Scouts

Matthew has been in 11 year old Boy Scouts since February. He loves it and they have had a ton of fun. This last week they had a their end of summer Court of Honor, Matthew was awarded his tenderfoot and first and second class rank advancements. Thanks to GREAT leaders! He is now ready to work on merit badges, two more rank advancements then EAGLE. I can't believe it has moved so quickly...as we were leaving I told Matthew..."2 1/2 years and you should have your Eagle". I got the 'sure, Mom' look, I love my boy!

Summer

Okay so I have been terrible about keeping up my blog...so I thought a summary of our families summer would be the place to start (if I can remember everything)!

This summer we didn't travel a lot. We were busy with a lot of activites going on, Anna's 4-H and choir, Matthews Scouts and friends, Daniels playdates and getting ready for K, Allen's running and my managing everyone else :)! We went camping, hiking, swimming, met with old friends, enjoyed family and enjoyed the sun! It felt like every other week we were going someplace overnight, I'm sure my job felt like it was every day. The children had a blast. One week we didn't see Anna for 4 days, a sleep over at grandmas turned into a mini vacation for her ans Syd, pedicure, crafts, treats, movies. Matthew took his first vacation without his MOM. He went with my parents and his cousin Brett for 8 days up in Washington to see his great grandmother and hang out at the beach. My dad was the chaperone & Tour guide. Daniel had a blast with his cousins, he is a very engergetic boy and keeps everyone moving.

The biggest highlight of the summer was...I turned 40...AHHHH! I am still not sure that I am OK with my aging another year....but I had a wonderful birthday with my wonderful family!

Here are some random pictures from the summer!

4-H

Anna has had the opportunity to be in a 4-H program this summer. One of Allen's co-workers, Susan has a ranch and has a 4-H group with her grandchildren. She invited Anna to join and donates about 5 hours a week teaching her to show a horse and how to ride. This week was a practice show for the county fair. Anna was excited and nervous since she has only been riding since the first week in June. The children compete in 6 events. Ann looked really great on the horse, the weather was beautiful (considering all of the rain). We did have one little accident when Anna fell or was thrown..I say fell Allen says thrown...during the Western Showmanship event. I was in shock, it happened so fast. Allen jumped up hopped the fence and ran over. Susan insists the riders wear helmets, and thank heaven for helmets, Anna flew from the horse and hit her head on the metal fence landed on her side at Susan's feet. Susan is a longtime neuro rehab nurse and was by her side in a flash. When I heard Anna's cry I felt better, when they got her up I felt even better..Later when she was back on her horse although very timid I felt so happy for her. She finished out the day and still wants to continue with 4-H! Way to go Anna! XOXOXO

Preschool Graduation

Daniel had the greatest year in Preschool. His teachers were fabulous and truly loved him! For graduation they prepared a 50 minute program. Each child had a memorized speaking part, group song, 10 class songs, a cap and diploma. Daniel gets a little nervous in front of a group, and we were a little nervous but he was FABULOUS! I posted a ton of pictures...but there are a ton more. Congratulations Daniel...now time fot the big K!

Band Concert

Matthew had become quite a little muscian this year. He had his final Band Concert May 18th. He earned the privilege of a clarinet solo thanks to hs constant practice and hard work! Way to go Matthew!

Natural History Museum

I took Daniel, Joshua and Ashley to the Natural History Museum. They have a Frog display and Bugs Alive display, plus all their regular stuff! It was really fun. A volunteer was out telling the children about frogs and let the children touch a frog. Daniel loves frogs and is especially fascinated with the red eyed tree frog. We had a great time at all the displays, the bugs were interesting also, there is nothing cute about a bug especially when they extremely large!


They squished in the tube to get a closer look at this cool frog!




This is what is behind them!

Easter 2009

We celebrated Easter over spring break in California, but my wonderful mother saved her Easter egg hunt for the week after Easter so we could be there. The children had a blast. Joseph came into town bringing almost everyone a Minnesota Viking Jersey to wear. The children had a blast with Uncle Joe's dogs, Easter Eggs (I think we hid a million, at least it felt like it!). The little boys played football against the bigger boys, then the BIG boys got involved. The food was great, and the company was fun! Thank you everyone for being so wonderful!

Singing

Anna had the opportunity to sing in Sacrament meeting. We were planning on the last Sunday in April, but found out the Tuesday before that it was the third Sunday. Anna is such a trooper. She got out the Primary song book and picked 'I Feel My Saviors Love'. She had one practice, then on Saurday tripped and fell off the playground at the park giving herself a grazed chin and fat lip(I thought she would back out at this point)then sang all four verses on Sunday. It was fabulous. She has such a special talent, when she sings you can feel her love and emotions in the song and on her face. Anna we are so proud of you!

Spring Break

I just realized that I have not posted our Trip to California for spring break! We wanted to go see our family and have a fun economical vacation in Los Angeles! Suzette and Steve are awesome host! We stayed for 4 days and had a great time! The children all played together, we went to Labrea Tar pits, Travel Town, Hollywood, all in the first day. On the second day we went to the Long Beach Aquarium, pizza by the bay, it was great! The third day was the beach..it was a little cool at first but the children soon stripped down to their bathing suits and splashed in the water...the adults on the other hand sat in chairs all bundled up. Allen and Steve did play some rowdy games of soccer with the children. We went home had dinner and made Easter Baskets then sent the kids to bed so the Easter Bunny could come!
Easter Sunday was great, Easter Baskets, Church, dead car battery, yummy food and easter egg hunt, FHE! The trip was a blast and we were happily exhausted as we headed back home on Monday! The thing I loved most about the trip are the memories the children make with their cousins, cute programs, silly arguments, fun crafts, Guitar Hero, Sing it, scooters, laughter and fun! Thanks again Suzette and Steve!

Today

Today was one of those days where I had great plans. Catch up the laundry, work in the yard, finish the trim in Anna's room, grocery shop, go to the museum.... At 5 o'clock it was time to start dinner. Three loads of laundry (maybe even more) were still staring at me, the trim still unpainted, museum passes still in the cupboard...but my heart is full. The dirt under my nails reflected my day, jumping on the trampoline, pull a few weeds, dig in the sand, pull a few more weeds, help the kids into the club house, prune the grape vine, offer the museum,to a chorus of 'NOOO', pitch the baseball, pull a few weeds, pass out Popsicles...I think I tend to forget that my children will only be small for a short time, all the other stuff can wait (and believe me it will). My plans turned out to be even greater than I hoped. Happy exhausted faces at bedtime and a day of no tantrums or stress. I guess all I really needed was a day with great plans.

PS. I thought about posting a picture of my laundry...

Peace

If you look at my calendar you would think that we are so busy and over scheduled. Well, that is not the case. The weekly activites are on the calendar, but so are whose turn it is to do what chore, pick the show we watch on TV (if they earn it), we rotate who sits by Mom (I am the coveted dinner companion each night), we rotate who sits in the middle or the back of the car amongst other things...all..to keep the peace! The joys of parenting! Don't they all look so PEACEFUL sleeping! I really do love all my sleeping babies!

Ducks

Another sign of Spring...Ducks in the neighborhood. The Drake follows his mate around, protecting and feeding as spring fever begins. Anna went out to give themsome bread in our yard and the Drake was ever the gentleman allowing his mate to eat first, then quickly gobbling up the leftovers!

Pansies

In my hurry to rush in spring and Allen was out of town running his race...I planted pansies. They are such a beautiful delicate looking flower. Yet they are resiliant and can fight off the early spring cold and bloom through to the hot summer! I planted on Saturday and of course by Monday there was snow.