Well, September finally came.
It was a fun, memorable, but long summer. I think we were all ready for school to start.
September was certainly a month of new beginnings...
These two have a special relationship. So grateful Andi has had Grandma Luke in her life. Grandma has been a source of security, love, and consistency in Andi's short but challenging life so far. This was taken during an afternoon visit after school one day.
First day of school!
Abbey's first day of third grade and Andi's first day of first grade.
Big days.
As ready as we were for school, I still struggled quite a bit during those first few weeks of going back. These girls are my life and I love them so much.
Andi's first day of first grade was a huge thing knowing she'd be gone from me all day long now.
On that first day, I wanted to ask her teacher if I could set up camp next to her desk.
I also considered eating lunch with her in the cafeteria everyday for at least the first few weeks to get me through. :) It was such a bittersweet sight when I peaked in the cafeteria that first week of school to see her sitting on the tables eating, so little, eating lunch with her friends. I couldn't believe the time had already come in her life to be eating lunch at school. Time indeed flies.
What a joy she has been to have home with me these last six years.
Another first day of school shot. :)
Pretty cute girls, I think. :)
Taken right before the first day of school's morning flag ceremony.
Yes, I followed her into her classroom on that first day and even was obnoxious enough to take a picture. Seriously....all day long without her. Gees....
Another big day for another cute girl in our family: Miss Ava Lily Klein began her kindergarten year.
I spent months and months last year agonizing over whether or not to send her to kindergarten this year or not. When spring came around, though, my answer became naturally clear. This girl, in spite of her young age, was more than ready to be engaged in school.
She is one smart cookie and loves to be busy!!!!
Gettin' in the car with her new backpack on.
Andi's first grade teacher is awesome. She's been sending pictures of the kids to us parents.
This one was taken the first week of school. Andi's in purple on the front row.
Here's Ava enjoying a little lunch time at Grandma Luke's house while her sisters are at school. She has afternoon kindergarten so she has the morning at home with me. I think she's enjoyed getting in the routine of some of the activities we do together...without her sisters. She especially enjoys going to my mom's for lunch (for some good treats!) and to see my parents, her aunts, and cousins.
This was also taken the first week of school. Look at those killer new outfits! They both look so old in this shot, I think.
Andi and Eric up to their routine after-school wrestle-hugging.
This was taken this summer at my friend Andrea's wedding. She just sent it to us and I thought I'd include it here as it was a good memory. These are friends from Michael and my Ogden ward. We were all in the ward together for quite a few years and they were all around to help and support when Michael died. Good friends. I'll always hold a special place in my heart for these people. Miss them.
My mom enjoying her newest grandson, Bo. He's Leslie's youngest and he's full of energy and feist! He's also really, really, really cute. I say that without bias, of course.
Here she is. Amelia June Klein on August 28, 2014. She's growing strong and healthy.
I am so thrilled to be blessed with another darling baby girl.
Eric and I went to this official ultrasound together. The female gender was confirmed (Eric handled it like a champ) and she was lookin' good.
Another day off to kindergarten. Still getting in the routine of things, but she's sure been enjoying being a school girl so far.
Here it is...the before shot of Andi's new room in the basement.
With the upcoming arrival of baby girl #4, Eric and I have been working on getting Abbey and Andi moved into their own bedrooms downstairs.
Part of the process has involved taking down old wallpaper and painting, painting, painting. This is a shot of Andi's room with the lovely pink wallpaper that took hours and hours to remove.
Here is a glimpse into Aunt Bethany's wonderful little tea party that she threw in behalf of Andi as a part of her sixth birthday gift from Beth.
Andi was able to have her girl cousins there to help join in on the fun.
Look at the table for this tea party.
I sure do love my sister Bethany.
So grateful she would do all this to make my daughter feel special.
At the tea party, the girls dressed up as princesses and Bethany did their hair and make-up.
She even gave them lip gloss and jewelry to wear and even some to take home.
Beth went the extra mile and the girls ate it up!
Andi's cute cousin Maelee who totally looks like Andi, if you ask me.
Aunt Bethany doing Abbey's hair.
Ava checkin' her new look out in the mirror. Princess Cinderella...a.k.a. Ava Lily Klein.
Bethany's finished work. Abbey loved this 'do and loved getting that special treatment.
From left to right: Grandma Cathi (the valuable tea party assistant), Gigi, Abbey, Andi, and Chloe (even Chloe was able to come with us!)
Grandma Cathi putting make-up on Chloe.
Maelee holding her new baby cousin, Lizzie.
I'm still in awe that Bethany found time to throw Andi this tea party even amidst caring for her darling new little one. She's a beauty. Born in July.
The Women of the Hour
Look! The pink wallpaper is OFF!!! Slow but sure progress is being made.
We went to St. George for a little September getaway this year. We are so grateful for Abbey and Ava's Grandma and Grandpa Zimmerman who so freely open their St. George home for us to use.
The girls' favorite part of staying at G&G Zim's house is that they get to play for hours in the community pool!!
This picture should reflect the mood of the trip....Silly, happy, and fun! (How does Andi know this pose?!)
Abbey joining her sister on the fun.
The mermaid walking like an Egyptian.
Diving into the pool sans a life jacket! Evidence of the countless hours spent in the pool this summer....The girls have gotten to be so brave and fun in the water!
Ava exhibiting some bravery of her own...She took her life jacket off and swam with a noodle all the way to the deep end. Big steps!
Abbey's favorite pool activity during this trip was to relax on the floatie.
While Eric went fishing with his St. George friend, I took the girls to the temple grounds.
It is, after all, where Eric and I got married.
The girls wanted to sit on the same steps that Daddy and I got some of our wedding pictures taken on.
Cute sisters.
More pool time fun after Eric ran a half marathon in Cedar City during our trip.
Eric woke up early on the Saturday morning of our trip, drove to Cedar City, ran a half, drove back, and made it to the pool with the girls by 11 a.m.
Impressive, I'd say.
More swimming!
Enjoying my doggie.
Doing a little homework with my first-grader.
I found some old negatives of my dad's from his mission in South Africa.
Here are a few of the fun pictures that I had developed from them.
Above: Dad is the one on the far left.
My dad is the one standing up, folding his arms.
I think he looks a lot like my nephews Carter and Bowen there.
My girl and her new haircut. :)
Harry in his usual evening pose.
Ava ready for kindergarten.
A little Mom-Daughter day out.
I have a bracelet from Ron and Joann that says "Strength" on it. They gave it to me after Michael died. This particular day I was grateful for the reminder.
More pictures from Andi's class that her teacher sent.
Taking Grandma's dogs and Harry on a walk one Saturday morning. A common pasttime this summer. Love the Lagoon trail for just that reason.
My sister Lori and her son Noah.
Hangin' out at Mom's during priesthood session.
My niece Lydia hangin' out at Grandma's. She's growing so much these days. 8th grade going on 25!
My mom and Lucy.
Eric went to priesthood and doesn't he look nice? A picture-worthy moment, I'd say. (Not that he isn't always this handsome.) Just love the church clothes on him. Lookin' sharp.
