First Day of School!

I am once again back in school after another semester break from the jaw surgery. One of these days I will be done with school. Hopefully with no more breaks to get in my way. So, for a little background, I have not taken morning classes at Weber States main campus since my first semster in school which was like 7 years ago or something like that. Anyway, I have taken classes at the Davis Campus or night classes since then. So, I go to school on the first day and I am already running a little late and I have to drop off the girls at the daycare before I head to class. This year we spent $100 on an A2 parking pass, which means we got a parking pass to the parking lot that was more convenient for me in dropping the kids off and getting to class. I wasn't worried about running late because I had that A2 pass. Well, I pull into the Weber State area and there is traffic. I'm like "great!" So, I pull into the parking lot and there are NO spots at all, and there were like 10 cars driving around trying to find spots. I circled the parking lot twice, then I decided I would just go find a W parking lot and park in there. As I was pulling out of the A2 lot, there was my brothers car, parked all nice and snuggly in a little parking spot. So I drive the whole campus looking for a spot and can't find one. So, I go back to A2 thinking maybe someone left and I would get lucky. No such luck again. But, the A2 lot does have special stalls for parents to park that are taking their kids to the childrens school. You have to have a special permit for that, and my kids aren't going to the childrens school they are going to the Nontraditional student daycare. Anyway, parking services were walking around giving people tickets that didn't have passes. So I pulled up and asked the girl if I could just park in one of those spots while I took my kids to daycare. She said that was fine. So after I dropped the girls off, (an hour after I got to Weber), I circled the lot one more time. Finally I decided I wasn't going to get a spot and went to the Dee Events Center to park. I got parked fine there and caught the shuttle back to Weber. So, by the time I got there-- a half hour after I dropped the girls off-- I was rushing to class and I was walking so fast and it was super hot! Then I got to my building and my class is on the third floor. So I took 2 flights of stairs, and finally got to my first class. I was seriously dripping sweat by that time. I walked in, grabbed the syllabus from the back desk, and walked to the only open desk in class, which was in the front, and sat down as she said, "ok, finish filling that out and you guys are free to go." So first day of school- I miss my first class- lovely. Fortunately my other two classes went fine. And today, I had no problems parking, dropping the girls off, or getting to class. I was beginning to think that this was my sign that I shouldn't be going to school. But, I think that life would not be life without experiences like this. I am grateful that I have the opportunity to get my education, even if I have to go through some tough stuff in the process.

Was I really that Swollen???!!??!

So, as you can see, we got new family pictures. My mom scheduled us to get a big family picture before Nick and Stacey moved, and Troy leaves on his mission. So while we were there, Jon and I decided to get an updated one of our family.

The whole family, currently. In a few short months we will have an addition. My sister, Emily, is expecting her first baby in November. We are so excited!!

Grandma and Grandpa and all their grandkids-- Abbie, Faye, Mitchell, and Kaylee.

And here is the original family. Top row: Emily (the oldest), Dad and Mom, Middle row: Jay (4th child), Stacey (2nd child), and Troy (Baby of the family), and bottom row, Holly (3rd child), and Annie (5th child).

Now, as far as the post title goes. We went to pick up the pictures yesterday, so I replaced our family picture in my parents frame, and then came home and went to change our family picture in Jon's parents frame. Jons family got a family picture in December, and we all did individuals there as well. Well, our individual picture from December was the one hanging on the wall. As I was taking it down I went into shock. I knew that I was way swollen before the jaw surgery. I would wake up and my face would feel all jell-o-ey because of the swelling. But, I would look in the mirror and think, "I don't look that swollen." And, as humans, we generally have distorted images of ourselves when we look at ourselves. So I really thought I looked just normal. Anyway, as I took the picture off the wall I could not believe how swollen I actually was. So here is the comparison so you all can see. And I know a lot of you probably noticed, and just were kind enough not to say anything... thanks.

Ok.... I guess it's about time!

I have to apologize. I doubt anyone even looks at this anymore because I never update it. Which I am sorry about. That's part of the reason I haven't updated it because I thought nobody cared anyway so I got discouraged and kind of gave up. But I got a small lecture from my sister, Stacey. She moved to Texas this week and said, "do you realize that is one of the main ways we can know what is going on?? So start updating it."
So, this is all for you Stac! (and anyone else who cares about what is going on in my boring life.)

Abbie, Faye, Kaylee, Mitchell, and Troy (and Annies back side :))
This is at the Layton Parade on the 4th of July. We always watch it at my Moms Uncle's house. He lives on Gentile Street, so it's the perfect place to watch it.

This is what happens when your kids start deciding to dress themselves.

My niece, Faye, turned two on 7-7. So they decided to celebrate the day by going to the zoo and inviting us. I, of course was more than excited to go because I wanted to spend as much time with them before the move.

Abbie and I waiting for the bird show to start.

You all know you can't go to the zoo without a picture in the lions mouth.

Kaylee and Mitchell come up with some silly poses. I love Mitchells.

Abbie didn't understand why I would ask her to sit on a ..... lion? tiger? not sure.

She thought the animal was hungry, so tried feeding it.

Nick and Stacey. They were really enjoying themselves.

Faye is adorable!!!

Abbie loved the slide!!

Kaylee got invited to her first non-family birthday party. She was so excited! It was a Princess party so they dressed up. Of course Abbie had to dress up also, even though she wasn't going to the party.

We went to the Oquirrh Moutain Temple Open House with Jon, his parents, and grandparents. It was beautiful!

The front of the Temple.

Jon, Nick, and Stacey went to see Harry Potter. I didn't care to go so they asked if I would watch their kids. They swam for 2 hours, then came inside to watch a movie. I forgot to get a picture of them swimming, so I took this one instead. Kaylee loves posing for pictures!

