First Day of School

Kindergarten....here she comes! Gracie was so excited for this big day. Her class doesn't start until the afternoon, so it was quite the challenge to keep her occupied until the big event. She was the cutest little kindergartener...her eyes were as big a quarters and she was as quiet as could be as I dropped her off. But that little mouth was working a mile a minute as we snacked on milk and cookies after school!

"Reunited, and it feels so good...."

This month has been the month of reunions for our family. It's always SO GREAT to see long lost friends and family. And the month still isn't over. The Tim Garlock reunion is right around the corner...could it be any better?

Reunion #1:

Jen's dear college roommates reunion in SLC

It was good to see these girls again...how I have missed them! Living with someone for a few years definitely forms some attachments. Such good girls they are!

I wish I had a picture of the roommates, but we did take some of the kiddies. Here's some of Tricia's kids with my girls, minus Manda's kids.

Tricia and I laughed at the fact that we have kids (Sophie and Kate) who were playing together....so weird. We still feel like we are 19.

Reunion #2:

Shaw Family Reunion in Midway, UT

This reunion was great! There was a golf tournament, swimming, dinner, program, talent show, jeopardy contest, fishing pond (kids AND adults), and lots of "Smith and Edwards Country Store" memorabilia. The Shaws have a rule that you can't drive past Smith and Edwards with out stopping...even if it means both ways in your traveling. It was great to see all the cousins I grew up with. What a great family!

Gabbing while awaiting the fine dining at the dinner program.

Sophie an Gracie with "Popcorn G.G." (Great-Grandma Shaw)

Gracie and Grandma enjoying a hug. Can't get enough of Grandparents, that's for sure!

Sophie and Grandpa getting one last swing in before bedtime.

A few of the 2nd generation cousins hanging out by the REAL fish pond.

Reunion #3:

Jen's 10th year high school reunion

Sorry, no pics for this one. But it was good to see that most of my classmates have done good things with their lives. Most of the men were a little chubby and balding, but the girls looked great. Some of my friends I hadn't seen for 8+ years. Jake was a good sport about it all. He could even pick out all the choir boys by noticing their "lingering hugs" with people. It was good for him to see where I've come from, choir boys and all.

Coming soon...the Tim Garlock Reunion AND the Walton Reunion!

One more great thing...

#8: It's a boy!!!

7 Great Things That Have Happened This Summer...

Here's a recap of our super summer so far...

#1: Gracie Learning How to Ride Her 2-Wheeler Bike

Gracie gearing up for the big ride (notice the long sleeves...this was a month or two ago, but I forgot to blog about it)



Go Gracie! She did it on her 1st try!

#2: Visiting With Cousins and Grandparents

All the Shaw cousins having a great time on Grandpa's deluxe racing
slip-n-slide.





We went to the Orem night parade and guess who was there? This was definitely a highlight of the day for my princesses.





Parade-side with the family

#3: The Rockin' 4th of July

Gracie and Sophie feeling very patriotic.







Our girls riding the choo-choo train before the fireworks at the ward party. I think my girls rode this 500 times. I stopped counting after my kids began asking other random adults to take them on and off the train.





Although this is no cul-de-sac of fire that we traditionally love to attend with Grandma and Grandpa, we did have a great time with some friends on the block.

I think the men were having more fun than the kiddies in this picture.

Jake and Sophie, anxiously awaiting the fireworks.

#4: Mitch and Gloria Garlock's Beautiful Wedding

This trip was so great. Mitch, the youngest of Jake's siblings, was married in the Denver Temple. Jake and I got to go to this one without the girls as a little get-a-way. It was so great to see all out family that we miss so much!

Three Garlock sisters-in-law and their pregnant tummies. (Although Lisa's baby is a wee little thing still...it still counts!)

#5: The Beginning (and hopefully end soon) of Sophie's Potty Training

I hesitate to post this topic, because we've yet to finish the training. BUT, we have had progress, and she is the cutest little potty train-ee ever. We've just got to master that poo-poo thing. I never thought toilet talk could be so exciting.

#6: Swimming Lessons

Gracie, Sophie, and I all took swimming lessons for the last two weeks. Gracie has now learned to float on her back, which is progress, and Sophie just sang lots of songs and played with me in our little mommy and me class. We all had a great time.

