Family vacation

We had a great time on our family vacation this year. We began by spending a night in Idaho Falls with our friends from Toledo, the Liljenquists. Justin stayed with them for a couple of days while we went on to visit with my family. He had so much fun and was able to do a lot with Jackson. Jackson has been one of Justin's best friends - it was fun to see them together as if they hadn't ever been apart.

We spent the next ten days with my parents and siblings. The kids were constantly on the go spending the night and playing with cousins. In fact, Bruce is still asking me almost everyday if he can spend the night or go play with someone. Bruce and Will were old enough this year to really appreciate the cousins they have their age. My sister Amy was brave and had five of the little boys at her house for the night. I'm sure her house will never be the same, but the boys loved it!

Our last weekend there most of our cousins from Arkansas, cousin Don from California, and cousin Debbe from Boise with her girls came for our family reunion. Frank and Dolly were true sports allowing everyone to crash at their house. I'm not sure their beautiful lawn will ever recover from all of the water. Some of the highlights from the reunion were: making smores (Bruce's fav), slip-n-slide, the hammock, visiting with cousins, good food (including a roasted pig!), the blow-up slide, and more good food. Thanks to all who helped make it such a fun weekend.

School is in!

Justin and Elizabeth started school last Friday and Will and Bruce started pre-school on Monday. Who ever heard of starting the middle of August? We still have over a month of summer left! Despite my poor attitude, they are enjoying it and I even enjoyed it today when it was just Madelyn and I at the grocery store. Wow, was that ever easy! After taking five kids around with me everywhere all summer, it was a treat!
Justin is in the fourth grade this year and Elizabeth is in the third. Will is actually old enough for kindergarten, but we decided to wait another year which is really common here. Bruce is in his first year of pre-school and is thrilled to be among the big kids who go to school now. Madelyn and I have been outside waiting for the bus everyday when Justin and Elizabeth gets home and she is so excited to see them. I'm sure it's a big change after being played with constantly all summer - she just loves her older brothers and sister!

Baby news!

We just returned from our annual trek out to Idaho for a family reunion. We had a great time, but have wayyyy too many photos to go through so I'm trying to pick a few out for our blog. Until then, just wanted to update some of you who may not have heard our latest news...we're expecting a girl! We found out the day we left for Idaho that it's a girl. I took all of the kids with me to the doctor appointment. The kids were all just sure it would be a girl because this evens out the scale. We'll have three girls and three boys. Could life get any crazier?! I'm sure it will in a few months. She's due to arrive January 26th. We haven't really talked about names yet, but the kids would like to have a say in it and have suggested a small election. Any suggestions...?