Kindergarten Testing

 The day finally came and Karmindy and I headed to Midas Creek Elementary today for her kindergarten testing! Karmindy has been so excited to start school and go to school like her big brother. Karmindy loves school and learning and it was such a big and important day for her. We arrived at the school mid-morning and found her classroom and of course took a few pictures while we were waiting for her teacher to finish up with testing another student. When it was our turn we headed in and Ms. Trish Calhoun, Karmindy's Kindergarten teacher, tested Karmindy. She asked Kamrindy about her letters, numbers, had her count, read words, colors, and did other tests with Karmindy. Ms. Calhoun said Karmindy was certainly ready for Kindergarten and was VERY PREPARED.  I am so glad we made the switch to Small Wonders Preschool last year for our daughter. Mark and I feel that making that switch truly prepared her for this year! Karmindy is so excited to start school and cannot wait to ride the bus and make new friends. We are so proud of you little Miss! Look out World here comes Karmindy!

Back to School Movie Party

I thought it would be fun to throw a Back to School Movie Party for Kaleb and a few of his friends. We invited 9 boys! (What was I thinking?)  Kaleb invited: Jake Wallin, Connor Maynard, Tevan Albrecht, Eli White, Jaden Epley and Thayne Ward. His friend Caleb Bradford couldn't make it that night. Kaleb got on board with the idea of having a party pretty quick (it didn't take much convincing) and was so excited to get together with his friends.

I found some cute movie ticket invitations on line and so we printed enough of them out for Kaleb to give to his friends. Kaleb decided he wanted to watch "TRON" for the movie the night of his party. We ordered pizza, had little cans of different kinds soda's for the boys to pick from and then had several bowls of movie-sized candy's to pick from. We also had popcorn and oreos too!
When the boys arrived, they decided on having a gun war and enjoyed chasing each other around the house and yard. This was a good reminder of  why I do not have 9 children; especially boys! Having two children is more my pace! However, the boys all seemed to have fun and Karmindy enjoyed trailing after all of Kaleb's friends. They boys were really nice with Karmindy and included her! She was on cloud 9 with all that manly attention!

After the gun war and we were able to get the boys to settle down...(sort of) we ate pizza and then after dinner retired to the family room to watch the movie. The boys were pretty calm through the movie but there was popcorn everywhere!! It was like a popcorn bomb had gone off. In fact, I am still finding popcorn in random places!! I guess that means the boys had fun and I am glad they did. Kaleb said it was the best party ever! I am glad Kaleb had fun with his friends and had a memorable party!!

Look who is in 3rd Grade!

I can not believe I have a 3rd Grader! This year, his teacher is Mrs. Rachael Greenwood. I hope it will be a good year for Kaleb; especially since I have heard not many positive things about his teacher. Today was Kaleb's first day of school and he really enjoyed it and seemed to have a great day! He wanted me to drive him to school and so I did. I am glad that he is still okay with having his mom show up with him on the 1st day of school. I am sure our years are numbered though when it comes to having his mom go with him on the first day of school! He is such a "BIG GUY ON CAMPUS" that I am afraid he may not need his mom come next year. When we got to school, we found where to line up for his class and we just hung out in line for a minute. Karmindy stayed home with my sister, Kamberee and my mom who were up for a visit, so it was nice to have that one on one time with Kaleb. I didn't want to embarrass Kaleb, so after waiting for a few minutes with him, I asked him if he was okay and if he needed me to stay. He told me he was okay and that I could go. I quickly gave him a hug, told him to have a good day and left. I cried on the way home. It is hard to watch your kids grow up. I know Kaleb still enjoys my company but it is hard as a mom to let go.

I am so proud of you Kaleb and the young man that you are growing up to be! I am so glad your first day of 3rd grade was a success!!

Some of Kaleb's interests this year include:

Movies: Harry Potter, Star Wars

Favorite Color: Orange and Yellow

Video Games: Minecraft, Zach & Wikki

Books: Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series

Favorite Foods: Corn Dogs, Chicken Nuggets, Curry, Hard Shell Tacos, Lettuce Wraps, Orange Chicken

Favorite Treats: Popsicles, Suckers, Smarties, Tootsie Rolls, Cinnamon Rolls.

