The First of Preschool!

The first day of school :) Can I love this boy too much? :) He came home with the biggest smile and lots of excitement--- just bubbling over telling me about how much fun he had --So darling! He went on and on about the activities they did and what he liked . . . and he completely neglected to mention that he spent the last 15 minutes of the day in the "naughty seat"--so I was a bit surprised when his teacher called to chat about that. Overall I would say he is loving it and transiting fairly well :) I can't believe how fast he is growing up! What a smart boy, I am so proud of you big guy!

All ready to go inside-- giving me two thumbs up that he was ready to give it a whirl :)

Preston chose the menu and got to eat on our special red plate for dinner that night :)

Standing here by "the most giant enormous cookie I've ever ever seen" that Mommy made to celebrate Day One. Other than being a little undercooked, it was a success, next year I will do it again and be sure I bake it a little longer :) Recipe found here.

Andrus Family Reunion!

I might be biased, but I think we have the best family reunions-- I love them with my family-- and I also love getting together with Burke's family. Always so fun! We had a great time at my family reunion this year-- it was so nice to see everyone as always-- this year as an extra bonus all of my siblings were in attendance-- it just doesn't happen too often and it was so fun to be together. As per my usual, I took way too few pictures-- most of those posted here were from the talent show that Sheldon took for me-- and my batteries died halfway through so we were missing some key events! We enjoyed the quiet mountain setting in Hanna, Utah-- the temperature was perfect, we weren't bothered by bugs so that made it really fun!
Our ghetto-fabulous bike rack solution-- since we got rid of the SUV we still had the rack we had bought a few years ago but not a way to attach it to our little car without spending more $$ than I wanted to spend on that particular thing --so Burke & I together engineered a rather pathetic, but effective means for transport! I was SO glad we did it-- so worth it to have our bikes along--even if we did get some funny looks along the way! Good thing our kids don't care about stuff like this yet right?

Preston stopping to pose while he and the kids were swimming in the kiddie pool

Rebekah taking a dip in the good old washtub!

The Pack Crew's rendition of the Fast Food Song --So glad my kids have been introduced that amazing piece of music! Then they acted out this cute Snowman song with lots of the cousins-- fun and energetic!

The audience!

I think this went with the snowman song.

Sheldon and Becki revisiting their synchronized swimming act. So hilarious!

more snowman? I don't know how I got these so mixed up!

Other memorable acts included, Greg and Matt's song about Backseat Driver's, Rachel Brittney and Michelle rewriting "Waking up is Hard to Do" Madison showed us her fabulous Belly Dancing act and Tim told some really great stories about his trip to Israel and other urban legends that he knows because he works for the church. I know I am forgetting others-- I love the talent night-- there are always some good laughs and it is fun to see some real talents too :)


We enjoyed bike rides, chasing little kiddies, reading, visiting, crafting, games, and good food! It was so nice to relax and enjoy some time together. Also loved getting to sing with my girls again-- we seriously need to video chat practice or something-- we just don't have it together anymore!!

Wishing we could swing more time off to attend Burke's extended Family Reunion in a few weeks-- maybe we can plan better next time!

Arches National Park

We had a great time camping in Arches National Park :) We only went one night which was perfect as we had not ever been camping with all four of us before. It was so fun! We can't wait to try it again :) We took a few hikes to see some of the arches and the kids did so well. Rebekah needed plenty of lifts , but still did super. Preston only asked to be carried a few times on the way down. The views were breathtaking. I am not sure I would have taken the kids on the delicate arch hike if I had really known what we were in for, but it was doable (they just have no fear!!) there were a few heart stopping moments for me as I watched them slip and fall on the sleep slick rocks. It was so windy on the top of the viewpoint that I was having a hard time not getting blown over. I hardly even took the time to look at the arch because I was hanging on to my kids too tight and trying to keep us safe! It was so beautiful though, I am so glad we did it. It was also such a good feeling for me to see how much my physical body is improving in health and strength. My muscles are responding positively to the treatments I have been using and I feel so thankful. It is so easy to take our health and strength for granted-- I am feeling like I am being given so much to be feeling so wonderful :) Talk about blessings! I am hopeful that we can keep this up! I know the Lord is blessing me so much and I am so grateful. We are loving summer and keeping busy, and learning and growing together.


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For Camille

Dear Camille,
Here is the picture you have been requesting. "Two" much fun :) Rebekah loves her little necklace. Thanks for thinking of us!

