1st day of school

Riley and Abby are so excited to start a new year at school. Riley is in 3rd grade, and Abby is in 2nd. I can't believe my little kids are growing up so fast. I cried a little as I watched them both go into their classrooms. Good thing I had my sun glasses on.

Riley was so excited to sport his Phineas and Ferb shirt on the first day. Was it my first pick? No. But he was SO happy that I let him wear it.
These two kids really do love each other. They are happy to be only one year apart in school

The first day was a success!

We love summer!!

I think my kids have pretty much lived in their swim suits this summer. I took them to a fun lake in Herriman yesterday. They have a great beach, and my kids were thrilled since it is the most sand they have had all year. Ironic, since we have been to other real lakes.
Thanks to my mom for hanging out with us, and keeping the kids entertained. Grandma's are the best!

After we left the beach, we went to my parents to swim in their pool. The pool was much warmer than the lake.

Love my kiddos!!

Jakey is getting really brave in the water. Too brave sometimes.

This is my kind of afternoon!

Remodel

When we moved into our house 10 years ago (holy cow, that seems so long), we never really loved the floor plan. We planned on remodeling, and it Finally happened!! We started it about 2 months before I had Meili, and finished it the day before I came home from the hospital. Talk about cuttin' it close. Here are a few of the before pictures. I could never really decorate because I just didn't love it.
Don't you love our oak banisters?
And great oak kitchen cabinets?
What were people thinking in the 80's?
Decision time... taking the hammer to the wall!
Drum roll...... Our New house!!! We got new hard wood floors, a brand new modern white kitchen w/ white quartz counter tops, a HUGE island that I am totally in love with!, new lights, paint, fan, office, bathrooms, carpet in the master and baby's room, etc, etc. We went ALL OUT!!




It seriously feels like a completely different house. I didn't post a pic of the kitchen, or my favorite part... my bathroom! I will put those on soon. My awesome hubby did all of the work, with the help of our great neighbor and family that would come over whenever they had a minute. I felt awful because I was 9 months pregnant, and couldn't do a thing. So Thank you, thank you to everyone that helped out!! I am loving all of the changes, and loving Tyler even more for making me so happy!!! You are the best Ty!!

Lake Powell

Tyler and I have gone to Lake Powell almost every year since we were kids, and we LOVE IT! Tyler's parent bought into a house boat recently, so we get to have that luxury now! It was so nice to have w/ all the little kids, and napping babies. Here are a few shots of our week.

Here is the gang (or some of them) on the top early one morning.

Riley after he fell water skiing. He got up on two skis this year, and Loved it!! I was So proud of him!!

Abby and Kate out on the kid ski.

The water is so high right now that there were no beaches. We found this awesome cove w/ this mountain, and the kids loved climbing up each day.

Jenni & Eric brought this fun trampoline. We tied it onto the side of the houseboat, and got a lot of use out of it!
I have never been a fisherman, but it's just something that you have to do while at Powell. Ok, it's something that other people have to do at Powell. Abby was a little scared of the carp. I don't blame her!
Riley love it on the other hand.
Jake could stay behind the boat all day if we would let him.
Surfing with Tyler. He doesn't look too happy, but he actually loves it.


Meili did SO great!! I was really nervous for her, but we kept her cool, hydrated, and in the shade.
Jake and Mei having a siesta on a boat ride.
Tyler and his brothers thought it would be funny to tie glow sticks onto the carp one night. They finally caught one, then let it go. It was funny to watch the little glowing circle moving around in the dark water. It really was entertaining. Mean, but entertaining.
All in all, it was a GREAT trip!! All the kids had so much fun with their cousins! We had good food, and great company. Thanks Dallan & Becky, and everyone else for being an awesome family!!!

Baby blessing

Tyler blessed Meili today in our ward, and it was such a beautiful day. He was actually conducting the meeting, so he was able to do the blessing and share his testimony as well. We have waited a long time for our little angel, so I was so excited for this day. Grandma Becky made Meili her headband, and Abby made her her little bracelet. She was so excited for her to wear it on her big day. She thought she needed just "a little splash of color".

Most of our family was there, but we can ALWAYS count on our awesome parents!! Thanks for supporting us! We love you guys!! Here w/ G-ma & G-pa Price. Meili is #18 for them.
Grandma & Grandpa Sohm. Meili is grandkid #14 for them.
We had all of our family over for a luncheon after the meeting. Thanks everyone for coming! We love our family, and we love YOU, Meili!!

Meet Lily & Lighting

I guess I could say "meet them", and then tell them "Goodbye." The kids caught baby frogs at their cousins house 2 weeks ago. They are darling little frogs. Little being the key word...

Riley and Abby always knew exactly which was which. Lighting apparently had bigger spots than Lily. Thank goodness someone is observant, because I am not when it comes to little creatures. I personally don't care for them living in my house.
They loved playing with them, but they weren't so good at keeping their home clean (Home was a mason jar with a rock, grass, and holes poked in the top of the lid.) Ya.. torture, right?
We decided to let the little frogs back into the wild, so we took them to Victors Pond by our house.
They let them go one by one, and were amazed that they could actually swim. Isn't that what frogs do? I guess not when you are locked up in a glass jar for 2 weeks.
Swim away froggies. We hope you find happiness in your new home.