Summer Bucket Lists 2011

Since the first day of Summer Vacation the kid's "bucket lists" have been posted and we are in full Swing here....

The first day of our school vacation just happened to be my birthday. Thank you to all of my friends and family who made it a special day. Carmen and Kelly brought me lunch--love them!
Frog O'Fare Children's Festival at the ParkArt Class with Miss Tammy
Swimming Lessons
And we are just getting started!

Three of the most important women in our lives...

Wow! I have so much to catch up on, but before I do I have to post a small tribute to three of the most important women in our family's lives over the past ten months...our teachers...As I drove away from the school on Owen's last day and saw the teachers and staff who came out to wave to the kids as they drove away I was grateful for my sun glasses because I had tears pouring out of my eyes. We were rocking out to the Phineas and Ferb theme song ("There's 104 days of summer vacation...", thank you for the CD Auntie Amy!), so I don't think the boys noticed. I was simply overwhelmed by the many good people who spend their time educating my children...

Mrs. Smith--LOVE her! Honestly, the best possible fit for Owen this year. She provided the perfect balance of encouragement, positive feedback and humbling experiences for our little "sponge". Owen loved her enthusiasm, stories about her family and clever songs (he sings them around our house...constantly). I appreciated the hours that she spent searching for ways to keep him engaged and her organizational skills never ceased to amaze me. It was no small miracle that he never complained about going to school...thank you Mrs. Smith!Teacher Cindy--If you were to look up "perfect preschool teacher" in the dictionary, there would be a picture of Teacher Cindy. Honestly, she has a way of letting the kids know that they are loved, but that she expects their best behavior, within the first 10 minutes of class. I love how animated and excited she gets with the kids and how she encourages them to be curious, kind and to think outside of the box.

Teacher Mandy--Pure love...that's how I think of Mandy. I think that Davis knew after the first day of school that Mandy was a "safe place" for him. He was so nervous (she spent a half hour in the bathroom with him on that first day...poor kid...poor Mandy!) and she made him feel calm and safe. I think that one of the reasons that Davis loved writing in his journal so much this year was he knew that Mandy would be there to listen to his ideas.

So to these three women, teachers, mothers and friends I say..."Thank you!" Oh, and don't worry...you have more of our kids to look forward to in the near future!

Below I have posted pics of the boys on the first day of school and then again at the end of the year...they have definitely grown and changed...

I don't mean to brag, but...

I get to live in a BEAUTIFUL place...I love our life.

I believe in Jesus Christ

Recently I had a conversation with a friend who I have known for about a year now. We have interacted on at least a weekly basis during this time. Somehow the topic of religion came up and she seemed shocked when I referred to myself as a Christian. For some reason this really bothered me this time. Throughout my life I have always had people tell me that "Mormons aren't Christians", but for some reason this time it really hurt. Did she not know me and my family well enough to know that we believe in and try to follow the example of our Savior, Jesus Christ? So, the truth is, it made me kind of angry (probably not the most Christ-like response, I will admit). I know that there will be some people that won't believe that members of our faith worship and honor Jesus Christ, no matter what I say, but for the record, I believe in Jesus Christ. I have come to know Him as I pray in His name and study His life in the old world in the Bible and His visits to the Americas in the Book of Mormon. I know that He died for me and I hope that my life will always reflect these beliefs...

End of the Year Fun

Memorial Day=Boatnik Parade

Last day of school for Davis=Volcano Ice Cream Cake!Davis=A Preschool Graduate
For some reason this has been a little hard for me. Davis was always my most cuddly toddler...now I see him growing and changing. I am excited for him...he is so ready to go to elementary school.
Field Day for Owen=Fun in the Sun!

Hives by Chocolate

Several month ago now I started having terrible problems with my complexion. My skin was just bumpy and itchy and it was driving me crazy. So, I changed my moisturizer and face cleanser. Then it seemed to spread to my neck....annoying. I changed my makeup and makeup brushes. Then I noticed red spots on my arms. I changed my laundry detergent and fabric softener. Once the itchiness spread to my back and ankles I knew I had to do something drastic. I reviewed the allergy testing results that I had in my file from a trip to the allergist after a strange/strong reaction to something I ate while I was pregnant with Davis. Then it hit me....brace yourselves....the testing had come back that I was mildly allergic, to Coffee, soy and CHOCOLATE! We had had a good laugh about this at the time and I think I probably said something like, "Whatever happens to me when I eat chocolate, it is worth it!" Because I was going mental with all of the itching I decided to cut chocolate out of my diet just to see if there was an improvement. To my horror, the itching bumps have gone away! Sigh. Must I really live a chocolate free life from here on out? I have tried to eat a little chocolate as an experiment from time to time. Unfortunately, it is definitely the culprit. I still am holding out hope that maybe I am just allergic to milk chocolate or dark chocolate, but not both. Seriously, you may think this is trivial, but I LOVE CHOCOLATE...this is definitely a trial for me. Oh, that I weren't an addict...There is just no good substitute for a brownie with mint chocolate chip ice cream...I will miss you chocolate....boo, hoo, hoo...

Flat Jed

Our actual anniversary this year fell on the same night as the annual "Father and Sons Camp-out" for the boys and dads at our church. This event is the second most favorite event of the year for our boys (only to be topped by Christmas). So, I sent the boys off for a fun filled adventure and made plans for a Rockin' Girls Night here at home. I invited Beth's little girls (okay, little girl, Brooklyn and baby, Caitlin) to come join us for "gymnastics", dancing and pink cupcake making. Beth was busy helping with a yard sale that her husband's Boy Scout troop was putting on.

When Beth came back for the girls (sometime around 10 p.m.) this is who came to the door with her....Flat JED! Oh MY! We laughed so hard! She had dug up some of Jed's old clothes from our yard sale donations--Hilarious! A special thank you to the other friends who donated their time, energy, boxer shorts and large boxes, so that Jed could be home with me on our anniversary!

As a side note, Jed's reaction to seeing the flat version of himself was the same as mine, "What is THAT?!?!?"...followed by lots of laughter. Gracie on the other hand was really confused. She just kept saying, "Daddy?"...pointing....walking away...coming back, "Daddy?" In her head I imagine her thinking, "Big people are so weird!"

"Boy's Camp" as Owen and Davis call it, was a huge success once again...they are already talking about next year!