Utah

It is a cloudy night in Iowa.  We just put Asher to bed to get some rest before his huge day tomorrow, the first day of kindergarten!  He was very excited today, and kind of nervous and chatty.  Last night, we went to meet his teacher and see his classroom.  Kindergarten will be great for Asher, and he is so ready!

It has been a long time since we blogged, and a lot has happened.  The big event was our trip to Salt Lake City.  We had a great time there, enjoying the sights of my hometown and spending time with my family. Here are a few pictures...


Asher with his cousins. He had a blast with them!

Elise loved meeting her cousins, too

Cousins!!!

At Lake Mary with Aunt Sarah

We  had a great time in Salt Lake CIty, and we were sad to leave.  The trip home was a nightmare.  The first day, we crossed Wyoming with no problem and spent the night in Sidney, Nebraska.  On the second day, we stopped for lunch in Kearney, Nebraska.  When we pulled out of the parking place behind the restaurant, the CV joint broke on our van, and the axle fell out.  We came to a grinding halt right there.  Sarah and the kids walked next door and checked into a motel, while I waited for the tow truck.  The van was towed to a shop, where the mechanic stayed late and fixed everything that evening.  I was pleasantly surprised.  The next morning, we were back on the road, making it into Western Iowa before Sarah began having some very severe and scary chest pains.  We pulled off the interstate and drove to the nearest ER, in the town of Atlantic, Iowa.  The doctors there did a whole series of tests, and she has had some more since we have been back.  In the end, it doesn't look like there is anything to worry about, but it was scary, and a rough trip home overall.

Since being back, we have been busy getting ready for Asher's transition to school.  Sarah, Eva, and Elise are also going back to daycare (well, it will be the first time for Elise), so that will be a major transition.  Also, I'm going back to school after a term off for the baby and vacation.  It is a busy time for us, and really has that feeling of anxiety and change that back-to-school time used to bring.

Elise, at 6 weeks (a couple weeks ago now)