New Tricycle

Rebekah has been saying for weeks that she needs a pink bike. I mean almost everyday she has said to me, "Mom today we go store buy me pink bike? Okay!" Her enthusiasm has not wavered. She loves Preston's bike and even though she can't operate the pedals because they are a bit too long she was not discouraged. Knowing how short lived the size of bike she was needing would be useful I must admit I have been hesitant to buy her a bike of her own. Last week though when I saw this on Craigslist for $2 just across town I was so thrilled. I asked her if we should paint it pink (I am a lover of spray paint these days) but she said no. She likes her pretty red bike :)

Preston likes to "help". He is finally pretty good at maneuvering his own little bike, but this week he has been a little jealous of this new cool tricycle. We have taken a few family bike rides around the block and everyone is getting better :) I can't believe how big these little kiddos are getting!

Growing Up Part 2

Preston's Birthday was great :) It is so rewarding to watch this little guy grow and change. The more I get to know Preston the more I love him. He has this way of wrapping my whole heart up in him-- I have never found the words to describe the feelings I have about being a Mother-- I just don't think words can really convey what it feels like. Perhaps I have shared here before a conversation I had with my Dad shortly after Preston was born. He asked me, "What is the biggest surprise?" I hesitated for just a moment and then it just hit me all at once. Maybe I was full of postpartum hormones, but I started to cry immediately, and I barely choked out, "how much I love him--I always knew my parents loved me, I just had no idea how much." It is a delight and honor to be this wonderful boy's Mother.

We had 2 birthday parties for the little man this year. The first was on his birthday. We made cupcakes that morning and planned to meet Dad for lunch at Preston's favorite restaurant. I put the frosting in a bag and prepared to pipe the cupcakes with a simple swirl. My hands were too stiff and swollen. I began to have a pity party, thinking how much I wished I could just do all the things I want to do each day, I wiped away a stray tear and decided this was just the excuse to let the kids help me frost the cupcakes. They were so excited and I hope that someday they won't remember that Mom couldn't make pretty cupcakes, but we had a great time frosting them together :)
'

We opened a few presents while at McDonalds. I left my camera in the car so there are no pictures of that portion of the party. That night he opened more presents. This picture says it all:)


Then the next weekend we were lucky enough to have a friend birthday party. Preston has the cutest little friend whose birthday is just a week and a half after his. So we ( really meaning this little friend's really talented Mother) threw them a double birthday party. It was SO cute and the boys were so excited. Here is Preston and Rebekah getting ready to play in the jump 'n bump while waiting for the guests to arrive.

Preston watching for his friends

THE CAKE: Seriously the whole thing was edible (except the toothpicks and the flashlight/headlight!) It was awesome! If you have seen the Dinosaur Train show on PBS kids you will recognize the cake-- she designed and made the whole thing without a pattern--just printed out the picture and went with it! WOW!

C and her cute daughter putting the finishing touches on the cake display!

The adorable birthday boys!!

Pinata after it was emptied-- Burke thought it made a fitting party hat!

More cool presents!

What a fun way to turn 4!!

Growing up Part 1

My darling Rebekah is 2!! I have taken so few pictures these last few months, and sadly, the ones I have here are not great, but that is just real life I guess! Rebekah had two things against having a rocking good birthday this year . . . The first was we scheduled our move the day after her birthday. So Mom and Dad were up to their eyeballs packing, and secondly out of nowhere she had a horrible stomach flu that started the night before her birthday, and lasted 8 days. So she spent much of her birthday in this position:
This is how I know she feels awful. She only sleeps on her face when she is super sick :( I felt so guilty. Not only were we not having any sort of party--it was one of those days that I should have been able to stop everything and hold my sick baby. And I couldn't . . .

Luckily after dinner (which I am sure was something really glamorous like leftovers--- but hey I knew she wasn't going to eat anything so I didn't feel the need to make a birthday dinner!) her fever broke and we had her open her gifts. I thought about fixing her hair before I sat her down to open gifts and take pictures, but I didn't have a clue where ponytails and hair combs had been packed away at that point . . .

*Whoppers* Burke says its not your birthday without 'em!

Pretty green dress from Grandma and Grandpa Hill! I will have to get a picture of her wearing it--so cute!

Preston and Daddy assembling the new dolly stroller. Silly Santa did not buy a beefy enough stroller so Rebekah needed a new one pretty seriously ;)

Accessorizing her Baby (Whom she affectionately refers to as, "Darling baby, Precious Girl, Honey" or something along those lines.)

Trying out the new stroller (and baby is wearing Rebekah's new Dora Pjs!)


Sis also received many thoughtful phone calls and birthday cards in the mail (my kids think getting mail is the best thing ever!) Just over a week after the fact I felt like she was well enough to handle cake and my camera was missing (Wow moving is SUCH a huge mess!) So even though I don't have a photo to prove it, I did try to make it up to my girl, and she loved chowing down on her birthday cake (and she seriously needed to put some weight back on so I was more than happy to oblige her!)

A few weeks before we moved Burke refinished this bed for the Cute Little Miss. I sold my crib and she has done so great in this bed. She really loves it (and so do I) Thanks Daddy!!