Blackwell's visit

Well, finally I've found a moment to sit and blog the visit we enjoyed with Grandmama' and Grandpa Blackwell. They came out on Wed. the 19th, and stayed for a week. They stayed with us, and the kids absolutely loved it. (So did Reece, and I.) Every day the kids would wake up with their Grandma, and spend the morning playing with her. We got to go a few places with them including B.Y.U., the creamery, and Aunt Helen's. We appreciate their efforts to come so far to visit with us for such a short time.

Here's the two Joe's. Grandpa Joe and lil' Jo-Jo.
Reece, and his daddy
Grandmama', and little max boo.On Sunday we went up to Salt Lake area to Aunt Helen's house. Grandma Alires live's there, and our cousin Tana was also in town visiting. We enjoyed a wonderful dinner, and great company.

Here's a picture of the kids asleep on the way there. Looks like Grandmama' was a little tired as well.

Before the other guests, or family I should say,arrived Reece and Grandpa enjoyed a little quiet time reading and playing with a new toy.
Here's Isabel...










And Max...













What sweet little children!


Once the family arrived, we sat and enjoyed eachothers company for a moment. Reece looks thrilled..

Here's a few shots of the family finally eating the spread...













Here's a great picture of Great Grandma, Grandmama', and lil Joe.
We loved the time spent with Grandmama', and Grandpa Blackwell. We were sad to see them off at the train station after their short visit. We can not wait untill our next visit, and we'll miss you. We will cherish the memories made and look forward to making many more.

2 down, 1 to go..

I sent my baby girl to pre-school yesterday. She was so excited to go, that she asked me about every 5 min. if it was time to go. One time she said "Mom, lets go, they're gonna be missing me." I love my little princess. Look at my little girl in front of that big ole' school.Here she is in front of her class room, ready to take on the world.
Isabel found her name on her table right away, and got to work. There's actually and Isabella in her class so the teacher asked Isabel if she could call her Izzy. Isabel agreed instantly with a big smile.

Isabel's teacher's name is Miss Wilkerson. The kids all call her Miss Lynn, (her first name) because it's easier. Isabel really likes Miss Lynn.
Isabel is awesome. She never once whimpered about school, (well except when she couldn't ride the bus home, but that's another story.) She asks me every day if she gets to go to school today. I hope that she will always stay so excited :) Where did my baby go??? I now have a big ole' preschooler. Sob, sob.

For the record I will have to say that I enjoyed a 3 hour break from all kids questions yesterday. 2 kids at school, and one napping. Could this be real? Ode to the silence, beautiful.

First day of School

Maximus David Charles Blackwell.
August 20th 2009: Enter the 1st grade.
Max was so excited to start school this past Thursday. He woke up at the crack of dawn, and said, "mom, I'm all ready will you make my lunch please?" I responded by first looking at the clock, and than mumbling..."go back to bed son." I love that Max was so excited, and my goal for the days, weeks, and months to come, is to be just as excited as him.

My handsome boy:
Here is his school: Hillcrest Elementary. Which is conveniently located 2 blocks from our house. I love it! When I took Max into his classroom, he was very anxious for me to leave, but he did let me take one last picture.I thought it would be a relief when Max started a full day at school...I actually am miserable. I miss him terribly, and can't wait until 3:30 rolls around so we can go pick him up. I love my little boy, who's actually not so little any more.

Cuties!

Today we were invited to our friends house for dinner. (Nordfelts) While waiting to go, I decided to snap a few pics of the little darlings, who were so cute looking at a book with little Joe.
Here's my little Nursery boy. First time in the Nursery today.
Max, and Izzy...never to old for a good picture book!Here's Isabel, teaching Joseph how to read. He really was trying to say every word that she was telling him. Max got tired of reading with the "teacher" (Isabel). So he decided to play with a marble he found on the ground.
I just love my children. I love that they love each other, and that they are so willing to teach each other new and exciting things.

Favorite camp director ever!

Yesterday Reece, and I (and the kids of course) attended a Hayward Stake reunion. Apparently there are quite a few people from the good ole' stake livin' in Utah. One of my all time favorite people from the old Stake was in attendance. Candace Gingery, who was the camp director of the girls camp I went to in my youth, also the mother to one of my good friends. She and her husband just returned from a full time mission in Jamaica. They looked great, and they seemed to really enjoy their mission. I'm glad to see them back in the states! Hopefully we'll see you again before another 5 years go by.

The Awesome-ist swing set ever!

I was on Craigslist looking for clothes, didn't find clothes so I bought this instead...















The kids love it! Good times to come!

Catch-up anyone?

First stop...last weekend we went to my Dad and mom's house. I know I'm always there. I can't get enough. I couldn't resist, I had to post this picture of Jo-Jo. He was so tired, and a little sick that he conked right out. I layed him on the floor in my parents room so he could get a nice little nap. I failed to remove the garlic bread in thumb-sucking hand. Poor guy, had to sleep with out his thumb.
The reason we were at my parents last weekend was for my cousin Amy's wedding. Very nice! It was fun to get together with Keller family to celebrate, have fun, and eat of course. (Didn't get many pictures.) Here's my cousin Brad with Joe.
And here is Amy, the bride.

Um....update on the garden. Everything is doing well. (except the cucumber, which died a few short days after planted :(
We are getting cherry tomato's here and there, and everything else is not ready yet. We can see some green tomato's on the vine, almost there. As for the carrots, and green onions. Well, we pulled some testers to see if they were close...
Not ready yet!

Next... The Clarks are visiting from California. They came out to Utah to take Marina to E.F.Y. and are staying with some friends in Springville. Max loves playing with Christian (who is a good 15 months older then him.) Age doesn't matter to these boys, they find things to do no matter what!
Here's Christian pushing Joe:
Laurissa, Kelly, and Reece. "Cheese!" (or cheese sandwich?)
Isabel and Laurissa, our little models:
And here's Max trying to get on the back of the scooter while Christian rides. Goofball.
Last but not least. Baths! We have an awesome jetted tub in our master bath. The kids love to take baths in it. This time, I washed all thier hair (including Joe) and then let them play some more while I got Joe dressed. When I came back there were bubbles galore,....everywhere! I guess the shampoo from the hair and the jets in the tub caused a... , well..., I guess it caused a great bath!


Until next time...don't drop the soap.

Tire swing

Saturday morning before the New Harmony parade we took the kids in the quads down the the tire swing. Loved these pictures had to post.


Here's my cute little nieces...












Lauric______________ and_____________ Maley














Just for the record that's not poop, and it's not Chocolate...













Hmmmmmmmm what is that Grandma?



Hang in there till the next post.

Crushin'

Isabel love's to give kisses. Especially to little 3 year old boys. Look at that smile on his face... Ben is one of many that has been given the famous "ice cream Kiss." Oh how I love you Isabel.