Let it Snow?

I took Sierra to school on Friday...

after dropping her off, I took the rare

opportunity to crank up the volume and jam to some music...

not expecting to find Michael Buble singing....

"LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW"

Apprently 95.5 here in Austin has decided to play CHRISTMAS music in the morning starting NOW!

Yeah! Cause that's what I need 3 days from the HOTTEST summer on record EVER in AUSTIN!!

A reminder of what is yet to come for 3 more months... COOLER WEATHER!

BAHH HUM BUG!

1st Day of School!

Sierra started 4th grade on Tuesday!

That's pretty awesome.

She was super excited and a little nervous to start school this year. We are attending a new school...and no we haven't moved.

It's a long story that I am not getting into, but suffice it to say that after meeting the teacher, seeing the 1st day and reading the behavior contract I signed last night... I COULD NOT BE HAPPIER! I think that this Elementary school is going to be exactly what my child needs.

I love when I am taught much needed lessons ike... trust the Lord.

So on to the good stuff...the pictures!

Looking all cute in her Downeast Outfit from Utah..thanks Aunt Elyse!

(I hope Savannah looked just as cute Brooke!)

Let's talk about "The Haircut"....Sierra came to me on Monday and informed me that she DID want a haircut. We have been having this discussion for weeks. When we got to the salon, I asked Sierra what she wanted..all she said was," I want a bob!" I said, " But, then you can't pull your hair back, let's get a bob but keep it longer..." Okay! Great! Sierra gets called back, she climbs in the seat, the lady asks her what she wants, and without hesitation Sierra says....." I WANT BANGS!"

WHAT!!!

This was not what we discussed! The discussion begins again ..and I figured what the hey..this women is a professional, she won't let my child walk out of here deformed, let Sierra have a little independance.

I also think it turned out pretty cute, and I thought Sierra had made a great choice for herself- all by herself...My little independant fashionista....

Later that night Sierra is watching the Disney Channel and Selena Gomez pops on screen with a short, cute bob with bangs...and Sierra says..."THATS why I wanted bangs!"(Selena's haircut is shorter than this now...but the bangs are right)

SERIOUSLY! IT STARTS!!!

But, it could be worse...she could want to be dressing like Lyndsey Lohan...or {gasp} Lady Gaga!

Ostler Family Adventure: G&G Coombs Edition

Part of this trip to Utah was spent in Hurricane, Ut with my Grandparents- the Coomb's. OH! How I love them...I remember vacations visiting them when I was a little girl.

I remember fishing at Strawberry Reservoir, catching Rainbow trout and coming home and frying them up. I remember trips to Salem Park and using leaves as boats and racing them down the stream to the pond with Cousin "Matt-a-hue". I remember Swimming at the Payson Swimming Pool and jumping off the high dive with Grandpa Coombs cheering us on. I remember that was the only time in my life his 6ft 7in frame looked small to me. I remember him letting me drive his tractor out in the back lawn- all by myself. I remember their red room and the water bed we would sleep on. I remember trips to Polar Queen for Hamburgers and they tasted so good! I remember the smell of Grandpa's waffles in the morning, served with butter and Grandma's homemade Raspberry Jam...YUMMO!! But, most important I remember how much my Grandma and Grandpa Coombs smiled when we walked in the door, and how much they LOVED ME!! One of my favorite things is getting my faced rubbed with day-old stubble, and the smell of coffee. Both of these things come from Grandpa Coombs. I loved climbing into his big, strong lap while he had his morning cup of coffee and he would rub his unshaven face on mine, and I would laugh and he would laugh! OH! THAT LAUGH!! Deep routed in the gut laughter- another one of my favorite things!

I am so happy that I was able to take my kids to visit the Coomb's. They had the same smile on their face when they saw my kids.. that look of pure love and joy! I am so glad that we were able to spend time with them and create memories for my kids to share with them as well.

Here are the highlights!

One of our favorite days was when we went with Grandpa to St. George and went to the St. George Temple Visitor's Center. We also went to Brigham Young's Winter home. We had such a great time that day! It was perfect!

WE LOVE OUR GRANDPA AND GRANDMA COOMBS!

Me, the kids and The Coomb's at Zion's National Park. A must see when you are only a 30 minute drive away!

