Shut the front door, He's four!

Happy Birthday to Rigdon!

Since school just started and we are all alone, we had very casual party with some of his cousins and his friend Dallin.
All I heard all morning was how his friends love balloons, and his friends love cupcakes. Pretty much anything he saw me getting together for his friends he just knew they were going to love!
Nine little kids came over and had a great time.

After Andrew came home we had a little family party and blew out some candles. Lemon cake because Andrew was really wanting some on his birthday two days before, but we got busy and never made it to Costco that day.

Today we went to preschool orientation. It was so fun and he is going to have the best time!

He put his Hand print on his bag, and filled his pencil boxes. Then they all made little hand cookies for their families while the parents learned how the year would go.
His cousin Daigen is in his class and he's so happy about it!
Miss Maren and Miss Miquel. I wish the picture was better but he wouldn't take another one. Miquel looks so heavenly. He told me as we left he was bored of taking pictures.
It's going to be a great year! He has an awesome class.

Rigdon loves...

Mommy

Friends

Cars

Being outside

Swimming

His Family

Snacks

and Dinosaurs.

They're off!

Grandma and Grandpa White have spent the last two weeks at the MTC (missionary training center)

They returned home to gather the rest of their things and go on to Texas for the next 18 months. While they were here we had a dinner and family home evening together. I am going to miss them terribly!

It was wonderful to listen to them share the experiences they had at the MTC and how it was different from when dad went as a 19 year old. Mom even gave her testimony in spanish! They will be great missionaries.
These are some of the grandchildren who will miss them. Eight are missing and one is on the way. Oh and Angela's new puppy Maggie seemed to make it into all the pictures.

It's getting closer!

It's that time of year when the house is filled with children having had a little too much togetherness. Sienna is counting down to the moment she goes back to school. The house is all a flutter with the news of new teachers and the shopping bags are full of pink pearl erasers and pencils.

Tonight we go to meet the teacher! I have all the supplies packed up and ready to drop in the classroom. My wallet is a little lighter.

We have been out to get a couple new shirts for all the kids. They don't need much we just freshened up the wardrobes in the spring. No need for jeans for a few more months.

Ashlynn will be meeting all of her teachers tomorrow night. A child in Jr. High!!!! What the heck?! She has practiced opening her lock till she's a pro. It will be a fun adventure. At least she doesn't look as dorky as I did at her age! Or maybe I should be trying to nerd her up a little...

Rigdon gets to meet his teachers on Friday. Three whole hours three times a week, what to do with myself?

It's been a wonderful summer, We have had much fun with friends and family. But the school schedule is calling. Maybe I will stop forgetting scouts.

I really thought we would have a baby by now, but alas it doesn't seem to be happening. So I will enjoy this newfound freedom.

If you happen to have a new baby, I hope you will share I do love them.

Smells Funny

So on Saturday I was feeling pretty productive. I got my self out of bed and went right out to the pool to clean out the filters. They were due, since the last big dust storm.

It's a pretty big job, there are four filters and the come a little above my waist when on the ground. They are very heavy when filled with dirt and muck. But I succeeded in getting them out and spaying them all clean.

Next job up was to get the extra dirt and rocks that have made their way into the filter area due to water run off. It's pretty tight back there so there was some sweat involved. Then I went around the pool raking and picking up just trash in general, and spraying off the bird pooh.

By the time I was finished with the pool area It was 11:30. I had started at 8:30. Andrew did finish digging out the area where the water was causing all the rocks to run down by the filter.

Well on to the rest of the house. I took the boys in their room for a good cleaning and stripped all the beds down. Moved on to scrub the bathroom, Rigdon's room and finish up the girls room. My room wasn't too bad but also received a scrub down in the bathroom.

Can't stop yet the kitchen needed to be done. sweeping and mopping. All the while pausing to go put the sheets back on the beds once they came out. While in the boys room Ashlynn came in to offer some help.

Ashlynn: these sheets smell funny.

Me: They do?, I just washed them.

Ashlynn: Oh, were you sweating outside?

Me: Um, Yes It's hot out there.

Ashlynn: yeah, then it's probably you.

I finished up around 4:00 the house was finally finished. I took a shower to get rid of my SMELL.

Yes, I do have my children clean. This day I just wasn't in the mood to be after them all day. It is more exhausting to stay on top of helpers sometimes.