Happy Birthday Merrilee

Today is my sister-in-law's birthday.
She is a great example to me of a devoted wife and mother. She is so tender and caring. I am thankful to have her in our family. My brother and she came, with their two children, to visit us a couple weeks back. It really meant a lot to us that they would make the trip. We had a great time. I hope you come back soon! Enjoy your birthday Mer, and know you are loved!

Old Mission Buddies

We finished up the whirlwind weekend with a visit at an old mission buddy of Kent's. They were in the MTC together. Ten years later here they are.
They had fun swapping stories from the mission and sharing experiences from their lives for the last ten years. Both of them ended up going to dental school. John (Elder Malan) is now specializing in Oral Surgery. He and his wife (also a dentist) live with their 11-month-old daughter in Seattle. It was fun to meet them. The craziest part of the night was when John told us he went through dental school through the navy. He knows our friend Matt. They did boot camp (correct me if I'm wrong) for a month together before dental school started. I remember when Matt went to do that when we very first met the Russell's. What a small world.

A Day at the Zoo

We dropped of Cameron, Kent's brother, at the airport on our way to the zoo. It was funny to watch Ella's reaction to Cameron. She was confused that someone looked so much like her dad but it wasn't him. She would just sit and study him for the longest time. We gave Cameron some key words to talk about that would definitely get Ella to warm up to him, such as "shoes," "cows," and "trains." We met up with Jory and Kathy's family and Brent and Erin's family at the zoo.



After the zoo, we went to a fun little Italian restaurant

Sports Chasing Weekend

Fun at the hotel pool.

Fun at the Aquarium


Fun on the Pier
Fun at Pike's Place Market


Fun swimming with cousin Kade

Well, we (the kids and me) wanted to spend this weekend with Kent so we followed him to Seattle. He was meeting his brothers, Kevin and Cameron, there for a Mariners baseball game on Friday night and then a BYU game on Saturday. Ethan was able to go with him to the baseball game. Taylor, Connor and Kade were there too so Ethan had fun with his cousins. Brent and Erin went along with Gary and Byron (Brent's brother). Ethan, Ella and I started the day off with a quick swim at the hotel pool with Erin and Tanner. Then we had a lot of fun on the Pier. We went to the Aquarium and Pike's Market. By the time we met up with the guys after the game, we were exhausted.

Happy Birthday, Carter

Today is our nephew, Carter's, birthday.
He is such a sweet boy. Ethan loves to play games with him when we visit his house in Utah. We wish we could be there to see one of your football games, Carter. we love you! Happy birthday.

School Report

Ethan hopped off the bus today with a huge smile on his face. Ella ran up to hug him and Ethan looked so proud. The first thing he said was "There were some sad things and some happy things today." I was worried, until he sad the sad part was the he never got to eat his granola bar I snuck into his backpack. I guess that's not too worrisome. Ethan said, "I was very brave today and I asked three kids if they wanted to be my friends." I was so happy that Ethan was outgoing and confident. He said, "I don't remember their names, but atleast they are my friends now." My heart is at peace, knowing that he feels safe and happy about school. I teased with my friend that Ethan left this morning for Kindergarten, next thing I know he'll be coming home with his cap and gown. I am glad that Ethan is growing up, but I am happy that he's still my little boy too. I love him so much and I love watching him grow.

Off to school...

Here's my little big boy!

Well, after so many back-to-school days, orientation days, meet your teacher days, I thought I was ready for him to go to school. I am ready. He is ready. Ella is not ready. As my little man hopped out of the car (he was dying to ride the bus, but the bus didn't show up so I got to take him- thank you!) and the teacher took him in, I cried a little inside- Ella cried on the outside. I couldn't be sad for too long because he is so excited to go to school, he could hardly keep from giggling in the back seat whenever he saw a bus. A couple of snags, he didn't wear what I wanted him to and the bus didn't show. Other than that, he was happy, excited and "ready to go to school to get some knowledge"- Finding Nemo. I can't wait to pick him up at the bus stop and hear all about it...

Happy Birthday, Lori

I hope you have a wonderful year. You are a beautiful woman. Go out and celebrate. Eat LOTS of cake and know you are loved. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

90210 Revisited

Just in case you didn't get enough back then...Here it is again! Hilarious. You know you want to take a peek... just to see.

Speaking of Preparing...

Kent and I took the kids school shopping to get Ethan some new jeans.
It wasn't a total loss, Ethan did find a backpack that he loves so much he had to wear it on our walk last night. He also found four shirts that pretty much look exactly the same (I was so preoccupied at the store, I didn't see the shirts he picked out until we got home). We did, however, have a problem finding pants that would fit. Ethan has such a small waist with long,skinny legs. The size 5 were a little too short, while the size 6 were drowning him. Has anyone tried the slim jeans at Old Navy or Gap? I'm wondering if it's worth the trip (remember, I live in the middle of nowhere). I thought I'd get some opinions first...?