Pinewood Derby

Kalun is the cub scout master and I am the bear leader right now. I never had any idea how busy scouts is, probably because we don't have a scout yet. We successfully survived the pinewood derby this week. Kalun put so much work into it, but it went so well and we got lots of compliments on all the little details. I wish I had taken more pictures of that night and the way we set it up and decorated. Kalun and I made these trophies...aren't they beauties?? Then Kalun scowered the internet and I asked all around and here are some of the other ideas we stole....First we made Pit passes/drivers licences. All the boys got there and checked in with me where they had to take a driver's test (a cute test Kalun found online about the rules of the pinewood derby). Then they would hand in their test and they would have to "pass" the eye exam and then we would give them their license. We had flags all over the gym, and then I had cut out a ton of triangle and hung string down each side of the track where everyone colored and made flags to add to the track. Kalun also made a certificate and came up with 25 awards. He had this huge bracket so each boy raced at least twice. We even had a little intermission where we served homemade rootbeer floats while all of the leaders hurried to designate prizes to each boy. It was so much work and I don't think anyone will truely know or appreciate how much time we put in to this derby, but it seemed to be a huge success. Of course we lost Addison a couple of times because we were each so busy trying to do our parts. One time was actually really scary as she had followed some kids outside. It has been quite a challenge having both of us serve together, this is not the first time Addison has been "misplaced" at a pack meeting and the rate we are going I'm sure it won't be the last.

Gymnastics

Haylie has begged me for like 2 years now to do gymnastics. So we finally got her enrolled. She is doing a really good job. I'm not going to lie I'm a pretty proud mama. It reminds me so much of my childhood that were so filled with nights at the gym. But really I'm just happy to find things that she loves to do that keep her busy. By the way sorry the pic is a bit blue the kids play with my phone alot and screwed up my camera for awhile.

Preschool

Haylie has finally started preschool. She is a lot like Tate. She really doesn't care to learn anything but she loves the social! She is going to school with a few kids in the neighborhood which she loves. Her teacher gave them all a canvas bag and told them to decorate them. Haylie being the funny girl that she is had to go immediately to the store to pick out some sparkly stuff for her bag. Needless to say we pretty much bedazzled the crap out of it and she loves it! She just wishes school was everyday instead of just 3 times a week.

1st Grade

Tate is in 1st grade. He was so excited to start school again, not because he likes learning but because he loves the social part. He hates doing homework especially reading and it takes a lot of encouragement and creativity to keep him interested. However, he comes home often with a new friend. He literally walks in the door throws down his backpack, and grabs a snack as he's running out the door to go play with his friends. They opened a new school down the road a bit so him and some neighbors ride their bikes to school everyday, Tate loves it. He's growing up way to fast and often acts more like a teenager than Kyli, but he is a good kid and we love him to pieces.

8th Grade!

I can't believe that Kyli started 8th grade! She is so grown up and old all the sudden. She is doing really well this year so far. She knows a lot more people this year and is feeling more comfortable. The move was the best thing in the world for her. All the YW in the ward are really close and really watch out for each other. They eat lunch together everyday, which has been a huge relief to Kalun and I(she ate alone a lot of last year). The worst part of her being in 8th grade is that next year is 9th which is in the high school.....we are not ready for that!

Summer Picnics

I am so grateful for our new house, but I am even more grateful for our new neighborhood. Not to take away from our old neighborhood where we had/still have wonderful friends. It served it's purpose at the time. However this new neighborhood is definitely serving it's purpose at this time in our lives. Kyli has come out of her shell a bit and has been able to find some amazing friends. Tate and Haylie have also found some great new friends. There is this super cute family that has a boy Tate's age and two little girls who play with Haylie. They have become the best of friends and they are such cute little kids. Haylie and Leah are the same age. Then there is Maddie who just turned 3 who they let play with them every day. And then when they are at our house they even let cute little Addison play with them. Addison seems to be growing up faster than we can blink while she plays with the older girls. The other day they decided to have a picnic and of course Addison wanted to join in. These 4 cute little girls where smiling and giggling and having the best time. It is moments like those that help keep you sane during the not so cute moments.

Flaming Gorge 2011

Here are just a select few pictures of our annual trip to the Gorge. It was so much fun to have almost everyone there all week. We had so much fun and were always on the go. We love having our kids play with their cousins, and I really enjoyed spending a little time with Jodi (my sister) before they left to move to Connecticut.

Neighborhood Party

We have carried on the tradition from our old neighborhood of organizing a block party with the neighbors. We used to have so much fun doing them that we decided this summer even though we moved the tradition must continue. So Kalun and another new neighbor organized a whole neighborhood party. (We used to do just a street party at the old house, but we live in a newer development that is still mostly empty lots with only about 1/4 of it full so we invited the whole neighborhood). We had an amazing turnout and had so much fun. We continued the tradition of inviting the local fire department. We did that a couple times in Lehi, but it was an even bigger hit here. The neighbors all seemed to have a really good time.

Parading

We have loved going to parades this summer. We started at the Saratoga Springs parade, moved on PG, and then to Lehi. The kids have really come to love parades only because they can get lots of candy and free stuff. We also learned that Haylie is our secret weapon. The people in the parade can never resist her cute smile and little wave, so we ended with quite a collection of loot this year.

Working Hard

Haylie has really started to love to vacuum just like me!! Hey that's not a bad habit. So everytime I vacuum I have to get out a little vacuum for her to "help" me. Well, just recently Addison was feeling left out so we had to make sure she had her vacuum. The only problem is that it has made me have to give up my obsessive compulsive disorder of having my carpet lines messed up.