Virginia Beach

Last weekend we got to go to Virginia Beach and be with our good friends the Dudley's.  Matt was one of Bret's roommates who married Heather, one of my roommates.  They have five beautiful children, all  pretty close to the ages of our kids.  I can't believe that we spent an entire weekend with them and didn't get one picture of them or their kids.  We drove down to their place Friday afternoon and then went and spent Saturday at the beach together and came back home Sunday morning.

The waves were huge and the kids spent literally all day boogie boarding.  Literally we had to drag them out of the ocean after 9 hours. 

Every time we make it down to Virginia Beach we always talk about how we need to go more often.  It only takes 3 1/2 hours for us to get there and we have so much fun!  Hopefully next spring/summer and fall we'll be there more.

Gavin's First Day of Preschool

Today was Gavin's first day of preschool.

Can you tell this kid was excited or what?  I can't believe that next year brings kindergarten!!!

First Day of School

I can't believe it's already here!  Grayson is sleeping, Gavin is playing with Lego's, brownies are baking in the oven, the house is quiet and my big kids are gone!  Man alive did the summer ever fly by.

McKenna was so excited for her first day of fourth grade...she and Abby both woke up at 4:00 a.m. and were not able to go back to sleep.  I'll have two very tired girls come later today.

 "Fourth Grade...Oh yeah."

 And my big second grader...

 I can't get enough of this cheesy toothless grin!

 Off to elementary school...next year Gavin will be joining these two!

 McKenna and Mrs. Elsie

 Zachary and Mrs. Hyde

 Abby's school actually starts an hour later then the other kids.  Which will make for great mornings with her, but I don't like the fact that she wont be getting home until 4:30 every day!

 Watch out middle school...here she comes!!!

 (Check out her GINORMOUS lunch box!!!  The thing could be a back pack in and of itself.)

I have so many conflicting emotions today.  I miss my kids.  I love having them around.  But I am so excited for them and the things that await them.  I love that they love school.  I love the good friends that they are and that they make.  I love the good choices they make and how they stand up for what they believe in.  I love how much they learn and how hard they work.  I love how much fun they have.  And lets be real...Zachary and Gavin are in some real need of separation right about now.

I can't believe that Abby is right now sitting in some class in middle school.  When did this happen that she's gotten this old?  I am SO very excited for her.  These are some hard years ahead of her, but she's going to do great.  She knows who she is and is confident in herself.  She loves the Lord and has a testimony of His restored gospel.  She loves her family and hanging out together.  She's got a great group of friends and is ready and excited to make new friends.

It's going to be a great year!

Crane Family Suimmer Olympics

We love Olympic years!  Typically on the opening day of the Olympics we do our own family Olympics and then have food from the hosting country that night for dinner and watch the opening ceremonies.  Because we were in Bear Lake this year when the games started we waited until we were home and did it on the closing day of the Olympic Games.

We had gymnastics on the tramp..

The long jump....

 

The shot put...

50 yard dash

The bike race

Events not pictures....swimming, diving and balance beam