School Blessings

Tonight I had the privelege of listening to Joey use his gift of the priesthood and give our kiddos a blessing before school starts.  I am so grateful for his faith and his determination to live worthily so he can share Heavenly Father's words with His children.  Here are a few highlights from each of their blessings:
Luke: He was blessed academically and urged to stretch himself to learn.  He was encouraged to listen to his teachers.  He was blessed to make new friends and to strengthen relationships with current friends.  He was told that those around him will feel of his goodness and example.  He was blessed to be an example to his siblings this year that they might want to work hard like him.  He was blessed with a desire to learn more about Heavenly Father and to strengthen his relationship with him.
Harlee: She was blessed to be able to catch on to the subjects that are presented to her.  Blessed to b a good friend and that others would be drawn to her because of her kindness.  She was blessed with a desire to pray and to continue to read the Book of Mormon.  She was advised to look to her Heavenly Father for comfort and strength.
Nash: He was blessed as he enters his new classroom that he will feel peace.  Blessed to pick up the concepts that his teacher, Mrs. Christensen, will teach.  He was encouraged to seek out those who are not as fortunate in learning and to help teach them.  He was told to study the Book of Mormon and strengthen his testimony this year as he gets prepares to be baptized.  He was told to be a good example to his younger brothers.  He was blessed that he will meet new friends and develop strong friendships.
Gray: He was blessed that he would be a good friend and that he would learn quickly.  Blessed to know that he is loved by his mom and dad and by Heavenly Father and Jesus.  He was blessed to continue his special relationship with Tag.  Told that he is such a good example to Tag and helps him to develop and grow.  He was encouraged to listen to his teacher.

So grateful for these blessings.  Tag starts school a little later so his blessing is to come!

Helpful Bros

On Sunday Gray was having a really hard time getting his shirt buttoned for church.  With Joey in the bishopric getting ready for church falls on me!  It is tough to do five heads of hair, iron clothes, get them all dressed by myself.  I am so grateful that they are willing to help each other.  Harlee and Luke can help with the litte ones shoes and packing the church bag.  Here is an example of Nash helping Gray button up his shirt.  I am so grateful for these helping hands.  And I hate to brag but we have been ten minutes early every Sunday since Joey was called to the Bishopric!  We are doing it!!

Day at the Farm

While Luke was enjoying his first day in seventh grade we went to spend our last day of summer with some crazy animals!  We had so much fun at the Thanksgiving Point farm.  We first went and saw the animals.  I loved to watch all of their excitement, especially Tag's as they interacted with the animals.  After looking at the animals we went for pony rides.  They all loved riding on the horses and thought it was hilarious when the horse peed!  We finished up the fun by going on a wagon ride all around the farm.  After spending some time in the heat we cooled off with some ice cream!  Such a fun day!  Love spending time with these cute kids!

Look out Lehi Junior!

I cannot believe we have a 7th grader!  Luke started junior high and I am wondering where the time has gone.  He looks as hip as can be and just to make me feel like I am not hip, I had to drop him off about a half mile from the bus stop!  I am trying not to feel insulted! I really hope that Luke has the best year!  He is such a great kid and I just know that he will be a good example to all of the many friends that he will make!

Welcome to the Toothless Club Graby

It finally happened!  Gray lost his first tooth.  He has been talking about a wiggly tooth for the last week or so.  I had stayed home with Tag from church since he was not feeling great.  Gray came home to tell me that he was eating a mini oreo cookie and his tooth fell out!  He was so excited!  He immedietly put the tooth in a baggie and put it under his pillow.  The tooth fairy brought him $2!  He told me when he woke up that he had had a dream that the tooth fairy brought him a $10 bill but he guessed that was just a dream!  Love the honesty!

