Baptism Pictures

The night before we left for a family reunion, I told Georgia to jump in the car and we would go snap some pictures of her in her baptism dress. We needed to get the invitation ordered. We were in a crunch for time.

 I love the flowers that bloom at the building Walker's Montessori school used to be housed in, right next to the grocery store. They ended up being the perfect, happy backdrop for some pictures. Georgia even cooperated! Walker's teacher told me to go gather the seeds from the withered flowers to plant in my yard. They are just so gorgeous! I guess they are a big bee attractor though.

This pretty girl is a huge influencer in our home. She recently went to stay the night with her cousin Annie in Salt Lake. We were really surprised at the change in tone in our home while she was away. Georgia has presence. There is no doubt about it. We were all glad to have her come back the next evening so we could find our normal again.

The fact that I love Georgia's hair probably goes without saying. Who wouldn't love the back of this lovely head. Most of the time it is a big tangled, sticky mess. You know Georgia literally doesn't stop going, going, going all day long. It takes it's toll on her head of hair!

All I had to do to get a laugh was to remind her of something funny Lydia had done that day. Genuine smiles for her much loved baby sister!

Georgia begged me to stop at a horse corral on the way home and take some pictures. This was one of many options in our new small town, but it was the one closest on the drive down the street back home.

Back To School Midway Style

The kids are back in school and it is wonderful! After a busy Summer without much of a schedule because of our move, we are ready for some routine! We were all a little nervous as we prepared for the start of the year. New schools all around, big decisions to be made, and the anticipation of making new friends had us all with a few butterflies.
I must say, these kids of ours are very brave. The insecurity of walking into a new school after having known everyone in your class since you were tiny in your old town, would be intimidate just about anyone. They have all done so well with the change. Diving right in has been the best strategy.

So far, we are really happy with the schools and teachers. My favorite thing has definitely been that school starts over and hour LATER here then in Woodstock! Our mornings are so much less frantic, as our the evenings before school, and I like that they get home later in the afternoon. I always felt that it was backward in Woodstock, with the high schoolers staring at almost nine, and the elementary kids getting out the door at the crack of dawn. I know it made early morning seminary easier for members of our church, however.

They came home the first week with new laptop computers. That one I'm not so sure I want to celebrate considering I just took their Kindle's away indefinitely.

We have high hopes that school becomes familiar quickly, and lots of friends are made this year! We plan to give it all our best shot!

Wally and Will are on the same bus. They like that a lot.

 Georgia rides her bike to and from school with neighborhood friends. She LOVES the independence of that! She is an eager school goer. Always ready long before time to leave and chomping at the bit to get on her bike and ride off.

Here, they have half day Kindergarten. Walker is ready for more of a day than that. So we signed him up at a Montessori school that is just up the street in the morning. I pick him up and bring him home for a quick lunch, and then we are out the door to the elementary with his bike, to ride home with Georgia after Kindergarten  in the afternoon. So far, he is loving his routine. It has not been too much for him at all. He is thriving at Montessori and his Kindergarten teacher is so kind. I think this may be the perfect set up for us!

Walker in front of his Montessori school. The school just moved into a brand new building. Walker is loving finding little jobs to help out. I'm told he takes a lot of pride in window washing!