First Days of School

So...tradition in my home growing up was taking those first day of school pictures. We usually did it outside our front door and all packed up for school. We have continued that tradition. It is so much fun to look back through the years to see what we wore, what we did with our hair, and what we carried our lunches and books in. Some years were way more hideous than others but tons of fun to remember. Kaijsa isn't too into this tradition since she hates having her picture taken but we do it anyways. Not sure why she isn't into getting her picture taken since she's so cute but as you get older I guess that is what happens. The first picture is of her official first day of school but since you don't do much on the first day we took another picture of her "first" day when she'll actually go to her classes.

Kaijsa has come to realize that the older you get the harder the classes become. She may actually have to study this year. Too funny. Life just gets harder as you get older, lesson to learn while young.

Enjoy your youth, being a grown up is not all that fantastic. Have a great Sophomore year of High School Kaijsa Ray! We love you!

Lazy Days

Here are just a few pics of the babies for lazy days around the house. The last week of summer before school started we didn't do a whole lot. But sometimes the cutest pics are of the kids just being lazy and kids. Watching their cartoons, which all seem to teach you a new language, and playing with toys. I love the quiet times when they seem so deep in thought of what comes next. Kids are adorable.

Lazy Days

Wii Fit

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Ok, so Larry came home with the Wii Fit a couple of weeks ago. I am addicted. Kaijsa is now addicted. Even Kamden and Kinsee like watching us do it. Kamden goes around saying Hula Hoop Mommy? Run Mommy? Boxing Kaijsa? It is so cute and actually a good motivator. I unfortunately haven't lost any weight yet, actually I've gained some, but I will keep trying. Maybe by posting this I can get myself in gear and actually lose some. Y'all can by my fan club and push me to do more. No mean comments please as this is a sensitive subject for me. Hehe. I do really enjoy it though. Kaijsa and I do the different games and exercises and compete against eachother. She is getting very good and in some areas kicking my butt. I do hold my own though I must say. If y'all can ever try a Wii Fit you should. I normally hate video games but lately these newer ones I love. Rock Band is so much fun. Guitar Hero is great too. The Wii is just flat out awesome. This is where a lot of our time is spent lately. Kaijsa and I stay up so late working out and opening new games or challenges. It's so fun. So here's to me working out and trying to get in shape. Here's to y'all in helping me achieve my goals. Go Team!

Tax Free Weekend

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This weekend was Tax Free Weekend in Texas. So to make the most of the weekend Kaijsa, Kamden, Kinsee and I went shopping. There are tons of stuff that are tax free during this time. It comes once a year and I love it! We got some very cute clothes for Kaijsa for back to school as well as for Christmas. I also got some clothes for Kamden and Kinsee for not only Christmas but their Birthdays. Plus I got some clothes for me. Mine are for me now and Christmas. We went to an outlet mall up by the Oklahoma border and made a big day of being together. We had breakfast, did some shopping, and just had a great day. There is even a playland at the mall for kids to play on so the babies got to get in the sand and play around. The weather was beautiful too. The kids got clothes and shoes and I got everything done for the holidays. Larry still needs a few items but basically Christmas Shopping is done! Kamden's Birthday shopping is pretty much done too. I'm so excited! I love the feeling of being on top of things. Now if I could just get on top of cleaning my house...hmmmm

School doesn't start for another week so this week is Dr. appointments and just spending time with friends. Kaijsa is so excited to be back and her friends are thrilled she's home too. It's so good to see her and them and everyone together. Her class schedule sounds fun, I hope she likes her teachers. Plus seminary will start soon so we'll get back into our school routine instead of the summer routine. But since I love routine there isn't too much of a change.

To those of you who start school soon...Good Luck! Kaitlyn and Kira plus the cousins: McKenna and Miranda all start school this week. I'll fill you in on Kaijsa's as soon as she starts. Hope everyone had a fantastic summer!

Welcome Home Kaijsa!

