Lengthy Post

so..... it always takes me so long to update this... We have been so busy recently, so I will start with current and work back! Last weekend, my older sister Heather got married! Her and Fredy got married in the dc temple, then we drove through tropical storm Hanna (it was HORRIBLE) to jersey for the reception later that evening. We had such a blast! The dj was awesome, the food delicious, and we rocked the reception until LATE! Heather looked gorgeous, and Fredy looked so handsome. the boys even stayed and danced until well after 10, and M even picked up a girlfriend. It was the first time the 6 of us kids had been together in a super long time, and Kelly and Holly had never met fredy, and none of us but Heather had ever met Hollys boyfriend Koji, so we had a blast hanging out....



Heather and my dad


Lyndsay and Kelly

the boys having a great time


the happy couple!

my aunt, uncle, a few cousins, and my family

















holly and koji









we went for another 4d sonogram a few weeks ago, and it is still a girl! She looks just like van did in his sonogram pics, and you can see her hair in the pictures. the technician was amazed at how much hair she has!





van started preschool! His teacher this year is Ms. Kim, and we LOVE her! M had her 2 years ago, and she is just such a sweet person, I am so glad Van got her, I don't know any other teacher there who could handle him quite as well as she can. Van going back to school means I went back to school. We actually have a great class this year, very few criers, which is amazing, and we just moved to a new building over the summer, so we have an awesome new classroom. I love it! van still hasn't learned to smile for pictures.... he still has that horrible cheese face.

Van and good friend

My friend Kelly threw me a shower 2 weeks ago to celebrate Carringtons upcoming arrival. We had to schedule it early, so it didn't interfere with football games... the pain of living in a college town... Her mom Donna made the cake, and Kelly made this adorable diaper cake. She held it on the weekend my mom and dad were in town, moving my youngest sister Lyndsay onto campus, so they came! It was really fun having my mom meet some of my friends up here, and getting to be there. Even though she only lives 2 hrs away, it is hard with her work schedule to make it up here often for things like that.

It has become something of a tradition for the boys and I to go to smith mountain lake with Kelly and her kids late summer. The lake is always dead, and her in laws own a lake front home so we get to BBQ and swim without worrying abt trying to keep everyone close. Brian took us out on his boat, but T was the only one of my boys brave enough to try tubing. It was so funny watching him fly through the air whenever Brian hit waves. Van wasn't so sure abt the boat at first but totally warmed up to it as we went along.

Jo, Christian, M, T, Julia

Hokie football season... We got together with some friends for the last open practice of the year before the official kickoff of the season. It is always fun to go watch these practices, as you get great seats, and it doesn't matter if the kids really watch the game or not bc you didn't have to pay 40.00 to bring them. (plus the kettle corn is the BEST!) I took the flattering pic of #67 for you Lauren and Mike! hope you enjoy your cousins belly;-)

After the game we went to macados with some friends... What a fun way to start the weekend!

Yea! school started for the older boys mid august! They each have awesome teachers, M is in K and has the same teacher both of his older brothers had, Jo started 2nd, and T is in 3rd and got the teacher I wanted him to have. Everyone (but T) was excited, and it was so weird only having 1 at home. This is the first time since Jo was born that i have been home alone w/ only 1... I still don't get as much done as I wish, but it sure is easier to run errands!

And finally, the biggest news... In august T and his cousin got baptized. we waited until Aug. even though T turned 8 in march so he could do it the same time as his cousin. We had such an awesome weekend! it was so special, and we loved having so many family members able to be there for his special day.