The BIG, unforgettable first day of school

This story is so long overdue and is quite the funny one...

We have been so excited for the first day of school.  Zack was starting kindergarten and Ashley was all set with her "cool 2nd grade clothes."  Zack was a little nervous, but very excited at the same time.  Josh and I were anxious to make sure everything would go smoothly for Zack on his first day so that he would transition fine.  Well...

The first sign of trouble: Ashley tells me her alarm clock has been acting funny and sometimes doesn't work.  I told her not to worry because I would have mine set as well.  Famous last words.

Big day arrives.  I roll over in bed, and look at the clock.  Immediate crazy panic sets in, it is 7:37!!!!!!!  School starts promptly at 8:00.  For those that know my panic attacks, I can have the tendency to act like a chicken with its head cut off.  So, yes, I jumped out of bed, starting yelling to the kids upstairs they needed to get up.  Josh immediately was my calming influence, telling me that was no way to start Zack's first day of school.  Of course he was right!  So, I ran to get ready while he woke up the kids.  After I was quickly ready, I ran upstairs to kids getting dressed, brushing teeth, and Josh making poptarts.  We all jumped in the car (luckily lunches and backpacks were ready to go), threw Natalie in her seat with her PJs on, and sped off to school as fast as we could in a 20 mph zone.  Josh drove right up to the entrance, and I jumped out with the kiddos to walk Zack to his class.  We actually got to school at 8:03.  I still have no idea how that happened :)

Looking back now, I can only laugh at what happened.  I think maybe, in a small way, it was better for Zack to not dwell on the impending moment of separation and be sad about it.  I didn't get to do the big breakfast I had planned, but we did it the next morning.  We also got our first day of school pictures after school!  We bought Ashley a new alarm clock that evening and I now have my iphone permanently set with 2 alarms to go off every morning.  Definitely a day we will NEVER forget. 

 

Ashley's baptism

 I can't believe we have an 8 year old!  What a special weekend we had.  Ashley has been looking forward to this for some time.  She was so excited, yet nervous at the same time.  First came the bishop's interview.  She was very nervous about meeting with him.  She said for one of the questions, he asked her who the prophet was and she said, "I knew mom, but I just forgot!  I was so nervous that I just couldn't remember...I asked him, 'Could I still be baptized?'  He helped me remember by saying President Mmmm...."  She came out with a big smile on her face and a whole starburst.

 

When Saturday came, she was really excited to wear her new baptism dress that her Grandma Kathy sewed.  She looked so pretty.  We were so excited at both grandparents being able to come, Aunt Cheri & Uncle Chris, Uncle Parker, and cousins Kyle, Grace, and Naomi.  Naomi flew all by herself across the country to spend the weekend with us.  What a brave girl!  Ashley was so excited she was here.  We have a picture of everyone, but not on my camera, so I still need to get that from Josh.  I really wanted to get this up for everyone to see.  We were so thankful for everyone that was able to come. 

Ashley was a little nervous about being baptized, but looking forward to it as well.  The service was beautiful and Ashley was so happy.  Of course I got all misty eyed!  We are so proud of her for her choice today. 

 Ashley and another little boy were both baptized this morning.  We love their family and were so glad we all got to share this experience together. 

My favorite one...

Grandparents!

 Afterwards, we had a nice luncheon for our family and Ashley opened a few special gifts. 

 She loved her special new baptism bracelet from Her Grandma Christine...

 and her beautiful new scripture bag from Grandma Kathy...

 ...to go with her new, very own, set of scriptures.  She has been loving FINALLY having some that she can call her own. 

Birthday girls!!

It is always a little bit of a challenge having the girls' birthdays right next to each other.  Natalie was so excited to have her 4th birthday.  The kids were at school, so she had dad and mom all to herself.  We celebrated by a big bubble bath, a special lunch at McDonalds, and a fun filled evening as a family with pizza, presents, movie, and pedicures.  She was very excited about opening her presents.  Thank you to grandparents! For birthday presents to each other, we enjoy taking the kids to the dollar store.  They love the freedom of "picking anything they want" for each other.  Zack picked a princess scepter and crown while Ashley picked a Barbie for Natalie. 

 

 

 

 

 

    

The girls liked sharing a cake this year.  Made it easier for me! 

Ashley was so excited to be turning 8.  I really can't believe how big she is.  At the dollar store, Zack picked some beads for her and Natalie got her press-on fingernails.  Ashley was very excited about Super Mario Bros Wii game and Zhu Zhu pets.  Her big present was an Easy Bake oven which we now all get to enjoy when she makes treats!  That day, we also went to the Stockyards for a large outdoor celebration they were having there.  The kids loved the animal shows and petting zoo there.  What a fun day :)

Another art show for the family...but not daddy's!

Ashley was so excited that her art work was chosen as the "best of the best" from her school.  It is on display this week at the her school District's Art Show at the town hall.  She was thrilled that she got to be in her own art show just like daddy does!

Her work is considered mixed media as it has paint and colored pencils.  We thought it was absolutely wonderful and very beautiful!  What a little artist!!!

Our little nutcracker angel

Ashley was so excited to find out her dance studio produces the Nutcracker every year.  Wishing for non-Sunday practices, she received the part of an angel.  She was so excited to perform her part and wear her beautiful angel costume.  She did an elegant beautiful job.  We were so excited that Gramma came to see her performance.

 

She desperately wanted a picture with Clara.  She was gracious enough to pose for one!

Now, the funniest part which most people didn't see was this....they dumped the snow backstage after the performances and all the kids were running around and having a blast throwing it around.  It was hilarious and I let Ashley go back there a little before we met our family in the audience. 

  

  

 

 We are so proud of her!

Thanksgiving

I always love Thanksgiving. We had my parents come up from Lubbock along with my sister Jenny and Mema. We had a fun week going to Six Flags, making delicious Thanksgiving dinner, watching movies, hanging out, and going to a football game!

Ashley and Zack opened their "Heritage spa", complete with a menu of services ranging from 15 cents to 60 cents. Everyone really enjoyed this special treat. The kids were super excited with their aunt Jenny's tip of $1.00. Part of Natalie's specialty is walking on your back and then jumping off of it as hard as she can. Gives an extra "oomph" to her massage.

As always, Natalie goes through a "Grumpy" time when she's tired, usually around 5-6 pm. I wish she still napped, but she definitely doesn't.

Aunt Jenny tried to help and convinced her she should be happy and have a happy picture.

Another highlight of the week was going to the Texas Tech game at the Cowboys stadium. It was our first time inside and we were very impressed. The stadium is really large, and the screens are amazing. What a fun game...

Six Flags, Holiday in the Park, was a blast for the kids. They loved riding rides with their grandparents and Jenny.
Natalie was so tired at the end of our day, she cuddled up to Josh's arm and promptly fell asleep in the car. She's quite the daddy's girl.