Labor Day weekend

Amber lost her first front tooth

Little rock climbers

Playin' in the dirt

Well, I must just love to be in the hospital around holidays. Lyssa was born Mother's Day weekend, Livi was born on Memorial Day, Soran was born on Earth day, I was in the hospital on Thanksgiving Day when pregnant with Soran, on my birthday last year, and on Labor Day weekend this year! Maybe I'm trying to get away from all the family, or maybe just the dishes. Anyway, after Christian's baptism, I must have worn myself out. We went to Swiss days in Midway and then baby-sat that night. When I tried to go to sleep I couldn't. My side just hurt too bad. I tossed and turned for a couple hours before Scott came in and asked if it was my kidney. It took me a second to realize it was. I was so out of it. After taking painkiller and hydrocodone and still being in pain, we went to the hospital. Three hours later they came and told me I had a "freaking huge kidney stone" (direct quote from the doctor) and it wasn't coming out on it's own. More doctor and hospital visits later I get to have a procedure next week. They knock you out and pound you with waves 3,000 times. Should be fun.

But we did manage to have some fun on Labor Day. We went up to Sandy and hiked Little Cottonwood canyon and picked up some of the same granite they used to make the Salt Lake temple. It's beautiful stone. And the canyon's not bad either. Then we had dinner and hung out with the Massengales. Thank goodness for modern medicine!

Christian's baptism

Christian and his cake

Luncheon afterwards

Christian and Mom and Dad

Christian and Dad

I know some people may say that 8 is too young for children to decide what they really want. But I know that Christian made this decision on his own. I try to make sure my kids know what they're doing and ask them if they're ready to do it. He had no hesitations. I am excited that he has a constant companion with him now to help him.

It was a beautiful fall day. Sister Taeger and Cami spoke at his baptism and in the confirmation circle were Dad, Grandpa Reece, Grandpa Thompson, Uncle Ben, Uncle Jeremy, Uncle Mike and Uncle Nick. We had a luncheon at my favorite park afterwards. I'm so proud of you, Christian!

First day of school 2010

First day 2010 (Christian really is excited)

Time is getting away from me. The summer flew by too quickly and the kids are back in school. I really agonized over where to send them this year. I liked their school last year, but we weren't sure if it was worth the drive, the uniforms and the school fees. After much discussion we decided to send them to the school near our house. It's the worst school in our city which is hard for me to deal with, but they're loving it. There are computers on all the desks and they get to see their cousins and friends from church. I'll just have to put forth a little more effort to make sure they don't fall too far behind. I must admit it's nice not to have to drive 2 hours a day back and forth. And they get to wear all their regular clothes.
It's going to be a busy year. Alyssa is in flag football (which the coach is trying to overrun our lives with--5 games/practices last week), ballroom dance twice a week, piano and activity days. Christian started Cub Scouts which he really enjoys and he started piano lessons and we're going to put him into basketball. Amber is taking dance from Vicki again (yeah!) and also an art club after school.
Scott has a lot of free time now with his new job so he joined his cousin's football team. They have been playing for several years now and are pretty good, but they let him join anyway. Actually, I am always impressed with how well my husband does athletically. Probably because it's so out of my league.
This leaves Livi, Soran and I at home. We're back to storytime at the library and I started a preschool group. We had our first classes this week. I think it will be fun. Livi has lots to learn.