Erica & Robert go to London.

My first time in an English Pub:  I ate myself silly.  

Ben and I meet...finally. 

Buckingham Palace

Extremely helpful.  Saved my bacon a few times.  

National Gallery and then I went on to the National Portrait Gallery around the corner.  Awesome. 

Off with her head...anyone?  The Tower of London.  

The Crown Jewels.  I decided I needed some more bling in my life.  

The Rosetta stone at the British Museum

V-fest.  There are some crazy Brits out there.  

Backstage at V-fest.  I closed my eyes in the other picture.  But since it's my blog, you'll never see that pic.  Bwahahaha.

Robert and Erica go to Paris

"Paris is always a good idea."

I may have worn him out.  The balcony of our  Hotel: Les Jardines de Eiffle

Arc de Triumph

True love=sharing macaroons.  (By the way, I don't think you should have to share chocolate eclairs no matter how true your love is.)

La Sacre Coure

Monte- Marte

The Mona Lisa and someone's now  famous fly-away hair.  

The first day of school or Where did the summer go?

Jackson the Third Grader,  Ella the Fourth Grader and Kate the Middle Schooler.  

Just saving this picture to show his Prom date.  

This picture was taken right in front of the middle school about 10 minutes before school started.  Apparently, they do not let parents in the school.  I felt terrible; like I was sending Kate to the wolves.  I promised her that morning I would go with her to her locker and make sure she found her class, etc.  I hate that a stupid school rule made me a liar.  I had to send my little girl off to class on her own.  I walked away from this sweet face and sobbed.  It was worse than when I dropped her off at Kindergarten.  So AWFUL it should be one of Dante's levels of Hell.   I should also say that Kate had a great day and did fine.  Her day was much better than mine. 

Maxisms

This week in Max world:

Max:  Mom, how much does an ipad cost?
Me:  I don't know.  Like $600 or $700 dollars.
Max: I really want an ipad.
Me:  Ipad's are really expensive Max!
 (Pause)
Max: How much was that new house you bought, Mom?
Me (totally distracted): A lot of money!
Max: More than an ipad?
Me: Yes. A LOT MORE.
Max: Why did you buy a new house when you could have bought a lot of new ipads???



Max: Mom, Jesus would like it if every day was Sunday, wouldn't he?
Me:  Yeah, probably.
Max: But that would drive people crazy...and wear out their Sunday clothes.

Max loves babies and his cousin Lizzy is no exception.  One day, I picked him up from preschool and he jumped out of the car as fast as he could and ran in to see his "Wizzy, Wizzy, Wizzy-bear".  And if you had spent everyday with me of the last two years trying to coax him out of the car in a timely manner, you too, would see this act as one of true devotion.  

This picture was taken at Max's request because he had to choose 3 special things to share with his preschool class and he wanted to share his sweet little cousin.  I love my boy and his Lizzie Bear.

Don't mess with my Cookies.

The other day, a nice member of our ward dropped off some BBQ spices/recipes and some of his own homemade smoked pork because Robert had mentioned to him that he was interested in smoking his own meat.  Anyway, Robert felt like he should give this nice man something to take home with him after he had been so generous to us.  We had a plateful of cookies left and Robert sent him home with the whole plate.  Ella was mad--she loves cookies.  Robert explained and said,  "What else could I do?"  Ella said, "You could have just said: 'Thank you', Dad!"

Halloween in August

We received a catalog in the mail yesterday full of Halloween costumes, a little premature if you ask me but it provided a lot of entertainment for my children.  We were discussing over dinner who they wanted to be and Max decided he either wanted to be Jesus or a Pizza.  I think he's leaning towards pizza but I'll let you know.

Playing Catch Up: Kate graduates from Elementary School!

Kate pretty much rocked 5th grade.  I am so  proud but I don't think I can take much credit.  She has been doing her own homework without asking for any help since Kindergarten.  She's just sweet and smart.  She came that way.  I'm hoping I don't mess her up too much. :)  

For the record, she walked away with every award she could possibly earn from Elementary school.  She received the Presidential gold award for academic excellence, The Great American Award, The Role Model Award (She was awarded this by her teacher.  She was the only one in her class to get this award.)  and the high honor roll distinction for straight A's.  The only award she didn't get was perfect attendance.  I'm so disappointed in her.  Ha. Ha.  :)

I can't wait to see what she does in Middle School.

Playing Catch up: Watch out 3rd grade--here comes Jackson!

Jackson and Mrs. Skarda.  

Playing Catch up: Ella graduates from 3rd grade

Straight A's all year long = Award and Medal.  Go Ella!

The last day of school and of third grade with Miss Kelly.  

Playing Catch up: Kate's 5th grade dance.

First of all, is 5th grade really old enough to have a dance?  I don't think so.   Second of all, if the theme is Rock and Roll why were girls in strapless prom dresses and why did their mother's take them to have their hair and nails done?  

I had to pick Kate up a little bit early and I walked in to crazy loud music, giggling girls and awkward boys and I thought, "Oh, CRAP not this AGAIN."  I'm not ready for this phase in Kate's life and for the record I protest!  I really, really do!  Where did the barbie days go???  Oh, yeah and the worst part is that Kate had a fantastic time.

Playing Catch up: Memorial Day