First 1/2 week of school

The girls had their first half week in school. It started on Wednesday.

Shannon came home the first day, burst into tears and said, "I hate it here! I want to go home!" After she calmed down a little later she started to tell me about some cute boys in her classes, so it can't be all bad right?! She went over and Grandma gave her warm cookies and milk. (yeah for grandmas!!) The next day was a little better and the next was a bit better so I am hoping that this week will be a bit better each day. She has 2 AP classes and a nursing class which are really going to keep her busy. She is in yearbook and says the teacher is great and alot of fun. She has to take early morning seminary since she is a transfer student to make sure she has enough credits to graduate. (She was so looking forward to those half days seniors get in AZ...) Oh well.

Michelle's first day was ok except she couldn't get her locker opened. It took her till the third day to be able to do it herself. I don't think that she really minded though because a "cute" boy in our ward helped her open it several times. (hm.... maybe she just doesn't WANT to open it herself?) She has a few friends that seem like they will be good. A few of them play basket ball. She is hoping to try out for it.

Both Shan and Michelle went to the football game on Friday night. They were surprised at how much school spirit there is here. They said that people actually listen to the cheerleaders and yell and such. Too bad they lost!

Rachel's first day was good and bad because she couldn't get her locker open the last part of the day AND she missed her transfer bus to get home. They bus all the kids from High school and Middle school to the Jr high school and then they get on their bus that takes them home. She got to the Jr high ok but she didn't know where her bus was so she told someone she couldn't find her bus and they radioed to her bus, it had already left so it stopped and another bus that was going that way took her to her bus. She was a little embarrassed and flustered but other than that it was good. She has a couple of girls that she has become friends with. She has had to wear her boot because being on her foot too long makes it hurt more.

Jenna LOVED her first days. She has lots of friends and loves her teacher. The other day she came running in the house needing a baggie to put a frog in that they were trying to catch at the bus stop. Crazy nut! She has really been missing Brad the last two days. She even cried yesterday for him. I had a hard time not crying too!

The weather her has been so amazing!! We actually have a fall now! Haven't experienced that in 22 years! (I know, I know.... we will be freezing in a month or so...)

First Day of school in VERNAL Utah

Well after an almost 3 month long summer, it is finally time to go back to school. The girls were most defiantly nervous but rightly so, who wouldn't be starting a new school in a new town only knowing 2 or 3 people at the most. They all looked darling! Cute clothes, (not purchased in Vernal for the older two ha ha), cute smiles and way cute personalities!!

Shannon went to early morning seminary at 6:30 "blink blink" but what a great way to start your day! She has a schedule that I think she will like. Here's to Shannon's Senior year!! I know you will do great Shan!!Michelle starts her sophomore year with a smile on her face! Hope it is still there when she comes home! She has a few people she has already met and she also has her two cousins Preston and Brigham to watch out for her. I think she will do just fine! Go Shell!!Rachel gets to go to Middle School (6th & 7th) at our "old" jr high. They change classes and have lockers. She was a little scared about her locker and finding all her classes but I'm sure it will all be fine. She wore her boot today since her foot was killing her when we went to the back to school night. Still not quite healed up all the way. She will find lots of friends and do fantastic!Last but not least, here is cute Jenna! She is now a Davis Dragon! We went to the back to school night last night for her and she loved her school. We bought her a hoodie and t shirt so she could show her school spirit, (and they were closing out the vintage model t-shirts so they were a Great deal) I think the new ones aren't as cute anyway. She did have on her mugg boots with this outfit but I finally convinced her to wear tennies since it isn't cold enough for boots (and it looked a little funny...ha ha) We really miss Brad but we are so blessed to have such amazing girls! They are so strong and brave being willing to do these new hard things! They all rode their different buses this morning (except shan who drove herself and will bring Michelle home with her) but they did it without even a hesitation. Here's to a great new year!!

Ummm.... Thanks?

Our nice Aunt Susan brought us over some zucchini. HUGE I might add. She said she had extra and would bring us some. I was expecting 2 or 3 small ones.... oh no! 3 monster ones!

