being silly before bed. 

Jake playing in "Dorothy" shoes, there is no place like home. 

A new dress that fits just right. 

Emily says thank you 

I promise pictures of the other two next week.As we were walking to the car post game she says "Mom, I never quit"She's learning alot of confidence in herself . 

As the storm rolled in....we made it thru the rain. 

The whole squad. Tara front row 3rd from rt. 

Jump! and shake it! 

Getting ready for first game 

Aug 20 2006

Ok, a good week really. Tara's blazing through first grade. She told me tonight 'Ok Mom, I think I'm ready for second grade now.' The nice thing is, she comes home and teaches Emily everything she has learned that day, tells crazy stories and plays school. The line of people to see our house is dwindling. I guess that's to be expected. We are still trying to sell it, but so far no offers. For those of you who haven't heard, Gene was called to the high council last week. He had his first speaking assignment today....so I guess we are staying here for a little while at least. Emily wants to sign up for gymnastics again. She starts on Tues. We may let Jake try this year too. We had a playdate every day last week. Mostly at our house. I think this week we will take a break from that..and head out doors now that it's cooling off quite a bit. Yesterday Emily's Sunbeam teachers had their wedding reception (they were called to team teach her class while they were engaged,a nd just got married last weekend). Emily was thrilled to see a real wedding dress. She oohed and aahhed about it all night. We split forces, Gene took the two youngest to the reception while I took Tara to her first football game (to cheer). Unfortunately they were at the same time, across town. Tara, despite falling twice and having bloody knees, and the rain and wind blowing, did a fantastic job. She tried hard and looked great and has about lost her voice today. (needs a lesson on not hurting vocal chords) Good news was, Bulldogs won 20 to 7. Can't wait to hear from all of you this week, wink wink, hint hint.

She's super girl. 

Tara's first day of first grade. 

Tara and Skylar right before cheer camp performance ...GO BULLDOGS!! 

August 15,2006

Ok, I'm here trying to remember everything I haven't said about the summer. Unfortunately my memory only spans one week at a time. Tara finished her cheer clinic. She had a good time, but I am pretty sure she won't want to do it much longer. We'll look for another sport. Maybe baseball, she's got a good arm and can hit most of my pitches. She doesn't like running for no reason, I don't know if she could keep up in soccer. Tara started first grade on Friday. That was a half day...so Monday was the real test....and yes! she is tired and did not get enough sleep. Our neighbor Stephanie takes the girls in the morning to school and then I pick them up and keep Shelby for 2 hours. til she gets home from work. Our house is still for sale...people still come every day to look at it and kick us out. This morning I was surprised to realize I made all the beds and cleaned up the breakfast dishes before 7....(normally it gets done right as Gene calls on his way home from work). At least the sign outside is keeping the house very tidy. Jake wanted juice last night and grabbed the apple juice bottle out (the gallon size) while I was getting a sliver out of Emily's hand....and guess what? he dropped it. Half of it guzzled out under the stove and refridgerator before I could put down my needle and get to it....so guess what we did for FHE? Cleaned that nasty horrible mess I ignore as long as possible....the scary floor under the kitchen appliances. Well I guess the latest on our "no new information" move is Gene is doing some prep work for the Dallas job, not knowing exactly when he will be needed. We suspect 2 months...we'll see if we can sell this house. We just keep praying for a clear answer on what to do. We miss all of you. The kids ask about all of you all the time. We will be in touch.

At the splash pad/park 

On the merry-go-round 

Willow and furry the hamsters 

All the kids smiling Sunday morning. 

Emily and Alayna playing dress up 

Jake and Tara on Marion's mayor's bike. 

August 7, 2006

Where in the world has all this summer time gone? I can't believe how crazy life is right now.
Very long story short. My Dad came to visit for a short intermission during his stay in Alabama. The 4th of July weekend. We had a blast bowling, the "Cars" movie, parks, etc. However I lost my camera. So, unfortunatley no pictures...so so sad. I did get a new camera and then visited Kristina and family in Iowa for about 10 days. We drove straight there in one day. We played and played (the kids did anyway). It was a great time and a good break from sitting here in Knoxville waiting for a job to drop in our laps. While we were gone Gene and I decided to go ahead and begin the putting the house up for sale. We were super sick coming home and it took us 2 days to get here....ran out of wipes, papertowels and clean towels from all the throwing up mess. Do not want to rehash that day in detail. Anyway, we have been showing our house at least 2 times per day for the last 10 days (we have to leave every time they come) still no one interested....and unfortunaelty we are all still sick. It's a very long, drawn out nausea, stomach flu thing. So, I haven't written in so long. We are still here....Tara started cheerleading last week and has a cheer clinic every night this week.....and she starts school friday. It suddenly is very crazy. I'll add some pictures from our trip to Kris' house. and I'll write more later.