Amazing Concert with some amazing company

 On Monday night Joey and I went with Justyna and Landon to see Ryan Adams at Red Butte Gardens.  We both had crazy work days and I was really looking forward to a date night!  The night did not disappoint!  As we walked in someone screamed my name- I thought it was Justyna but it was Mindi!  So fun!  Jamie and Mindi were there for their anniversary.  Then a few minutes later someone came and laid across our blanket.  It was Ryan!  So crazy to see both of them.  The concert was amazing and it was so fun to snuggle with Joey and to enjoy music together.  Fell in love with him all over again.  He texted me the next day and said how great to spend time as a couple.  I couldn't agree more.  So grateful for the time we had to spend together- love him so much!

Second Annual Childs/Beach Girl's Trip to the SG

I have to be honest and say that I cannot believe we pulled it off!  With the craziness of both of our jobs this summer we didn't think it could happen.  But we found a time and we had the best time!  We left at 5am on Friday morning and drove straight to the Crepery for breakfast.  It did not disappoint!  We went from there to our new house.  I still love it there!  We spent the morning swimming and then made our way to Pizza Factory for lunch.  After a great lunch we went back to swim again and work on our tans!  We cleaned up a bit and then went to Chili's for dinner.  After dinner we went to the outlest for some shopping.  It was so fun!  Then we finished off the night enjoying Rocky Mountain chocolate and watching "Mother's Day".  It was the cutest movie.  The girls started out watching their own movie and then we all ended up in the master bedroom watching the movie together.  The best day!!

We woke up on Saturday morning and made our way to Emerald Smoothie for a somewhat healthy start to the day!  Afer we got our smoothies we went to a new nail place and enjoyed manicures and pedicures.  It was so relaxing and just what we needed!  After the pampering we went to TJ Maxx for some retail therapy.  It was so fun!  We then enjoyed Cafe Rio for lunch and then our new favorite store Charming Charlie!  After we spent a little too much on accessories, we went back to the house to swim and enjoy the sun.  Nickell and I actually jumped in with the girls!  I have to admit it has been many years since I have done that and I was a little scared!  It was so worth it though to see the smile on Harlee's face.  After some relaxing time we got ready and went to Brick Oven for dinner.  Then we went home and watched the Intern.  We woke up early on Sunday morning so we could make it back for church.  Seriously the BEST weekend!  I am so grateful for such a sweet and perfect daughter.  It is so fun to have such a great friend who's daughter is such great friends with mine!  What a wonderful trip!

Gray's Swim Try-outs

On Wednesday, Gray had try-outs for the swim team.  He has been waiting until he turned six so that he could try out for the swim team and swim with his brothers.  I was a little nervous about how he would do but boy was I surprised.  He did amazing!  He has such a strong stroke.  We got a call today to tell us that he made the dolphins team.  That is the same team that Nash is on- the 7-8 year olds!  Evidently I was not the only one that thought he did a great job!  I am so excited for them to swim together.  Nash is actually doing so well that they want him to move up to the 9-10 year old team.  We are going to keep him on the dolpins just until January so they have a chance to swim together!

I am so proud of all three of my fish!  Luke is doing so well also that he is now on the Junior Silver.  Half of his team was moved down to Bronze but his hard work kept him on the Junior Silver team. 

Dance Try-outs

Tonight Harlee had her first dance try-outs.  She took technique classes all summer and has shown so much improvement.  She would practice her kicks and splits everyday!  I loved watching her and love that she LOVES to dance!  She is truly a gift in my life.  No matter what the outcome she can feel so proud knowing she did her best!  Love her!

Like no time has passed...

On Friday Harlee invited Aubrey over.  It has been several months since they last spent time together on the last day of school.  They picked up right where they left off!  They have such a special friendship.  They laugh and have the best time together.  I am so grateful that they can get together every few months and pray that they stay friends forever!

Nash's Primary Talk

On Sunday Nash gave a talk in Primary about how he can prepared now to go to the temple.  He talked about making good choices, going to church, listeneing to his primary teachers, being kind to his family.  He expressed his excitement to go to the temple some day.  He was so confident and tried to look up after every sentence.  So proud of you Nashie!