Interests: Piano and Karate

Hogle Zoo

My mom, sister Kamberee and nephew Karev came up for a visit. My mom doesn't make it up to Northern Utah much so it was nice to have both her and my sister come up for a visit. They arrived late Tuesday July 23rd. On Pioneer Day, we decided to take the kids to the Hogle Zoo. I have been wanted to take the kids to the zoo this summer and the summer has gone so fast I was afraid we weren't going to make it. Right now at the zoo they have some very neat Lego displays around the park. They have a huge Lego Polar Bear, turtles, monkeys and many more displays made completely out of Lego's. Both Kaleb and Karmindy are huge fans of legos and I knew they would have a blast seeing life-sized Lego animals! The polar bear was our favorite animal made out of Lego's!

Kaleb, Karmindy and Karev had a great time looking at all the animals and had to get their picture taken next to all of the animal statues!

While we were at the zoo we had to make several stops. The elephants are always a favorite and my kids always love sitting on the life-sized elephant and trying to avoid getting sprayed by water by the motion activated elephant's trunk. This time they opted to just sit in the safety of the elephants trunk for a picture. 

Karmindy also loves going to see the "BaGiraffes" as she calls them. It is so cute when she calls them "BaGiraffes. I haven't the heart to correct her yet. She was so excited to see not one giraffe but TWO out and about when we rounded the corner to the Giraffe house. We even saw the cute baby Giraffe that has grown since we were there last!

It was a pretty hot day at the zoo and so we sought refuge in the shade quite a bit. We ate at the Rocky Shores for lunch and then after lunch saw a few more animals, took a ride on the carousel and then headed home. It was a fun day but was so miserable in the heat. The kids had fun and really enjoyed themselves.

That night after we got home we all took a nap and then had dinner at lit off fireworks to celebrate the 24th of July (Pioneer Day). I am so glad my sister, mom and nephew could come up for a few days and spend time with us. I love them so much and miss seeing them since we live 300+ miles away from each other. Even though we are so far from each other I always cherish the time we do get to spend together. 

Days of '47 Parade Float Preview

It has been a couple of years since I have taken my kids to the Day's of '47 Pioneer Day Parade Float Preview. The Parade Float Preview is  an event where all the floats that are entered into the Day's of '47 parade are brought to the South Towne Expo Center in Sandy, Utah. The event gives families a chance to see the Pioneer Day Floats up close and personal. It is always fun to see how much hard work and creativity that goes into these floats. I am always inspired and in awe how intricate these floats are! It also allows families to see the floats without actually going to the parade. The Day's of  '47 Parade is a big deal here in Utah because it is a Parade that celebrates Utah's history and the pioneers who settled this great state. The parade is always well attended and families usually camp out several days in advance to get a good viewing spot for the parade. 

The past few years, I have forgotten about the Float Preview. I blame it on getting ready for the new school (year round) which starts the day after Pioneer Day. This year, I remembered about the preview and me and Kaleb and Karmindy decided to go and check it out. The kids had a wonderful time seeing the floats, voting for their favorite floats, getting Balloon animals made (Karmindy- teddy bear holding a heart, and Kaleb a parrot) and their faces painted. Hopefully life won't be too crazy next year and I won't forget and we can continue this fun family outing!

Turbo

We decided that we wanted to do one last hurrah as a family before the kids started school, so Mark and I decided to take the kids to one last Summer Movie. We have seen several movies this summer: Monsters University and Despicable Me 2. Our family loves to go and see movies together. The kids had been begging to go see Turbo and so Mark and I caved. We decided to take the kids for Monday Night Family Night. We had a lot of fun together and the kids loved the movie. Mark and I got bored with it half way through. It was a cute movie but Mark and I really zoned out towards the end. It was a little long with not a lot of content in it and it was super "cheesy." We decided that Monster's University and Despicable Me 2 were our favorite Summer (Kids) Block buster hits! However, going to the movies was a fun way to enjoy each other's company before we head into the business of the school year!

Scout Camp & Girls Afternoon Out!

Kaleb had his first Scout day camp. He ended up missing the Friday because we headed to Mark's Adobe Kid Day at work. However, Mark volunteered to be one of the drivers/chaperone's and he and Kaleb headed up to the Scout Camp early Saturday morning. I wish that I had remembered to take a picture of Kaleb. He looked so cute in his Scout uniform. Kaleb said he had a blast participating in their "Super Hero" themed Day. The boys shot BB guns, made paper masks, and did several Scout activities. Kaleb had a blast and a highlight of his Camp was going to the scout store where he bought a rubber band gun, a magic trick game, bomb bags, and several other little trinkets. I am so grateful for the scouting program in our ward and so thankful for all the skills it is teaching my son! Kaleb has learned so much since he has been attending (January) and it is fun to see the development and growth in him. He is truly learning to be loyal, thrifty, brave, and a great citizen. I am so proud of him, he is such a good boy and I am glad to be his mom.

