School is in Session!

Today all 4 of my blessed children will go to a full day of school! Kennedy started 6th grade at Greenspun Jr. High, Jackson and Leighton started 3rd grade at Bartlett Elementary and Boston started American Heritage Academy as a kindergartner going 3 full days a week. It is bitter sweet (but mostly sweet).

I am going to Target to wander aimlessly, the dry cleaners, dropping off a gift, returning/exchanging things, the post office, and just might...sit on the couch and do nothing - because I CAN. But I doubt it.

Evan

The twins have a best buddy - Evan Woody. Evan's mom, Cindy, is very gracious and invites the twins over for hours at a time. A couple weekends ago she picked them up to go to Chuck E. Cheese for Evan's belated birthday. Jackson greeted her at the door with, "Hey, do you still have that smoking habit?" She busted up laughing which totally relieved me. Jackson can get away with saying things like that because of his innocence in the approach.

This past Saturday Evan came to our house for lunch and swimming. I gave them a couple choices where to eat and Panda Express won out. While trying to order, all my boys were asking for samples, fighting over who got to carry the tray, asking for Gatorade, etc. Evan was standing next to me being very obedient (as usual) and he said to me, "How do you deal with this?" The lady behind the counter started laughing because I know she was thinking the same thing. I told him, "one second at a time."

When Evan saw the above (Jackson's back side) he said, "Really! That is disgusting!" And of course every time Jackson got out of the water the shorts were right back to this place. On another occasion, Evan said, "Dude! That is so embarrassing!"

Jackson would just shrug it off and attempt to pull them up every time.

The boys requested a friend for Boston because they didn't want him bothering them. Angelo is one of Boston's good buddies and he joined in on the chaos nervously. I think the noise level at our house was pretty scary. At one point, Leighton kicked Jackson in the face (accidentally) while swimming and gave him the bloodiest nose ever. Angelo and Evan just sat to the side minding their P's and Q's. I often wonder what kids go home and tell their parents after leaving our house? Actually, I don't really want to know. I would probably go into a state of paranoia.

Thank goodness there are moms (and dads) out there that can handle inviting both Leighton and Jackson. And a friend that can balance the two of them.

5 Day Trip

Normally we drive to Washington for a month or so during the summer break but this year we took a short cut and flew and only stayed for 5 days. We rented a car and drove all over instead. The airplane brought us to Pasco, WA, drove to Portland, OR, for a wedding, drove to University Place, WA (Tacoma area) for the reception, and back to my parents house. Eric had to go to work Saturday so I dropped him off in Portland. We were suppose to get a mini van but when we got there, the only car available was a Suburban. It was nice to try one out and realize I really don't want one right now. The climbing over seats did me in.

We had fresh corn on the cob almost every meal. It was delicious! Eric, my brother, Kameron, and my cousin, Justin, and the boys helped pick it for our dinner.

The 4 wheeler wasn't working very well so the rides were short lived. Kennedy was very disappointed she couldn't ride it more.

Kameron is raising goats so the boys got to help give them some medicine. Nice pajamas they're wearing.

I wonder who is from the city?

Kameron is also known as the "cat whisperer." He has a soft spot for animals unlike the rest of us.

Jodi and Matt took us out on their boat and Eric couldn't resist dipping my dad.

Ashley with Launa and Kate.

Ashley told me Boston reminds her of Edward from Twilight. This picture shows a little resemblance.

My mom and Kutter keeping us all safe with the flag.

Matt with Jackson and Leighton. He is as wild and crazy as them.

It's a good thing he's strong.

Hunter (almost 16), Hudson (14) and Kennedy. They look so grown up.

My dad with Kate at Jodi's house. We ate lunch and dinner here with the boating in between. She only lives right up the street from the lake.

Mark (Ashley's husband) and Eric doing their best to look HOT!

We drove 4 hours to Portland, OR, from my parents to the temple where our niece, Bethany, got married. Lunch was the first thing we did when we got there. Lake Oswego Ice Creamery was delicious! The twins said this was the best strawberry shake they ever had. They would highly recommend it.

I think Boston's head is as big as mine.

On the temple grounds, Leighton and Boston with Uncle Paul.

Mr. and Mrs. Sean and Bethany Cudahy, married August 14 in the Portland temple. They both live in the Puget Sound area but the Seattle temple was closed so this was the closest temple. They were just beaming.

A ring ceremony was held at Mike and Marie's house (Eric's brother and the mom and dad) as some of Sean's family are not members. It was a touching ceremony in gorgeous surroundings. Sean and Bethany seem so mature for their age.

An impromtu dip.

This is the view from their house - overlooking the Puget Sound. It was dreamy. A little hot for the area (90 degrees) but still beautiful.

Jackson was no where to be found during the ring ceremony and this is where I found him. Leighton joined him later when again, I had to find them. They lost their Nintendo DS when we went to Washington DC on the plane so they are suffering from some major DS playing.

My perfect kids.

My Grandpa and Grandma Jenks - he's almost 92 and she is 87. It was great to see them and visit.

Kennedy was so excited to cook for everyone. She created a menu and sat everyone in the living room where she took orders for her "Washington Deli." My mom helped her because my patience were thin. Everyone raved about her cooking. She also made Sunday dinner which was an "Italian" theme. She watches the food network and soaks it all up.

Grandma doing what she's told. She was a great helper.

Boston entertained the little kids. He keeps asking me when I'm going to have a baby that he can hold. Ha! Ha! Ha!

Jackson and Leighton got to spend the night with cousins Kaden (11), Sawyer, (9), Detton (5), and Benson (3). They were so excited to play video games with them. You'd think video games would get old but not to them.

While waiting at the airport to fly back home, Leighton condensed his hot dog bun into this thing that looks like a chip. He sat on it. The things they do to entertain themselves. He asked me if I wanted a bite and I declined.

We fit a lot into those 5 days and were so glad we could get away and share in Bethany's wedding and see family. There really is no place like HOME.

Issues

I have lots of them but right now, it's my computers. They aren't cooperating. I can't seem to load pictures to my blog. Just know I'm not being lazy, just having issues. A beautiful wedding and weekend with family will be coming soon.