school days...

I put Aisha is preschool this year (the same fun one I put Abby in a couple years ago) and was she ready and EXCITED! She kept saying things like "Miss Kellie is my teacher" (with a jump and a cheer) and "what color is my school?" and "is it too very far away?"

It wasn't as hard for me this time round. She made it easier when she ran and jumped right in with the other kids, colored a picture of herself, put her name at the top, folded it up really fast, put it in her backpack and said bye in a matter of a minute...I thought "she'll be just fine" Besides it's only a few hours a week....I can do that!

This girl on the other hand is in first grade this year and that means all day without her, missing her, wondering if she'll be brave enough to talk to anyone or make new friend, answer a question or ask a question. When I took her, she was excited, but doesn't like to show it. We got to her class and she let go of my hand, ran to her desk and looked down at her hands. I waved to her and not wanting to attract any attention she waved at me from under her desk...(my heart was hurting at that point) I walked back down that hall with tears in me eyes.

I'm pleased to say that she loves school and is becoming a little smarty pants! It's fun to have a snack with her after she gets home, hold her, read with her and have a long talks about how both our days went. It's my favorite part of the day!

part 2...

Adam's family reunion was in Northern Idaho this year so we took the rout through Washington and stayed with my brother Ryan and his beauty Heather! Ryan is a P.A. so Adam was able to follow him at work! It was a fun couple of days eating good food, laughing late at night and getting wet! Thanks guys we had a blast!

Hattie is so cute and FULL of life!

squeezable/kissable baby Jack!

I'll never forget Chico's pizza ;)

I consider ourselves "campers" now after a couple fun reunions and girls camp! The Dye reunion was so fun and beautiful! I love his awesome/hilarious family. There is nothing like when those Dye's start telling stories (not to mention we were surrounded by bike trails for Adam to ride to his heart's content) I'm so blessed to have awesome in-laws! We spent the "Willvie" reunion at a elk ranch in Utah! It was so much fun! I love my family and when we get together...boy, watch out we know how to have a good time! Those couple pictures below are just a taste of what we got ourselves into that night!

The traditional Mesa Falls/Playmill Theater trip with our friends the Jolley's... We always have a good time with them and they have girls so we speak the same language!

I had to pull them away and I'm pretty sure there was drool involved.

I took Adam out to lunch for his b-day since he worked that night. Yes, it's true I am married to a 30 year old!!! I had a surprise party for him and the girls just had to let in him in on the surprise, even Sami said "dad, uprise" no secrets in this house! It was still fun.

summer bliss (part one)

otter pops with cousins!

the ladies :)

they look little here, they've grown a lot lately... now laying eggs! Yay!

got to get a ride in before bed

I came into the room that was so quiet and found three "moms" . Apparently, the one on the left just barley had her baby and in is recovery, the tiny one in the middle is shushing and wrapping her baby, and the one on the right is in the process of having her baby (which conveniently came out the top of her shirt) Oh, Aisha if it were only that simple!!!

At "princess dance camp" with cousin Jaida on the right. It was the first time in a class for these two and they were in heaven!

Abby did it as well and had a lot of fun!

Sami and Adam's Grandma Merkley have a cute little relationship.

Father's Day! These four are all buddies and my pride and joy!

Check out those perfect stairs. My mom always took pictures like this of my sisters and I when we were growing up.... so I guess you could say it's tradition :) If you can, get a look at all those cheese grins up close.

Our friends flooding their lawn.

Can life get better than having a good ol' box to play with?!

Aisha reading to Abby when she was so sick.

4th of July parade with Adam's family in Inkom.

Our nephew "caught" a fish in a pool filled with trout and other kids... I say "caught" because most the fish were kinda floating from all the kids catching and releasing them. Weird things happen in Inkom :)