Oct break (and it's not even October! bonus!)

Day one of October Break was OK. Nobody died, tears were minimal, we started a fun art project that people can add to over the days. I took all six kids to Win-co and we bought groceries for our camping trip coming up (so fun). Some of the kids swam, there was a movie, no naps and terrible piano practicing, but all in all it was an OK day. Oh yes, and I went visiting teaching and Nora went to the orthodontist.

Tomorrow all six kids see the dentist. I'm so grateful the office will schedule them all in a lump. I'm a little skeptical about Nelson in the dentist chair, but he may surprise me. I'm also worried we may have some cavities. We changed toothpaste over the summer and everyone's teeth seemed to take a turn for the worse. We have since switched back to our previous brand, but there are some ikky teeth in kid land here. I'm hoping those amazing hygienists can work some cleaning magic.

Look for a camping report next week! I'm especially excited for Ryan to get a break! He deserves one!

some september

First off, I must apologize for typos in my posts. I DO read my post before publishing but my brain is just really good at knowing what I mean and therefore not catching typos - so sorry:).

So, onto September anyone??

First off, Isaac and I recovered a chair. He's a great helper.

Here is Nora on the day she got her braces off! She is a terrible retainer wearer and often forgets to put it back in but I think it will hold. Next week she goes to just nights and that will be MUCH better!

Sarah started pre-school and LOVES it!. She also loves, pink, scissors, tape and markers, and writing lists.

Aunt Di and Uncle Matt went on a trip for their 5th anniversary and I got to watch Liv and Chloe for a week! We truly had a great time and Liv and Chloe were sosososososo good for their Aunt Mares. I have a serious crush on Chloe and I thought it was very rude of her mommy to come home and take her away. Chloe loves me too because I let her hang out in onsies (so comfy) and I don't put headbands on her!

Choir started up and so we have time to kill over in Gilbert between waits in the car line. One day we went over to the Gilbert temple for a touch. It was lovely. the kids wanted to find where Pres Monson had been for the cornerstone ceremony.

Emily FINISHED the Harry Potter series - that's big folks. There is nothing quite like following characters through an amazing series and it is always a little sad when it ends.

Sarah got her face painted at a birthday party and was traumatized when we had to wash it off. Taking a picture to preserve the art was no consolation.

I let the kids jump in the pool with their clothes. Yea, I'm that cool mom. Side note, it was mismatch day at school, hence the more than normal pattern mixing in clothes. But honestly, they often dress like this...I don't have the time to micro manage clothes.

Nelson, oh Nelson has taken the potty training plunge. It had been a bit brutal. We go through LOTS of unders in a day, but I am seeing progress, slow, slow progress,

Kids, so cute.

And that, my friends has been September, thus far. I've been super busy with callings, kids, potty, choir, Halloween sewing etc. I hope yours has been equally epic!

and now it's fall (?)

OK, so it doesn't feel like Fall, but it is September and I've posted all the Summer pics. Now what?

We are full into school. The kids are in week 8 and I'm counting the days until Fall Break. If the congress can keep the government open through October we are goign to go to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon (we tried last year...thanks a lot government for ruining our vacation). I'm really excited to get outside and be away for a while.

Choir has started - hooray for Christmas in September. Diana made the big leap into YOUTH CHORUS. It's for kids grade 6-8 and they are fantastic. I think Diana is the most excited to move out of the private school jumper look and into a full fledged choir dress!

We fired our piano teacher. She moved over the summer and was just too far away. After a bunch of research, thought and prayer I decided I would take on lessons. I was really scared because it's a big job and anytime a mom takes on extra teaching it can be very damaging to relationships. I am thrilled to report we are not only surviving, but thriving. The kids practice (most of the time) and our lessons go well. Best of all, they are progressing. We are hoping to move up a level by Thanksgiving . I think the best thing I have done is we start each lesson with a hug and a prayer. It totally changes the tone of the lesson and has really helped! I'm so grateful Heavenly Father cares about what I'm worried about and helps inspire me even with piano lessons.

Life is good! I am tired. I need to take pictures so I can blog. I'll work on that.