(No, we didn't hold swimming lessons in the tub. I did, however, have a hard time downloading some pics that my friend took. So this picture of the girls practicing in the tub with their goggles will have to do!)

#7: Gracie's 5th Birthday

My sweet baby is now a 5 year old! Gracie had her entire party planned a month ago. Scheming and planning are some of her favorite pastimes.

We had a great little birthday tea party with 9 of her favorite friends. Could there be anything better for a 5 year old?

All the fancy friends sipping their pink lemonade.

Happy Birthday my darling Gracie. You are such a joy to our family! Your kind heart and amazing little brain combine to make one awesome 5 year old. I love you!

Dads That We Love

I am pretty confident that I have listed three of the best dads in the world. I love all three of these men with all my heart. They have blessed my life and my children in so many ways. They are strong, stalwart priesthood holders who happily carry out their roles as father. They have children and grandchildren who adore them. Thanks for being wonderful fathers. I love you so much. Happy Father's Day!

"Superdaddy" Jake, who I had no idea he would be such an AMAZING dad. His life revolves around his family, and his family couldn't be happier.

"Super pa-pa" Shaw, who taught me so much and continues to to make all his family smile.

"Super-dee-duper" Grandpa Tim, who raised the man I love and watches over my girls from above.

The Proud Graduate

As a proud parent, I'd like to introduce Gracie, the newest preschool graduate. Her little class was so cute as they presented their program for the parents. We will miss her great teacher and friends from school....but look forward to Kindergarten! (yikes...she's getting old)

Graduate Gracie

Miss Brooke and Gracie

All the preschoolers showing off some songs

Sophie, finally getting to go to school with Gracie.

We celebrated after with friends with a root beer float party...so fun!

Down South

We had a great time in St. George last week! I have the best husband and kids in the world! We loved being together all day and all week...we didn't want to come home. Also, a BIG thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Naylor for letting use the condo...we love it!

Swimming was definitely the preferred activity.

O.K....so do you think she is going to float?

Ahhh...warmth.

Cute choo-choo train.

All prepared for a rip-roarin' bike ride behind dad.

I had a hard time keeping up with these guys!

Our family visiting the temple grounds. They were gorgeous. It was so pleasant that evening!

Taking in the full aroma.

Cute girls playing in the grass.

5 really great things...

Here are 5 really great things that have happened since I last blogged. (in no particular order)

#1 Gracie's Ballet Recital

After eight months of practice, we finally got to see Gracie dance in stage in her first ever ballet recital. She did a great job.

Performing to "Cinderella". Of course, she's the tallest one in the class.

Posing after the performance. Do you think she was tired of smiling yet?

Watching Sophie was also a show in itself. She was completely glued to every performance. She still talks about her favorite ones.

#2: Beating Jake at Scrabble for the FIRST TIME in our married life!

It came down to the wire, which it made the victory even sweeter!

Good game, Jake.

#3: Gracie got Sophie to go poo-poo in the potty.

Our little potty-trainer and potty-trainee united every night for a few days without much direction from Jake and I to practice sitting on the big potty. One night, Jake and I were sitting in the living room when we heard 'sounds' coming from the bathroom. Then we heard Gracie say, "Sophie, let me check and see. Good job Sophie! You get a treat!" It was quite exciting for all! (note: this experience does not translate into Sophie actually being potty trained....that will come at a later date...hopefully)

#4: Our last snow drift melted. Enough said!

#5: Going to the 'Baby Animal Days' event

We had SO much fun going to this event for the second year in a row. It is worth the drive if any friends or family want to join us next year! Here's a few of the MANY photos I took:

When asked on the ride home what their favorite thing was, riding the horsies was their favorite. Sophie cried when she had to leave her horse, Chocolate.

Sophie, moments before she spontaneously dropped the turtle. She was holding so still.

Chillin' with the baby calf.

Gracie holding the baby bunny. I couldn't believe how calm all the animals were, considering they had been passed around for three days by kids!

Is Sophie feeding her bunny taffy? I didn't catch that until after I downloaded the pics.

Gracie won the Grand Prize at the treasure hunt booth when she picked the golden ping-pong ball. But she didn't really want the skateboard that they were offering her, so she opted for some Lincoln Logs that they had instead. She clung to these like they were her pride and joy. She loved talking about it when people asked her how she got them. Good job, Gracie!

I love this picture. It makes me wonder who is looking at who?