The girls got a big kick out of how huge they were. We used one to make a casserole and another to just fry up to eat (well half of it) the other half we are going to make some bread and the third, well....shhhh don't tell, threw it away. It was too big and seedy. Our next great surprise from our favorite Uncle Clark came today as Jenna came in carrying this! Can you tell what it is? YES a dead skunk !, decomposed, half gone, etc. He tied it to a rope and put in onto he back of Grandpa's truck so Jenna could bring it home. Thanks!? Jen thought it was so cool! Um.... it's in the TRASH!!!!! hmmmmm what can we give him to thank him properly? think think think.....:)

Birthday FHE and Birthday

One of the reasons we moved back home is to be able to enjoy our family. This past week we had a great time celebrating Grandma's Birthday. Aunt Maria and her family had come out to go down the river (which was awesome!) and they stayed, listened to us talk in church, came over for grandma's birthday dinner and had cake and ice cream. Then later that evening when everyone else was out of church we had another round of cake and ice cream. Here is Grandpa just taking it all in. Then the next night we had FHE with a great lesson by Uncle Clark on being obedient and then we celebrated Aunt Linda's birthday! It was really fun to be able to be here for it all.
Next major event is the arrival of our new niece! Aunt Amy will be having her next week!! And she won't be a year old before we see her in person!

UHS Cheer camp

Rachel and Jenna signed up for a week long cheer camp that the high school cheerleaders were putting on. Rachel still had to wear her boot so she couldn't do the jumps and such. She was in the 9-11 yr group. She made a couple of friends that will be starting 6th grade in the middle school with her so that was a bonus. Jenna was very loud (imagine that) and enthusiastic, although she was always a half a beat behind she showed alot of spirit!

They went each day from 10 to 11:30 and then on Friday they cheered for the "Red and White" game and did the dance they had learned. Their cousin Kayla was one of the cheerleaders so they had a lot of fun.

EFY...Stay at home style!

Shannon and Michelle went to Orem for EFY this year. They stayed with our nephew Paul and his wife Emily. Stay at home efy is the same as regular efy just no sleeping over. and.....only 1/3 the cost!! I would highly recommend it!! Shannon said that this was the best session she has ever been to. Bro Wilcox was the director over her session. He even remembered her from the stake fireside and having Brandon ask her out on her birthday in front of everyone!! Michelle chillin with some friends in her company.

The girls with their "girl" counselors.

They even got to see SANTA!!! ha ha :)

They both absolutly loved their experience. Michelle wished it could have lasted for 2 weeks. If only the spiritual high could last forever!! Money WELL spent!!

Adventures in Vernal!

This big old dinosaur greets you as you enter Vernal. He is sporting a cowboy hat and bandanna because it was rodeo days right upon our arrival. We got to go to a demolition derby as part of the festivities. (see story below) This is one of our neighbors. YES!!! someone has a pet pig who lives in the neighborhood behind us. The girls found this out on a Sunday afternoon stroll.

Jenna just chillin in Grandma and Grandpa's tree!!

Shannon and Aunt Linda Excited to be at Shannon's first ever demolition derby!

Here we are at the beginning. Linda said there were alot more cars last year which made it lots more fun. These cars are being judged on their paint job. There was a car painted to look like wood and also one that looked like a shark. Those were our favorites!

Ready......Set.......Go!!! It really was quite fun seeing the cars crash into each other. Some were pretty wimpy others very aggressive!

Backwards, forwards, any which way!They keep crashing till only one is left moving.Hitting in the front causes this! We were waiting for it to burst into flames...but that didn't happen. It was lots of fun. We got to go with aunts, uncles and cousins which made it even more fun!! Good times! :)

Our New Home

Here is our new house (for the time being) Right across the street from Grandma Manwaring. We love it! Grandma has a sign she posts in her window when it's ok for the girls to come over and visit. It's been a great idea. It gives them their privacy when they want it and lets the girls know when they won't be disturbing them.

Brad's little car sits outside of the garage but will soon have Shannon driving it all over. We will be sad to see the old license gone which his friends named the yuck mobile hence the letters on the plates "yck"

I love the porch! It is so nice to sit outside and enjoy the nice weather. The girls all have their own rooms which they think is heavenly. The bad part is they can't blame someone else when their room is messy!! :) We are getting used to our new ward, not the same as Coronado 1st but really! will we ever find one to measure up? It is a nice ward and according to the girls even has a few "cute" boys. Jenna has found some boys that will play with her. I don't know if they will be as tolerant as Gabe and Christopher but we'll give it a try!

