It's Time for School

Getting ready for school

 The girls wanted curly hair

 Zhara was nervous for 3rd grade.. my question is how did she get to be in 3rd grade? Wasn't it just last year I dropped her off to kindergarten?

 Alyssa was very nervous when she walked into first grade. This is a moment in life where mom wants to scoop you up and take you home or at least cry but instead I put a smile on and say "it's going to be a great day!!"

 and......it was!!!!

The Rest of Summer

The rest of our summer looked like this:

spending time with friends

 being good big sisters

 playing in the mud after enjoying the monsoons

 Alyssa had a scope done on her stomach for some issues she has been having. She was happy she has her very own stuffed animal from her trip to the hospital (Zhara has one from her ambulance ride so many many years ago)

 They all loved her as they got her ready. She wouldn't stop talking but wasn't afraid because "of my blessing you gave me daddy"

 She was a little groggy and grouchy....but it didn't last long

 The girls and I took a trip to Grandma's house. Grandpa came and picked us up in the camper

 One morning we got woken up at 6 am from the trash truck and while Zhara slept through it Alyssa and I went and had breakfast

 I went to check on them before I went to bed and this made me laugh out loud

 Haleigh....my music lover

 I desperately needed to go to Costco so off I went with all four girls. It was like playing a game of Tetris....but I survived. I told the check out guy they needed shirts that say "I survived Costco"

 The lady who made Charlotte's blessing dress is also making Zhara's baptismal dress. After some measuring she took Zhara to pick out her material.

 We enjoyed a night at Chick Fil A to support the freedom of speech in this country

 Charlotte was able to meet Sue Ann, the midwife who spent so much time with me during all the bumps along the way

More pictures from Grandma's house

 Always have to have a day in the mud

and draw with chalk

 making memories

 and crafts

And like that.....another summer was over

Grandma and Grandpa Gould

Before Lego Land Grandma and Grandpa Gould were with us for a few days. They were able to come for Charlotte's blessing and stayed for a few days. Grandma taught the girls their first sewing lesson by sewing build a bear's with them

 We spent 4th of July at my sister's house....I played the drums in Rock Band while holding the baby!

 Fireworks are always a great way to celebrate our freedom

 We enjoyed hotel life for a night in Phoenix

 Favorite summer activity...swimming of course!

 It was great to have them with us and thankful they drove the long drive here to meet our little Charlotte

Lego Land

After a very super stressful and crazy but beautiful first few months of summer we took a vacation....

 to LegoLand

We had never been before and the girls were mesmerized 

 Haleigh's first amusement park ride ever

 Even Charlotte got to ride. We got off the ride and David heard a dad say to his kid.."see even that tiny baby rode this ride" ha ha

 After the girls were in this car Haleigh wanted to get out and she climbed in the car and I wanted to capture the moment and I backed up to get the picture....as she fell face first onto the cement

 Yep....at the first aid station and haven't even been in LegoLand for 30 min. Poor girl ripped the skin off her nose, bump on her head and lost her entire fingernail. OUCH!!! And I didn't even get the picture....

 but she enjoyed some cheetos

 and did very well not playing with her hurt hand. She was a trooper

 Alyssa was too afraid of the "live" Darth Vader

 but she wanted a picture with the one made out of Legos

The girls enjoyed the rides while Haleigh finally gave it up on Daddy's shoulder

The aquarium was awesome and Haleigh loved all the fish

she even touched a few

We ended our quick weekend vacation with a few hours on the beach. It was nice to get away as a family for a few days.