The End of Summer - pictures from our August Adventures

Random letters to inanimate objects

Dear hair,
I miss your natural straightness. Even with Emily's help, you still seem hopeless. What can I do? Do you need new conditioner, or some other special treatment? Let me know how to help, I can't have you just lying there...
Thank you,
Sarah

Dear window air conditioner that we bought at Sam's,
You have been the greatest addition to our family since Audrey. Thank you for your service!
With love,
Sarah

Dear diet coke,
I miss you, but I'm surviving. I know we've been close for many years now, but it's time to go our separate ways. We may have the occasional hook-up at a restaurant - but my desire for you has waned. I'll still be your fan on Facebook.
Sincerely,
Sarah

Dear Dora the Explorer,
Thank you for entrancing another of my children and making it possible for me to accomplish my daily tasks. Please let your friends, especially Boots, know of his adoration from not only my sweet 20 month old, but from me too!
Forever grateful,
Sarah

Dear Farkle,
I hate you so much. Three two's only worth 200 points? Ludicrous. And getting a Farkle on the first throw is just plain mean.
*sticking my tongue out at you*
Sarah

Dear 5 vaccinations that got stuck in my 4 year old today,
Please don't keep my daughter up tonight. She needs to sleep and I need my sanity.
Hopefully,
Sarah

The end

What was that again?

nana, sissy, eli and jacob are here visiting us.

in 2007, robbie, sissy, eli, and jacob came to visit us in arizona. we all went camping in flagstaff and then went to the grand canyon. eli and benjamin became junior park rangers. we had a fantastic time.

now, in 2009, we took all 5 kids to carlsbad caverns. we learned about stalagmites and stalagtites. we were 750 feet below the earth. my hair curled all by itself in the humidity of the cave. audrey kicked off both of her crocs while hanging from the kid backpack aaron toted through the caves. we rescued the crocs. at the end of our adventure, eli, ben, jacob and alex all became junior park rangers.

we discussed where we should go in two more years.

"How about Yellowstone?" said aaron.

"How about Nauvoo?" said jessica.

"Naboo?" asks ben, eyebrows raised.

"no son, you can't really go to star wars planets. they are just pretend."

"i know, mom."

i think he was a little disappointed.

Getting Excited

I always get excited when I see school supplies being stocked in stores. 25 cent crayons send my heart racing. New backpacks, scissors, and brand new colored pencils call out to me. Once a teacher, always a teacher, I guess.

*Ben's school doesn't start until August 24th, so we still have a little time to play. We're headed to Phoenix on Sunday for a week - escaping the misery of humid afternoons in favor of mom's air conditioning. When we come back, it's back on the schooltime sleep schedule. Yeah!

*It's almost time for preschool to start! I have two classes this year: I'm teaching 5 three year olds (still room for one more), and 10 four year olds (with 1 on a waiting list!). I'm excited to meet the kids and have some fun! The first day of preschool is my birthday - which will make the first day a super celebration. I can't wait.

*Katee came to visit and we burned 50 cd's of the primary sacrament meeting program music. That's coming up soon, too!

*Due to an unexpected turn of events, Aaron is going to be spending some time on research, instead of maintaining the rigorous schedule he's been keeping. (Let's just say that the 80 hour work week seems like more of a suggestion...) We are hoping to make some additional home improvements. Nice. Ask and you shall receive.

*As soon as we get home from Phoenix, Aunt Sissy, Eli and Jacob are coming to visit. We are going to go to Carlsbad Caverns. I haven't been there before, and I'm really looking forward to it.

*September is going to be jam-packed full of adventures. Besides being back to schedules, school, and preschool, Heather and her family are coming to visit, we are going to Houston for Eli's baptism, Aaron is going to Phoenix for a 4 day conference, and my sister is coming home from Iraq!
It's going to be fantastic!