So that is what went on in the last month. As far as everything else goes, we are making the most of the remainder of the summer. Jon and I start school again Aug. 24th. Our kids were accepted into the daycare at Weber which makes it really nice so that they can just go there while I am in class. And as you noticed, my sister moved to Texas.... I am pretty sad about it. Stacey and I are only 18 months apart, she has just always been there for me. Stacey is like the mediator in the family, it's sad to see her go, but a good thing. Nick is just doing grad school, then they plan on coming back. It's not forever or anything. So we have spent the summer helping people move. Jons brother moved, my brother moved, my sister moved, Jons sisters bro-in-law moved-- which is also his friend also moved, and I think that's all. So it's been fun.

I hope to keep this more updated--- but you never know. So enjoy it while you can!!

Birthday-Jackson Hole-Mission Call

On June 1st was my 25th Birthday. This is us having cake that night. My mother-in-law and sisters-in-law took me to get a pedicure and out to Olive Garden earlier that day. It was very sweet of them. I was really looking forward to my birthday because this last year has probably been the hardest year of my life. I hope things start getting better this upcoming year... I still can't see the neurologist until September so I hope my pain can just ease up a little for the next few months.

My parents took our whole family to Jackson Hole and Yellowstone last week. This is a picture of Bear Lake on our drive there.

This is us next to a Buffalo at some shop in Jackson Hole.

This is my sister Stacey, her husband Nick, and their two kids Mitch and Faye. They are moving to Texas in July and I am so sad about it!! My kids are the same ages and they are all best friends! Plus I am going to miss my sister like crazy!!

My brother Jay and his wife Bethany. They are in front of some horse thing in the middle of Jackson.

The whole family in front of the ever famous Jackson Hole arches.

A prairie dog that kept going in one hole and popping up another one. There were a few of them, and it kind of reminded me of Whac-a-mole. The kids LOVED them, they just watched them and laughed at them for so long.

My brother Troy and my sister Annie. They wanted to show off their rival school hoodies.

Waiting for Old Faithful. That is my sister Emily and her husband Danny standing up. She recently found out that she was pregnant, which was a big shock to everyone, especially them, after thinking they wouldn't have kids. She was nearly four months by the time she found out and right before the trip found out that she is having a boy.

Me, Stacey, and our wonderful parents who took us on this fabulous trip! If anyone knows my Dad, this is just the perfect picture showing what he is like all the time! Such fun and awesome parents!

Kaylee and Mitchell watching Old Faithful. They are best friends. They were together the entire time. Nick and Stacey were nice enough to let Mitchell ride in our car with us, and Kaylee and Mitch just visited and laughed together the whole ride. They just have these conversations like they are adults and are so much fun! Abbie loved having Mitch in the car too, she kept tickling him and saying "tickle, tickle, tickle."

We are standing in front of some Waterfall, Cascade something.

Here is our campfire. We all had so much fun. The night before this my parents took us all to Bar J Wranglers. It is a dinner and a cowboy show. It was so fun and funny! And they give you a ton of food! They rented two cabins at Colter Bay that were very nice, they even brought their projector and we watched movies one of the nights. We had a really great time. It was really nice to get away for a few days and just have an enjoyable time with the family. Especially since Stacey is moving and Troy is leaving on his mission. Speaking of Troy leaving on his mission.................

The call came on Wednesday!

He is going to be serving in the Philippines Cebu Mission and will be speaking Cebuano. He will be entering the Provo MTC on September 23rd. Troy is the baby of the family. He was so excited and got so choked up reading his call. It was very shocking when he read it! A lot of our family had predicted State-Side. But I am so excited for him and proud of him!

It's about time!

Warning: This is going to have a MAJOR picture overload.

As you have noticed I haven't blogged forever! I keep thinking I'll do it, and don't get around to it. So then I was thinking, I will have too many pictures, and I read my sisters blog and realized it was okay to have a lot of pictures. We have had a lot happen in the month of May!

First off, as you can see, Jon graduated! Bad news-- he hasn't recieved his bachelors yet and still has 2 years of school left. Good news-- he got 2 associates. One was in Electronic Engineering Technology and the other was is Computer Engineering Technology. I think that his associates was a big deal, because for him to get his associates was harder than me even getting my bachelors. That other guy is his "study buddy" Tye. Tye is at our house during the school year as much as Jon. They are in the Electronic Engineering program together.

This is me, Jon, and his parents. In the background that little girl is Ava, my cousin, Nates, little girl. He also graduated, only he got his bachelors. That lucky ducky.

My sister Stacey also graduated with her associates in general studies. Her husband Nick graduated from Utah State the next day in Landscape architecture. That is her cute family.

We have season passes to the Dinosaur Park in Ogden, and on the first Thursday of every month, you can go to the Hogle Zoo for free. So we took the girls and went to the Zoo. They had a lot of fun!

Abbie turned 2 on May 15th. This was her small little birthday party. We went to Castle Park earlier that day with Stacey, Mitchell, Faye, Ava, Jessica, Kaylee, Abbie.

She kept trying to be sneaky about stealing the frosting. She loved it.

And finally, Kaylee had her dance recital on the 16th. It was her second dance recital, her first was last summer. She did an awesome job. She did the whole dance and did it well. I think that she is a natural dancer. We will have to see. I need to decide whether to put her back in this fall again because I am going back to school and know it will be time consuming. But she loves dance. Should I keep her in or not?

CUTE!

I don't ever post video on my blog probably because I have never known how. But I saw this and LOVED it so I had to post it.