arm is getting swollen and starting to throb. Thanks to all of our friends that stopped by and made sure things were okay. He will back to himself in no time.

Bald and Beautiful

So recently Elena has been a little obsessed with dressing Rex up like a girl. The ponytails being one of the most important factors. I didn't care and thought it was funny, besides every little brother gets dressed up like a girl by their sister. Rex seemed to enjoy it too. He would come out from the makeover and tell me, "I a Princess."
However Ben came home from work one day and Rex was still dressed up. He didn't think it was nearly as funny. I think Rex telling him "I a Princess" when he walked in put him over the edge.

So about two days later while I was getting the other two ready for bed, Ben took Rex into the bathroom and shaved his head. He looks so different. Ben said that when he showed Rex his hair in the mirror he said "Thank You Daddy." I guess no more ponytails for Rex. Little does Ben know that the next day Elena asked me where her wig was. She isn't giving up that easy!!

Noah's Birthday and 24th of July

Here are a few pictures of the last couple weeks. Some are of Noah's birthday and some are of our stake's 24th of July Celebration. Every year our stake does a huge celebration at the park and thousands of people come. They have snow cones and cotton candy, games and this year a zip line. Luckily the weather was overcast and made the heat quite bearable.
Rex ansd Noah relaxing at the 24th of July Celebration

Rex has an issue with capri-sun. This is him spitting it out all over himself. The other day he took a full one and squirted it all over the family room. I guess I'm a glutton for punishment because I keep giving them to him.

Elena looking Oh So cute in her pioneer hat.

Noah got Hulk gloves for his birthday. they are actually really fun and remind me of the boxing gloves my brothers had growing up.

Elena is always excited to give presents and this is Noah thanking her for the Indiana Jones figure.

Our neighbors are like family and came over to help eat cake with us.