While Kaleb and Dad where at Scout Camp, I took advantage of the time I had with Karmindy and we spent the morning making Chocolate Chip Pancakes (Karmindy's favorite). We did a little cleaning and then headed to go get pedicures at our favorite Nail Salon. After getting our nails done, we headed to McDonalds for a late lunch. After lunch, we came home and watched a movie together until the boys came home. It was so nice to spend time with my little girl and enjoy each other's company. I am so proud of my kids and love them so much!

Adobe's Kid Day!

Two Months Ago, Mark made a job change and quit working as a programmer for the LDS church here in Riverton and got a job as a programmer for Adobe. Adobe is located in Lehi, Utah. It is a very modern building that was built just for Adobe and sits and the base of the hill by Cabella's. 

Its always  funny how things work out, because Mark interviewed with Adobe in November 2012 but after his interview, the recruiter told Mark that they would essentially close the books for the end of the year and reevaluate the position he was interviewing for at the first of the year 2013.  Mark said he did well in his interviews and was told by the recruiter (that was representing Mark), that Mark was "the guy for the job." and to just wait to hear back at the end of the first of the year. The new year was under way, and several months went by. Mark contacted the recruiter several times over this period of time to see if he had heard anything back from them. In the end, the recruiter always had little to tell him. To make a  Long story short, we didn't think he would get a job there and Mark was pretty bummed about it. Mark continued to work for the church and was getting a little burned out with the politics there and the department he was in. He decided he would contact the recruiter one more time and low and behold, a different job had opened up. Mark applied for the job, interviewed with several departments and was hired on. We are grateful for his new job because after he started working for Adobe, he learned through a fellow co worker at the church that his department was dissolved. We are grateful for this blessing and are grateful for someone "upstairs" looking out for us. Mark has only worked for Adobe for 2.5 months now but he has thoroughly enjoyed the past few months. Every new job is an adjustment, but Mark has loved his work at this new company.

Several weeks ago, Mark came home and told me that Adobe would be hosting a "Kid Day." The employees that worked at Adobe were encouraged to bring their kids to work and participate in several activities that they had going on. The kids and myself got shirts and official Adobe badges to wear. The kids now wear their badges every time we go and visit dad. They feel so official!

 He also said they would have face painting, photo booth photos, The Leonardo Exhibits, balloon making, characters drawn, and obstacle courses for the kids. Adobe had all these events going on when we arrived for kids day. They even provided lunch for the kids and parents.

Our kids had a blast! There were over 600 hundred kids who participated and that isn't even counting all of the adults that were there! It was a lot of people in that big building!!

We had a fun time spending the day together as a family. One of the highlights of the afternoon was getting our picture taken in the photo booth! It was so fun. It was fun to see what Kaleb and Karmindy picked out of the prop bucket to wear in the picture! I love how what they wore reflects their personalities!

I am so thankful for Mark and for the job he has to support our family. We feel so blessed to have a job in these hard economic times!

Swimming Lessons

This Summer, I was able to sign the kids up for two weeks of swimming lessons. I had the kids repeat the level they left off with last year for a refresher course this summer and then the following week they both moved up a level. I have seen a huge improvement this summer in my kids swimming abilities and it is so fun to watch. 

 Kaleb is a little behind for his age group but I blame that on me not getting him into lessons right away but for being a little delayed he is doing really well and is becoming more comfortable in the water. I think he takes after me. I hate water in my face and going under the water. However, He has improved by leaps and bounds. He is doing well with his stream line and is actually diving for objects under the water. He also can streamline and then rotate from his tummy to his back and from his back to his tummy. Kaleb is doing awesome!!

Karmindy is also doing amazing. She tends to not be as timid as Kaleb is in the water, so she has really progressed a ton. In fact, she is almost caught up to Kaleb Level wise. Nevertheless, I am proud of both of them and what they have been able to accomplish this summer. I am hoping to be able to get them into some private lessons in October and just reinforce what they have been learning. With the progress they are making, they may be ready for the kids swim team in a few years and take after their Dad and swim competitively!

Good Job Karmindy and Kaleb! We are so Proud of you Both!

Summer Food, Family and Fun!

