It's Been a Year!

Last year today we were moving into our first house. We were SO excited, it almost didn't seem real. We waited a long time before it was the right time for us to finally be homeowners. I remember those first few weeks, when chills would run through me, and I'd have to tell myself that this was real. At first I felt like a stranger in a strangers home, albeit I was glad to be here. But, now it's feels like my home. We are thrilled to be here, we love our neighborhood, our ward, and our awesome new friends. We feel so grateful, and so blessed. I love it when the Lord leads you by the hand to just where you need to be. That's how we feel about being here.

School Pictures & Family Update

Here's a peek at all the kids school pictures.
Sydney - age 11 - 6th grade. Kaylie - age 9 - 4th grade

Tyler - age 8 - 3rd grade

Emma - age 6 -1st gradeTodd - age 4 - pre-school

McKenna - age 2

Daric - age 10 months

All the kids are doing well. Syd, Kay and Em are enjoying practicing in a little singing group. They will be preforming at different places around Christmas times. Ty is playing flag football. He practices three days a week, and plays games on Saturday's. Todd is enjoying school and is doing well. Ken and I feel really good about putting him at Westmore, we are excited to watch him progress, and feel like this will be a great year for him. McKenna is 2 and it's shows...she is soooo ornery. She is still so cute, but man-o-man that child can grind on the nerves. Her favorite things to say are...Stop it! - I'll tell on you. - and, MOM, Toddy hit me! (She never mentions that she hit him first) Daric is getting really chunky. He is very mobile, but not quite walking. He loves to eat anything. We all have a great time playing and lovin' him.

Ken is still job hunting. It stinks! But we have been blessed and are not quite in panic mode yet. He is also taking a couple online classes at UVU. Me... I am also taking 2 classes this semester at UVU. I am enjoying having something more to think about than cleaning the house and doing laundry. Life is busy with all the kids activities and school, but things are good.

Someone is on the Downhill Slide to 40!

Happy Birthday!

Today Ken turned 36!

See what a wonderful husband and father he is! Here he is putting the smack-down on Todd, so that I don't have too, isn't he sweet! Actually, this is father and son bonding time and Todd loves every minute of it. Ken really is an awesome husband and daddy-man.

Ken, I hope you have a fabulous birthday today. You're the best!

Running For Office

Sydney decided that she wanted to run for her school Student Council. She was hoping to be captain of the Ladies' & Gentleman's Club. In order to be considered you had to have good grades, get a recommendation from two prior teachers, write a short essay, and be interviewed.

On Friday when I pulled up next to her as she was walking home from school, she flew into hysterics. She was so excited. She got the position that she wanted.

I am so proud of her. She is really stepping out of her comfort zone. I think she will make a perfect captain! Congrats, Sydney!

August Wrap-Up

Here are a few (okay, a lot) of my favorite August pictures & activities.

This is Toddy doing one of his speech test. This contraption measures the amount of air coming out of his nose when he speaks. Unfortunately, because he can't pronounce the words accurately, the test isn't very accurate.

Little miss McKenna decided to hangout in the dryer for a while. She's a silly girl!

I love how Emma strikes a pose when ever I get out the camera.

This is one of the numerous self portraits I found of Tyler. And below is one of Kaylie. (Kaylie has a little better aim) I am always thrilled when I see the kids have been playing with the camera. I usually get about 100 blurry pictures of bushes, shoes, and nostrils.

These are a few pics of Kaylie and Sydney trying to pass for twins. One day they just decided to dress the same, and do their hair the same. I thought it was cute, so of course I got out the camera.

This is my cool sky photo. Well, I thought it was cool.

My boys holding hands, isn't that sweet! Ty's not picking him bum, he's just swinging his arm. Case you were wondering. ;)

Some B-day pics of Sydney.

Here's toddy's first little school paper. That boy can color, can't he?

That's it, all done. That was August in a nut-shell.

Accosted at the Mall

Ken and I have a motto when we walk by certain mall kiosks, it's...DON'T MAKE EYE CONTACT! We had even been known to fake conversations on our cell phones to avoid being "attacked".

Last night we were strolling hand in hand through the mall, we were stupid, we let are guard. It happened so fast it's almost a blurr...but we made the fatal mistake...we made eye contact. Aaaaahhhhh!

Making eye contact is some how invitation to have your personal space invaded. It's like saying to the sales woman (I'm being polite), please get WAY too close to me, make me feel uncomfortable, I like being violated!

We instantly noticed our mistake and Ken promptly put up the "talk to the hand" sign. We are not interested, he stated. That's when the chase began. We start walking a little more brisk, but SHE (just for convenience let's call her, ....Jezebel) was in hot pursuit.

Just before Jezebel gave up she tried one last desperate effort. She calls out...Are you sure you're not interested?....But, I'm pretty!

What the crap? Do you just say that? I turned back, and with a laugh confirmed our stance that we were not interested. Jezi's lucky that I didn't head back and break her pretty little nose.

I got a good laugh out of that, but I was also a little dumb founded. Did Jezebel think that flirting with Ken, while he was holding my hand was going to be a good marketing strategy? I think NOT!

WARNING to all mall goers...Christmas time is brutal! I don't think it is possible to go to the mall without being accosted by the psycho Kiosk, hussy's. If ever someone asks...Can I ask you a question?...Just say, NO! Don't make eye contact, ever! And have your cell phone handy at all times. If all else fails, just RUN!

My Little Chunky Monkey

Daric is growing fast, both up and out! It seems like he as turned into a solid brick overnight.

He also just got his first hair cut. He was looking a little shag-a-delic. So yesterday I got out the clippers. He went from this...

To this...

It kind of looks like I shaved him bald, but I didn't. He does still have hair, it just got a little shorter than I planned. Bald or not, I think it is a bit of an improvement.

Daric is a super fun, super sweet, lovable little chunky monkey!