IKE

Well, we survived Ike with nothing more than a little wind and rain. I feel so grateful after what we went through back in April. I was nervous all Friday night and most of the day on Saturday but gratefully it wasen't to bad. I thought I would post some pictures of the tornado that we went through back in April of the damage to our house. The weather here scares me a little. Ok a lot!!

This is the back of our house where the fence was blown over. Britt's car was stuck in the garage for a few days until we could replace the fence.This is the left side of our home where the shingles had come loose and some missing. We had this problem all over the left side of our house. Not fun worrying about the rain coming through and leaking into the house. Luckily we only had to patch up the roof instead of replace the whole thing.

Another part of where the fence came down (left side). We had to have the fence taken down and posts reset then fence put back up. The most costly repair for us so far!

This trampoline ended up in our backyard. We think it flew through the air and hit our chimney then landed in the back of the house. We didn't get a good picture of our chimney leaning and dented in. That all had to be reset too! The trampoline never was claimed by anyone so we still don't know where it came from. It is in the trash now. All the seals on the windows were blown out but no windows broken. Our neighbors had much worse. Below is a picture of their house. You might have to click and make these pictures bigger to really see the damage. The white cotton looking stuff you see everywhere was covering our windows front, back and sides. We almost couldn't see out the front windows because it was caked on so bad. That was insulation from the house across the street who had a hole as big as a small car in their roof. They had just moved in the weekend before this happened poor people.

Anyhoo, that was a scary night to say the least. That tornado hit in the middle of the night. We hid in the bathroom downstairs and I really don't want to experience that ever again. So we are grateful and relieved that Ike was good to us. We are praying for those in Houston and Galveston who really need alot of help and prayers.

Roller Skating Old School!

The kids went to a birthday party yesterday at the good ole roller rink. They had so much fun! The first little while we had a lot of tears and hurt bums from falling, but by the end of the party they were both actually doing pretty well. I promised I would take them more often so they can do it without falling. The disco balls and music added a nice ole school touch at this place too!

First day of School!

The kids went back to school today. They were so excited to go! I thought I was excited to until I had to leave them. I always get so anxious leaving my kids on the first day. It's just the newness of everything. I don't really know their teachers yet and I am leaving my kids in their care for almost the whole day. That is hard for me! We took Rylie to class first. She is all the way down the hall and around the corner and down another hall from Jacksons class this year. Last year they were right across the hall from each other, which was kind of nice. Rylie went right in found her locker and sat right down. She really was excited! In her little prayer last night before bed time she said, "please help me to sleep tonight because I am so excited for school tomorrow". We left her and headed down to Jacksons class. He was practically running. He found his locker and sat right down and started talking to some of his buddies from last year. So the first day seems like it was a good start to another great year of Elementary!

Ward Luau!!

So last night we had a ward party (ward Luau)! We had a 40 day fast in our ward for missionary work and this was our party to end our fast. Every family that wanted to could sign up for one of the 40 days and fast. So we really all didn't go with out food for 40 days - hee hee! Just one day per family. The picture of the pig above we really ate along with some other great luau food. We also had some performers who put on a great show for us. They really know how to move those hips I tell ya! I was fascinated! They were in the authentic clothes and had thier instruments. It was just awesome - UNTIL... they pulled me up on stage to try and move my hips like them. I could have died, but at least there were a bunch of people from the ward doing it right along with me. I am sure I was red as a beet! I have to admit it would be kind of fun to learn how to move like that. They are so graceful! Anyhoo, we had a super time and after the shock of seeing the whole pig laying there on the table (teeth, eyeballs and all) the meat was pretty good too!

oh boy!! here we go!!

Last HOORAH before school starts!!

This is the last weekend of Summer break for us so we decided to take the kiddos to lunch and have some fun! We got together with friends and we were off to lunch. We went to this great little diner called the Purple Cow. They have yummy burgers and milkshakes (the onion rings were scrumptious too). They usually have a purple cow that comes around and you can get pictures with him and give him the good ole high five! They were so busy we never got to see him. Bummer! We still had loads of fun and ate some yummy food! I guess now we are all ready for school to begin!

Jackson ~ Marrisa ~ Rylie ~ Kayla

Dad's Home!

Britt made it home last night. We are so happy to have him home (even if it is just for two days). He has been gone most of the month and will be gone again until the 30th. We sure do miss you when you are gone! I know you are exhausted but just another week or so and hopefully no more trips for a while. Hang in there!

Ballet Anyone!

Rylie started Ballet today. I am so excited! She is taking at a Ballet Company that will put on the Nutcracker around Christmas time. She will have to try out for a part but hopefully she will get a spot. They also have the normal dance recitals at the end of the semester. She seemed to enjoy it today so hopefully I can get her to stick with it! Tuesday's will be a busy day for her and I hope I have not overloaded her (or me). She will have ballet for one hour and then straight to Piano for 45 minutes. Jackson has Soccer and Lacrosse starting up next week also and I am keeping my fingers crossed that they will not have practices on Tuesday's. Anyhoo, it was fun to see Rylie in her cute little Ballet clothes and learning some moves today.

Off to Ballet......