A Visit to Sam

In June, my sister Sam had a baby, Joslyn Miller. I was so excited to make a visit sans kids, so I could see the new arrival, and actually be semi-helpful for once in my life. Making the trip even more momentous was the fact that my mom would be there too, all the way from Madrid. I knew I had to make this happen!! My mom-in-law donated a airline pass so that I would be able to go. THANKS MOM EMIG!!! Ash went the 2 days before me and so we were there for 1 night together. We took advantage of the opportunity to catch eclipse together as sisters!
Me and my MOM!
Playing beauty parlor with the twins.
I can't remember if it was Kate or Owen who snapped this shot.
We did alot of laughing...which was not great for Samantha's c-section wound!
Love that we are all in pjs most of the time.
I had to include this picture of Kate, because I love the fact that we are watching The Bachelorette. (including Kyle)
Owen with sister.
My mom bought the girls these sweatsuits from Costco...adorable. Also while there, I was able to get 4 church dresses for sixty dollars, and lots of school clothes for the girls. The time went so quickly, as all great times do.

Fall, at a Glance

Fall means flag football, and this year Joey was the coach of Ty's team the "cougars". He took it quite seriously. Tyson's buddies, Casey, Tanner and Jay were on his team. They had so much fun together.

Joey, out coaching with playbook in hand.


Where is that baby's mother??

Nothing means fall like pumpkin carving. Here is a peek at family night the week of Halloween.




Jack was trying to make the same face as his pumpkin.



More to come...

Crazy Hair Day, Dance Class

It was spirit week at school, and I wanted to throw up a picture of crazy hair day. The best quote that morning was when Jack said, feeling uncomfortable with the whole idea of it all: "Mom, I'm just not a crazy hair kinda guy!"

I told them to pose "crazy"...Grace didn't have crazy hair day at her school, but every day is crazy hair for her...until I tame the wild fluffball that is her hair. This entails lots of spray and brushing.
Here is a picture from the girls' dance class, I thought Grandma Connie might enjoy. They were doing sleeping beauty, and the teacher even bought Gracie a special dress in a smaller size...is she short or what?

The girls favorite week was Lion King, and they wanted to pose to show their tails:

These sisters sure love each other!

A random post I know, but I am trying to get my pictures up.

Fall Break

The kids were out of school and my sisters out of town. What's a girl to do? Joey worked and the rest of us "hung out". We played games and watched movies. One night we went up the canyon for a little hiking with the kids. Those of you who know me well are probably gasping right now. We are not big on hiking per se....but it was fun and most importantly, FREE. Here are lots of pictures for the grandmas.
I tried to get pictures of each kid...Ty:


Gigi, all bundled (it was a little chilly, but the leaves were changing and it was beautiful):

FI

Jack

Lina

Baby Fi's first Cheese Puff:

Add Subway sandwiches for an instant party!

Everytime we go up the canyon I am amazed by the beauty and vow to take more advantage of living here in Utah. We'll see how it goes.

What Carolina Said Today

After day two of kindergarten, this is what Carolina said to me: (I quickly wrote it down word for word so I could get it right) "Mom, I'm starting to love this boy because he said I'm kinda beautiful."

Here we go...

First Days of School

I really want to be caught up on my blog...but Ashley gave me some good advice today, so I am going to blog about what is going on now, and go back later and finish the summer. I really want my sisters and mamas to see the kids back to school pictures, so here we go!

I was really sad when I found out that Miss Cathie's Academy was filled (I didn't register in January like I should have) so I finally signed Gracie up for a preschool by my house. It was conveniently located and still had openings. So long story short, she had her back to school with Mommy, then her official first day (where she made a friend named Hope and the boys in her class kept stepping on her toes), and was just getting ready for her second day when Cathie called me. She had a sudden opening and wanted to offer it to me, as all my other kids have gone there and we are good friends. At first I didn't know what to do, but quickly decided to un-enroll her in the preschool she was in and to go with Miss Cathie, who would be starting the next day! I was a little worried that Grace would be confused or upset, but she took it all in stride. She was very excited to have another "first day of preschool". I feel great about it.

So here is Grace riding the "train" at the other school.

Here she is with her new backpack, I love how this shows how short she is.

Grace was so excited to FINALLY start school, like her big sister Carolina.

Gracie with the boys, they were so proud of her!

So the boys had mixed feelings about getting back to school. Ty has a man teacher this year, and when we went to back to school night, he got nervous. But it is going great so far!

Jack has Mrs. Lepore, who Ty had last year. He was a little worried about how Ty represented the "Emig" name, which made me laugh.

Tyson wanted me to take a picture of his nikes to show his grandmas. I found a great deal, and made him pitch in some of his own money, because he wanted them so bad.

Ready to go.

Grace's second first day of preschool, with the aforementioned Miss Cathie. Carolina took her in and helped her find her chair with her name on it.

I signed the girls up for a little dance class once a week with their cousin Eliza. We went and bought them ballet shoes last Saturday. They were really excited to get home and start dancing. I LOVE THESE PICTURES!

Please click on this picture for the priceless expressions on their faces! I told them to point their toes.

Each week in their dance class they explore a different fairytale. The first class was Cinderella, and the teacher brought out costumes and wands for them all. I was smiling so big. I have been doing boy stuff for 10 years, and this was my first "girl-mom" moment. I was so happy the girls could be in this class together and with their cousin too. (I tried to get pics with all three cousins for you mom!)

So today FINALLY FINALLY Carolina Jones had her first day of kindergarten. I don't know why they start them a full WEEK after the other students, but it was hard for her. Every day she would ask, "Is today my first day?" We had her outfit planned and laid out for a couple of days...even Gigi started before her. Here she is:

The classic backpack shot!

I love this girl. She is so brave.

Here we are at the school, she was immediately talking with friends from church, so my last 2 pictures are just the back of her. I called out her name as she was going in the door, and she looked back and gave me her big quirky smile and quick wave....no hugs or tears here.

I was in shock this morning. finally, they were all in school and I only had Fi. I went and got Ash and made her walk around the mall with me, even though I didn't want to shop really...I just wanted to be out! So fun. I love school. (Carolina had a great first day, by the way. She loved her teacher, and everything about kindergarten!)