Utah: Tuesday, 8/23

On Tuesday we went down to Provo again. I think Brittany had a job interview, and the kids had cut our time on campus short the previous day. So we'll call this one Dave and Jess take the kids down a trip on Memory Lane. Dave wanted to make sure the kids were indoctrinated to want to attend BYU when the time comes.

The girls in front of the Brigham Young statue in front of the ASB

Checking out a classroom in the SWKT

Maybe they'll be professors someday?

Joseph Smith statue in the ASB

Running towards the Maeser Building

In the Maeser Building. Perhaps they will be Writing Fellows someday??

The obligatory picture with the Y in the background

After spending the morning on campus, the girls were BYU-ed out, and cousin Chase was done with preschool, so we met up with him and the other cousins at Thanksgiving Point for a trip to the dinosaur museum.

Jordan and Emma next to a bone

Jordan, Emma, and Maddie check out a fossil

Tyler, Chris, and Dave help Chase, Jordan, Maddie, and Emma in the water pool

Emma, Jordan, and Kallee check out a dinosaur

Maddie, Jordan, and Kallee

Emma, Jordan, and Chase check out a computer exhibit

Uncle Tyler is always good for a dance

Maddie, Emma, Chase, and Jordan. And some creepy lady behind.

Jacksen, Maddie, Emma, Jordan, and Chase in the path of a prehistoric shark

Maddie and Emma dig for fossils

Utah: Monday

On Monday we headed down to BYU. We spent the morning in the bookstore and helping my brother and sister apply for jobs (none of which they got, though they have gotten other jobs since). After lunch it was time to entertain the kids, so we headed for the Bean Museum.

Emma and Maddie with the Liger, of Napoleon Dynamite fame.

Emma and Maddie roar like cougars.

Cousins Chase, Jordan, Emma, and Maddie in front of all the animals.

All the kids (notice the addition of little Bobby in the middle of the two bigger boys) doing their best roar.

A funny story after that last picture: The kids were exhausted, and you can kind of tell that Maddie is not happy with Emma. After this picture was taken, she started screaming and went down the row, hitting her sister and cousins in turn. It was hilarious, and unfortunately only captured on my dad's cell phone. (We need that picture, Dad! For posterity!) After that it was time to head home for the day. :)

Utah: Sunday 8/21

 Way back in August we went to Utah for a week. It was the first time my whole family has been together in over two years, as my youngest brother returned home in July from serving a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Manaus, Brazil.

On our first full day, Sunday, we blessed Andrew. He was blessed on the same day as his cousins, Bobby and Jacksen. Three little boys born in the same year!

My dad (Papa) with Maddie, Emma, and cousin Bobby

Aunt Brittany with Emma and Andrew

Our family at the Church

My sister Brooke, with husband Jason, Chase, and Jacksen

My parents and siblings. L-R: Me, Tyler, Mom, Dad, Brittany, Chris, and Brooke

The whole gang

The kids relax while watching "Tangled."

Papa takes a nap with Andrew.

Family picture later that night at my Aunt's house

Tyler and Emma dancing in the streets

Andrew: 3 months

Andrew turned 3 months old a week ago. We are starting to see his personality shine though. The best part about him right now is when he smiles and laughs at us! (Emma gets very concerned whenever he isn't smiling--she thinks he is sad. I don't know how to explain his mellow personality to her.)

Stats:
12.5 lbs. (Wii)
Size 1 diapers
0-3 months clothes, with a few 3-6 month sweatshirts

Nicknames:   Gee-gee Bubba, Gee-gee Bubs, Bubs, Geegs, Buddy, My Boy

What He Does All Day:
Sleeps semi-regularly
Coos, smiles, and giggles
Sucks on his pacifier
Sucks on his fingers, when he can find them

Firsts:
--Kindermusik class (as an observer, not a participant)
--Visit from Grandpoppy
--General Conference
--Visit to the Texas State Fair

Some more shots of our boy:

Emma's First Day of Preschool

Emma started preschool again on September 7th. This year she is going three days a week, Monday/Wednesday/Friday. She is in the Fives Class and she absolutely loves it. They use a "stop light" discipline system, and everyday she tells me who is on yellow (a warning). She is frequently "caught being good."

Some more pics of her first day:

I thought it would be fun to interview Emma. Here is a Q&A with our almost-five-year-old:

Favorite Food?    Pizza
Favorite sport?    Soccer
Favorite TV show?     Jake and the Neverland Pirates
Favorite movie?     Tangled
Favorite color?      Silver and pink
Favorite book?     Fancy Nancy
Favorite season?     Summer
Favorite song?      "Sparks Fly" and "Livin' in a Big Old City" (more commonly known as "Mean") by Taylor Swift
Favorite thing to do?     Get vitamins (she has the gummy kind)
Favorite thing about preschool?    Playing on the playground
Best friend?     Sarah
What do you want to be when you grow up?     A ballerina
What food do you really dislike?     Plums
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?     Utah and (Wis)Consin--where her cousins live
What did you use to do when you were little?     Roll over
Best memory?     Going to Chicago
Who is the coolest person you know?     Dexter
3 words to describe yourself?      Friendly and nice   (She had a hard time wrapping her head around what it means to describe herself).
What do you want to learn about this year?     To not fight and to be quiet in the hallways at preschool.

I think her answers really describe her personality right now. :)