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.