The Second Grade

Today was Jacob's first day of the Second Grade. He was nervous yesterday. He said he was worried that no one would want to play with him, and that he would be bullied. My first thought was to just let it blow over: "Really? It's just the 2nd Grade" I thought. However, he seemed quite sincere in his worries. He asked Marty for a father's blessing. He also said a prayer last night, and prayed that he would have a fun year. When he woke this morning, he was all smiles and ready for a new school year. He said he felt good about his blessing and prayers. Wow! The faith of a seven year old.

He was so excited this morning that he requested to ride his bike to school. I taught him how to use his bike lock last night. He was super excited about the lock and the key. I put on my running duds, grabbed my iPod, and left with Jacob on his bike and Ben on his scooter. And up the hill we went. And yes, it was uphill, and I am NOT exaggerating. Marty even came with us, but he walked. He said something about not wanting to sweat. Ha!

Jacob is in Miss Dixon's class. Miss Dixon is also in our ward. I taught her oldest daughter in YW. I am just tickled that Jacob is so happy for a new school year.

Ahhh, the Beach. We love it!

By far, our favorite spot for the summer is the beach. We have been to many different beaches this summer. Some in Laguna, some in Newport, and of course our lovely beach here in HB. We love them wherever we go. It has been June Gloom all summer, meaning the sun doesn't burn off the cloud cover until about noon. So our beach days usually last from 12-4:30/5pm. I love them b/c they are so worn out that we get home, they bathe while I cook dinner, then they eat and are in bed by 6-6:30pm. We love meeting our friends down there. So, everyone come out here and visit us. We'll take you to these fun beaches. The picture of Jaxon and the little girl at the beach, that's his best buddy, Ivy. He loves her. I think she is so cute. She is just as rough as he is. That's why they play so great together.

A New Favorite Park

My friend, Lynsey, called and invited the kids and I to join her and her sisters at a park in Garden Grove. You have to pay $1 a person to get in, but that is b/c it is kept super clean, well manicured, and it's gated. No one is allowed in unless you pay and have a kid with you. Kind of helps me feel like I don't have to keep my eye out for perv's as much as I do at other parks. Anyways, we loved it. The slides are old, but awesome. Their favorite was the super long and super high dragon slide. there is also a nice tree shaded area to sit down and eat a picnic. Lots of fun!

OC Fair 2011

We love going to the fair each summer. It is actually pretty expensive to get in and do stuff, but I have learned a way around it. Every Wednesday is donation day. Between 12-4pm, if you bring one of what ever they are collecting that week, you get free admission, and a ticket for one free ride. So, the Olmsteads only go on Wednesdays. This year we went the week they were collecting used children's books. I always just grab 4 very old and used books that my kids have (their baby board books) and take those. our kids get in free anyway b/c they are under 6 yrs old. So they give me 2 extra free ride tickets for the 2 extra books i brought. So, we went to the fair, each kid got to ride 2 rides, and we ate dinner there. All for $20. The food is so big and not good for you there that we all share. The kids got a small corn dog, which was the size of a baseball bat, and Matt and I shared a turkey leg, which was the size of Matt's calves. Crazy! Anyways, it was a blast. Jaxon decided to use of his free rides to ride on an elephant. It was pretty awesome. Molly is more like her mom and wants nothing to do with those stinky animals. Oh, I forgot to mention, one of the pictures is me trying to capture the baby pig races we watched there. That was my favorite part. They even had to jump hurdles in the race. The kids loved it!

The Olmsteads are Alive!

Let's see, this summer we have had friends over to swim, eat homemade popsicles, and catch bugs with us. This is actually Merrick and Berkleigh. They are twins and our best friends, but they just moved up to Oregon last month. Molly is a bit sad still, but has been great at making new girlfriends at church. I love the picture of them sleeping on the couch. That is my favorite part of our summer days:)

Kicking It Asay Style

I am so sorry it has taken me well over a month to update the blog. I've been a little busy. And a little lazy. It just proves my motto "Why do today what you can put off until tomorrow?!"

We celebrated Jacob's birthday July 26th. It's hard to believe this little tender-heart is now SEVEN. He will be baptized next year. I just love this little guy to pieces. He is growing up and I am enjoying every day of his life. Is it normal for my heart to just burst whenever I see or think of him? I even love smelling his head. I love when he sits on my lap and lets my love on him. I love his smile. I love watching his eyes sparkle when he learns something new. I love how he gets concerned and upset when Ben gets hurt or picked on. I love it when Jacob gets on the kitchen floor with Ben and plays "crash up cars" with his baby brother. I love to hear Jacob bare his testimony. He has always gone up to the pulpit on his own to bare his testimony. The very first time was a little scarey. He was four years old. He did really well until he said he was thankful for Super Mario Galaxy and the Wii. Oh well. That's one for the baby book!

Ben is Ben. He went to his preschool open house last week. I am a bad mom, and didn't take the camera. But I promise to take pictures on his first day of preschool in September. Ben continues to be a rough and tumble, energetic little soul. He is polite. He always says "thank you" for the littlest things: a bowl of Spaghetti-O's, a ceiling fan, helping him get dressed, taking him on a scooter ride, giving him a hug. What an angel.

Marty and I are the same. Marty stays extremely busy with work. I am so thankful for that. I start my new part-time job in labor and delivery at Davis hospital. I am SOOOOOO looking forward to the short commute and working with all my friends. I am so blessed. When I was set apart for my calling, my humble bishop blessed me with many things, and one of them was the ability to manage my time between all the demands of RS president, wife, mother, and work. I know my Heavenly Father knows me and is very aware of my life. He has blessed me beyond measure, and he has many other blessings in store for me. He knows what my life needs. He knows what I need to do to grow and develop my talents. I just pray for the patience and wisdom to remember this.

Love you all!