First Day of School

So excited for the first day of school

Brianna is in Preschool
with Mrs. Shepherd.

Hunter is in 2nd Grade with
 Ms. Pritchard as his teacher.

MaKenna is in 3rd Grade with
Mrs. Fordham as her teacher

I love these kiddos. It amazes me every year how much they change and grow.  I am so grateful for the opportunities of learning that they get from school.  We are so lucky to live in a place where education is free and valued. I pray to be able to do my part as a parent at home that will help encourage and motivate them to want to gain more knowledge.

Summer and Fun

Now that school is out and that we have all summer to lay around....I signed the kids up for a couple of sessions of swim lessons.  They have excelled and really all become such good swimmers.  I am so grateful to the one on one lessons they get each summer.  Also this summer we spent some time with the Howards as they  came to Salt Lake.  We truly love our extended family and love any chance we get to spend with them. We always try to fit in some boating, this year was a little less than we like but the sacrifice was worth it.  Also MaKenna has been with a dance group and they performed at the Fair, Peach Days and in some parades.  Brianna's little choir has also done some performing. Hunter has become quite good at water sports too. And then mostly we packed this summer and got ready for our move.

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MaKenna's Baptism

MaKenna turned 8 and she chose to be baptized.  It always makes me so proud when you know that your children understand the gopsel on their level of understanding and that they can see if for it's pure innocent beauty.  MaKenna is so sweet and helpful.  She is my right hand when Brian is gone.  I love having her around.  She seems so grown up and I can hardly believe that she is old enough to do this too.  We really enjoyed a great weekend with family and friends.  We have great support and are so glad that we are surrounded by those that care and love us.  MaKenna also got to help design her baptism dress with her Primary teacher Sister Bartholomew.  It turned out beautiful and she loved it! MaKenna works really hard at achieving the very best at what she does and really excells becuase she tries so hard.  We are so glad that she has a desire to always do well.  She is such a great friend to all those around her and all seem to really like her.  She never leaves anyone out or does things to make someone feel bad. It is a real gift that she can see all for their inner beauty.  She is a reamrkable girl and we are so blessed to have her in our home. MaKenna we are proud to say that we are your parents!!



MaKenna also got her ears pierced for her birthday!!!

Hunter turns 7

Hunter turned 7!  It's hard to believe that our little toe head is that big and still toe headed too!!

For his birthday he wanted a Nerf gun party.  So we made homemade shields and had eye protectors for each boy on the battle field.  They loved chasing each other around and eating cake.

Hunter we love you so much and are so proud of how intelligent you are and what a good boy you are.  Thanks for being so sensitive and always having emotion for others.  Happy Birthday Bro, we love you!!

Washington DC

Brian and I had the blessed opportunity to travel back to Washington DC.  We went to see a close friend get married.  We traveled with my parents and my mom in a wheelchair.  Just 4 days prior to the trip she broke her toe laterally and the break required surgery two days before lift off.  So instead of taking the taxi and other means of travel my sweet husband became the driver of our minivan that accessed mom in and out easily with our handicap sticker.  We got to go to many sites that just awed us and many that were unseen because there is so much to do and such little time.  We were so blessed to go to the Washington DC temple....WOW!! What an amazing place and how blessed we are to have such sanctuaries to go to!!! Before we left for the trip I had reminded all that they needed to find their recommends to go to the temple and Dad could not find his.  So because we were short on time we had to make some phone calls to get him approved to get in.  When we arrived at the temple I went to dig in my purse and get my recommend out and it was not there.  So after the chastisement to others I had done exactly the opposite....I too required a phone call to get in.  We thoroughly enjoyed the time there and can't wait to go back someday and spend more time and see more things. 

Valentine's Day

For Valentine's Day we have always chosen to celebrate it as a family. We always dress up and go out to eat at a really nice restaurant. This year instead of going out we stayed home and ate at the Queen of Hearts Kitchen. The kids got invitations from mom and dad to the evening out in the morning before school. When time arrived I blocked off the kitchen with sheets and then cooked away our pink delights while the curious little minds kept calling from the other side. They could hardly wait to see what was going on. Then I seated them all in their places and gave them each a menu. They gave me their order and I returned with their candlelight dinner. On the menu we had pink waffles with a choice of strawberries, raspberries, and cream then pink eggs, bacon and sausage. And for dessert we had pink crepes with nutella, strawberries and cream. And don't forget the pink milk that cupid left too. It was a memorable night and I hope one that sticks with the kids. I love each and every one of them and am so blessed to be their mom.

To top off the night Brian surprised me with my favorite some of my favorite things...a rose, mint truffles and my most favorite a white chocolate caramel apple. Yum. Thanks honey for making me feel special.

Outstanding Student

This month MaKenna was nominated for Student of the Month in Science and Social Studies. We are so proud of her!!! She is such a good girl and tries really hard all the time to excel in her school work. She always does her best!! We went to a special assembly for it and then took her out to dinner! GOOD JOB MAKENNA!!!!!