"The List"

Here we are with famous author Melanie Jacobson. Well, maybe not famous yet...but definitely talented! Melanie used to be in our ward and now she has a published book. We got to see her at a book signing and the girls asked her questions about what it takes to get a book published. We had a great visit.

Her book has been top of the Deseret Book Bestseller list. I loved it - it's a quick and easy, fun read. Perfect for summer laying out at the pool or beach. I can't wait for her next book.

Check it out at:

http://deseretbook.com/List-Melanie-Jacobson/i/5060541

Snow?

I took Hannah and Eliza to see a matinee of "Soul Surfer" today. Sophie was playing with her friend Portia while we were at the movie. I guess it snowed while we were in the movie because these are the pictures Portia's mom texted me during the movie.

What cute happy faces!

By the way, We LOVED the movie!

I'm a neglectful mother.

Eliza has been begging me to get her eyes checked for a long time. A very long time. Like, a year, or even longer??? I didn't take her seriously. I figured she thought wearing glassing would be fun, I assumed her vision was fine, so I didn't make getting the appointment a priority. Days turned into weeks, weeks to months and well, you know, months to years. I finally got around to making the appointment today. I bet you can guess what happened. Yep, that's right, she has horrible eye sight and needs glasses. The doctor was amazed she has functioned at school this long! So, my poor Eliza, with her 20/200 eyesight is getting much needed glasses. Finally!

Halloween 2010

Carving pumpkins...

Bill breaks out the power tools...




Two weeks of sewing end with three happy girls in costume.


Hannah's poodle skirt.


Princess Eliza. Those sleeves are pretty fancy!


Sophie wanted to wear roller skates for her 50's car hop costume but decided that the risk of a skinned knee was too high. Here she is with her pencil and pad, "Can I take your order?"

Happy Halloween!

1st, 5th and 7th graders

Today the girls went back to school. I thought summer was too short but they were super excited (and a little nervous) to get back into school. After having a nice quiet day with all my kids in school, I realize that summer was not too short! I sure got a lot done today - I even got to blog!

Hannah is now officially in Jr. High and wears mascara! No more sleeping in... here she is ready to go at 6:45 am. 7th grade is shaping up to be busy since she is on the Color Guard team, choir, plans to join drama club, student leadership and is even thinking about volleyball! Whew, I'm tired already.

No buses to the middle school which is quite a drive (a good 15 minutes, I need to clock the miles) so, luckily, we have a carpool set up. It so great to have wonderful neighbors with great kids to help share the load. Mom will only need to pick up these beautiful girls every other week.

In the car and ready to go! Dad is so embarrassing getting in the car to take a picture...

Sophie and Eliza, my 1st and 5th graders, are ready for school!

Sophie gets to have the same teacher she had in Kindergarten, Mrs. Flores. We love Mrs. Flores and so we have no doubt it's going to be a wonderful year for Sophie.


Here's a picture of Sophie with her friend Jackie. Those two are best friends because they "never run out of things to play." They never tire of playing princess and dress up. Sophie is so happy to have Jackie in her class this year.


This year Eliza did her back to school shopping at Forever 21. Actually, not just any Forever 21, the HUGE 3 story one. She's lookin' like a grown up 5th grader. My little fashionista!


Eliza has Mrs. Domensino and the best part is ALL of her friends are in her class! Look at all the cute girls...I hope Mrs. Domensino is ready!



note:

I'm so far behind in my blogging but figure that I need to start somewhere. So I will start at today and try to add a few updates on what we've been doing this year when I get a chance.

Girls Camp

This was Hannah's first year at girls camp. She had such a great experience and I am so proud of the young women she is becoming! She didn't even mind that her mother had to tag along! Some of the highlights of camp were singing camp songs, great food (yep, really!), friends, rock climbing, archery, the testimony meeting and so much more!

Here are a few pictures of her at camp.






I was the camp photographer. It was a huge job for an inexperienced photographer like me and I didn't get much sleep. I'm must admit, I was VERY glad to get home and sleep in my own bed! However, it was a blessing to share the camp experience with the young women. So much time and effort was put into camp by amazing women who made camp not only fun but a testimony building experience for these young women. I have a ton gratitude for the stake leaders who did such a wonderful job on on camp this year.

Raging Waters Birthday Party!

This summer we got passes to Raging Waters

and it worked out to be the perfect place to celebrate summer birthdays.

Hannah and Eliza each invited a couple friends and had their birthday there.

The girls in the picture below (left to right) are:

Kristin, Sydney, Eliza, Hannah, Melia, Lauren (behind Melia),

Emiko and Hannah.

After a fun filled day at Raging Waters,

we went home for pizza, cake and presents.

Hannah is 12!

Eliza is 10!

Oh, and the Moran's had summer passes too so they got to join our party.

What a great group of kids -

we love having such great friends to celebrate with!

Happy Birthday girls!