U-Haul and the looooong ride to Vernal

It's hard to believe this is really happening. It took two truckloads filled to the brim to get all of our stuff moved. 22 years ago Spencer and I moved down here to Arizona with everything we owned in the back of his dad's pick up truck. Now moving back home, with 5 kids, 2 truckloads of stuff and millions of memories!

This brought tears to my eyes as I took the picture. Happy trails!

We close this chapter of our book and open to a new one.

Goodbye Elder Kendall

These past few months have been so full of emotions for our family. Happy, sad, melancholy, thrilled, apprehensive, terrified....just to name a few. Not just surrounding sending Brad off but having our family move from the only place our children have ever known.

This is Brad's room just 3 days before he left. Good thing he has a great mom who helped him get it all packed into his suitcases!! This is Brad's "Last Supper" He chose In-N-Out. We had just come from getting him set apart so he truly is "Elder Kendall" here.

Giving Grandma and Grandpa a call to say goodbye just before we left for the airport.

Checking in at the airport. Shannon is putting on a "happy" face! The girls actually did great till he hugged us all goodbye.

The rest of the girls waiting for him to get everything checked in. Rachel was really embarrassed to have a wheelchair but boy did it save her tired arms and leg.

Some kind man took a final picture for us just before he hugged us all goodbye.

Does this look like a HAPPY missionary or what? Just minutes before he walked to security.
He was wearing his glasses because he woke up Monday morning with an eye infection so wasn't able to wear his contacts for a week. But the doctor gave us some anti biotic drops and we sent him on his way.

Last pic! Wish I could have gotten a picture of him right after he left this point. He walked a few steps down the walkway, turned and gave us a humongous smile waved vigorously and walked on down towards his gate. His expression said "YES! I am finally going!!! I've waited for this my whole life!"

...and here are his sisters right after he left. It was a VERY quiet ride home except for Jenna saying "Stop crying, stop crying!" ha ha... gotta love that girl. When we were in Vernal the week before, she was swinging on the bench swing with Brad. this was the conversation...

Jenna: Brad, you better not die in Africa!

Brad: Why?

Jenna: Cause you're the only brother I have!

It does seem a bit empty without him but he is so thrilled to finally be part of "God's Army" He loves it in Africa and I know he will be a great missionary!

Saying goodbye is so hard to do!

Saying goodbye is the hardest thing. I am so glad that we have internet, facebook, email, texting and phones. It has been an amazing 22 years living in Arizona. We met people who changed our lives, people who truly touched our souls and people we will NEVER forget!
I am soooooooo grateful we had such great friends!

Shan and Jessie at a "goodbye" party. Oh the things we let our friends do!? yikes!!
This is our last family pic in our old home. 2 days before Brad left on the night of his open house.

We love you Arizona friends!!! You will forever be in our "family" book!!

Thanks for loving and accepting us.

Great Activity Day Leaders!

Sister Jones and Sister Miles brought Jenna over a Humongous cookie even though she was moving they told her they would miss having her in their group. awwww, thanks!!

Last Sunday Nap in Arizona

This was the last Sunday in Arizona. We had already taken up a load and hence didn't have any couches to sleep on. We DID have pillows though.

Jenna's Baptism

Jenna was baptized on July 17, 2010. It was an extra special day because it was Brad's 19th birthday and he is the one she chose to baptize her. I think it made the day more special for Brad too.
Grandma and Grandpa Manwaring were there. Grandpa gave the talk on the Holy Ghost and Grandma gave the prayer.

Uncle Bruce got the privilege of leading the music.....It was Jenna who picked. Bruce needs to go back to primary and learn the words....Silly guy! He did a great job and was a good sport!

Uncle Clark got to give the talk on baptism. He did an awesome job, right on her level. It was so great to have so much family there!

Grandma and Grandpa Kendall helped too. Grandpa confirmed her and Grandma gave the other prayer.

Lots of uncles were there to help with the confirmation. It really made me realize how much we missed living far away. Defiantly fun to have lots of family to celebrate with us. This was the last baptism for our family.