Get Your Game Face On!

That's right Cougar fans! BYU Football kicks off in just over 24 hours! We're getting all ready around here. Whether the kids want to admit it or not, they love it and they will have their "gameday" shirts on.

Back when Chris subscribed to DirecTV, I was slightly annoyed since I didn't want our family to become TV addicts. But of course he must have been inspired as the mtn. (the channel that shows all MWC games) is now part of the DirecTV channel lineup! We checked it out yesterday and sure enough it was there in all it's glory. (Not exactly HD glory, but who cares?)

What a great time of year! It's by far my favorite. I've heard some predictions that September promises to be a scorcher since the rest of the summer has been relatively mild, but I am looking forward to the fall. Football season and the holidays just lurking! I love the crisp air and all the colors. Our leaves don't change much, if at all, so I'm newly committed to bringing those colors (even if their fake) indoors. Visiting Glen Oaks is on my list, as well as any pumpkin patches we can find. Plus a trip to Tenessee in October with family and some more images of fall! One year we'll try to get back east to see all the foliage. I also love all the autumn children's apparel that dawn the stores! Isn't it great that my baby girl just happens to have a September birthday, so I have all the reasons I need to buy those cute clothes!

Nothing left to say except: Go Cougars!

Where did you guys come from?

I just want one cute picture!
We just got home from spending a restful weekend in St. George visiting Chris' mom and stepdad. Although I really don't see myself living back in Utah ever again, there is something about that place that I love. Looking at all the beautiful redrock desert landscape always makes me feel invigorated and I always get this yearning to...exercise. I know, strange. Whenever we make the visit, I always find time to take a morning solo jog. There are so many walking trails that take you all over the place, it's great! They've taken us to Pine Valley and shown us many hiking trails and mountains to climb. Not to mention Zion National Park. When we return, we'll hike the many trails, with the understanding that grandma and papa get to babysit. That's the deal.
As we were leaving...
Papa Bob (to Dillan): When will you be coming back?
Dillan: Ummm, I think we'll be back in 10!

So we leave it up to you Grandma and Papa. 10 weeks? 10 months? 10 years?

Dillan (and Thomas) go to School!

Is the yellow school bus here yet, mom?
Dillan started preschool today. I had no idea what to expect and was a little worried (like THAT never happens!) Oh, he doesn't take the yellow bus and he was not about to pretend the white van was a yellow bus. He's too smart for that!
So when I picked him up, I was pleasantly relieved. When the gate opened Dillan saw me and had the best smile. His teacher grabbed his hand and asked me if I was his mother...Oh no!
Yes, I admitted. She then whispered something in his ear and he ran over to me and gave me the biggest hug and said, "Mom, I was a good boy today!" Really? I looked at the teacher, she told me he was a very good boy and a great example to the rest of the class. Example? Wow! I was so proud of my little guy. He then took me to his cubby and pulled out 3 pieces of artwork. One colored, another painted with polka-dots, and the third (something he has never done) glued macaroni. That was his favorite. He told me all the toys he had played with and the lunch they gave him. When we got home he laid on the couch and said he was so tired from his busy day, it was great!
I am so excited for this year of school. We have reading logs and sharing days to keep us on our toes. Plus, we've decided to join a play group/joy school group with some friends one day a week. This group will require Mommy to rotate teaching...oh great, the worries are back.
So that will leave us only 2 days a week with nothing on the schedule. Maybe we'll do soccer again, or maybe I can find something for Leah. Hey, I'd rather be busy than bored! And educated rather than...the alternative.

Speaking of redneck...

Happy Birthday Uncle Detta!


We're looking forward to all y'alls visit that you'll be taking very soon. We hope you enjoy your birthday sipping Crystal Lite holding your rifle in your rocking chair on your unfinished front porch! We miss you!

Ode to Uncle Chad

We just wanted to take a few minutes to give a shout out to our favorite uncle in the whole world: Our Uncle Chad
He makes us laugh
He makes us cry
He makes good Puppy Chow (Yum!)
He's smart
He's athletic

He's a talented wakeboarder!

He's a spiritual guru
He's single
He's got a great sense of humor
He has great taste in movies and music
He takes good care of us
He loves his mother
He's not embarrassed by this post
He may not even read it
And you know what, if he does, oh well!
He may get angry
He may have a temper tantrum
He may wrestle me to the ground

But you know what? We'll always love you no matter what!

Olympic Fever

Since Friday night it's been nothing but Olympics around our house. Whenever we can, we switch on the tele to watch. It's been awesome! Dillan even stopped begging for cartoons. He likes watching the boys swim and the girls do flips! We just can't get enough! Someday we're determined to watch them live. How amazing would that be?
GO USA!

Just keep growin, just keep growin...

My little LeeLoo is not much of a baby anymore (sniff), she's taken off right into toddlerhood!
FINALLY she has cut two teeth, and with very little drama I might add, so my worries about childhood dentures have subsided for now.
She also has taken 3 full steps on her own. Very bravely, she decided to let go of the couch, got her balance in check, and just took off!
Being quite the little daredevil, she climbs everywhere! Dillan was never that way, and I find her in the oddest places around the house. Lately her favorite plaything is the potty. Maybe she'll have the same enthusiasm for it when she's ready to potty-train!
She's also a world-class eater. She'll eat anything and begs for everything! I've used her a couple times as an example for Dillan. With that competitive blood flowing through his veins, he refuses to be outdone by his baby sister, most of the time anyway.
I recently packed up another tote full of clothes that she's outgrown. I figure a month from now, for her birthday of course, we'll get some shopping in to replenish her closet.
I love watching her little personality shine through in precious little moments. She loves music and makes "popcorn popping" motions with Dillan. I can tell she's got a great sense of humor and a little sass. I wonder who she gets that from?

any more questions, Dillan?

Some quotes from Dillan that I never want to forget...

• Mommy, why do I have a belly button?
• Mommy, why do I have a pee-pee?
• Why do I have two feets?
• I already ate my breakfast last morning.
• Where does Roxy live?
• Where does Heavenly Father live?
• Brother Courtney said we have to share with EVERYONE.
• Why am I not a good boy?
• I'm sorry I made a bad choice, I don't want to go to thinking time!
• OK Mom, you're a nice girl.