The cutest couple marks 16 months together :)

After taking Sahara to do her 16 photos, Sahara and Jared decided to do pictures together as well.  I know there are tons....but they are just so darn cute!!

Sahara is 16

I took Sahara to have her pictures made for her 16th b-day.  Her pup had to be there too :)  

This is one of my favorite ones.

I love the log pictures :)

We went to the beach part of the Arkansas River on Dardanelle side.  It was a great spot.  

She is official now :)

We have another licensed driver in the house!

Happy Sweet Sixteen

The morning before Sahara's party, since Mila and Zach couldn't go, they took her out to breakfast and then to get her ears pierced with her 2nd holes.

Sahara's B-day was at Dixie Cafe in the Soda Fountain. Can you believe 20 were invited and only 3 showed?! That's how it usually goes with us.

She said she wasn't bummed tho.

Jared got her a birthstone ring! She needs to have it re-sized.

Several areopostale shirts and a nail artist kit from Nana and Papa.

A purse and wallet and shoes from Aunt Kristy with far toooo much $$$ in the wallet!

Canyon got her a cookie monster shirt.

From Grandma she got $25.

From Paige a bling Belt.

From Wade $20

From Grandpa $25

From Uncle Brian and Aunt Mel $20

From mom, her own laptop (which I will be borrowing!).

We all picked what dessert we wanted to eat. Canyon got banana pudding.

Jared got a chocolate malt.

Wade got blueberry cobbler ala mode.

Paige and Sahara shared each others desserts of strawberry cheesecake and double fudge brownie ala mode.

Group shot before we parted ways.

After the party, Paige and Wade went their ways, Jared went to work and Canyon went with Mila. It was just Sahara and I and since her b-day party cost me a quarter of what we thought it would, we went out to eat at a new Italian place together.

Sahara's invites

Party Lights

Last night, coming home from Mila's new house, Sahara drove for the first time at night. We were on a pretty windy 2 lane highway and the speed was 55. Sahara got pulled over for going too slow :) The policeman was very nice when I told him it was her first time driving at night and she just didn't feel safe getting up to speed. I think she was going 40. He said he did not want to make this a bad experience for her and waved us onward. He didn't even ask to see her permit. She thought she was going to lose it one week before she could get her licence and a ticket. You do wrong on a permit and there is no ticket, you lose your permit and have to wait 6 months to start over.

My first class

Public Speaking.

The name of the class is enough to make me throw up with nerves. However this and any other class I have to take has got to be easier then Algebra was. My biggest concern and nerve making issue with this class...I am the only one besides the instructor who is of legal drinking age!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

School dayz are here again.

Sahara had no problems. She of course said she doesn't have classes with friends, but she will do fine. And in a high school with 350 students, they all have known each other forever anyway. Only problem is lunch. 350 students in one lunch period that seats 300 in a 30 minute time frame, left many students not being able to eat (or sit) including Sahara. This is something they will have to get sorted out by the end of the week or mom will have to step in. She is also going to bring her lunch the rest of the week.

Canyon was nervous from Open House on. Excited to talk about Jr. High all summer...I dont think he really got that he was going to be in a new classroom for the first time in 7 years. Really the only classroom he ever knew. At Open House he was very quiet and still with a serious face. We showed him the new classroom which was very nice but he wasn't very sure of it. After that, he really didn't want to talk about school any more. Sahara said when he was going to get off the bus, she hugged him goodbye and told him to be brave. He looked at her and said "I cant." Turned around and got off the bus. She said she was almost in tears :( But, he came home happy and word has it Mr. T, the principal from the Middle School, came by to check up on 'his boy' and had a cup of coffee with him. (they did that from time to time at the Middle School) Going to bed tonight he asked for Caudle's room for tomorrow :( (his old classroom) I think he will adjust in time.

Back to School Bargins

Sahara needed new pants for school. She is always cold so even when school starts back on Monday, she will wear pants. Her pants of choice are Hollister, Aeropostale, Miss Me... All ranging from $46 is you are lucky to hit a BIG sale, to $135 a pair. Not someting I am willing or able to do. So, after trying on the pants at the stores in the mall and figuring what size in what bands she needed, we hit ebay. For a grand total of $ 43 (including shipping) she bid on and won 5 pairs of Aeropostale jeans. Some are a bit frayed at the bottoms, but thats kinda how they come now new too.

On ebay, she did not win the bid for any Hollister jeans and she was a little bummed about that, but we did snag these at the Hollister store in the mall. Even the guy checking us out was floored. No, she can't wear them to school because of tears above the knees, but football games and weekends will do.

They were 50% off then 70% off of that!

For a grand total of $4.25 !! The bag they put them in with the receipt costs more then that!!

Canyon got 5 more pairs pants as well because he has gained so much only 2 pairs I had bought him at Christmas still will fit. And 7 pairs of men's small shorts. Geesh!

As for school supplies, Sahara, in high school, will not know what she needs until she hears from each teacher. Canyon has a new teacher this year and I have not heard from her and open house for jr. high is not listed on the school calendar.