San Antonio Temple Trip

Everyone met at the church at noon! It was Trent's first time, so I wanted to be there! We were gone 10 hours so the kids had to come too! (Who do you ask to watch your kids for 10 hours? NO ONE!) The kids went with Beth and Allison to the church with half of the youth! Trent and I were in the first group! It was soooo much fun! We took 35 of Grandma Gayle's family names! Josh and Beth worked really hard to plan this! 

Then we switched! Our turn to wait at the church (just down the street from the temple!) 

When the second group finished they came to the church and we had a prayer! 

Josh gave instructions! 

Off to Cici's Pizza! 

We got back to our church about 9:40pm! 

Grandparent's Day

Today was Grandparent's Day at Winkley so I went to lunch with the kids! Their lunches overlapped so Lyd saw Blake and Blake saw Grant! 

Kai and his Grandma who reminded me so much of my Grandma Gardiner! I loved it!

Grant and Kai

Grant did not want a picture with me! Nor does he want me to walk him to school or pick him up! It is hard though because Blake and Lyd want both! I tell him if he comes out the front doors, just keep walking like you don't know me (we'll meet you home!) HaHa!! 

Tidbits

This is what Theo does when the kids are at school! (And because I take him running!)

Lydia brought this to me and said, "Can I eat the Longhorn grape?"

Trent has football everyday at 6:45am! Trumpet sectionals Thursdays at 7:15 (leaves football then comes back). Lesson with Kunckle during band! On game days he leaves in the dark and comes home in the dark! After the first few weeks, football will only be 3 days a week! 

MC

Trent had to lead the Court of Honor (after Back to School Night!)

Blake

Blake made these darling notes for everyone at church Sunday! 

He made this picture out of the black line the art teacher drew! A new male art teacher who is cool! The kids are thrilled! 

First Day of School

HUGE year for us!! Everyone in school!!! I have such mixed feelings on the first day of school! 

Josh and I walked these cuties over!!   

Grant 4th, Blake 1st, Lydia K

Lydia in class! She did OK! 

Mr. 7th grade!

Then I got to go to Torchy's and a movie with Ali and Melanie! We bought Mommy tickets at the Movie House and Eatery! 

I bought chocolate chip cookies, Ali a banana pound cake, Melanie chocolate covered caramels! I slept though part of it! Ha! 

Me, Ali, Melanie

The movie was long, we got out at 2:05 but had to go to the bathroom and were all the way down 620! I drove fast, dropped Melanie quick, Ali let me drop her at the corner! (I think she could see I was truly panicking! Like ready to cry!) If I missed Lydia coming out of kinder I would have been upset! The kids get out early the first week! I ran to the school front doors, Josh was already there! I got there just as they walked out! 2:35pm  Crazy thing, the rest of the week they brought the kids out early like 2:29, 2:31! I am soooo lucky they didn't do that the first day!  

Hooray for the first day!!  We went to the Olive Garden! (surprised the kids)

Trent has a schedule with no friends but great teachers! It makes it hard to be in Honor's Band with 8th graders, I think that adds to the unique schedule! 

I look at these 4 and want to freeze time!! 

T'was the Night Before School Starts

Blake and Lydia were so tired from the beach they fell asleep after church at about 5:30pm! Lydia woke around 8 for just a bit and straight back to bed! I put this from her teacher by her pillow and sprinkled the confetti so she could see it in the morning! 

Poor Blake woke about 7:45pm and cried for a half hour about school on my lap in the office while I helped Trent get his stuff organized! I told Blake we were going upstairs to pick clothes out! We got up there and he started to put his shorts on, I told him he couldn't sleep in his new shorts! He had a funny look and I said, "Buddy it is Sunday night, you still get to sleep the whole night before school!" The look of relief on his face was priceless! Then he cried from relief! Soooo sad!!!! 

Galveston

Smiths, Melansons and Us

So excited to take a little trip before school starts! 

Our car: Josh, Julie, Trent, Grant, Blake, Logan, Luke

Girl Car:

Ali, Kim, Tif, Lyd

Kate, Michaela, Eiley

Hotel Galvez

Arrived around 3pm, off to the beach!! (across the street)

Eiley Smith, Michaela S., Ali Melanson, Lyd, Logan S., Luke M., Grant, Blake, Trent, Kate M

Hotel pool/spa! 

We ordered pizza there Friday night!

Beach Saturday

We brought a skim board!

Trent

Lydia

Grant

Tiff's family came in the afternoon! (They live by Houston)

Blake

The kids made Blake into a beautiful mermaid!

Joke for Tiff! The boys fed the seagulls and were shocked at the flock that came! Tiff got up and RAN!! Kim got this picture at dinner and texted it to us in remembrance of Tiff! 

Drove home Sunday morning (6:30am) for Dad's meetings!