Family Pictures

Since we hadn't had family pictures taken since Peyton was 3 weeks old, I wanted to have some taken this Fall that we could use for Christmas cards and what not.  Amy was so great to come take them for us.  It's difficult with small children to get everyone looking in the same direction and looking happy but I think we got some keepers. 

 You almost don't notice that Berkley's hand is on Peyton's head in this one. 

Preschool

Berkley started preschool this Fall.  She couldn't wait for it to start, she talked about it all summer.  Honestly I was kind of dreading it.  Not the school part, but the loss of freedom.  It's like the first step to being one of those overscheduled soccer moms.  I know it's only 2 days a week but it's only going to get worse.  I really enjoy being able to stay in pajamas if I want, or sleep in if we want, or cuddle and watch a movie if it's snowy.  Maybe I'm just weird but I felt a little bit of my freedom slip away and it's only a matter of time before I'm obligated to get up and get myself and children ready, get kids to school, sports, dance, etc. and never have a lazy day at home again. 

We had to do the mandatory first day of school pictures.

We started out the year walking to and from school which the girls loved.  We kept it up until it was too cold. 

 Peyton had to get in the pictures. 

 She loves school.  Miss Cindi is her favorite teacher because she teaches the music class. 

I didn't think dropping her off would be a big deal.  (She wanted me to leave her there during orientation.) But she got a little sad when I left that first day and I can't say I didn't tear up as I walked away while her sad face watched me out the window.

Her first field trip was to a nearby park to feed the ducks and play.  Her best friend Dani is in her class.

One of her October field trips was to the fire station.

She has a lot of fun and seems to be learning a lot. 

Videos

Here are a bunch of videos we took from June-September. 

Berkley was being even more dramatic before I shot this video. 

Berkley singing her Father's Day song.

We were reading a book with animals and Berkley asked me what sound a koala makes.  Since I had no idea, I looked it up on youtube and this is what we found. 

So then the girls had to mimic it. 

This is a series of videos that Berkley shot of herself making up songs in the bathroom.

The girls' favorite song/video this fall.  You better believe Berkley knows all the words. 

Summer

Here are some random pictures from the summer that didn't fit into other posts.

We got Zack and Jared matching shirts for Jared's birthday.  

 What happens when you don't use a swim diaper. 

 We went to the free summer kids movies every week. 

 Lots of yard work.  I feel like it's looking better every year.

 I turned 26.

And Zack turned 29.

 We got to meet up with Lindsay for lunch while she was in town. 

 We had some park days. 

Monkey!

Zack and I got to see his cousin Heather sealed to her husband, Jason and their son, Braxon.  We love Brigham City. 

My work had a party at Boondock's.  We all had a blast!  This is Peyton in the bounce house and Berkley in her bowling shoes. 

Since Misty, my Mom, and I all work at the same place, it was like a big family party. 

"Look Mom, it's a heart."

Playing Sunday afternoon horse. 

I made a rookie gardening mistake.  Turns out you're not supposed to plant different squashes and melons together because they interbreed.  I was really excited to eat this crenshaw melon.  When I cut it open I realized it was a giant lemon cucumber.  Awkward. 

Fancy pants.

Peyton's first pony ride.  We met my Mom at Farmington Station during the farmer's market and they were giving free pony rides. 

I got to spend a day with my friend Miriam and meet her kids.  Aren't they adorable?

Matching mommy-daughter hair. 

Nail polish.