Mia Starts 1st Grade

This past week Mia started 1st grade! It was a big week for her and she was very ready to get back to the school routine (and so was mom). Summer was fun, but we had lots of togetherness and Mia and Lily were ready for a break from each other. :) Mia was excited to find out that she has several friends in her class this year. The year is starting off with a sub because her teacher had a baby a few days before school started, so we're excited for her to get back to teaching. But it was a great week and she loves everything about 1st grade!! The sad part for me was realizing how fast she is growing up -- the first day of school she wasn't that sure she wanted me to walk her all the way into class. I told her I was because I wanted to meet some of the other kids and take some pictures. She made me promise that the next day I wouldn't walk her into school. She is 6, and already she doesn't want her mother around.

My first grader!

 

In class on the first day of school.

 

Mia's new bike she got for riding to school this year.

 

We love UTAH in August

We just got back from a fantastic 2 weeks in Utah. There is no better time to escape the heat of Texas than in August. We loved the time we spent playing with friends and family, camping, hiking, shopping, eating out and being outside without sweating to death. In fact one day we were swimming at meemaw's condo and Lily wouldn't get in the water because it was too cold - she is truly a Texan now. The main reason we went and stayed so long was to help my mom after her foot surgery. She had to have her foot reconstructed after dealing with lots of pain and a wearing a walking boot for the past year. The girls were sweet and gentle with her and were very interested in her cast. We were able to get her out and about during the day - the girls favorite part was pushing her around stores in the wheelchair. :)

We spent the first weekend camping in the Uinta's with Jason's family. Incredible scenery and weather!! The girls and Jason had a blast. I enjoyed the time away, but camping while pregnant isn't the most enjoyable experience - especially trying to sleep at night in the tent. But we made it, and we all loved the hikes we were able to do.

It was great to spend time with friends and family that we don't see very often. We stay in Bountiful, but we always find ourselves spending lots of time in Park City - we love it up there. I was also able to take the girls to see temple square and to the children's museum one day. They amazed me with how much they learn at church and could tell me as we walked around talking about the temple and looking at the pictures and exhibits in the museum. I am so blessed to have such amazing and smart little girls.

I thoroughly enjoyed my trip - probably since this was my last getaway before our new baby girl arrives. I took full advantage of eating at my favorite places, shopping for cute baby stuff and taking long morning walks as I took in the peaceful, beautiful scenery and the cool, crisp morning air. This was our first long trip to UT where I wasn't totally ready to come home. The girls have gotten to such a great traveling age. I hope to stay as long, or longer, next summer. I forget how much I do miss the dry climate, cool mornings and evenings, super green mountains, etc. But coming home has been nice, too. And we only had a few days to get ready for school to start. 1st grade - here comes Mia!!

The girls at temple square - love the summer flowers.

 

Mia, Lily and meemaw (and her cast)!!

 

I didn't take nearly enough pictures, but here are some of what I have.

While the dads are away...girls will play!!

My friend, Jennifer, and I both have husbands who travel a lot for work. This past week both dads were gone, again, so we decided to take advantage of some "girl time" and loaded the car with the kids (her 3 girls, and my 2 girls) and took off for San Antonio. We stayed at a great resort with an incredible pool and lazy river. I think we circled the river at least 50 times. The next day we went to Sea World where we rode rides, watched shows and played at the waterpark. We ended our trip with a morning in the little town of Gruene, and then headed home. The girls were all so good and had such a great time being together. For my girls, one of the highlights was the adjoining rooms in the hotel - they are still talking about that one. The Ray family is not one for road trips by car, but with friends to watch movies and play DS games with - there was very minimal complaining. Although, our friends got to see a new side of Lily - she has become our non-stop chatterbox. We kept telling her to take a break and stop talking, but it never really work.

Thanks Jennifer and girls for going along with us, and for all the great memories!!

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Bearkadettes 2010!!

Mia and the girls just finished another great Bearkadette camp at the high school. They had a week of dancing and cheering, and then had a final performance for all the parents. She had a ball and as you can see from the photos - the high school girls that did her make-up before the performance had a ball on her face! She looked like a clown, but she had fun and danced her heart out.

Mia and Elsa - our new buddy that just moved in down the street from SLC.

 

Mia - what a pose!!

 

The girls.

 

BEACH!!

We just returned from a great 12 day trip to FLORIDA. We spent the first part of our time there in Orlando, at my parent's house, while Jason had to travel for work. The girls loved riding on the jet ski in the lake, and swimming in meemaw and pop-pop's huge pool. Mia discovered her love of jumping and diving off of their diving board. These days you don't find diving boards in many pools due to insurance reasons, but they still have one and it is super fun!

Once Jason met up with us again, we took off for a week in the sunshine at the beach. The first few days didn't give us much sunshine, so we played games, went to the movie, and took a kayak trip down the river. But once the sun was out we were on the beach or in the pool all day!! Going over the 4th of July was so fun because some of my high school friends were there at the same time so we get to see each other, and our growing families. I saw a few friends that I hadn't seen in 18 years. Being pregnant isn't the best time to see old friends (or spend your days in a bathing suit) but I made the best of it!! :) Being there over the holiday made for some beautiful fireworks right on the beach. We just put out our chairs, and we could see fireworks exploding in every direction.

 

 

Our girls are definite beach bums. Mia could live in the ocean, and she has really gotten to be quite good on her boogie board. She can get totally knocked off by a wave, and get right up and do it again. Lily has fun until she gets the salt water in her face, then she is done for a while. It was so relaxing to sit and just watch them enjoy playing in the water and with their friends. I had to keep reminding myself that next year will not be quite as relaxing with a new baby along for the trip. I totally enjoyed my days of quiet morning walks on the beach and lounging in the sun. :)

We all had some much fun and we are already planning next year's 4th of July trip to the beach.

Florida Beach Trip

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Bring On More PINK

We just got the big news today at the doctor - baby #3 is another GIRL!! Mia and I were pulling for a boy, while Jason and Lily were betting on a girl. Dad and Lily won!! Mia had a few tears when she heard we were wrong, but she got over it pretty fast. I was shocked because I have felt to different I was so sure it was going to be a boy. But I am happy to add one more precious girl to our family. One plus for dad - I will be doing less shopping since we already have everything ever made in pink. I am sure I can find a few new items to buy for this next bundle of joy. :)