First Day of School

I know, I know! School has been in session for almost 2 weeks now and I'm just getting to the first day post. So sorry, but better late than never!

Elizabeth, 3rd grade

Karlee, 1st grade


Jordan, Kindergarten

For the first time, ever, Erik was given the morning off to get his kids to school on their first day. Thanks to the Commanding General of Fort Gordon, all soldiers with school age kids got out of PT that day so that they could get their kids to school. The kids loved this, and Erik loved it too. He has never had the opportunity to do this and he really enjoyed it.

First stop was Jordan's class. He is in Mrs Bakers Kindergarten class. Mrs Baker was Karlee's teacher last year, and we were so happy when we found out that she would be Jordan's teacher too. She is the BEST!
Next we went to Karlee's new 1st grade class with Mrs. Lightner. Karlee had a hard timer leaving Mrs Baker, but we finally got her into her new class. Of course, it helped that Mrs. Lightner came over and gently but firmly led her into her new class. I like her!

Finally, we stopped at Mrs Douglasses 3rd grade class and dropped off Elizabeth. It's crazy to think that my baby is in 3rd grade. I taught 3rd grade music for a year and LOVED it, but I never thought that my baby (whom I was pregnant with at the time) would be in 3rd grade so soon. Elizabeth did really well. She'a is getting better at this new class thing...hopefully that's the case when we move to Ft Campbell!

After we dropped off all the kids, there was nothing left to do but go home and enjoy the silence. NICE!

Hiking the Y!

The first week we were in Utah, Erik somehow convinced me that it would be fun to hike the Y with three kids.

On the way.
They are happy now, but just wait!

Our crew at the beginning.
Resting at the FIRST switchback, have I mentioned there are like TWELVE!
Notice Lizzy's less than enthusiastic face!

This was what Erik was doing for most of the hike.

Sure, it wasn't really easy for me either, but it was even "better" when you added in one, no make that 2 very whiny children.
Jordan, however, practically ran the whole way up.
Notice the little speck that is Jordan. Waaaayyyyy ahead!
Seriously, that kid has so much energy. More than once people would comment that if only they could learn to harness that energy and bottle it, they would be millionaires.
I would be their first customer!

When we finally made it, we stopped for some snacks!

Then, somehow, Erik convinced us to go up a little further to "mouse" rock.
"It's only a little further, and it's mostly level", they say!
HAAAAAAAAAA...funny!
It ended up being the scariest, narrow, fall-down-the-mountain part!

On our way up to mouse rock.

Luckily with Grandpa there was one adult per kid, so it was a slightly better. Although, Lizzy wasn't going to let Grandpa go. She's holding on for dear life!

Mouse rock was pretty cool, but by the time we finally made it there, Lizzy was in complete melt down mode. It took a while for to get herself composed. If I wasn't such a good mom (LOL) I would post the video that I took of her totally losing it, but (**sigh**) that would probably not make her very happy...but oh it is good!Up at mouse rock

In the background is Maple Flats (top of the mountain next to Y mountain)
where Erik used to go camping as a kid.

This is behind mouse rock looking out onto the valley.
I thought this pic was cool.

On our way down, the kids got pictures next to "their" turn. This was only 2 days before Lizzy's 8th birthday, so we thought it was cute.

Almost done!!!

After all was said and done, the kids finally admitted that the hike, as hard as it was for them, was worth it in the end.
They sure were tired though!
(except for Jordan. Seriously that kid has way too much energy!)

Still alive, but so behind!

We are still alive, I promise! We were in Utah for 5 and 1/2 weeks hangin' with family and friends! I could probably do 10-20 posts just to catch up on everything...but I won't put everyone through that.

All at once that is!

Hey, it's for my posterity not yours:)

The biggest thing that happened while we were gone, is that Elizabeth turned the big 8, and got baptized.
We had a huge group of 70+ people there just between our two families.

Zeller Family
(or at least those that we could get to stand in for the picture that is!)

Pyne Family and my friend Tina and Family

Tina came all the way from Georgia for Elizabeth's baptism. Isn't she just the best friend ever!
OK, OK, so she didn't come to Utah just for the Baptism, she went home to visit her family, but she did drive 4 hours to be at the baptism. I know, I know, you are all jealous that you don't have a friend like her...oh wait most of you probably are friends with her. Well then, you know exactly what I mean!;)

After the baptism we had a luncheon, and I was a totally-busy-hosting-slacker and I didn't get any pictures from the luncheon. We had quite the spread. It was awesome, but alas, since I didn't get any pictures, you'll have to be happy with this updated "family" picture that we took!

Stay posted for many more updates to come!