Our beautiful daughter Kaijsa came home on Wednesday and boy were we all excited! Kamden and Kinsee have been asking for her every day for the 4 weeks she was gone. That was the longest 4 weeks of our lives. Time goes by so much slower when she isn't around. She has become such a huge part of all our lives and we love having her here with us. We miss the other 2, such an emptiness when we're not all together, but so nice to have Kaijsa. Kaijsa had a couple of her friends come over to decorate her room and welcome her home. It's wonderful having them around again too. Since she got home we've been busy getting ready for school and getting back into our routine. We've also spent many many many hours playing the Wii Fit. We love it. Welcome Home Kaij! It's so good to have you back! We love you!

Candy or "Nandy" as they like to say

I admit I give my kids candy but only after a certain time of day. I had some candy too close to the edge of the counter obviously because they found it and had some. When I asked Kam how Kinsee got some "nandy" he just replied "I don't know, she just had it". Right.... I then look to her and she is shoving some in her mouth hoping that I won't notice and then looks at me like "what?" It's so funny when they try to blame things on the other one like I won't know what they are doing. I mean, who hasn't blamed a sibling for something. It's the look of "she can't tell I had any and I didn't do it. that makes me laugh. Love kids...

Cute Kids

I love it when my kids are sleeping because they are so cute and peaceful. But I do love them awake too, when they are laughing and smiling. Kamden is becoming harder to catch on film, do we still say film when it's all digital? Anyways...he runs when I try to take a picture of him but I did catch him "napping" with Kinsee. He's so funny when he pretends to be sleeping he snores so loudly thinking "I'm fooling mom". But I remember doing that too, must be an ingrained part of childhood that you don't need to be taught you just do. Kinsee's pictures of her laughing were so cute to me. I love laughing kids because it's contagious and makes me laugh too. And who doesn't need a good laugh? Hope all of you find some time to laugh today and make the most of those moments.

But for FYI, Kinsee fights falling asleep more than any other kid I know. She just refuses until she can't keep her eyes open any longer but man she'll try.

Cute Kids

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Faith and Blessings

Some of you may know that we've had a rough year. My mom passed away in January and Larry hasn't had the best year either. I would just like to request that y'all keep him and us in your prayers and fasts. Larry is battling a pretty severe infection that just doesn't seem to want to go away. It's been hard on him in many ways. Thank you for all you've done for us so far but please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. We have faith that all will get better but we must first have the trail of our faith. I'm grateful to have the gospel and Priesthood in our home, family and lives. Again, please pray and fast for Larry and us. Thank you.

Larry keep up the fight. You will get better! We love you! You are such a good man and there is a lot in store for you and us. We are blessed to have you a part of our lives. Love you Honey!

Twilight Series

So....I'm done! YEAH! This series is one of my favorites. I finished the whole series last night. I had read the first 3 previously but decided to read them again to be up to date for the fourth book. I read them all in a week and it was great to be able to read them back to back. Now I can get back to the cleaning, laundry, cooking and child rearing...hehe. Thank you Larry for letting me do nothing but read for the past week. You're a gem. I'm not sure exactly what I love about these books but I do love them. I was thinking that there is a lot in them that you could apply to life and found it interesting. We each have gifts and when this life is over those gifts will still be a part of us. Will the be stronger or different? Will we have more gifts or not? Part of our life is to discover our gifts and make them stronger, to develop more gifts, and to love others. All of these things are important to our happiness. Families can be together forever and what joy that brings to me. Y'all probably think.."Rachel you're nuts" and I most likely am but I love learning things from others and books that I read. I love my little Aha moments even if they aren't aha moments for anyone else. Now I'll get back to being the wife and mother and taking care of the house and family. So much to catch up on!

Nap Time

Finally! After 2 1/2 years of waiting for the time when Kamden would just fall asleep somewhere it happens. The other day I thought, "it's awfully quiet upstairs" so I went to check. Kinsee was "reading" on the bed while Kamden had crashed on the couch. I had to take a picture since he was so cute and he did it all on his own. He's becoming such a big boy. Now if I could only get him interested in being potty trained! Oh well, we'll keep trying.

Papa Bob the Builder

Last Saturday we had a yard sale at my Dad's house. It was well over 100 degrees but we did well. Afterwards we went inside to cool off a bit, after swimming of course, and Papa and Kamden decided to build something. My dad being the engineer that he is was going to make something cool. This is a picture of them together building. It's too bad that over the years some of the building materials have disappeared. Sorry... They had a good time though and it was fun to see them working together. Kamden has discovered that he loves blocks and building things.