A first for us.

I never really thought that this day would come. It seemed so far in the future that I never really was concerned about it.......... until now. Everyone says how "they grow up so fast" and it is something I believe. But what made us take this step, the answers really aren't that clear. Ben and I discussed how this would help Cael in developing social skills, adjusting to different environments, and other well intentioned thoughts. There was no turning back. We were going to do this.... and we have done this. The elementary school in our area offers a 3 hour Pre-K program for several categories of children. One of the qualifications include active duty military families (which we are). So after making the necessary steps, we enrolled him in and the wheels were set it motion.

Monday September 25th. Cael's first day of School (Pre-K, but still)

There is a small gathering of parents and children in front of the school. There are several emotions present: nervousness, excitement, and even joy on some "veteran" parents faces. My boy was excited, I could tell, but I wasn't so sure I felt the same. Was I doing the right thing? Could I really do it?

After the teacher walked through the doors and had the kids form a line. Cael stood dutifully and waited for the line to make the move for the inside of the building. I gave him a kiss, told him to be good, and hugged him tightly. He looked so big, and yet he is only my 4 year old boy. As he began to move forward, he looks back at me and smiles.

My boy is going to do just fine....

but am I?

Well.... After wiping away my tears (and seeing a few other mothers doing the same) I took my other little man away and we spend some quality time together. And by quality time and mean he takes a nap and I clean the house. Hey, it works. Yes I will be fine. It is only 3 hours. It's been a week now. I've adjusted and I made it.

but No-- I haven't got over the fact that Cael is growing up and our family is "busy" during the week. He has school EVERY DAY from 12-3 (I know, it's not that long) but everyday? It is just something we've adjusted to and I'm sure I'll get used to the fact that he is no longer my little baby. It will take time... but I will be fine.

Wyoming part 2

I better finish up our vacation... so here it goes:

My mom and dad planned a "family reunion" the weekend of Aug 1-3, so after the wedding (mentioned earlier) down in UTAH and the dinner party that evening in Evanston, we drove another 2 1/2 hours up to my parents new home on the 'ranch' that night! Believe me, that was a busy day for sure. Saturday morning rolls in (after a very chilly night sleeping in a tent) and we begin by playing some doubles tennis... lots of fun... Then after breakfast, whom ever was able loaded up and we played 9 holes of golf. It was one of my better rounds so that made me happy! ****Thanks Jess and Mom for watching my boys so I could go play! We also floated down the Salt River and then the rest of the day was spent chatting and playing yard games together. It was a blast!

I tried to get pictures, but I didn't get everyone. Here are the ones I got:

My brother Derek, his lovely wife Allie and munchkin Lily



next my Sister Aimee and her main squeeze Eric (It was nice to meet him for the first time)


My brother Dusty, his honey Jess and little man Tyson

My Brother Ryan and our lovely Grandma Mary Hoopes and Denise Ivory


Here the men are loading up the truck with as many tubes as we can for floating down the river. Good Job GUYS!


That Monday, most everyone that was still around headed to a traditional summer family spot on the North Shore of Bear Lake. The weather was gorgeous and the water was fantastic! This was Brecon's first experience with sand and it was a great one! He only ate a couple of handfuls of the stuff :) No really, he loved it! He really was so excited about the "shallow" wash area, you know where the water is almost "too warm"? Well, he just would get so excited, lay on his tummy and soak it all in. It was a party!

Cousin Tyson and Brecon enjoying some play time in the water... so cute!


This was taken immediately after Cael had been buried up to his neck in sand. He fought his way out and he doesn't look happy at all, does he? More like "BRING IT ON AGAIN"!


Like I said before, we really enjoyed seeing our brothers and sisters and moms and dads and other extended family and spending time with them. It has been a long time since we have ALL been together. So even though it was only a short while, it really meant so much to us. We often feel sad because we live so far away from all of our family members. We talk on the phone and we hear about a family party or how the family all went camping, or any other simple or special occasion where most all of our family is getting together, and we are sad. There is just something wonderful about having family close by and we feel like we miss out.... That's why we enjoy seeing our family when we get the chance, we appreciate and love and cherish it. We also know that getting together all the time isn't going to be easy, but we will try our best when we get the chance. So thank you to our families for putting up with us during our visit and letting us enjoy our time with you! We love you!



SO....Not to say that we don't love our home, because we do. We have amazing friends who love us and take care of us and they are like our family, only they live close by. Really, they love us and we love them back. It's just nice to have people who feel like family when we live so far away from our real ones. So thank you to our very wonderful friends who put up with us all the time! You guys are the best and we love you too!

OUR TRIP TO WYOMING Part 1

Our trip began when my brother Ryan picked the boys and I up at the airport after a very early flight from San Antonio. We stopped in at my Grandma/pa Bowers house for some yummy sandwiches and then took a gorgeous drive over Guardsmans Pass into Heber City. I've been telling Cael about this mysterious "snow" and we had a fun snowball fight, until Ryan got some snow right in the ear (sorry again brother) You really forget how cold your hands can get holding onto that stuff!

THEN it was on to EVANSTON and our gracious hosts Derek (my brother) and Allie and LILY, who let us play with them for about 4 days. We enjoyed summer school lunches, playing at the park, an "everyone" birthday party (lots of fun), and just relaxing.

UNCLE DEREK and baby BRECON having fun in the Bear River in EVANSTON. We really had some quality time with that body of water. It was cold, but really fun!

Then our journey continued on to Star Valley to stay with my parents. We worked on framing in their unfinished basement, visited family and friends, and spent some RELAXING time on the golf course.

The Whole family on horseback... all we need is a 20 mile ride over the mountains and then we would be set! I guess Grandmas' field and around Fairview will just have to do...

Ben and the boys after a good ride.

Spending time at the SVR Pool... what a view! The water is warm, but when you get out that coooooooolllll breeze makes you start the shiver.

ALSO, exciting events took place while we were up visiting. Ben's little brother Joseph went through the Temple and Ben was his escort. It was a beautiful and special day to be at the Temple with most of the Platt siblings and spouses. We were very glad we were there for Joseph's special day!

And..... The next week Ben's Dad Eugene and Doreen were married in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple. Congratulations to the happy couple!

and All the beautiful people (family) who was there included:

Brandon and Mandi and their boys: Corbin (4), Hadley(2) and Brayden (5 weeks). Mandi is my hero--- she seriously just had a baby and here she is!

Shawn and Carissa (minus Carissa) Her brother was getting married in Rexburg the same day. We missed you Carissa! We're going to photoshop her in... as soon as we get around to it :0)

Garrett and Cynthia and their boys: Jonathan(4), Gabe (2) and Jacob (4 months). What a beautiful FAMILY!

Amanda and Benjamin Haws and Vince... (also Ben and Brecon in the background, and Cael next to Vince) It's my favorite picture of their family... plus most of my family too!

Josh and Necha and their girls: TESSA (almost2) and MAGGIE (almost1). Bless Necha's heart... she was running and fever and not feeling well at all, but she was there with a smile. She's my hero too!

And last but not least... Ben and Becky and the boys: Cael (4) and Brecon (1). This was taken in Evanston, but if anyone took our picture at the Temple in UTAH, please send it to me :) I would greatly appreciate it.

Really... there is nothing like spending quality time with family and being there for special family events. It is a great way to spend the summer! We were very thankful to make the journey (and put a few miles on my mothers car while we're at it). But our trip isn't over yet.... it's just getting late and I need to go to bed.

Coming up:

The Hoopes Family Reunion, BEAR LAKE, and traveling back home....