Sunday, July 5, 2009

Random stuff to update you all

It seems we are all really busy and then I sit down to update the blog and can’t hardly think of a single thing to post about.

We finished soccer in the middle of May and have been out riding quite a bit. I’ve been busy with Young Women’s stuff and trying to get ready for girls camp, which was this last week. Carter has been taking swimming lessons and finally finished Kindergarten on June 29th. We got our garden planted and are finally seeing the results (yeah)!!! I’ve discovered that I actually do like yellow squash and zucchini, as long as it’s sautéed in butter and has some good seasoning on it. None of that mashed up stuff for me (sorry Polly, my m-i-l).

Kennedy turned 12 last Wednesday on July 1, so she was able to go to girls camp with me. That was quite fun. We’ve come to discover that we love our new stake and feel more at home there than we ever did in our old stake. The move was a good one, although hard at first. The Stake President and the YW Stake Presidency really seem to love having us in the stake and it’s been really good for all the girls in the ward to feel loved and wanted by the rest of the youth.

Anyhow, here’s some pictures of our adventures in the last few months.

IMG_1375

Carter and two other boys in his class received awards for being the most “enthusiastic” students on the last day. I’m not sure whether to be proud or a bit mortified, because he is quite the loud child. I’ll settle for proud.

IMG_1431

This was Tuesday night at girls camp (the day before her birthday) and we made Kennedy get up on a picnic table to sing happy birthday to her for Bishop’s night. I’m sure she was mortified.

IMG_1442

IMG_1466

Kennedy and her friend Megan hanging out with us in the cafeteria Wednesday. We were all so dang tired by this point.

IMG_1438 

These were my girls. Five 4th year girls and four youth leaders. We had a great time, they were such cool girls.

IMG_1461

Kennedy and all her youth leader friends. Older girls just seem to love her. In the pic she’s with Chelsea, Kelsey, Kayla, Natalie and Stephanie.

IMG_0011

Megan with her gladiator sword.

IMG_0039

Megan’s sister Chelsea (different from the one above). She is one of my Mia Maids, so was with me up at camp. She spent quite a bit of time braiding hair, which makes her a hit with everyone, especially the 1st year girls.

IMG_0051

Chelsea and Kennedy

IMG_0052

Sweet sisters Chelsea and Megan.

So, we got home Thursday and Kennedy had talked me into letting her have a party Friday night. So, Chris took five girls to Wahooz to have a ball.

IMG_1479

IMG_1482

IMG_1491

And then we have the 4th of July, which was yesterday. We had a BBQ at the Brown’s and then lit off fireworks. Quite the buys night. Didn’t get any pics from the BBQ, but got a few from fireworks.

IMG_1498

IMG_1500

IMG_1504

IMG_1499

IMG_1507

IMG_1509

IMG_1526

And finally a picture from my garden. I’ve got to share this cause I’m way to proud to finally have a garden that is growing well (hopefully that doesn’t jinx it).

IMG_1534

And on a sad note. My friend Shirley that was diagnosed with cancer passed away Monday morning before I left for girls camp. I’ve decided that it was a good thing to be in that atmosphere this last week as I was dealing with my emotions. The spirit was there and the girls kept me going and kept my spirits up, even if they didn’t realize it. Her funeral was Friday, it was nice to see such a great family come together and be so upbeat because they understand the Plan of Happiness and know that they will be reunited with Shirley someday.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Our new hobby

So, Chris has been trying to talk me into this for a long time now. Finally, as we were returning the kids lease packages to Greenwood’s downtown after ski season was over, we saw, on the side of Harrison Blvd., exactly was Chris was looking for. So, we pulled over, we checked it out, and we called the number and bought a Honda 50cc dirt bike for Carter. This was last Saturday, and we are now the proud (I hope that’s the right word) owners of three more dirt bikes for our kids.

We went out on the maiden voyage today and had a great time. I’m the only one missing a bike now, but I rode Ryan’s when he was taking breaks, so that’s fine. We only had a few mishaps. Ryan and Kennedy both dumped their bikes once. Carter ran into the loaner trailer form the dealership twice (the one we bought had to be sent back to the factory for rewiring), and he also managed to flip his bike over about a 1/4 of a mile away from me chasing after Chris, Ryan and Kennedy when they left to go on a trail ride. I waited for him to get back up and ended up having to run in a panic to him when I couldn’t see him moving. He’s fine, was a little shook up, but I’m definitely glad that we invested in all the safety gear for them:  boots, pants, chest protectors, jerseys, helmets, gloves and goggles.

Kennedy was pretty bummed that her cool hot pink helmet and gloves hadn’t come into the shop yet, so she’s in Chris’ street helmet.

IMG_1249

Carter

IMG_1250

Kennedy

IMG_1251

Carter

IMG_1252

Kennedy

IMG_1253

Kennedy

IMG_1254

Ryan

IMG_1255

Chris

IMG_1256

The fam: Kennedy, Chris, Ryan and Carter

IMG_1257

The fam: Carter, Kennedy, Chris and Ryan

IMG_1258

Carter and Kennedy

IMG_1259

Carter’s helmet with Ken in the background.

IMG_1260

Kennedy with her windblown hair. I’ve decided that I’m going to have to buy some biker bandannas for Kennedy and I if we are going to be hanging out in the wind.

IMG_1261

Ryan

IMG_1262

Carter bummed because we were getting ready to pack up.

IMG_1263

Ryan

IMG_1264

Ryan all geared up

IMG_1265

Another picture of Carter hamming it up and dancing on the trailer.

For my mom :)

Sorry, I’ve been really bad about blogging lately. I just get busy with life and don’t take time to record what’s been happening. Between Kennedy and Carter in soccer, Kennedy running track, YW stuff, scout stuff, YM stuff, we all seem to be going, going, gone half the time.

Anyhow, here are just a few pics of things that have been going on the last few months and then I will do another post about our new family hobby we began this past week that everyone seems to love.

The next three photos are from a trip that Kennedy and I took with some friends to Salt Lake for a volleyball tournament. Lots of fun. We went shopping at Gateway, did Temple Square and watched the Joseph Smith movie at Legacy Theater (which totally make the whole trip worth it), and spent 10 hours watching Chelsea play volleyball before driving back to Boise in the middle of the night.

IMG_1202

Kennedy at California Pizza Kitchen

IMG_1204

Kennedy and I in the Visitor’s Center at Temple Square.

IMG_1214

Kennedy crashing during the volleyball tournament.

These next pictures are family pictures from Mason’s blessing in Teton Valley. It was a fun, but short trip. We spent one night and drove 12 hours for the event. Yes we love our family.

IMG_9698

Carter being a ham

IMG_9702

All the boy grandchildren

IMG_9710

All the grandchildren

IMG_9717

Kennedy and Lily (the only girls)

IMG_9728

Jenny and Tim with their kids, Josh, Brandon and Dyllan

IMG_9741

Chris and I with the fam: Kennedy, Carter and Ryan

IMG_9745

Our kids, don’t they look like they love eachother

IMG_9761

Kaleb and Jennie with their daughter Lily

IMG_9768

Mike and Kimberlee with their kids Tallin and Case

IMG_9788

David and Rachel with the new baby: Mason

IMG_9798

My mom and dad

IMG_9799

Just had to include this one, isn’t it great :)

Also, just wanted to say a big

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

to my sister-in-law Jen. Love you and hope that you had a great day.