Back to School

Obviously these pictures weren't taken on the first day of school. I'm just not that

on top of things these days. Or like, ever. 

But I did manage to take them within a week of the first day so that's not too bad. 

The kids are loving being back at school and so is their mother. I love my kids but they just get bored when they stay home with me all day. I don't recommend having a baby right smack in the middle of summer. It jacks up the summer. Before baby Big Mama is too tired and big to do anything fun and its too close to the due date to go anywhere. After baby Big Mama is recovering and then when recovery is over its too stinkin' hot to take a newborn outside anywhere. So that leaves you with a house full of energy ready to explode. 

For the first time ever I was really looking forward to school starting. 

All the kids love their teachers so far and the two older kids got their best friends in the same class. Hudson doesn't have any friends in his class yet but he really likes his teacher. He feels like Kindergarten is just for him and I love that his teacher makes him feel so special. 

I've already gotten Sketty and Jaymo on a decent schedule. We drop off Huddy and then come home to play and have lunch and then we all go down for a nap. Its pretty fantastic!!! The big kids wait for Hudson to get out of school and then they all walk home together. That means I get about 3 1/2 hrs with just the two little ones and they sleep most of that time. I'm loving my schedule right now:-)

 This crazy kid has a serious shoe fetish. He'll get anyone's shoes and wear them wherever he can.

Also, he really needs to grow into that massive head. Its huge:-)

 Brynn's all about pictures and usually does a good job. Occasionally she'll pop a funny face or weird smile but for the most part she's my best model right now.

 And then we have Gomer. He was being a total Tard about taking pictures, like always. I happened to click the shutter right when he was doing this face and he just about peed his pants when I showed it to him.

 I had said "Just hold the sign in front of you Please!" So he shoves it in my face...

 So fun having a 9-yr old boy who thinks he's like 20.

 Apparently he was watching his brother take pictures.

 Can you hear it? "Uggghhhh, why do I have to take pictures?!?!"

 Look at me Hud.  "NO! I'm not taking pictures. I HATE taking pictures!"

Finally!!!


Did I mention I like having them in school all day???

Baptism Pictures

Brynn and I went down to the temple one night to take pictures for her baptism announcements.

These are the results. She was a darling baby, an even cuter toddler, and now she's such a pretty little girl. I have no doubt she will be even more beautiful as she gets older. My one and only:)

Busy weekend

Brynn had been looking forward to getting baptized for such a long time. Every now and then she'd come sit on my lap and say "Mom, I can't wait to get baptized!" out of the blue. We had fun

looking for a dress for her, taking her baptism pictures and preparing for her big day.

That's a big family! We still can't believe we have 5 children!  In a few years all those boys are going to be so big and I'm going to feel old and small.

Brynn's baptism was Saturday afternoon and then we blessed Jameson on Sunday.  This may be the smallest blessing circle we've ever had. A lot of the family was out of town, but we appreciate those that made a special trip out for the blessing and baptism.

Jameson is such a sweet baby and we feel blessed that the Lord has given us another perfect, healthy little baby--one who doesn't scream all the time and one that likes to sleep. I love all my babies, but I am especially grateful for the ones who are so mellow. It just makes life so much easier and the whole family benefits from a sweet, quiet baby.

Meinzer Reunion

We went to Lake Tahoe again this year for family reunion. It was supposed to be every other year but my parents decided it was worth it to get together every summer.  There weren't too many complaints:-)

I went up with all the kids on Tuesday and Tanner met us up there on Wednesday. That explains the lack of pictures for the first two days. 5 kids on my own keeps me pretty busy and I didn't even get nearly enough time on the beach as I would have liked. 

Thursday we took the family on a little hike that we discovered last year, Angora Lakes. Its kind of little known and you have to get directions from someone because there are no street signs directing you. But its worth the trek because it is just beautiful up there.

All the boys loved bouldering, especially this little champ, who had to climb on almost Every. Single. Rock. the whole way up.

Some of our group rented paddle boards and every had a great time on them

"Dora" with baby J. All the girls are pretty good at sharing one baby. Someone needs to have twins though.

Hudson is usually great about sharing his food. Tristin was quick to ask for a bite of his ice cream.

Oh look who finally made it into the water after 3 days!

The only other name besides Hudson that Sketty can say. He calls her "Tee-Yah!"

Boys will be boys. Nate and B were punching each other with life vests on and of course Sketty had to try it too.

Oh to be a teenager again and lay on the beach without having to watch or take care of anyone...

B loves paddle boarding. He's only done it twice but really, really wants his dad to buy him one.

Back at the Homestead:

Love that determination!!!

This is how it went: Brynn spent about 15 minutes cleaning out the boat until there was not one speck of sand left in it. Sketty watched her from afar but never helped. She finished cleaning it and then walked away. As soon as she wasn't looking he ran over and grabbed the biggest bucket he could find and proceeded to fill the boat with sand. She was not happy when she returned.

He's such a gomer:-)  I have found myself lately feeling bad for people who choose not to have children. They will never understand the joy of having a live-in comedian to entertain you with every thing they do. Sketty doesn't even talk and yet we are constantly delighted with all the silly things he does. He's pretty fun to have around.

Burying my boys. Sketty didn't last long.

Our last day there was pretty windy and the lake was like an ocean.  These girls were body surfing and loving it.

I love the imagination of little boys. I didn't bother to interrupt them in their game but I'm pretty sure the boat was their fortress and the sand was utter peril.

Gotta start him young liking the beach. He had some fantastic naps with the wind and the waves lulling him to sleep. I would have loved to get a nap on the beach.