First Day of School

What an EXCITING first day of school we had! One my kids will NEVER forget....

Darren started 6th grade, which is Jr. High where we live. Yikes!
Blake & Ryan started 2nd grade and they were thrilled!

We started our morning with their favorite breakfast treat, French Toast Casserole!
I packed them extra special surprise lunches.
They picked out their FAVORITE new school outfits.
Donned their new tennis shoes.
Had family prayer.
They couldn't wait to see all their friends again and meet their new teachers.
We hopped in the van and headed for school!

***That's when it all went awry!!

We were heading down Campus Park, when a lady left her stop sign early and tried to turn left in front of me. She never looked left before turning across all lanes of traffic and never saw me coming. I smacked right into the left front side of her car. It was clearly her fault as I had the right of way, but what a nightmare! Luckily, all the kids were held safe by their seat-belts. They all have scratches and bruises on their necks and/or chests from the seat belts. I have burns & cuts on my arm from the airbag, and other bruises on my hand, feet, knee, chest, hips, and very sore neck and shoulder. It hurts to hold up or turn my head. I have to go to physical therapy. Yuck. My car is officially a total loss which I'm glad for. I wouldn't want to put my family back in that car after what it went through. Many passers by stopped to help. The fire dept. came and when I called Jason his fire truck came as well. It was quite a scene. Men in yellow everywhere! After the reports were given and the dust settled, the fire trucks gave us rides home (so cool for the kids). A neighbor took Darren to school so he wouldn't be late. The other kids and myself got checked out by our doctors and the boys made it to school just in time for lunch with their friends. What a way to start the school year!

We are so grateful the Lord watched over and protected us! This could have had a much worse outcome. We are thankful! We have had many prayers, calls, meals, babysitting, etc. from friends and loved ones! We thank you all for your offers of support. It's such a scary thing and your love and concern has helped us through! Thank you!!


My poor little van.

Here's the other girl's car:

Thirty six....

thirty six houses on a street?
thirty six flowers in a bouquet?
thirty six lego creations on my dining room table?
thirty six minutes til my favorite TV show is on?
thirty six candles on my birthday cake?

Yep... you guessed it....it's the last one. Thirty six candles this year and my family made sure they counted out every last one!

I was pampered from morning til night by my sweet husband and children. They took me to brunch in the morning, and then sent me off shopping by myself for HOURS!! Jason took all the kids for the whole day! When I got home they made me dinner and gave me some nice gifts. I got a yummy chocolate, chocolate chip cake from "Nothing Bundt Cakes" which was soooo delicious! I guess turning thirty six wasn't so bad after all. I know I'm loved and that counts for a whole lot!

Last Days of Summer

We ended our summer with a few fun activities like the beach (can't find my pictures so I'll try to add later), bowling (didn't take pictures), play at the park, etc. One tradition my kids look forward these last few days before school starts is shopping for new school shoes. For some reason this is a big to-do. I love new shoes so maybe they get it from me. I generally let them choose what they want, although I do get veto power. It's also become tradition that their Grammy pays for them. Even better! Thanks Grammy! First day of school, here they come!

Hotel Schimelpfening

The day before and the WEEK after our trip to Yosemite, our dear friends, The Schimelpfenings, let us stay in their beautiful home. What kind of friends do that?? Best friends!!

As usual, we had a terrific time and never wanted to leave.
The first evening we had a rare 'grown-ups only' night out with Margaret & Grant to a fun restaurant, Tokyo Garden. Alli came too, but we took advantage of the free in-house babysitting that the hotel offered for all the other kids. (Darren & Andrew) Don't worry, the hotel was still standing upon our return. If we had left Alli, there would be legitimate cause for concern. (she's naughty)

 

 

Alli enjoyed her first time using chopsticks, and surprisingly she LOVED shrimp!


Swimming is always a favorite past time at the Schimelpfening Hotel pool.

 

Dawn til dusk, these kids LOVE to play on the Hotel's own trampoline!


Another activity during the week was this new spray park near the hotel, with complimentary chauffeur service. (I had no vehicle while Jason was at Scout Camp a couple of the days). It was a nice relief on such a hot day! The kids had a blast!

 

They offered many other activities like:
sewing class, video games, and even some guidance in cleaning procedures:


Entertainment was also provided with a real live Magic Show!


Maid Service is often needed around the hotel and the carpet cleaner is always at the ready! (Sorry)


Another included benefit is their Doggie Day Care! Our little Holly had a vacation of her own! Along with her best friend Katie, these pups lived the good life!



Tokyo Garden: $60
Sewing Fabric: $10
Folex Carpet Cleaner: $15
A week at Hotel Schimelpfening with our best friends: PRICELESS!!!

Yosemite 2008

 

Yosemite is our favorite place to camp! This summer we enjoyed the company of our good friends, the Hanshaws! It was a beautiful, fun-filled week! We were so glad to have them join us!

DAY 1: Monday July 28 - This is the day we arrive and set up camp. We enjoy the gorgeous surroundings and just take it easy. Isn't is just amazing??


Here is where we are camped - off to the right where the kids are playing.


Here is a view of our campground from higher up- Glacier Point

DAY 2: Tuesday - Our traditional hike to the top of Vernal Falls. It's 3 miles round trip, and a tough uphill climb. All the kids did amazing! (not one complaint!) The views are just breathtaking! We splashed in the pools at the top of the waterfall and had a great time!

 

DAY 3: Wednesday - This day required an early wake up call (who does that on vacation??) and we drove to Bass Lake where we rented a ski boat for half the day. The lake was beautiful and so warm! We skiied and rafted and REALLY had a good time! We had a kid-sized wake board too, but no takers.... maybe next year? That evening we biked to Curry Village to the pizza parlor for dinner, a tradition of ours while in Yosemite.








DAY 4: HALF DOME!! As if the recent trip to Mt. Whitney wasn't enough, Jason & Tim got up early and hiked to the top of Half Dome. Another thing Jason has always wanted to do... just needed a willing companion. They made this hike in 6 1/2 hours, where average time is 11-12 hours. (bragging just a little!) This looks so scary to me! At the final part of the hike they provide a pile of gloves and you climb straight up the rock, with only a rope-cable to hold on to. Great job guys!! While the big boys were gone, the rest of us rode bikes, went to the visitor center, played in the river, etc. (remember, you can see the photos larger by clicking on them!)





CRAZY!!!!


DAY 5: Friday - We took in another tourist spot when we went to Glacier Point - it has breathtaking views of Yosemite. Later we went for ice cream, rode bikes, rafted, and just enjoyed the elements and nature!







DAY 6: Saturday - Our friends packed up in the morning to head home. We had another day to stay. The boys enjoyed more water fun, including some fishing (unfortunately there were no catches).


Some of our fun moments:

Mt. Whitney

Jason has always wanted to climb Mt. Whitney, but never had anyone to go with him (especially me!) He finally got his chance when a group of guys from our ward decided to make the trek together!



The group included Devin Wilson, Jason, Mike Adams, Barry Middlebrook, friend of Mike's, Jason Clinton, Tim Hanshaw, Devin's father-in-law, and Justin Murray.

 

They climbed to the trail camp their first day and camped there. They got up the next morning and made it to the top! What an amazing view!



Mt. Whitney is the highest summit in the contiguous United States w/ an elevation of 14,505 feet. Their total climb time for this 22 mile hike was 11 hours!