So Much to Catch Up On!

Well hello everyone!!!  Yes, I'm still alive.  It's been awhile, right?

Life got crazier with me having to start working full time a few months ago along with a new church calling - Primary President.  Those two things along with trying to keep everything going at home has kept me very busy to the point that it's been hard to find the time to blog or do much of anything else that I personally enjoy doing.

Sooooooo, lots of catching up needs to be done.  Here's just a few things that we've been up to over the last few months.

First of all Happy belated Veteran's Day!!!! The Marine Corps birthday is one day before so Jed and I headed to Utah for the weekend to attend the Utah Marine Corps Birthday Bash.  Jed got to catch up with some of his military buddies that night.  Good times.

Happy 238th Birthday, Marines!  Oorah!!!

  (Jed at his Marine graduation...so handsome!)   :P

Jed's military contract ended in September.  After much thought and discussion with me, Jed decided not to sign on again.  He just received his honorable discharge from the military in the mail about a week ago so I guess that makes it official.  As much as I love what opportunities the military has given us, I'm also happy that we'll get to see more of Jed.  With Aubrey only having 2-3 years left before she graduates high school and moves on with her life, that alone was enough of an incentive for Jed to take as much time as he can with his family.

Speaking of Aubrey, she got her full-fledged driver's license a month or two ago.  Yeah, that's weird but really nice too...now I don't have to be the one doing all the driving. 

Aubrey was pretty excited...who wouldn't be right?

So, Aubrey, me and Rigdon went out and celebrated with some milkshakes...Aubrey's favorite treat. 

 For the first day of Kindergarten, Rigdon got to ride to school in style on his daddy's Harley Davidson motorcycle.

He really likes his new teacher Mrs. Eaton but sure misses his pre-school teacher.

Ronin is officially a 5th grader now. 

Aubrey's a Sophomore.

 Connor's a 8th Grader.

Jed and I took a motorcycle day trip to Mesa Falls in Island Park.

We ate a picnic overlooking one of the waterfalls.

Such beautiful scenery....loved being there!!!  Personally, it was one of the best dates we've had in awhile.  Such a simple thing...just getting to hang with each other...no interruptions, no technology, just nature and a motorcycle ride.  It was perfect.

Ronin just finished up his football season about a month ago now.  He said he had a great time although did have to sit out for a few weeks due to a strained back per the chiropractor's orders. 

 That's about all I've got time for today.  How's everything going in your life today????

More Summer Fun

Sumer is just flying by, here are a few thing we've been up to.  :)

Fourth of July was spent at a nearby water park as a family with my mom and brother and his family.  Getting in the water sounded really good since it's been blazing hot these last two weeks.  Connor brought along his friend, McCade.

Aubrey with her cousins from Florida and Arizona - Drewe and Zoe.

Rigdon chowin' down.

Later that evening we had a BBQ with some family, friends, and neighbors....

Neighbor, Les Devries.

...and ended with some fireworks to top it all off.  :)

As far as the rest of the summer goes.....

Hangin' with Drewe some more at home.

 
I decided that the kids (particularly the boys) could use some practice on their handwriting.  The school system here really doesn't focus on penmanship, especially when it comes to cursive. 

I'm not so sure the boys were as enthusiastic as I was about their practice writing sheets.  Aubrey was excited about it, but then again, she's already got really beautiful (and legible) handwriting.

It's becoming a lost art and I'm determined that my children will at least be able to sign their signature instead of just printing it.  My 12 year old niece, Drewe, informed me the other day that she only knew how to print and didn't know how to write in cursive AT ALL PERIOD.  Say what???  She wanted a copy of my writing packet so she could learn it too and I gladly gave her one.


Rigdon had dental surgery on his mouth two weeks ago.  Such a little cutie.

Coming out of la la land after the surgery.

It took awhile for him to fully become alert.  

Among the several different procedures done, a tooth was pulled.  Who's ever seen a tooth with three roots instead of two?????  I'm still puzzled by this. 

Connor's spending a lot of time with his Grandpa on the golf course. 

 My dad has been teaching him the in's and out's and Connor's really starting to improve and get a knack for the game.

 

We took Connor and Aubrey mountain biking for the first time last week.  It was long, tough going at times, and a bit muddy. 

But they really enjoyed it and said they would like to do it again.  :)

Me and my buddy.  :)

All done and ready to go home. 

But first we got a shot by the trailhead.

Swimming Lessons

Summer has been a busy one for sure with little time to blog about it all.  So you're just gonna get pictures.  Ronin & Rigdon spent a few weeks in swimming lessons......

Learning to dive.

Rigdon's first time going off the diving board.  He had a huge smile on his face and jumped with hardly a hesitation.

No fear.

Cannonball!!!!!