First Day at the Academy

Well, yesterday Chris had his first official day at the LVMPD academy! I talked to him last night and he was pretty exhausted! He said all in all he has never been yelled at so much in his life. But I guess that was to be expected! He said it was pretty crazy because they make it seem like you just can't do anything right. They had to be lined up by 6:00am and they didn't get off until 6:00pm and in that time period they changed clothes about 5 times because they would be told to go change into their uniforms, but then right when they got their uniforms on, they would come out and get yelled at because they took too long, so he'd make them go back and change into their PT uniforms so they could do more push-ups to make up for taking so long to get their uniforms on! haha... So he says it was a long day of getting told they weren't good enough and they were never going to make it through this academy. He also told me that out of the 30 recruits, 2 already quit! After just one day! I guess that is why they make it so tough, so they weed out the weak ones. As for Chris though, he says the physical work is difficult, but do-able. He has always liked a physical challenge, so that doesn't surprise me. He's also made a few friends already, which is good... he says surprisingly there are a handful from his class that are also LDS too! He says the hardest part of all of this is being away from the girls and me. (awww... so sweet!) He doesn't think he can make it until the beginning of December without us up there. He says he wants us to move up as soon as possible. So I think we will try to bump it up a month and move up the beginning of November instead. I thought it would make things easier on him if we stayed here while he adjusts to the academy for the first couple months, but he says it is more stressful on him not being able to come home to his family every night... poor guy... We miss him too! So we'll see how it all works out... I guess I need to start looking for a house up there... Anyways, I just thought I'd let you all know how he is doing and how his first day went!

We are so proud of you Chris! We love you SO Much! Can't wait til we can all be together again! Keep up the hard work! We'll see you soon!

September Update and Rice Family Pics!

Hello! Wow, I can't believe I've gone this long without a post! I am such a slacker, I know! Well, there isn't much going on right now, but I'll post a quick update on what's happening with our small little family for those of you that I don't get to talk to on a regular basis.
Right now I am up in Vegas with Chris. I came up for a short visit and to attend the Family Orientation night for Chris's job, which was last night. But I am headed home today... :( It has been nice to see Chris and hang out with him! He starts the academy next Monday, the 21st, so I know his life is going to drastically change pretty quick and he will be busy all the time with that. I'm glad I got to come up for a visit before he started, so we could just relax together for a couple days. It has been a nice trip! I am going to miss him when I go home, but I know it is all worth it in the end.
For now, the girls and I are at home, while Chris is living in Vegas. He is temporarily renting a room that he found in an online ad on Craigslist. He says everyone up here is really nice and he likes the ward that he is in, so that is good! The house he is staying in is also occupied by a few other roommates, but they are rarely home, so the house is always quiet. So that will make it easier for him to get all the studying done that he will have to do when the academy starts, which is also nice for him. He says he is very nervous but excited at the same time to start at the academy. I think I am more scared for him than he is! But then again he has always had the desire to join the military, (not that I would EVER let him!), so now he will get a good taste of what that would be like I guess! haha. The girls and I will move up with him the 1st of December, which will give us some time to save up a couple paychecks for the big move! Hopefully that will give me enough time to get the house packed and ready to go! So it should be an interesting next couple months for all of us! I'm sure I will be in Cottonwood spending a lot of time with my mom to pass the time! Plus while I'm in school, its easier to get homework done with someone to help with the kids! Love you MOM!
Well, I think that is about it... We sure love and appreciate all of your love and support that you all show to our family in this time of change! We've got the best friends and family ever! Thanks to you all!

Now here are just a few family pics I wanted to post from our Family Reunion a couple months ago... I just got them from Jolin so I wanted to show them off! hehe! Enjoy!

The WHOLE Fam-Dam-ily!

Our Own Little Family

Chris and I

Grandma & Grandpa! Cute Pic!

Utah Trip

Since Chris is gone, and the girls and I have nothing better to do, I decided this was the perfect time to head up to Provo to visit my sister and her family for a few days!  Luckily, my other sister, Kati, was nice enough to take the trip up with me last week to keep me company on the long drive!  It was a great trip!  We always have fun when us sisters get together!  And believe it or not, there is never a dull moment!  Especially when you're carting around five kids under the age of 5 everywhere you go... That's for sure!  Our trip consisted of lots of fun activities, including a walk down memory lane while watching some old and entertaining family home videos from our childhood, a very interesting trip to the mall, (in which Ava just happened to decide to throw THE BIGGEST TANTRUM I have ever seen her throw in her whole three years of life, which is always embarrassing...  UGH!  But that's a story in itself for another day), and a fun trip to Cornbelly's Cornmaze!  (Which is an awesome fall festival type of thing at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi... Probably the best ever!)  All-in-all, it was a trip to remember!  Here are a few pics!  

Thanks for letting us come visit Wendi!  We all had a blast!  Ava is already missing Jill and Ty everyday!  Love you!

Diaper Changing Time before we walk into the Corn Maze!

 

 

Ava loved dressing up in the Princess Corner.... I hardly recognized her with the wig on!

 

 

Ava's pretty face paint!

 

Ava and I about to walk through the Monster's belly.

 

All the 5 of the Kinkade Grandkids!