Temple Christmas Lights

I know this pic. is sideways and blurry, once I down loaded it I couldn't figure out how to turn it, and its blurry because I had to get it before I got ran over by the oncoming crowds :)

I can't believe Christmas is only in 5 days, where has the time gone? We finally went to see the lights at the temple after talking about going for what seems like weeks. But soon we found out that that was the place to be tonight :) it was packed. Although it was very crowded, it was the perfect night to go. Great weather and everyone was happy to be there, of course before we went we had to stop at QT for some hot chocolate-that really warmed us up. Im so glad that my kids haven't decided that they are too old to go look at Christmas lights with their parents (knock on wood), we all had such a good time together, and the lights seem to get better every year.

Lindsays New Home

Waiting in line to get the keys to her new home.

This is "Home" for the next 9 months.


Ready to unpack and make her new home hers.



I know this happened back in August, but I have been so slow about getting my blog updated, but I didn't want to over look such an important milestone in our lives.

Lindsay was really looking forward to being on her own, and we were excited for her, but I was also dreading it, I won't lie I shed a lot of tears, but with Lindsay so happy I tried not to let her see how sad I was. My firt born was moving out... I knew she was ready and it made it a little easier that she is still pretty close.

Her and I had a lot of fun shopping for days trying to make sure that we had everything that she would need, not that we couldn't get it later, but we wanted her to be able to get totally settled and be able to do her own thing.

It was nothing how I thought it would be. We pulled up and some students unloaded our car and told us that all of her things would be in her room within the hour... how cool is that. So we went and parked and had to walk through all of the areas where she gets her student id, her room keys, her mailbox key and finds out how things work. By the time we got to her room, her stuff was there. Her roomate Shelby was already there and totally settled in, so we talked to her for a little bit, while I made Lindsays bed (can't quite quit being mom). Lindsay was ready for us to leave so that she can get settled and to check out the place, so it was time to say goodbye. You would have thought that we were leaving her in Alaska as opposed to Tempe, by the tears that I shed. It was just sad leaving her, on her own, knowing that she is an adult and is out of the house, and shes going to do her own thing, I'm going to constantly worry - but I know she is ready.

Of course I made it known to her that she still has a room at our house and that she can come home anytime she wants. It had taken a while, but she is finally taking us up on that:)

Painting

Whenever I ask my kids what they would like to do with me, it is always "Lets go paint pottery." The first time we went Jake was 9 months old and Lindsay was 6. She loved it and he had no idea what was going on, but he did end up with paint all over his hands and feet.

Since then we have tried to go at least once a year, but as they have gotten older, they want to go a lot more often, i think we have gone 3 times this year already.

We always stop at Sonic and get sodas to take with us, because we take so long. Then we get there and have to figure out what to paint, and what colors to use. Then we sit down and paint. It is always fun to make something and look at how their personalities have changed in what they like over the years, , but my favorite part is the time that we spend together we are usually there 2 or 3 hours and i get my kids undivided time, and they get mine. We have had a lot of good conversations over painting, had a lot of serious talks, have just gotten filled in on everything going on in their lives and have laughed a lot:) I love looking around my house at all the memories that we have made together, and I look forward to making lots more.

Braces

So, Jake has been wanting braces forever. We have been taking him to the orthodontist since he was 9 and each time he would ask if he was getting them today. Crazy kid:) But on our last visit our orthodontist finally said his mouth was finally ready, when we are ready to put them on, he was so excited, we made the appointment for about 4 days later. Now he has braces, and he loves it. I will say I was pretty nervous about how he would look, but he looks pretty cute, and he is looking older....dang. What he was really excited about was eating ice cream for the next few days. First stop Jack in the Box for a chocolate shake.. Yum

Girls Spa Day

I decited that I was sick of my blog not being updated, so I finally sat down to fix that, hopefully I will get more regular instead of letting everything pile up.

The end of July, the boys (Jake, Little Jake, and Grandpa John) went to Wyoming to go fly fishing (I will blog about that later :) ) so it was just Lindsay and I for 5 whole days, so we decited to go to the spa. I found one in Scottsdale, that sounded kind of nice so we made a day of it. As soon as we got there we had to change into robes-ugh. Then we got massages - I have found out I hate people rubbing on my body, too weird...... then came the facials and manicures and pedicures. It was fun being goofy and uncomfortable with Lindsay was a lot of fun, we were constantly cracking up. After the spa, we hit the mall-of course. Then we went to the Yard House for diner-Yum! And finally we had to go to Sprinkles for their world famous cupcakes - I will say they are definately worth the drive.

It was such a fun day, I don't think either one of us ever shut up :) I am so glad that I got to spend that alone time with Lindsay, she is such an amazing woman (sounds so weird to say.....) I am so proud that she is my daughter. I think this might become a tradition - I don't know about the massage, but everything else.

Way to go Jake

Jake made it into his Junior High Honor Society! He had to have straight A's all year, get teacher recommendations, and have shown service in his community. He was only one of 22 kids selected at his school. And he is one of only 3 boys! That should be lots of fun for him. We are very proud of him wanting to do volunteer work like his sister did. Im sure it will be a lot of hard work, but we know he will be great.

Lindsay Graduated!!!!!!

Well Lindsay is finally out of High School. I cant believe I can now say I have a college student. Ugh am I that old? :) We are so proud of her, she had a great time in High School. She was very involved, in lots of clubs, did lots of community service, and still pulled off straight A's. I don't know where she got her study habits or her outgoing personality, because that is the exact opposite of me:) And up until today she had decided to go to NAU, but we just got the letter that she got into Barrett -the ASU honors college, so we went to take a look at it and we decited it was a better fit for her. As much as she said she wanted to go out of state, even NAU was too far, so she is really relieved to be going here, and she even gets to stay in the dorms, which are brand new....she is so happy to be getting out on her own, and we are excited for her to become independent- I guess slower than we were thinking but still happening.

And I never thought we would be able to do this, but her graduation gift was a new car. She was so excited, she had no idea. We had bought it over a month ago, but had to hide it so that we could keep it a complete secret. It was so fun watching her open the box with the key in it, and having no idea what it was. She actually started crying. It was so fun seeing her so excited. I cant wait to see what fun she is going to have at ASU. Looks like we are Sun Devils fans now....

Time Flies

It seems like just yesterday Lindsay was so small wanting to cuddle and play, I feel like I blinked and now she is almost an adult, graduating high school and getting ready for her life apart from us. Although I am very excited to see where her life will take her, I am dreading the day she leaves. Girls are so amazing, so emotional, so full of energy, so full of things to say. Its so sad to look back and see how fast kids grow up, and regret not spending more time enjoying the time instead of looking forward to the milestones that they hit.

We sure had a lot of fun, when she was younger we moved around a lot, and she took it in stride. She was pretty resilient and made the most of the moves, she loved the adventure of it all. Unfortunately she still has that adventurous spirit and wants to move all over. I'm trying to prepare myself for the time when she actually leaves knowing its a part of life and we will see her as often as possible, but it still makes me sad not being able to tell her goodnight every night. All I know is until she leaves she is probably going to feel smoothered :)