Jack had his first day of pre-school today!
I was super nervous for him to go. He is really shy when he doesn't know anyone and has a hard time in new environments. All morning he kept saying... "I don't really want to go to my new school mommy". I just ignored it and we would talk about something different. As we were driving to school he said it again, our conversation went like this:
J:"Mommy, I really don't want to go to my new school"
M: "You are going to have so much fun. And Miss Jan is so nice!"
J: "I just wanna go to my old school" (last year we did a co-op school group... i.e. glorified play group)
M: "Oh honey, you are going to love this school. And you are so big. You are 3 years old! So I know that you are going to be so brave! And when mommy comes back to pick you up, you can give me a big hug and kiss and tell me all about your fun day at school!
J: Silence.
We pulled up to his school. He un-buckled his seat belt jumped out of the car with his back pack and said: "I can be so brave".
We walked up, went inside and put his back pack in the cubby. Mrs. Jan came right up and said "Hi Jackson, welcome to school! Let's go wash your hands". And they walked away.
I sat there for a little while not knowing what to do.... Do I wait? Is he ok? Will he panick when he comes out of the bathroom and I am not there? Will it be worse if I am there and then he really has to say goodbye?
I decided to leave. I just walked out. No hug. No kiss. No .... "be good, have fun, listen to your teacher, share the toys".... nothing. Then, I cried. Why? I'm still not quite sure. I think I felt like I had just abandoned him because I didn't "warn" him that I was going to leave. I kept wishing they had little windows like nursery, so that I could just have a little peak.
I was so anxious to know how it all went, I was 5 minutes early to pick him up. And I was supposed to wait for them to bring him out, but I went inside instead. He saw me and ran up to me and said, "I didn't cry. I was so brave". Sigh.
The school year is not official until we make a sign. I decided to put Clara in to help me remember what she was like when Jack was in pre-school. I couldn't get her to look at the camera, she was to worried about the way the grass was making her legs feel.
I am so proud of my little guy for being so brave. I am sure as each year comes it is only going to get harder to see my boy walk away from me as he starts that first day of school. And I am sure that not every year my little "pep talk" is going to work like it did this year. I love that I make him feel so empowered... that his mom can say "you can do it" and you better believe he thinks he can do it! Sigh. I love my little man.
My Grandma Rose had the brilliant idea of getting all the girls together and going out to Julie & Julia. It was a cute little movie. It made me want to be more creative and cook new things! Although I don't think I could EVER be as diligent as Julie was... unless you consider a new flavor of Roman Noodles a new dish? Ha.
I am so proud of my little guy for being so brave. I am sure as each year comes it is only going to get harder to see my boy walk away from me as he starts that first day of school. And I am sure that not every year my little "pep talk" is going to work like it did this year. I love that I make him feel so empowered... that his mom can say "you can do it" and you better believe he thinks he can do it! Sigh. I love my little man. 
My two gorgeous cousins. Lindsey and Veronica. 
We went over to Cami and Judd's house and did some shooting.
Scott with a 22.
Me with a 22. Watch out everyone.
We are so hard core. Love this shot!
We were missing a very big part of our family... The Robinsons! Camden was sick, Cody was in CA, and my Aunt and Uncle were on their way home with Chris. Poor Chris was back in DC for the summer and 3 days before he was scheduled to come home, he was in a terrible car accident.
Luckily he does not remember anything from the accident. I have been in my fair share of accidents, and remember them all too well. I hope this is something that never comes back to him.
I love spending time with the Marshalls. We all have so many memories from the 14 years we spent at Aspen Grove! Even though that was the 1 time a year we ever saw eachother... it bonded us together and we have memories that we will never forget! Love you all!
Jackson threw rocks in the water. 
Clara loved the hot dogs. I don't know why I have never fed her a hot dog before. She inhaled 2 all by herself. This girl can eat!
Saturday was packed with all sorts of fun!!!!
Proof of the white.
Cute Clara Rose.
After the pool we went to the SLC Temple for one of the most amazing sealings I have ever been to. One of my best friends Michele and her husband John adopted a beautiful little black girl, Naomi, 6 months ago. Saturday little Naomi was sealed to her family. It was amazing. Congratulations Michele, I love you!
Right after the sealing we cruzed home and met up with some friends for our neighborhood date night. We went to FAT CATS in Provo and partied it up on the bowling lanes! 
The guys. Well..... sore loosers.
For those of you that missed our neighborhood date night! So sorry! All of us decided that date night is no longer every six months, instead it will be EVERY MONTH.... it was soooo fun!
Jack spent countless hours showing Grandma Rose how smart he is.
The gorgeous view from the cabin deck.
My parents brought miles' dog. She loved diving for rocks in the river.
We fished alot. But only caught one fish, thanks to Miles.
There is a moose that lives by the cabin. While we were there, it graced us with its presence. You can tell how close it was with Miles fishing. It was awesome!
The grandkids... with the grandparents.
Walking the boardwalks in West Yellowstone.
Jackson created his own special chair with this ore. You would be suprised at how entertaining an ore can be to a 3 1/2 year old.
Loving the S'mores.... yummy.
Clara and her dirt covered watermelon.
Family fun on the Jet Ski.
This was the view from the Neff's campground. They really know how to have fun!
Jack and AJ having fun. (check out little AJ in his ... wet suit, life jacket, and crock combo! Love it!)
The wind really picked up wich means... catamaran time! Scott went out, I was a little nervous.... but.....
Thankfully he returned in one peice and of course... loved it!
Us.
Hebgin is covered with Grizzlies. Scary!!!!!
Richards Pride.
On our way home we of course had to stop at the dead animal pit. It's tradition. This time we saw 2 racoons.
And of course.... we had to make a stop at Big Judd's on our way home! The famous giant hamburger. This thing is as big as a pie tin, not joking! And if you eat the whole thing you get your picture taken and they put it on the wall. This year Miles accomlished it! Way to go little brother!
Sorry for the picture over load!
