Our 5 year old

Happy birthday Ethan! Ethan is such a sweet boy and we are grateful he is in our family. Jared and I were talking the other night and can't believe we have a five year old. We have turned the corner from toddlerhood to a boyhood. Ethan is enjoying school and still loves learning. He enjoys doing his homework, reviewing flash cards, playing games, riding his bike and swinging in the backyard. Ethan is not phased by much or nervous about things. He has no problem with new places or people. I told him he was changing Kindergarten class rooms after two weeks of being in his class and all he said was ok and that was it. He does not have high highs or low lows, pretty even tempered. He is good at sharing and being caring to Tan. We are so glad he's ours. We love our Ethan!

Cute

Today Ethan came home with about 20 worksheets/projects from school. On back of at least half of them he had drawn Mega Man with his blaster shooting other Mega Man characters. It's so cute to see because I can just envision all the other kids working hard try to get their worksheet done while Ethan is done and bored so he decides to blow some bad guys up to occupy his time. The work they are doing right now and most likely thoughtout the year is very easy for him. His hand writing is really improving. He doesn't love school this year like he did in preschool. It sounds like there are several tables that he rotates to throughout the day. I think he has a lot of time to do stuff on his own. I wish they had an aid but that's public school for you. The Kindergarten classrooms will be rearranged as of Monday so I'm hopeful some good changes will come about.

Tanner continues to love riding his bike around the block in the mornings. We do this a lot in the afternoon as well. Because school has been pretty lame and Daddy has been on call we have gone down to Tustin for a few days. This is a moment I caught when Grandpa was telling the boys a bedtime story. It was a sweet moment.

Brotherly Bond

While Ethan is at school Tanner is having a hard time with the adjustment. Last week he woke up after a very unusual short nap crying for Ethan and was really worked up about it. This morning we walked around the block and Tanner rode his tricycle. After going around he took an unusual turn to leave our street which takes you down a back street to get onto the main road. I told Tanner we couldn't go that way and then he started to cry and said, "going to get ethan." It was so cute that little Tanner knew that's the way to Ethan's school and he was going to ride to get him. It took much convincing on my part and I actually had to pull him from the bike to get him on the sidewalk to head home. Once on the sidewalk Tanner cried most of the way home saying, "Ethan." Poor little Tanner misses his buddy! The boys really bonded this summer and it's neat to see them watch out for each other.

8 is great!

*pictures to come*

Today we have been married for 8 wonderful years! We have been so blessed in these years and really couldn't ask for more. We have a healthy and happy family with two sweet boys. I am grateful for a loving and caring husband like Jared. I count my blessings each day that I get to spend an eternity with him.

Well, Jared did it again and surprised me with a weekend getaway to Las Vegas to see Celine Dion in concert. Friday morning he was still in bed at 6:30am which was a pleasant surprise but he is normally out the door by 6am so I wondered if he was surprising me with a day off. I asked if he was going to work and he said he was but then dressed in shorts so I knew something was up. I got ready and found my mom was at our house to watch the boys so I knew Jared had something up his sleeve. I have to admit Jared got me this time. I thought for sure we were going to San Diego because I knew we didn't have much time and we have talked about going there for a trip. While on the road it took me quite some time to figure out we were on the 15 north headed to Vegas! Jared had been planning and arranging this for a few months. It's quite hard to get an extra day off in Residency but luckily Jared is on a lighter rotation and he knows how to make it happen. 

Once we made it to Vegas we went swimming in the pool, walked around the strip a little bit and had chinese dinner. Saturday morning we went to the Las Vegas Temple which was neat to add to the list of temples we have been to. It's very hot and dry in Vegas. After the temple we got Jamba Juice and pizza. Our favorites! That evening was the Celine Dion concert and it was amazing! I mean amazing!! I loved it and actually cried the first five songs which I never would have thought but her music has been a part of my life for at least 20 years and to see her in person was amazing. She came out strong with my five favorite songs and blew us away. Jared was pleasantly surprised too at the power of the show, the lighting and show quality. We had a great time and I will happily say, that yes Jared you got me. :) 

Ethan's first day of kindergarten

*pictures to come*

Today was Ethan's first day of Kindergarten and as expected Ethan had no reservations. The last few weeks I have been prepping him but he's been ready to go. I love that he loves school and is confident in all he does. As we drove up to the school Ethan said, "school days, school days" as if he was a pro and experienced. It was cute. He was excited to see Alessandro this morning and I'm glad they have each other.

Once we got to the school we were informed that Ethan's class is now a Kinder/First grade combo with 30 kids for the time being. The class size will drop to 24 by Sept but the combo situation could be a good situation but I still have mixed feelings about it. His teacher, Mrs. Bryant is a great teacher and seems to be well qualified to make this combo beneficial to all the students. At this point I hope he stays in her class. Ethan seems to have had a great day. Both boys were happy to be reunited and swing together once home.

Fresno, Disneyland and Angels Game

Today has been a fun and busy day for all of us. Jared just called to report on his first ID interview in Fresno which went really well. He loved the program and felt it will be a top contender. It's great to know we should have some great options.

Grandpa, Grammy, Joel, and Carly took Ethan and Tanner to Disneyland this morning. It was neat that Tanner got to go as well. Ethan gets to go on outings often with Grammy but this was Tan's first outing to Disneyland with Grammy and Grandpa. My pass doesn't work right now with the summer block outs so while the boys were away, mom and I played too. We got a manicure and pedicure which is such a treat! I feel so put together after having one. Afterwards, we went to Target and Costco and ended the outing with lunch.

Right now Jared is driving back from his interview and will meet up with us at the Angels game for Mormon night. It will be Tan's first baseball game and I think he will enjoy it since he loves baseball so much. Ethan was in heaven last year, it's a family summer favorite.

Dynamic Duo

The boys have been playing well together and we love seeing their brotherly bond. Ethan has built several forts for them over the last few days. This morning they put on last year's Halloween costumes and played Batman and Robin. Last Halloween we couldn't get Tanner to wear the costume without crying and had no chance of putting on the mask. This morning was just the opposite. Our little boys are growing up!