First Day of School!

You read it right! My little girl had her first day of Kindergarten today! She was so excited! It startted off with a father's blessing the night before...Alex insisted that he have one too. And then early to bed, because tomorrow was going to be a big day.

Alex insisted that he was going to school today too. So they are both in their backpacks infront of our house.

She picked out her own Hello Kitty backpack. She really wanted a High School Musical one, but I couldn't let that happen.

Sammy is in room #2 with Ms. Grace as her teacher.

George & I were able to stay and read her a few books. We actually get to read to her each day we drop her off. That is if we are on time.

Sammy & some of her classmates at the Flag Ceremony. After that was over it was time to say good-bye. She gave us both big hugs & kisses and then was the first one back in the classroom. I chocked back a few tears...was a great little girl I have!

Swimming Lessons

We started swimming lessons at Rinconada Swimming Pool the day after we got back from vacation.

Alex really struggled the first 2 lessons. It was kinda cold and he did slip into the water after letting go of the side. But by the 3rd day he was all smiles again.

Nick was his favorite teacher and he loves the noodle.

Sammy loved her lessons and swimming in the water.

Sammy had private lessons this time and really came close to swimming independently. I am so proud of both of them!

Who takes a month long vacation?

We do and we love it! In fact, I plan on doing this every summer. We had a wonderful time! We left on June 29th and stayed overnight in Winnemecca, Nevada...one of Nevada's finer cities for sure. Our usual hotel was taken, so we chose one that was, well not our first choice. We stayed with Grandma Hobbs for the first few days and then with Grandpa Hobbs
for the next few days. We had a week full of fun, but our camera was with George on his hike. So I don't have pictures of the Dinasour Museum, Provo 4th of July parade, BBQ with the Hobbs side, visit to the Hogle Zoo, & the Bucket pool with grandpa. But they were all a blast. George went with his dad & uncle Roger on a 4 day hike in the Uintas. I asked if they had fun and they replied that it was hard and are glad it is over. George then flew back to Palo Alto to work and we headed off to Idaho for the next 2 weeks. We started off in Shelley and got to ride & hang out with Great Grandma & Grandpa Searle. Then it was off to Island Park & Yellowstone Park. There we went swimming, to the Playmill in West Yellowstone and to see Foot Loose with the older cousins, saw some gysers, & ate lunch with a buffalo. We had a blast even though we didn't get much sleep. There were 7 kids under 7, 4 adults in a 2 bedroom condo. Then we were off to Twin Falls to stay with Uncle Tony & Aunt Jodi. We went to art in the park, a 4-wheeler ride with Cache & Cooper, slip-n-slide with Uncle Tony, & lots of scrapbooking for me. Then it was off to Grandma Gourley's house. We went & saw Beauty and the Beast at the Hale Center Theatre, had lunch with the Disney Princesses, swam and slip-n-slide, Farm Country to ride the ponies, had 3 birthday parties (one for Alex, one for Sam, & one together), fishing with both Grandpa Gourleys, going down the slide at Natalie's pool, & a Hobbs Family Reunion. We ate lots of yummy food, stayed up late, went to the movies, & were lazy when we weren't partin. We were exhausted by the end, but loved spending so much time with the people we love. Now it is back to reality.

Finally Our July Vaction