And away they go.....

My kids are now officially Schumacher Sharks:). Blake started 1st, and Michayla 2nd grade. They were SOOOOO excited, and not even scared at all. I was surprized, since their elementary school is bigger than my highschool! Anyway, we had a mid-west style thunderstorm that night, and it was still raining in the morning at 8:30, so I told the kids I'd take them. They were bummed. They wanted to walk. We are just down the street. We went to get out in the van, and it was only sprinkling, so we decided it would be ok. On the way there, we were fine. On the way back, Ally and I got a little wet:) But it was fun, and they were cute all decked out in first day apparell. Sure love these kiddos!

Beating the HEAT

Before the kids went back to school, we spent as much time as we could stand here...

My kids have turned into part fish, which I am very happy about. This summer was easier at the pool, with both Blake and Michayla being able to swim in the deep end and Ally happy with her floaties:). We have a community pool a couple blocks down from our house and the last few weeks we went at lease ever other day. Its been a blast!

Ally's obsession

Thanks grandpa! How can I ever live up to that? Michayla is also showing her skills of trotting:). She was very happy that grandpa finally let her do it by herself in the arena.

City of Beautiful

These next couple pictures REALLY just made me rethink the whole Amish idea:) Arent they the cutest pioneer kids ever? They played until it closed. They had a great time.

Nauvoo was definately beautiful. AND it was gorgeous weather! We got lucky.

Next on my list of things to get...a log playhouse with oldschool playthings and pioneer dress-up.

This one just happens to be my favorite. I think I'm going to frame it:)

This is the teddy bear rope games. Blake's favorite!

The kids writing on little chalk boards in one of the schools in Nauvoo. They told such sweet stories about all the pioneers. I remember the spirit of sacrifice that I felt strongly throughout the day.

Tug of war. The kids against daddy....with a little help from a side-liner that felt bad that dad was loosing!

Hommade Stilts, and bean bag races were all part of the fun games that go on each night before the pageant. We had a wonderful time! I would highly suggest a visit to Nauvoo if you havent been there.

Allysons pastime in Nauvoo was picking "flowers."

Learning the scottish dance with the bagpipes playing.

Carthage Jail. The window that Joseph Smith fell out of.

Inside the Jail. I have been here 3 times. Every time I feel the spirit testify to me of the sacredness of this place. What a blessing that we have it restored!

The actual door that the bullets passed through. Allyson is pointing to the hole of the bullet that killed Hyrum.

Back in Liberty we took my neices to Liberty Jail, which is now only 2 min. from our home. Its really neat to be so close to all this church history. Hopefully our kids will remember the things we learn at all these places. I guess we'll hust have to keep going back, so they do!

Happy Birthday Blake!!!!

The Force was with us for the 6th Birthday of my favorite Star Wars fan:). What a fun kid he is turning out to be. He continues to surprize us with how smart he is, and how good his memory is. We had a party for him at the swimming pool with our family and his new buddy (and fellow star wars fanatic), Reed. My neices Payge and Parci were also in town. What a party!

Thanks for the pillow Reed! I sleep with it every night.