Back To School

Well, as of Monday I am officially back at work. I am enjoying teaching again and I have a fun class. Right now I only have 16 kids which is unheard of! It is awesome! I will be getting more students soon, but I am enjoying the extra small class while I can. I think I will have a good time teaching third grade, but I definitely miss some things about fourth grade. I am used to the kids knowing quite a bit more to start off the year than third graders do. What a difference a year makes! The hardest thing is being away from Bryton. That is driving me crazy! He is such an independent and social boy that he really doesn't mind at all- in fact, he enjoys being able to play with other kids, but it is hard on me. I am getting ready for Back-To-School night now, so we'll see how that goes. Teaching kids is one thing, but presenting to adults is just not my favorite activity. Wish me luck!

June and Early July

The past few weeks have been busy and fun-filled with visits from both sides of the family. Bryton has since learned to say "Grandma" and "Grandpa", but he seems to currently prefer grandmas. He has also taken to calling anyone he sees who is older than Mom grandma. This has caused a few awkward moments! I've been trying to make an effort to do as much as I can over these few weeks and enjoy my summer as much as possible because I've decided to go back to work for next school year. The school I am teaching at is year round so I will start on July 27th. Thanfully, the track I am teaching goes back for only 3 weeks at the beginning of the year,and then is off for another 3 weeks, so I will still have half of August and the beginning of September to enjoy a little more summer. I will be teaching 3rd grade, which will be somewhat new for me as I have always taught 4th, but I think it will be fun. I am excited, but also sad because I know I will miss Bryton like CRAZY!

Our friends, Mike and Brooke came to visit from Pittsburgh in June. We spent one evening at The Mandrin eating yummy chinese food (the best I've tasted!) and then I made Cafe Rio pork salads another evening and we took the kids for a little hike.
Old buddies Mike and Larry with the kids, Bryton and Hayden


Mike, Brooke, and Hayden



Larry's parents joined us as well



Bryton smiling and showing me his teeth!I LOVE this face!





At the Splash Park- Bryton loves swimming, but is not huge on being splashed by water. He was very wary!

Cousin Summer

Cousins Aubree and Asia

Bryton crying as he unexpectedly gets splashed




We took two trips to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house.One with Larry's side of the family and one where Amber and I took my parents. It will be so nice to have a temple so close!With Larry's family at the temple




With my parents at the temple



The Second Annual Family Olympics - Larry, Bryton and I won the gold!
Larry's mom in the basketball competition

Me during the basketball contest

Larry's dad in the Basketball contest

Larry helping Bryton throw a beanbag in the kids beanbag toss- which Bryton ended up winning although it probably wasn't entirely fair with Daddy's help!

Larry and I in the Bocce Ball competition- which I ended up winning for us!

Bryton and his "hat"


A few days before the 4th of July we went to see fireworks at a park in Taylorsville. We watched these fireworks instead of 4th fireworks, and on the 4th we ended up having a cookout, playing games, and watching movies.Ryan, Amber, and Summer

Autumn, Wesley, Gail, Amber, Summer, and Aubree

"The Guys"- Darin, Canyon, Evan, and Larry

Meagan and Larry

Bryton waiting for fireworks to start
Aubree and Andrew

"What's going on?"

Playing with a glow bracelet

Obviously my camera doesn't take great fireworks pictures- these were actually green, purple, and red


Watching fireworks- "BOOM"!

Heather and Neil