The road home!

I am usually the navigator in our family while Jeremy does the driving. However, on our way home from Arizona, my position was in jeopardy as I steered us off course. It's a good thing our 2 hour detour turned into a serendipity of sorts. Our detour ended up taking us through Havasu City. It was a nice respite from our travels as we swam in the lake in our cloths. It all started with Jer pushing Neeley in and ended with all of us soaking wet! Good thing we had extra outfits on hand! We decided that we loved the city and felt privileged to be able to see the real London Bridges on our way out of town.

After a longer drive than we expected, we were all glad to see our hotel beds that night in Vegas.

Arizona Days

I talked earlier about our drive to Arizona. My whole family went down to see my only brothers son get married. The Mesa temple is just beautiful. The girls loved walking around the grounds and the visitors center. When we first walked in, Lilah kept asking where the nursery was and felt disappointed when she heard that they didn't have one here.

It was nice to have plenty of cousins around to take the girls while we went inside for the ceremony. When we came out the kids all discovered the grapefruits growing on the trees. After talking to a grounds keeper who said they could have what they could get, several of the boys managed to climb up and get some for everyone.

The girls just loved seeing their cousin Steven and his new wife Amber. Kayla was especially enamored by it all and actually still has their announcement picture on her bed stand. I am thankful for the good examples all of their cousins have been to our girls. I couldn't ask for more successful and fun nieces and nephews!

1st of 1st!

With Neeley, we have seen many 1st, but this week seems to top them all. Sending my baby to school ALL day, as said before, was not easy. I felt as though I was sending her to the wolves as I walked out of the building that morning. And well, the way she acted like a bear when she got home that day made it feel even more so. I think all of the excitement, anticipation, and not to mention the extra long day at school proved to be tiring for our little 1st grader. I was really glad to see her come home happier the second day.

Despite her tired homecoming, she had nothing but good to report about school. She was elated to have her very own locker but not too excited to be "boy trapped" (as she put it) sitting between two boys. Her teacher, she informed me was the nicest first grade teacher in the school. She gives them Panda Passes for good behavior that they can "buy" little treasures with at the end of each week. Being the saver that Neeley is, she chose to save hers this week for something bigger next week!

After a week of eating in the cafeteria she had some interesting things to say about the entrees. One day she came home telling me about this chicken that was really good. She described it as being pieces of chicken cut up but not like chicken nuggets. We looked at the menu and it was Teriyaki Beef. The next day was, as she put it, a really yucky taco thingy that she nor her friend Ashley could eat. Menu translation: burrito. The next day she talked about how she really wanted a roll but there wasn't any ANYWHERE, but everyone else got one, including the girl in line behind her. I think she has some adjusting to do, but I never worry about my Neeley. She loves to eat, but loves to eat all of the healthy things like the salads and the fruit. I just wish I could be a fly on the wall to follow her around the school all day to see what she is like with out me around.

I miss my Neeley, but am so glad to see her maturing into such a cute young lady! Here's to another year of 1st's!

Twilight of Summer!

I sit here tonight with mixed feelings about back to school tomorrow. This summer, if you wanted to see me cry all you had to do was talk about my little Neeley being gone all day long as she enters the first grade. This summer could have been a time of stress and worries, but we chose to make the most of it and pack all the fun we could into the short time we have. For some reason, this summer has seemed like a summer of all summers. I am not sure who enjoyed it the most, me or the kids. We have no great vacation to speak of, no fancy outings, but we do have tons of great memories added to our list.

I remember when I taught school a group of moms decorated their cars and began a back to school party as they drove away after dropping their kids off. I do realize that this is my first kid in school, and that my perception may change as the years go by, but for this year, I am sad. Sad to see my little Neeley grow up. Sad to be away from her each day longer than I am with her. Sad to see her slip into her new chapter of life where she is gaining more independence, making more choices on her own and especially sad not to be the center of her world. No celebrations here this year with back to school, except for one little "almost 7" year old who can't wait to begin her new chapter!

So, tomorrow I'll be following the advice of my sister Karen when I wear my sunglasses to mask those tears.

I am happy about a few things this new school year though. I am happy that I have a little girl who is excited to learn, responsible, smart, fun, loving, obedient and just down right cute! I guess you have earned the right to go into 1st grade when you have lost your two front teeth and can lay out a back to school outfit as cute as this one!

My Top Beauty Tools

My niece Lexi tagged me to tell about a few of my favorite beauty tools. Here goes:

1. My favorite lip product: Burts Bee's Mint balm. I have to put it on every night before bed. I also love lip liner with a lipstick over it. Doesn't matter what the color, I don't go out without it.
2. My favorite earrings: Diamond studs that Jeremy gave me. I never take them off. I love "real" jewelry and would rather have one real piece than 10 costume.
3. Favorite Nail Polish: I love any bright pink or deep red usally Opi or Ulta brand. But I can't paint without a base and top coat to make it last longer.
4. Favorite Hair Product: After shampoo and conditioner I really don't wear much else. So maybe mine would be my professional grade flat iron that my stylist got for me.
5. Favorite Body spritz/perfume: I love" Intimately" by Beckham.
6. Favorite Clutch/purse: If you know me, I love little purses because that means I am out without the kiddos. But my favorite one is my black Coach purse Jer bought me in Vegas.
7. Favorite Shirt: I love anything a little dressy and flirty.
8. Favorite Shoes: Anything with a little heal. I used to never wear heals because they hurt my knees. Now I love them because they make me feel sexy! I worked with a girl who said it doesn't matter what you are wearing if you add a little lipstick and a nice pair of shoes, it can make you look great. I tend to agree.
   
   

On the Road Again!

Ever since I was a little girl, I could never resist a good road trip. Traveling with 8 girls could never have been easy for my dad. I remember good times in our 11 passenger van. Singing the hello song back and forth to each other so vigorously that the van would sway to and fro, or sleeping on the floor between the two captain's seats feeling the warmth of the engine below me or the treats we got to get on one of our numerous gas station pit stops are among my favorite memories of those road trips.

Well this time it was my girls turn to create some of those fond memories. In June we headed down to Mesa for my nephews wedding. It was fun for me to think of all of my sisters out on the road since each one of us made this same trip, allowing our children the chance to create those fun memories.

Along the way, we stopped at a trading post where we spent at least an hour admiring indian jewelry and cowboy boots. It was a great rest from the road. The girls loved the old stage coach and carved bear out front.

Along the way we sang songs, told stories, played DS games, watched videos, jammed to music and ate snacks. Good times!

Madam Butterfly!

Neeley and Kayla just love to have friends over to play. When they do, they often plan fun activities and crafts. One of their favorites is when we do face painting. They love to look online and find just the right idea for me to copy. They never turn out quite like we see them, but the girls never seem to be disappointed. It's amazing what excitement a little paint can add to a play date!