Well if you haven't heard of the Twilight series yet you need to. I know I'm a nerd! This is a great book series. So if you like to stay up all night reading, get no laundry done, ignore your entire family and be totally happy doing it you should read it! I personally will not let my 11 year old read it as the first 3 books are geared to teens and the last adults. So on November 21 the movie Twilight comes out and I will be there with all the other Edward fans and maybe some Jacobs too??

First Day of School 2008

Well here they are. All ready to go. They are all in school now. Abram is in 8th at the middle school, Madison is in 6th, Eli in 4th, and Natalie is in Kindergarten! I know I can't believe it. I thought I'd cry but I didn't. Maybe because Natalie has been going to preschool for a year and a half. Here she is in line waiting to go into class. Is that backpack bigger than her?

They were very anxious but just like with anything new it takes time to get into a new routine. I am very excited to see my kids learn new things and Abram is already surpassed me. (Not hard to do, I know!) He is in Geometry and that should be interesting. Good thing Aaron is home now to help out with homework! This year already seems easier in so many ways as we aren't playing football this season. Eli is enjoying soccer and Aaron is stressing out coaching him. We will probably sign the others up soon for a sport. We'll see it is nice not having too many things to do.

Our kids are in good hands! I took this picture of Jenny on her first day also. Sorry, I didn't want to leave you out. You are brave to hang out with them all day! Thanks for stepping up to the plate. Now there is one yard duty they like!

The California State Fair

We went to the State Fair a couple weeks ago. The kids had a great time and we stayed for the Wierd Al concert. Also was great! The kids took turns either milking a goat which Eli didn't seem to excited about as you can see the expression on his face. Or you could milk the Cow which I was surprised Abram wanted to do.

Tyson, Abram, and Zac messing around! Of course!

The Bennett's, Gumm's, Barnhart's and Tyson all had fun with the movie props, animals and Rock Band where you could go up on stage and show your skills.

Abram & Tyson got to hold baby piggies! So cute but oh how they stink!! How does anyone have a pig farm?? Or chicken or cow??

Starring: Zac, Abram, Tyson, Mckenzie, Madison, Brielle, Spencer, Eli, Ethan,

Kaitlin, and Natalie (who seems to think the prop is real)

Ft. Bragg camping tradition

Ft. Bragg

Well for my whole life my family has been going to Ft. Bragg, CA to camp. My dad has been diving there for 38 years. We all have enjoyed endless memories of him diving for the big abalones and fish. My brothers all love to go here as well and so most of our family tries to make this yearly ritual. This year I brought my 4 kids and my niece Elora. They had a blast at the tide pools with crabs and fish, making forts in camp, finding colored glass at Glass beach, and eating abalone! I got to finish my book Breaking Dawn and so did my sister. We were pretty much zombies until we finished it. We hung out reading in the car one day as it was soooo cold. It was a fun week and we did our usual things.

They found lots of star fish. Which we always enjoy but some people think differntly~We saw a family that grabbed up three starfish stabbed out the mouth of it and took them on a plate to give to their parents. They were about to eat them when I yelled at them, " What the heck are you doing that is illegal." As soon as I said that they packed up their picnic including the 3 starfish and left. I have never seen anyone do that before. I guess it's part of their culture! AHH! Gross!

Good times right~Amy

Oh my niece Elora, came with me and my 4 kids and held a banana slug and got totally grossed out!! Love that picture!

Love one another~

Remeber to love the ones around you. That is my thought today. Try and see the good in all people and try to be a light in there day! I want to be happy today and find what makes me happy.

On a side note, the midnight party for Breaking Dawn, a novel by Stephenie Meyer, is tonight and I can't wait! I will try and take the websites advice and not start reading in the car while driving on the way home. ( :

Take care,
~Amy