St. George Trip

A while back we decided that it would be a lot of fun to plan an adult weekend getaway to St. George. We booked the timeshare and invited a few of our friends for a kids free weekend. We decided to go over UEA weekend and luckily my parents and one of my friends were able to take care of our kids. It was a lot of fun and a much needed break from real life. It was nice to feel like an adult again and have normal conversations. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy talking to Ammon about Thomas the train engine, spelling things for Ella, helping Isaac with his homework, and holding Preston non-stop, but I was ready for a little break. We headed north on Thursday, October 15th to drop off the kids, pick up Rob and Kendra Johnstun, who were dropping of their kids, and make a not so quick stop at the bank to get new debit cards. Then we were on our way. We met up with the rest of our group, Scott and Marci Taylor, Greg and Stephanie Whitney, Gene and Lori Smith, and Jacob and Anna Fechter in St. George that night at the timeshare.
Friday morning, a group of us went to the St. George temple to do sealings and it was really neat. It is a beautiful temple and the workers were so sweet. Glen's great-great-grandpa did a lot of the woodwork in the temple and it was special to be able to be there. Later some of the guys went to Mesquite to go golfing and the girls went shopping. Shopping without kids . . . incredible. That night we BBQ'd steaks and hung out together.
Saturday morning I went running with Anna on some of the bike paths and it was great. What a beautiful part of the state! The girls went for pedicures while some of the guys went on a bike ride and then we all met up for lunch. After that we split up to do some more shopping and just to relax. We made it back just in time for the BYU football game. That night Glen and I went with Anna and Jacob to Tuacahn to see Aida and everyone else went to the movies and then bowling. The play was amazing and despite all his complaining, I think Glen actually enjoyed it.
Sunday we headed home and even though it was nice to be away, I was happy to see our kids again. I really do miss them when I'm not around them.



St. George Temple on an absolutely gorgeous day.

Lunch at Texas Roadhouse.

Inside the timeshare. We booked the penthouse and it was well worth it. The jacuzzi on the deck was a nice perk.

Anna and Jacob had already left, but the rest of us took a couple fun group pictures.

First Day of School

Isaac started the 2nd grade at Eagle Valley Elementary School on August 20th 2009. The day before school started we went to the school and found out his teacher would be Mrs. Jackson. However, when we went to his new classroom which is in one of the portables, we found Mrs. Martin. Mrs. Jackson had just had a baby and would be on maternity leave for six weeks. I was a little worried because in the 1st grade Isaac's teacher, Mrs. Dunkin left to have a baby at the Christmas break and decided not to come back. Isaac's second 1st grade teacher, Mrs. Boyd was great, but Isaac never really got over having a different teacher. Mrs. Martin seemed really great though and Isaac was excited when he found out that his best friend, Wade, was in his class.

The weather was great and Isaac was ready to ride his bike to school.
Outside of Isaac's new classroom.
Isaac and Ella in front of the school.

Ella started Kindergarten on August 27th and she was very excited. I think I was more nervous to send her to school than I was Isaac, but maybe that's because she's my only girl. She wasn't nervous at all. We went the week before to meet her new teacher, Mrs. Spaulding and Ella did an evaluation with her. She was right up to speed and she was in the same classroom Isaac had been in as a Kindergartner. Incidentally, Ella's teacher is also expecting a baby. I guess it comes with the territory of all these young teachers.

Ella with Mrs. Spaulding.

So far the year has been going really well. Mrs. Jackson came back and Isaac is doing really well with her. He's reading a grade ahead which we figured he was at and Ella is already becoming a good reader.