Garfield

So, a couple of months ago Dakota sent a letter to Santa Claus, yup, she is starting early, the one thing she wants is a "kitten". Un, no, not really thinking that is going to happen but I bet Santa will find something she will like, right?! So, D'Laina, a great big sister, who is allergic to cats and HATES cats comes over the other night, with....can you guess....the suspense.... a kitten! UGH, but there were these little girls on the corner and whatever kittens they didnt give away were going to the "pound" so I had to save one of them and Dakota really wants a kitten, but duh, they grow up into cats. But, being a pushover as I am, we have a new kitten. It is cute, I do admit, BUT...(sigh) Of course Dakota and Colton both love our new kitten "Garfield".

Family Picture

We had a new family picture taken, I thought it turned out really nice. Maybe some of the "men" could have smiled a little more but oh well!!

Top Row: DJ and Kelsi; Scott and Heidi; Mike and D'Laina...Our 3 married daughters
Middle Row: Dakota; Greg, holding Ethan (Dlaina and Mikes boy); Kim; Colton; Shayla
Bottom Row: Tyler; Tanner; Josh

School Picture Day

So, I thought the twins looked pretty cute for picture day, now the question of the hour/day/year....how or what can I do to try to get Colton to smile? He seriously refuses to smile for any picture EVER!! It is so annoying. We did family pictures with Gregs family a few weeks ago, the WHOLE family, and he would not smile, I just dont get it? Any suggestions, advice? Even when we are having "fun" at the zoo, pool, family stuff, he frowns or scowls, I mean come on, he has a darn cute smile!

Dakotas Room

So, Shayla is gone down to Cedar City and SUU, so, what to do with this HUGE bedroom downstairs, well, it is time that two 7 yr olds (a boy and a girl) have their own bedroom, so, I cleaned and vacuumed, called D'Laina and asked what she was doing and when she said nothing, said good, come over and let's go buy some paint and paint this bedroom for Dakota. We got a Disney Color paint called "One Enchanted Evening" and I think it turned out cute. She is slowly getting her stuff moved into the room, hoping to soon afford a white dresser, think it would definitely look cuter in here, and also D'Laina and I are going to make some "vinyl" decorations for the walls in dark purple and probably white. Also find something for the window (there isnt a picture here of the window, it just has white blinds) that is cute. We will see if she actually "sleeps" downstairs, eventually I am sure she will. Tyler's bedroom is downstairs so it isnt like she is down there alone. Next project, Coltons room, has this "ugly hideous" wallpaper with flowers on it, soon to come down and he wants to paint it red and blue and get a "lightning mcqueen" bed, so, maybe for Christmas he can get the bed but asap we will get it painted and fixed up a little. Anyway, life is good, kids are in school, I actually really love my job, like the fact that we are getting into somewhat of a routine with the school year starting and hoping to get things done!

First Day of School

So, they didnt wear "new clothes" the first day, Dakotas jeans had holes in them (wait, dont some kids pay a LOT of money to have holes in their jeans) and they wanted to wear last years school t-shirts, but hey, in this first picture by the computers Colton is actually almost smiling!! The picture with an "extra" person is Dakotas friend who got to school at the same time so, she sat in the picture with them. They are enjoying school and have the same teacher this year.

Dirt Fight

So, I come home the other day and Dakota is covered in dirt...so, I say "Dakota, why are you so dirty" Dakota says "Oh, we had a dirt fight" . Well duh =) Here are a couple of pictures, isnt she adorable!!

Quiet House

Well, the house is quiet, the kids are back in school, now to get life on a schedule!! We took Shayla down to Cedar City, she is attending Southern Utah University. I met her roommate and think that her and Shayla should be able to get along well. I know that it will be an adjustment but I hope she loves it, makes some great friends, and just has a fun time. Took the twins to the first day of 2nd grade, they have the same teachers for all of their classes. I hope they do well this year. Tyler is a Freshman, crazy....he should have a fun year ahead of him, he made the BallRoom Dance team at the High School (yes, as a freshman) then he made the Bravo team (which is a drama team) and also the Encore group (which is a singing group). I am proud of him and all he does and dont tell him enough. Tanner starts high school as a Sophomore, kind of funny but he is bigger than most of the Seniors, and a lot cuter than most too!! And, with bigger I mean tall and lean and handsome. I am so lucky to have such wonderful kids, my married kids are wonderful, their spouses are great, my grandson is the cutest kid ever. I love my family, parents, brothers, sisters, neices, nephews, the whole crew, I think we are the best and I truly enjoy the times we get to spend together. Life goes so fast, where does time go actually? It seems like just yesterday they were having the last day of school? Just not sure what I am feeling today, kind of strange! I love my job with JetBlue, (the free flying is awesome), I love that my sister Jana just got a job with JetBlue so we can go do some fun stuff, life is pretty darn good, I have a lot to be thankful for. Anyway, enough of this, got laundry to do. Here is wishing everyone a great school year!!