Back-to-School

Alex's first day of Kindergarten!

Tori's first day of 2nd Grade!

Tori offering Alex some sisterly advice on the way into school. She told Alex to meet her on the steps for recess and NOT to go anywhere else.

I am so glad that they have each other.

My favorite place...

The girls made a tree house near our cabin and they love to add onto it, play in it, and decorate it. Benton loved reenacting the scene where we get stuck in the river with his toy truck. Here is a picture of me, 6 months pregnant, playing on our sandy shore with the kids.

"a miracle day"

We spent a spectacular day up at our little cabin in the mountains and prepared to come home. Along the way, down the mountain, we discovered we no longer had any brakes! We coasted to the side of the road and, thankfully, landed next to a construction spot on the mountain highway. As I explained to the girls, who were in the bed of the truck, what was happening...Garrett crossed the highway to find some help. Upon discovering that our brake line had been CUT I looked back to find all the girls with their heads bowed, offering a prayer for help.

A few moments later we found out that the construction crew's mechanic was on site. We located him and he offered us a quick fix (sticking a SCREW threw the hole in our brake line). Our next feat was to find some brake fluid so we could be on our way. We waited for a few passing cars/trucks to see if they had any on hand and finally got 1/2 of a bottle.

We headed out on our journey down the mountain, at a snail's pace, but the brakes still weren't grabbing. Garrett pulled the truck over once again and asked if any of us had to PEE. It was then MY job to collect everyone's urine so we could use it as BRAKE FLUID!! The girls had a little trouble performing under such pressure but everyone (almost) was able to contribute. What a memory! HA.

From this point Garrett had to "bleed" the line, and borrow some tools from a passer-by-er. I had to figure out how to entertain 4 kids whom were restless, thirsty, tired, hungry and bored; so I gave them all make-overs and we played beauty shop! Now everything seemed to be okay. Now, all 6 of us are CRAMMED into the cab of the truck as we creep down the mountain. At any moment this "quick fix" could come busting out of the plugged hole and we could become an unstoppable, red, clown-TRUCK full of kids and a pregnant wife, speeding to our deaths...but we hold fast and hang onto our faith. I am HAPPY to say we made it home safe and sound...with many memories that will NEVER be forgotten.

Mountain Ranch 2010

We spent the last few days at our Mountain Ranch. Click HERE to see.

my yard 2010

After 6 hours of yard work I am finally pleased! Click HERE to see all the hard work accomplished for FHE. I love this yard!

Project Runway

My girls decided to put on a fashion show for me. They made a run-way out of duct tape and pulled out all my high heels. I was surprised the number of coordinating outfits Tori came up with out of large pieces of fabric and she has a natural "strut" down that runway. Maybe I've been looking at this all wrong....modeling instead of ballet?!

All-Star

Benton is our little athlete. He adores any and all things BALL.  Right now his favorite thing to do and talk about is "shooting it." He even sleeps with a ball in his arms every night.  Here he is, in action!