Look Who's Standing...ALONE

This is for you, Jeff, traveling in far away eastern places.

Kindergarten Taft

Taft's first day of Kindergarten!!

Amelia sporting her backpack and wanting a bit of the action, too.

I had to post these pictures right away so Taft's dad, who is all the way in China, can see him on the first day of Kindergarten. I can't believe he's going to Kindergarten. The last few weeks have really had me looking back on life with the beginning of a new school year, our anniversay and Monson's 1st birthday (pictures to be posted soon). Taft is my baby. I know I have had two more babies since him, but he still seems like my baby. I'm not really sure why this is because he is a very capable person. I mean he decided to try out for swim team this last summer and totally made it. He just wanted to do it--no pressure from us--and he swam every day and improved that skill so much. He does things that Kate and Hunter never did at this age. I do know one thing, he is a subtle momma's boy. He had no problem going to school though. He is very excited.



I laughed at Kate and Hunter imparting their words of wisdom about Kindergarten on Taft. He should be good to go there. Hunter told him about how you know when school is almost out, how to make new friends, and "you don't have lunch, you have to have lunch at home." He shared some good insights. What is it about us older siblings that we think we need to impart our wisdom on our younger siblings?



Anyway, I'm excited for Taft. I can't think about it too much though or I get a little emotional. I hope he has a great year and enjoys Kindergarten as much as Kate and Hunter did.

Another **Remember When**

Jeff and I are celebrating 14 years of marriage today. That seems like a long time, but sometimes it feels like I just met him, while sometimes I feel that I've always known him. I just wanted to do some "rememberin'" about our time together. Remember when:


**David introduced us to each other? We actually met. We were not just hearing about each other.


**we snowmobiled with James and Carrie?


**we snowmobiled at the cabin over New Years?


**our dates started after BYU basketball games?


**we caught all those striped bass with Dave and Sarah at Powell?


**you proposed at the cabin? Was there any other anwer but "YES?"


**you painted that wall while we were on a date?


**when the temple workers took us to the wrong sealing room?


**that boat wouldn't start at Powell?


**that boat started on fire at Strawberry?


**you purchased a great big fishing boat that starts...and I don't mean on fire?


**we lived at Casa Linda?


**those people backed into our car at Casa Linda and gave us money and made Thai food
because they felt bad? That food was SPICY!


**we felt bad for ourselves because we didn't have snowmobiles?


**you received your only grade that wasn't an "A or A-" from that cursed lab assistant?


**we graduated with Sherri from BYU?


**we begged that guy...I'm thinking his name is Cleave...to rent to us at Orchard Creek?


**you were Scout Master? I could ask this one 3 or 4 times.


**you used to dig for potatoes at our quaking aspen house?


**Kate was born? It was just you and me. And then, there she was and she was just so beautiful and that bottom lip sticking out was so stinking cute! And you found my first gray hair.


**you had to carry Kate around on your forearm with her head smashed into your hand?


**we went to Canada? What were we thinking?


**Hunter was born? Remember the doctor? You imitate him perfectly. And remember the anesthesiologists? You imitate him perfectly, too.


**Taft was born? It was like a day at the office.


**Amelia was born? She came to us needing a haircut. She IS the Cute!!


**Monson was born? Who would've believed he'd come 10 days early, a day after Gage, right during the bow hunt, and with no backup plan for our other kids?


**Sundays were actually relaxing?


Thanks for the good times, Jeff!! And thanks for helping make the best of and being supportive during those not so good times!! Love you...--Amy

Moon Sand

Taft told me this morning that he wants "Moon Sand" for his birthday and it's only $29.99. AND it doesn't dry out. For those of you who may not watch "Dora," this moon sand was an advertisement during the episode that Mils and Taft watched this morning. My kids have always been lured in to those types of TV ads. Funny...I guess I need to start skipping the commercials since all the TV they watch is usually DVR'ed.

**Remember When**

The first picture is of Kate and Hunter today. Today...going to their first day of school. Sixth grade for Kate and third for Hunter. The second picture is the two of them on Kate's first day of Kindergarten. I remember that day in 2001. Doesn't seem like six years ago.

**I remember driving Kate to school since we moved just before the beginning of school and I really wanted her to have Mrs. Shumway at Bonneville Elementary.

**I remember Mrs. Shumway teaching the class to "show love."

**I remember having some time alone with Hunter before Taft came along the end of December.

**I remember what great friends Kate and Hunter were...well they still are today. They are always so good at coming up with a game that will appeal to the girl in Kate and the boy in Hunter.

**I remember they really liked to play Barbie Rescue Heroes. That's what they called it. I can't believe how much they have grown. They are such great kids. I love to be around them and their kindness and funniness. I hope they have a great school year. I sure have had an amazing summer creating memories with them!!

Metal Lions

Another Taft conversation...this time with his dad.

Taft**Dad, are metal lions real?"

Jeff**No.**

Taft**Well, then my dreams are weird!**

Madder than a pea!

I just wanted to share an exchange between Taft and myself.

Taft**I'm madder than a pea!**

Me**Oh...do peas get mad?**

Taft**My peas do when they have to get eaten by me.**

Funny Taft...he doesn't really like peas.