Back-to-School Dates

Back-to-School dates have become our favorite tradition in our family. Dallas and I take each of the kids out for dinner and an activity all on their own. We get to talk and play and create life long memories. 

We took Annie to dinner at Zupas (her choice) and to Color Me Mine. Annie picked out a kitty that she named Fisher. We painted him grey together and Annie talked incessantly the whole time! She makes us laugh and is so tender and sweet. We are so lucky she is our big girl. 

Will has been obsessed with dinosaurs (again) this summer. After much debate and previewing the movie ourselves, we took Will to see "Jurassic World" in the theater. A direct quote mid-movie when I asked Will how he was doing was, "I wish I didn't have eyeballs anymore!" When it was over he said it wasn't even scary. ;) He also chose to go to Zupas for dinner. It was such a fun night!

Grace Carolyn Alldredge

On Saturday, August 29th, Shanna gave birth to a 7 lb 2 oz 19 in little beauty! They named her Grace Carolyn Alldredge and she is absolutely perfect in every way.

Shanna let us sneak the kids in and no one was over the moon more than Annie. She would have held her the entire time if we had let her. Paigey keeps saying, "I want to see baby Grace again."

She is a special little babe. Over the last year Shanna went from a single mother of one little boy, to married and a mother of four! We are so grateful to have Jason and his kids Logan and Madeleine join our family, and having Grace is the cherry on top. Her name says it all- blessed beyond measure to have so much love in one home. Welcome to the family Grace!

First Day of School!

It is the season for a bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils! Will and Annie both started school today, and as always, it was bitter sweet.  We were able to walk to school together, and as I walked out the front doors leaving my two big kids behind, I cried.  Each day the kids get bigger and braver and closer and closer to no longer needing me.  As parents, that is the ultimate goal, but it doesn't make it any easier.

Will is starting 3rd grade.  He was SO EXCITED.  I kept having to pull him back from running ahead of us, and the second we walked in the door he waved and that was it.  Ready to conquer the 3rd grade.

Annie was thrilled, and nervous.  She loves school so much and is so glad that she gets to be there all day, but having new routines and new expectations made her a bit uneasy.  I walked her to her classroom and made sure she new where to meet Will after school, and that was it.  My big girl gone all day.  More time spent with her teacher than her mother.  First grade is a special kind of heartbreak.  For me, it's harder than kindergarten.

Will and Annie are such good kids.  I'm excited to see how they grow and mature this year.  No doubt they will do some incredible things.

Timp Half

This one time I let go of what I "thought" I could do. I quit looking at my watch and just ran. Mile 12 I realized my abilities were far greater than I was giving myself credit for, so I finished a half marathon RUNNING- not jogging- and grabbed a new PR with a 7:02 average!!! Best. Race. Ever. 

Yellowstone and Island Park 2015

Every year we go.  Nearly every year we do the same things.  Every time we love it.  Island Park will always be Heaven on Earth to me.  We stayed in my Uncle Kurt's cabin this year which made it really comfortable for our family. My parents were there and Clay's family.  It was so great to see my kids play with their cousins and to have good quality time with my baby brother.  Life is really good!

Wyoming Fourth

Going to Afton for the 4th of July is one of our most favorite things.  We wished that it could have been much longer!  It was a quick trip this time because we were in the middle of needing to move out of our apartment and finishing up some final touches on the house.  On the 4th we went to the parade, roasted hot dogs, shot guns, and enjoyed each other's company.  The best part is always seeing the little cousins together.  They are all so cute!

The Open House

It happened. This week we went from our neighborhood being full of working houses to families. This was one of the best days of Dallas and my lives. We have worked so hard for our home. Our hearts are in those walls and now we get to fill it up with all the people we love the most. We couldn't have done it alone- a special thank you to those that babysat, pounded nails next to us, and hugged us when we couldn't do anything else but cry. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

After the open house our family stayed for a quick dinner in our new house. There was so much room for everyone! It was the first of many more to come. 

As perfect as it will ever get.

We cleaned, and shined, and touched up every inch of this place. If will never be this perfect again. We are ready for the open house!

Week 42

In case you were wondering, this is what "no hour requirement" looks like:

We had to demo several huge sections of concrete and repour it in order to pass inspection. Dallas spent nearly every night at the houses, but at least it was only one of us for the most part. 

We can say it is officially official though- the office sent out the announcement! We'd love to see everyone there!