Grandpa making his famous WAFFLES!!!! Sierra helped Grandpa make breakfast every morning. He taught her how to make steamed eggs, sausage and had her help him with the waffles...she had such a fun time and they made such a great breakfasts!

Grandpa suggested we go to the Dinosaur Museum in St. George while we were visiting and the kids had a blast "digging" for fossils!

At the Museum we picked up these dinosaurs kits, where the "dinosaur" was encased in plaster and you had to excavate them out...Logan loved it and he sat at the kitchen table working on his dinosaur for the longest time.. he was VERY proud when we finally got it out!

WE LOVE YOU GUYS!

Can't wait to see you again soon!

Ostler Family Adventure: Grand Canyon Edition

We had a GREAT time on our trip to Utah this month! We decided to drive this time and because of that choice we faced both challenges and blessings! One of the challenges was the drive..let's face it 48 hours in a car (round trip) is not on the list of musts for anyone but.. the blessings were equally as great. The kids were AWESOME and we got to see some AMAZING things! Because we drove to Utah this year, we decided to visit my Grandpa and Grandma Coombs. Two of my FAVORITE people in the WHOLE WORLD, and because we were headed to the St. George area..the South Rim of the Grand Canyon ended up being just an hour and a half out of the way. Really, was there another choice?...not if you say Paul's face! Here are some of the highlights from:

OSTLER FAMILY ADVENTURE: GRAND CANYON EDITION

Our first stop was Mather Point..words can not describe the views. Oh! and just as a tid-bit of info... This was exactly were President Obama visited when he came a week later... I always knew I was a trendsetter! Hehehe!

While visiting Mather Point Logan was determined to take a flying leap off the edge...we stopped him...but he needed comfort in his time of great sorrow...Sierra was his only friend in his time of need...

As we were turning to go visit the Grandview Trailhead this baby deer was on the side of the road... I probably scared him half to death shouting at Paul to "STOP THE CAR!!" But it was so cute!

Sierra and Logan looking at the view from Grandview Trailhead! Logan was REALLY excited to get this close to the edge!! Daredevil!

Desert View Tower...this tower was AMAZING and my personal favorite stop that we made. The Tower was perched on the edge of the South Rim....and was filled with Native American graphics on the inside...a true gem and treat!

Looking up to the Ceiling from the center of the Keva!

This was an "feaux ceiling" there was another floor above the ceiling that you see...the views were BREATH TAKING!

A view from the Desert View Tower... pictures do the view no justice..

Freestyle, Backstroke, Butterfly..OH MY!

Sierra and Logan recently completed their Summer Swimming at Nitro Swim here in Round Rock...they both loved it, and they both want to continue their swimming in the fall. I am so glad that they have both found something they enjoy doing... Logan has NO FEAR of the water and easily passed the first station, putting your face in the water for 5 seconds. The second station proved to be more challenging as he had to do the "starfish float" for 5 seconds. The float wasn't the problem, it was that Logan didn't want to be still. He wanted to kick and swim...heck he is in the water....silly fishy boy! We plan on putting him back in when we get back from vacation and settled into the new school year...I know he'll get it....but he may have taught himself how to swim by then...he's a pretty determined little thing.

The next day we had Sierra's "Meet" on the last day of her Summer Swim league!

Paul was able to have the day off of work and came to the "meet." He ended up volunteering as one of the lane timers. Frankly, I think he got the best seat in the house. He was only one lane away from Sierra's. Stinker!

Lining up, and getting ready for her heat....she was a little nervous...she gets the nail biting from me!

That all important dive position...no fear diving off of those blocks...so proud!

Racing Great! Sierra was awesome..she finished in 3rd in almost every race but the butterfly, she finished 4th out of 8 kids! This was also Sierra's first time in a "swim team." Many of the other kids had obviously done this before.. I was so impressed with the improvement and natural talent that girl has...she was a beauty!

Receiving her participation medal from Coach!

Showing off after all the hard work! Way to Go Sierra!

and a BIG THANK YOU! to Mom and Nate for driving up to Austin to watch Sierra's
"meet!" I know it meant the world to her, because it meant the world to me!

Love you guys!

Now, "make like Nemo and get lost!" ( hehe!)