Noah's Birthday and Catch Up...

So, the big Noah Balboa is 7 YEARS OLD. (That first picture is Conner holding Noah when we first brought him home from the hospital). He has been so excited for his birthday this year but ALL of his little buddies went out of town for Labor Day weekend, so we headed up to stay the night in Cincinnati. Grant was already working up there so we just met him at the hotel. When we walked in, he had the room decorated with balloons, gifts and a birthday cake for Noah. He was SO surprised! We swam, ordered room service (the kids FAVORITE part of vacations) and watched a movie. In the morning, we went to the Aquarium and Gameworks Arcade. Noah said that it was just like Christmas! SCORE! It's not everyday we get that kind of response, especially without any, "I'm bored", "Can we go now?", or "Stop touching me!". It was a great weekend with some great kiddos - they do have their moments (which is why we keep them)!

I wish I had some pictures of the first day of school but they are only on my camera. We have to be OUT the door at 7:15am for school and that morning was pure chaos. Taking a picture NEVER ever crossed my mind until I was about the only one without a camera at the school. So, I am now that mom, (and by that mom, I totally mean Mother of the Year...again) that just has a couple sad pics on my phone that I can't really share.

Conner is in 6th grade which is middle school here. He loves the fact that they change classes every hour and has a locker to go to between classes. HOWEVER, he has informed me that he is thee only person IN THE WORLD that does not have a cell phone. Before he was in middle school I would have laughed, mocked, teased, anything but feel sympathetic. And, while I still am not sympathetic, I do worry about him not being able to get ahold of me when he needs to. Middle school is a whole new world from Elementary. Thankfully he is a good kid, because OH MY GOODNESS the things that are going on at such a young age!

Abigail loves 4th grade. She loves all her friends and loves doing anything and everything. She just started dance and is trying out for the jump rope team next week. I am also working on her to play basketball with the boys in the winter. We will see...

Noah is in 1st grade and is pretty indifferent to it. It's fine, he doesn't complain but he would much rather not be sitting in a classroom. His favorite part is playing tag with all the ladies and football with the boys at recess. He is learning how to read and is just the sweetest thing around. He & Sam just started soccer and he will play basketball in the winter. He can't wait to be old enough to play lacrosse though!

Sam sam sam. He starts preschool on Tuesday. Hallelujiah. He has been so bored since the kids started school. He is growing like a weed and is one tough little kid. He loves loves loves soccer, I think it is because he finally has something that is his own. He talks about how much he loves his Brody and Brinks and still doesn't quite understand why we can't see them all the time. I try to tell him that everyone is far away, but he just says we can drive far away to get them.

As for Grant and I...I am just a chubby tired middle aged pregnant person trying to hang in there until this baby is born. We are pretty decided on naming him Ammon George, even though Noah is still holding out for Max. I really am doing good though. No more sickness and finally feeling back at home here. Grant is doing great. He is super busy and works a lot. He is on the High Council which means he speaks once a month and travels a couple other Sundays during the month to visit wards (some of our wards in the stake are far away) on top of his 12 hour days, so he is usually pretty tired. I am hoping he can figure out a way to get some sleep before this baby comes so that we are not both walking zombies!

We love being back in our home ward here and the people here, but our hearts ACHE for you all. We love you so very much and are counting down the days until we can meet you in Newport! xoxo