A new school year

Today was the day. My kids were dreading it a little bit, however, I was ready to get back into a routine around here. Everyone was up and ready on time, carpools were a success, and everyone came home happy. The perfect way to start the new year. 

 Kayden started high school this year. High school. Wow, that makes me feel really old. I was nervous for him. I remember how I used to get nervous and worry I wouldn't be able to find my classes or have the same lunch as my friends, but Kayden isn't really bothered about that made it through his first day just fine. 

 Carter switched schools this year and was actually excited to be with a lot of his friends. And most excited about finally wearing his new shoes. ( I think they might glow in the dark)

 Brendan wasn't too thrilled to be going back, but came home happy so I'll count that as a success.

Hailey just kept wishing that summer wasn't over, but being the social butterfly that she is was really excited to see all her friends. She came home literally jumping with excitement. 

Emery and I enjoyed a quiet house, but she was more than ready to see them when they all came home. She will be off to preschool next week. I am left wondering how I got to this point. High school to preschool. I'm trying not to think how fast they are growing up. What will I do with my time?!

Around here lately

I can't believe summer is almost over and in just over a week we will be heading back to school. We have been trying to enjoy the last bits of summer we have left. 

Not much has really gone on around here lately, but here are just a few of the random shots I have had on the camera.

Swimming still happens around here, but by the end of the summer I have to give a little more encouragement to get them out there.  Having the basketball hoop there has helped.

Emery loves to dunk.

My brother came to visit right after we stopped to see his family on our way home from Utah. He was attending a wood workers show here and brought Rex and Daphne with him so we could have some fun with them. 

The kids played so well together. They swam a lot, played Mario Kart, and just had some good cousin time together. 

Scooby Doo has been an obsession around here this summer too. This has been a common scene around here.

Carter is still obsessed with basketball. Summer hasn't changed that. Now he just goes from swimming to playing basketball and then back to the pool.

 When he's not playing basketball, Carter has been making a lot of cookies. I taught him how to do it over the summer and he's been baking up a storm. 

Emery is always willing to help with the clean up.

The girls have been loving their little dance class. We are down to our last couple of weeks before they have their performance. 

This is also a common sight around here. A lot of goofing around and kids still in their pajamas. For some reason they think getting dressed is optional. 

School is going to be a really rude awakening when we all have to get up and get ready in the morning. I am ready for routine again, but I'm just not sure I'm ready to give up sleeping in.

4,360

4,360

That's the number of days Corey worked at McGladrey. 

Close to 12 years. That's a long time. When he started there we only had two little boys and were starting new in a big city. Things have changed a little for us since then.

Today he started something new. We have been looking to make a change for quite awhile and an opportunity came along that we couldn't pass up. He is making the change from public accounting to the private industry. 

He will be working for a small company and will be their whole accounting/financial department. 

He is the lone man on the totem pole. Just him. And he is thrilled about that. Anyone that knows him, will know it's his dream to be by himself in an office somewhere and not have to worry about other people.

We are really excited about this change and excited for the opportunities it will bring.

No more busy season. That's a celebrations in itself. He will still have deadlines and be busy for sure, but not for months and months on end. It's possible I may be more excited about that than him. Probably not, but it's a close tie.

The chance to have more family time is another big bonus. He has missed a lot of events and vacations over the years, that's not been fun for anyone. 

When we told the kids about the change they were all excited, the only thing Brendan said he was disappointed about was that he wouldn't get to go to 51's games anymore.

 I think we can make it up to him somehow though.