First Day!

It was EmmaLee's first day of preschool on Wednesday! With all of her worries and my doubts, she did completely amazing! We had long talks at night time to ease all of her fears, and I thought she might be a little upset to leave, but she wasn't. It was nice to have friends and neighbors there to help her feel more comfortable. As she walked in the the school, standing there with all of the other sweet little kids, with their cute little backpacks, so innocent, I couldn't help but hold back the tears. My sweet girl is growing up!
In the above picture is McKay, Carter, Tanner and EmmaLee all excited for preschool!

Neil had them roar like a dinosaur, but as you can see, EmmaLee was the only one in this pic. The day before she went to school, I had a Doctor's follow-up appt for her UTI. It has thankfully gone away, however as we were talking we decided that it would be best to have her updated on all of her shots. (Kindergarten shots) That way, I wouldn't have to make another appt, and I could just get it all finished at that one. It sounded good at the time, but they gave her five shots! I felt so bad! The Dr. said that it could possibly give her a fever, and of course when she woke up, she had a fever. I felt so bad, that on the first day, her legs hurt from the five shots and she had a fever! (it wasn't contagious though, thank goodness!) So I gave her some medicine and she did great. However, note to self, don't give your child shots the day before their first day of school!

Here is all of us walking to school! Julie in the back with McKay, Tanner and Grant. Jessica in the middle with Brandon, Liriel and Derek, and us. It's like a parade, the preschool parade! I guess it's about 3/4 of a mile there, so a total of 1 1/2 miles, each time we go. We drop them off and pick them up, for a total of 3 miles. It's been a great workout! Especially since I haven't been running lately.

McKay and EmmaLee, so excited to go into class for their first day! Hold it together Mom! Thank goodness for McKay who has been great friends with EmmaLee over the past few years, it really helped to have a good friend to help her feel not so alone.

We drop of the kids at the door, after we sign them in. The teacher said that it helps with separation anxiety when all of the kids are all dropped off at the same place, and they all wait together to go into the classroom all at the same time. Makes sense to me. So far it's worked with EmmaLee. Now, I'm a little worried when it starts to rain or snow and we're all standing outside waiting for our turn to sign in and out. I guess that's what umbrellas are for... !

I love my sweet EmmaLee and can't believe she has already started preschool! I feel like I'm getting so old. (No offense to those of you who already have kids in school!) It's just a new phase of our lives, but change is always good if you can make the best out of it.

Our favorite past time, as a family, has been playing outside! We just love the fresh air, playing with friends and talking with neighbors. It has been great to live in a community where we have gotten to know so many people and their children.

Our favorite playground! Oh, how it will be missed when there are piles of snow on it!

Carter has grown up so fast lately, to me! He is such a sweetheart, but yet really knows how to test me! He's in the terrible two stage for sure! Luckily, though, his sweetness out weighs all of his curiosity and trouble making ways. Oh, how I love that boy!

Starting to end...

It's not a secret that I LOVE summer! I love the warmth of the sun, I love being outside, I love the green grass... I could go on. Sadly, as it happens every year, it's coming to an end. Don't get me wrong, I do like fall, I just don't like to be cold. Here is EmmaLee jumping on the trampoline with the sprinklers at our sister-in-law Amanda's parents' house. So much fun!


Carter loved it too!

Long story, but Neil broke his arm while long boarding. He has a glow-in-the-dark cast. The kids love it! The first thing he asked his doctor, when he got a cast was... "Can I still play sports?" And yes, he still plays basketball, Frisbee and everything else.. just left handed. I am actually AMAZED how well he can play with his left hand. That's how you know how much he loves sports, not even a cast can stop him!

The kids and I got stuck in the rain, while at the zoo! We dropped Neil off at the U of U, and it was beautiful weather. The clouds were a little dark, but I didn't think we'd get a monsoon! (well as monsoon-ish you can get for living in Utah!) I was completely unprepared, when it started to rain we were enjoying the tigers, and it hit. We hid for about 10 mins and then made a run for it! The kids and I were soaked, so luckily I had these blankets in the car to dry off.

My hair went pretty frizzy, after the rainstorm. Even though EmmaLee was crying the whole way through, and saying that we should never come back, we'll always remember that trip to the zoo!

Here is one of my family's favorite meals to make lately. If you've ever been to Rumbi Grill, it's just like their rice bowls. Anyway, we made it the other day, so I thought I'd share the recipe since it's really easy! This is how I make it anyway:

I put two cups of rice in the rice cooker, and while that's cooking I steam Carrots and Cabbage along with the rice.

On the grill or in a skillet I cook broccoli, summer squash and zucchini squash with salt and pepper and some spray butter.

Also on the grill I cook either chicken, pork, or steak. Which ever you like best, or all of them for a variety.

Then, I use a great teriyaki sauce from Bowles packaging , who actually used to make the sauce for the actual Rumbi Grill (Thanks Ben and Amanda) however, you can't get that in a stores so another great option is the Panda Express Mandarin Sauce. Which I've found at WinCo, and is also very delicious.

You can obviously make this dish however you'd like, depending on what veggies you prefer. Some other options are: Celery, Green Pepper, Red Pepper, Mushrooms.

Eat how you like and Enjoy!