While the kids have been out of school, we have had so much fun making yummy things to eat, having play dates with friends, heading to the near by splash pads, sleeping in, and participating in two weeks of Swimming Lessons. We have been busy!! Sadly, our summer vacations are winding down and we are running out of time to go and do fun things. It makes me so sad because I really enjoy having my kids home with me and spending time with them. I miss when they are away and this school year will be especially hard since both Kaleb and Karmindy will be gone to school. It makes me sad to think they are growing up. I try not to dwell on this fact of life because I love being a mom and spending time with them. Life goes by too quickly.  However, for now, we will live in the moment and enjoy these memorable moments of life: Food, Family and Fun!

Kid Day!

Several little gals in our neighborhood have  formed a little play group or as they like to call it, "KID'S GROUP!"  Layni McDonald, McKenna Rowe and Taryn Smart are such cute girls and have taken turns inviting my kids and several other kids on our street to their homes over the course of the past few weeks. Since all of them, including my kids are on A Track Year Round School it has been fun for everyone involved to have something to look forward to doing. The girls are the cutest and plan activities for the kids to come and do at their houses for one hour on Saturday Mornings or Afternoons. I foresee some great babysitters in the future!! They are the most creative little girls and have really planned some fun activities. I really love my neighborhood and the street  we live on for this very reason. We really live in such a wonderful neighborhood.

Some of the fun days that they have planned over the past 4 weeks have included: Water/Sprinkler day where the kids played water games and ate Popsicles, a carnival day where they painted the kids faces and played carnival games and had popcorn and suckers, a camping day where they have made leather bracelets and  boon-dogles and played in a tent. The girls have really put some thought and effort into these days and it has been so fun for Kaleb and Karmindy to participate in.

A couple weeks ago, me and Karmindy went shopping and made these little bins filled with fingernail polish, clippers, finger nail files, drinks and other fun girl things that we thought they would enjoy to thank them for all they have done for my kids this summer. I wish I would have taken a picture of them because they turned out so cute! The girls, have put such a huge amount of effort into these fun kid days without any pay or expectation of anything and we wanted to say thanks for all their efforts!

My kids have thoroughly enjoyed Kid Days and are always looking forward to the next one!!

Happy Independence Day!!

Several days before the 4th, I got a call from one of my favorite people in the whole world, my cousin Roxanne Frisbey Ball. She is actually Mark's first cousin but we have adopted each other as sister's and cousins. She invited us to spend some time with her family, my cousin Christine Gunderson's Family (Roxanne's sister) and my Uncle Gordon, Auntie Wanda and Roxanne's Mom, Sharon and Step Dad, Leon. Dave & Roxanne, and Uncle Gordon recently bought some land in Ogden and it is nestled right in the heart of Ogden but you would know about it because it is literally hidden from view. It is such a fun place with several ponds, places to four-wheel, BBQ, fish, jet ski and just hang out as a family. When I got the call from Roxanne to join their family, Mark and I jumped at the chance. We love spending time with Mark's Uncle Gordon extended family. They are such good and kind hearted, down-to-earth people and we just love being with them!

On the morning of the 4th we headed up to Ogden and we arrived around 10:30 am. We spent the day four-wheeling, jet skiing, fishing, and four-wheeling. For lunch we BBQ'd hot dogs, and roasted smore's for dessert. It was such a very fun day and it will be a Fourth of July that we won't forget! I am so grateful for our family and extended family and I am so thankful we could spend the day together.

 Karmindy loved riding the four-wheelers with me and riding the jet ski's with Roxanne. She is quite the dare devil in our family and loves to experience life with out any fear or hesitation. Love this little dare-devil of mine!

Kaleb loves anything to do with camping and being outdoors. He enjoyed whittling a stick for roasting smores. He is getting to be such a cute boy scout!

 Karmindy was obsessed with the jet-ski's. She loved having Roxanne and Mark (didn't get a picture of the two of them together) take her for rides!

Roxanne, myself and Christine spending some time together. I am so thankful that they have adopted me into their family. I love them both and I am so grateful to call them family even though they are Mark's cousins. We have become so close over the passed few years and I just love having them in my life and appreciate their support and love.

After a day of play, we headed home to spend some time with our neighborhood friends. We got ready and headed down to the Matt and Misty Pidcocks home for an awesome firework display. Each year Matt heads to Evanston, Wyoming and buys quite a few "BIG Fireworks." He really puts on a show for the whole neighborhood. We had such a wonderful 4th of July! I am so grateful for my family, extended family and living in America. I am so grateful for all the service men and women who dedicate their lives to making America a wonderful place to live. So Blessed to live in this great Nation!

Happy 4th of July!!