Disneyland Trip August 2009

It has been so fun to look back at the pictures and remember what a wonderful time we had at Disneyland. It was one of the first "real" full blown vacations we have taken just as our family. We loved every minute of it.

Can you believe

It's almost October? I have to admit I am overly excited about it. I have already made my first batch of pumpkin chocolate chip muffins and they were rather tasty. We can see the leaves turning brilliant colors on the mountains from our kitchen window. I love the cool nights and sleeping with the windows open.

I put my fall wreath on the door this week and was crazy enough to break out the fall/Halloween decor. The problem with that is I have many glass jars I like to fill with fun fall colored candies but, then they get eaten, not by me of course :)

I love this time of year with school in, football season in swing, and the changes of colors and smells all around. I am anxious for the predicted forecast this week. Cold and rainy and yummy. Then I have no choice but to make some spiced cider to keep on the stove that will not only taste yummy but make the house smell so sweet. It's time to break out all the great soup recipes and heavy fall favorites.

Yes folks, I love fall!

Thoughts

I had some time today that got me thinking. What are some things that I really want to do? I went to a darling little fabric store today with gift certificates in hand from my birthday just dying to be spent. I looked and searched and with so many fun colors and textures, fabrics and ideas, that I left the store with no purchases in hand, feeling a tad disappointed and a lot overwhelmed. It evoked that strange feeling inside where I wonder what I am meant to do? Not really with my life exactly, though I often ponder that too, but what creative thing do I want to spend my time doing. Make a quilt? A dress? A cute corduroy bag? I would like to think of myself as a creative person but then when it comes right down to it I feel stifled. What really can I make or create? What would I totally and completely love and feel 100% passionate doing? Sewing? Quilting? Painting? Scrap booking? Sadly the answer doesn't come.

I often spend more time than I should scouring "Etsy" and other women's blogs drooling over their beautiful creations. Sewing projects, photography, jewelry, art. I think I could do that, but then I don't. We finally own a home and I want to make it mine, but I won't. I'm too afraid of the outcome. What if I hate it?

One of Randall's pet peeves with me is how easily I compare myself to others and their supposed abilities, talents, or exciting lives. I don't want to compare but I want to do and make and create beautiful things, if only I could put my finger on exactly what that could be.

busy

I need a new computer. Can you believe we have no room left to download even 1 more picture from the camera. I didn't realize what a dinosaur I have been working on. Anyway, I have so much to catch up on but it's not fun to blog without pictures say of the first day of school, 1st day of pre-k, Kate's b-day, my b-day, Ethan's b-day. Been rather busy at our house the last few weeks.

Ethan is just sure that because tomorrow is September 1st, which I honestly cannot believe, that it will be fall. I hate to say it and don't send hate mail, but I am really looking forward to it. Yes the summer has flown by times 10 but fall is so cozy and crisp and cinnamon and nutmeg and "You Got Mail-y" Don't you agree. I say bring it on. I can't wait for sweater weather and cool evening walks, and pumpkin muffins, and oh how I could go on...

Finally, 4th of July

The 4th of July is one of my very most favorite holidays! I looked forward to each so much each year. This year we participated in festivities both Friday and Saturday. Friday morning we awakened very bright and early, rolled out of bed and went to the balloon launch. This has become an annual tradition for us and we all really enjoy it. The kids really got to have an up close look from beginning to end on how the balloon works.

That night we packed a picnic lunch and went to Neilsen's Grove. It is a beautiful park with a fun fountain for wading in. You will see by the pictures that Kate was determined to experience the fountains without clothing. We hadn't planned on the kids getting completely soaked but they really had a great time. Anna obviously dove in completely. They also have a big circle swing that Rand pushed with all his might. They loved it. The temperature was mild and we had a great night.

On the morning of the 4th we decided to brave the crowds go see the parade. It took some time to actually find a spot on the parade route but we finally found one. It has been years since we have attended the parade. I really like parades and was excited to be a part of it this year. It just made the day feel that much more festive.

In the afternoon we went to my parents home for a bbq with my brothers and their families. We had a great time having the kids do the water slide and setting fireworks off in the evening. It was a great day full of fun. I was not dissapointed.

Bear with me, just one more time...

My mind feels as if it is whirring. Time has passed so very quickly this summer. I remember the last day of school and the many plans and ideas I had to fill our many days ahead of us. Our days were full and too quickly passed. Day after tomorrow Ethan starts 1st grade. I will put him on the bus at 8:17 am and will not see his cute little face until 3:58 each day when he gets off the bus. (that is if he actually gets off the bus this year unlike last year's first day) Isn't that a long time? He is so excited and I am thrilled that he is so looking forward to it. I took the kids school shopping today in Park City and it was a nice time to drive and think about the summer and the many fun things we've been able to do. There are still many things that I would like to have done, but I think when the kids look back they will hopefully feel like they have had a fun summer filled with sun, and swimming, and popsicles, St. George, and parks, picnics, and fairs, bbq's, and of course the grand finale Disneyland! While in Disneyland Ethan and I were in line together waiting to get on Big Thunder Mountain when he threw a coin in the wishing well and wished that he would "be a great reader this year". I thought that was so cute. Tonight when I knelt at the side of his bed and asked him to pray he prayed for some time including many things like "please help me to be a great reader, help me to get all my math problems right, help in Science, and to be smart and get all A's" I didn't know whether to smile or cry at his real concern and desire to do well in school. Have we put a lot of pressure on him to do well? I hope not. We think he is capable of doing great things and that he is a smart boy but I don't want him thinking that he has to be perfect. He is such a good boy and has so much potential. As much as I have had my moments the past few months where I felt I couldn't take one more outburst, or Ethan and Anna arguing or doing the whole nu-uh, uh-huh, nu-uh un-huh, forgive me for a moment for being dramatic but I just feel like a huge chapter in my sweet boy's life is quickly closing, and in an instant he has become so big. What if he gets made fun off? Who will he sit by at lunch? Will he miss me? Will he make good friends? Will his teacher love him just a tiny bit as much as I do? I'm sure it will be great. What more could you want than a new lunch sack and a transformers thermos? How could it not be the best year yet?

We're back, whether we like it or not

We got back from our fabulous Disney vacation on Sunday. We had a great time and it really was a vacation from all the normal stuff that makes you have sleepless nights at times. I didn't have to worry about cleaning, doing laundry, finances, errands, calling- nothing! It was so nice. Not only did we enjoy St. George, California and Disneyland but I read one and half books while we were there too. What could be finer. I came home with a tan and a "to-do" list half a mile long. We have never been away from home that long with kids. While the trip was great, wow I didn't know how hard it would be to come home and dive right back into the swing of things. We are all tired and even Ethan has had a nap every afternoon to catch up. Ethan starts school 1 week from today and he is very anxious. All that means for me is panic emotionally and physically. While I hope to have more time to get things done around here once he's in school full time (gasp) and Anna in pre-school 3 mornings a week, I just want to be caught up before they start. A lot of mom's are trying to do lots of fun things this last week before school starts but I am just too tired! I feel kind of bad for the kids but really they had a great time on our trip and I'm sure will live without a trip to the park or the pool for a day or two. My internet hasn't been working since we got home so I haven't posted and now I think when will I have the time to upload all those pictures. Anyway, time is not just flying by but screaming by and I don't quite know what to think about that. I'm anxious for fall, probably my favorite season and yet in a panic that summer is so close to it's end. What to do? Panic? Make one more to do list? Or just put a movie in and call it a day, for the next 7 days when I put my big but little first born child on the bus for what feels like the rest of his life! Help!