An old friend

For quite awhile we have been thinking about replacing our van, and back in July we finally found what we wanted and went through with it. I actually really liked our van. It had a lot of storage space and I loved the automatic doors ( I miss those things!). But as my boys keep getting taller and especially when we would all load up in it, we were getting pretty squished. Kayden looked like a clown all folded up if he had to take a turn on the back seat.

So we went from this...

 ...to this

I love the new suburban. For our trips it has been so much better. Everybody is so much happier with a little more leg and elbow room. The entertainment system certainly helps too. I was sad to see our van go though. I miss filling the tank in it compared the new one, but it was certainly time for a change.

One last summer fling

Last weekend Corey was helping a good friend of ours move from here to L.A. Corey had been traveling for the two weeks before this and was feeling a little bad about not seeing us and summer coming to a close. So we figured if he was already going to California then why not just go with him and spend a day at the beach?! 

It was a great way to end the summer. The next pictures kind of give away how my kids felt about the idea. 

Emery was not fond of the water, at all. I don't blame her, I love going to the beach, but I am not fond of open bodies of dirty water. I let my feet get a little wet, but I mostly stick to the sand. But she warmed up to it pretty quick though. It's a good thing Corey likes to get in with them.

And really, who doesn't love to play in the sand? You are never too old to build a sand castle.

We are still finding sand in the suburban, but it sure was a great way to say goodbye to summer.

Another year begins

Morning came too early for us this morning, but we made it and all the kids made it to school too. We will adjust to a school schedule, but those first few days are always rough. My older boys will have the hardest time though. They were are scout camp all last week, and I am pretty sure there was not a whole lot of sleeping that went on there. Then once they got home, we left again the next morning for a quick beach trip to California so we all have to do a little catch-up on our sleep around here. 

So here is are all we got for pictures this morning. We are always in such a rush that I never have much more time than being able to just snap a couple of quick ones. Carter actually wasn't feeling so well, and that lack of sleep is already catching up to him, so he was not too thrilled this morning, but everyone else seemed to be pretty excited. 

 And of course, Emery just doesn't want to be left out. This has already been a rough day for her so far. She doesn't know what to do with herself. It might be a really long school year for her! And me! We might just sit around and look at each other and twiddle our thumbs. Or maybe make a few target runs.

My favorites on Friday

Our favorite smoothie

 

 

 

 This smoothie has been a staple around our house all summer. We have made it just about everyday with lunch. With school starting, my kids have requested that we make it as their after school snack. I love that they love it and drink it right up. I drink it up too, I really love this combo. Smoothies are always such a good way to get those fruits and veggies in especially when they just don't eat them otherwise.

There are many recipes and combos out there, but this my kids favorite and it's what we stick with.

Spinach

Frozen strawberries, peaches, mangos, and pineapple  

(sam's club sells this blend together, my kids are just not big on blueberries, raspberries, etc so this works best for us)

Vanilla yogurt

Water

Strawberry-tangerine crystal light packet-

( I just buy the target brand of this)

(this is a trick from a friend, it just sweetens it a little more and covers any spinach taste.)

We just throw it all in the Ninja- if we want it thicker we use less water or more fruit. I would make enough to fill the whole pitcher and there was never any left.

My little dancers

Hailey and Emery having been taking a little dance class this summer. My girls have never had dance before so when I found a class, that was being taught by a high school girl in our stake, I thought it would be the perfect thing for them. I could find out if they even liked dance and a it was good thing to do through the summer.

 Hailey has not been so in love with taking dance, in fact I may have bribed her with ice cream to get her to dance in the recital. But she was glad she did and wants to take dance again next summer. Emery, on the other hand, just loved it. She would have gone everyday.

Each age group learned a routine to perform at the end of the classes. My girls were so excited when the day came. We painted fingernails and toenails, made sure their hair was all done up, and even put on a little make-up for the occasion. It was little girl heaven. They both did great and it was so fun to watch them.

I have a video of the performance, but I never can get  video to upload on my blog. I will just have to keep trying and put it up later.