A New School Year!

I didn't take pictures of my kids on the first day of school. I felt only slightly guilty about it as I saw all of the cute, nicely dressed kids with their new backpacks on their parents' Facebook pages. Really, picture day should be the first day of school, the students are dressed better on the first than all others. Anyway, Harker is in 8th grade. Hyrum is in 6th, at the middle school now with his brother. Natalie is in 3rd, and Nathan is in 1st. I am teaching 5th this year again and I am happy to say that I survived this first week back. I definitely earned every penny. Everyday got better and I am starting to remember why I love teaching. I have a room full of students that I am already growing attached to, and I love being at the school with two of my kiddos. Eric, my nephew, is in the room next to mine and  I love to see him smile and wave at me as he goes by. A highlight of mine is walking my students down the hall and hearing a "HI MOM!" come from a classroom. 

Natalie's Baptism Pictures

Natalie's Baptism

Natalie was baptized on August 3, 2014. It was a Sunday evening and such a special time. Harker gave a talk on baptism, Grandma Mangum gave a talk on the Holy Ghost. Brad is a counselor in the Bishopric so he got to conduct the meeting, Stake President Tommy Haws presided. Her Grandpa Mangum and Uncle Joe Mangum were the witnesses. Ida and Hyrum gave the prayers. Afterwards, we gathered at Dorothy and Bart's house for treats. It was such a great evening.

Natalie's 8th Birthday Party

Natalie wanted to go to Chuck E Cheese to celebrate her birthday so we loaded up and went to Albuquerque. She got a special birthday crown, lots of tokens and 30 seconds in the ticket blaster. She had a chocolate cake that was yummy and lots of time to play games. Chuck also came out to dance and sing for her and she suddenly got very shy. Afterwards, we went to Toys R Us and she pick out her presents including a robot dog. 

El Morro Trip 2014

We set off this morning to one of my favorite places. I love to hike El Morro! It is so pretty and peaceful, and the hike is so fun over the rocks. Tyler Haws went with us and he, Harker and Hyrum were such gentlemen helping Natalie, Nathan and I over the hard spots and puddles. When we finished the hike a Ranger met up with us and asked us how the trip was. Nathan reported, "Great and none of us complained!" It was true! We had a picnic lunch and then stopped at the Lewis Post on the way home for ice cream.

Martin Family Reunion 2014

Panama City

We had the opportunity to go to Panama City for four days. We stayed at a very cool hotel that was right on the beach. Mom and Aunt Audrey had a room only a couple of doors down and so we got to bug them a lot. My cousin Chris and his family came down for the first day and played on the beach with us. It was so great to relax, watch the kids play, and visit with my mom. My dad was not able to come on the trip as his sister had just passed away. My favorite part of the trip was the night Brad and I walked along the beach together. He even sang to me!

Road Trip 2014

This summer we loaded up the 12 passenger van and headed east. Went went through 10 states, got to attend the Martin Family Reunion, and spent some time in Panama City at the beach in Florida. We had a great time and are so happy we went. We took pictures with all of the state signs, I am not quite sure what happened to the Alabama sign picture.

Nathan is Six!

Nathan turned six on June 17th. We had family over for a pizza party, cupcakes and ice cream. He is such a fun little boy and I can't believe my baby is getting so big.

Teenager Alert!!!

Harker turned 13 on the 15th of June. It was also Father's Day and he was very nice to share some attention with his father. Since his birthday was on a Sunday, we did some some stuff the day before. After church on his birthday, we went to the Grandparents Mangum's house for a yummy dinner and cake and ice cream. Harker got a phone for his birthday which was quite a surprise for him and he also got money for his first Boy Scout camp which is coming up soon.

Grandparents

Brad's grandparents: Sharon (Frost) and Steve Maynerich

Tacos!

For Hyrum's birthday this year, Brad brought tacos and pizza to the class. One of the perks of having your mom teach in your school is that you can get out of your class to go party with your mom and siblings!

Cousin Time!

Spring Break

My parents came out for Spring Break and we went to Pine Top- Lakeside in Arizona. It was a lot of fun and it was a great get away. We were even able to go to the Snowflake AZ Temple.

NJHS

Harker was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society this year!

Boy Scouts

The boys love scouts and they actually got to go on their first camp out together because Brad went with them. They camped out and then did a service project racking a hiking trail.

Mom's Birthday!

We went to Albuquerque for my birthday this year, we did some shopping and ran errands. I love BBQ so I chose to go to Rudy's for breakfast and it was yummy! 

Arrow of Light

Hyrum received his Arrow of Light award in March. It was a great program and we are very proud of him!

Upside Down

Brad has always wanted an inversion table and he finally got one this year. I have to say that I like it better than I though I would. I even go straight up and down and stay that way until I feel like my ankles are going to rip apart!

The Dentist

Nathan had to have a tooth pulled this year and a spacer put in. He was such a trooper. It did help that he got to watch TV while the dentist worked.

Girl Scouts

Natalie fished her first year of Brownies, her third year in Girl Scouts. She sold 312 boxes of cookies this year, beating her previous record. She loves attending and she has a super troop that helps her earn lots of patches and they are always doing fun activities and service projects. I found my old Brownie Girl Scout sash in the garage and she thought it was pretty cool that I used to be a Brownie too.

Army Brats!

Katie posted this picture not long ago and I wanted to save it in my blog journal. 

Me and My Guy 2014

In February, Brad and Natalie enjoyed a special night together. I was so happy for them and so jealous at the same time.