First day of school

Summer is officially over (man that went by quickly!), and school has started. Isabelle's first day of school.

Together.

I don't know what I am going to do without them around. Tommy loves to watch them--now I'm going to have to take back over as mom!

Ava is in Kindergarten!

All ready to go!


Doughnuts and juice before going to class.


Lining up to go.
Already making friends.

I am going to miss having her around. She is so spunky and has made my days fun! I love our little Avi!

Trip

The kiddos and I went up to Utah to visit my side of the fam the past two weeks. My entire family was there for at least a part of the time. It was tons of fun!

Fun with Papa!
Trailer ride.
Racing sticks.

Stories.
Pretending to be pioneers. (In honor of pioneer day.)

The park.


Ta-da's.
The aquarium.
Isabelle had to touch everything she could get her hands on! :)




Who let great grandpa babysit?
Tommy with grandpa great White.
Playing Papa/Grandma may I. Ava and Grace doing 'nose-measures.'

Sisters! Sisters!


Pedi's. (My sisters--with some random lady on the end! At least she smiled for the camera!)



Cousins dinner at Zupa's! Yum. Love the Lobster Bisque.
Fireworks for Pioneer Day.



Check out the poor guys cheek. He has eczema, and he scratched it so badly it got infected and turned into impetigo. Not fun!

Never leave your camera unattended with my sisters around.


Grill master?
The meat looks good, but what happened to your hair?
Visiting Grandma great Hunsaker.


Pic out the window on the way home.

Got It.

She got it again! Isabelle was selected as Student of the Year for the third grade last school year. We are very proud of her!

This kid 'gets' a lot.
As I reflected on this, and on her as a whole, I noticed this phenomenon comes down to her catchphrase as of late--Got it.
Whenever I ask her to do something, her reply to me is, 'Got it.' And I know it is done. Period.
No need to follow up.
She has always been obedient. She follows instructions exactly. And, at the same time never wavers in doing what is right.
I am reminded of Ammon in the scriptures. He became a servant of King Lamoni, and was told to water the flocks, and when he returned, to tend to the kings horses. While tending the flocks, the Lamanites came and scattered the sheep. Ammon stood against them, and cut off the arms of those who fought him. He then continued watering the flock, returned them to the king's pasture, and went to tend the horses.
This is Isabelle.
Not only does she stand up for what is right, she does so while obeying precisely. I am blessed to have her as a daughter.
(Funny thing--as I typed this I asked my husband who the guy in the scriptures was who was really obedient, who cut off all the arms of the people trying to steal the sheep. His response, "Oh, it's on the tip of my tongue....Isabelle would know.' I asked her, and, of course, she got it!)

Goodbye to Friends

Our good friends the Danforth's moved a few weeks ago. We are going to miss them!