Soccer Continues

So we are in the middle of a summer league with Grant. It is almost comical to watch 3 and 4 year olds out on the soccer field in 100+ degree weather. There was a lot of this.........

and this...........

and don't forget this..............


But not so much of this...........

Oh well! Go Team Lightning!!

Non Camping-Camping Trip

A couple weekends ago we were all set to go camping. We basically had our bags packed ready to head out the door (okay, it was the night before we were supposed to leave), that we decided to change our plans. California was set to get a big storm in the Sierra Mountains where we were headed, and both Grant and Emma were just getting over (or now we know, on their way to) being sick. So we jumped on the computer and made plans to go to Gilroy Gardens.
It is a fun little amusement park/garden park for kids 10 and under. We took Emma when she was Grants age and she LOVED every minute of it. It is clean, has lots of shade, and PLENTY of rides for a 3 and 6 year old. Here are a few shots of the actual grounds. Some people just go there to see the amazing trees, flowers, etc:


I think they went on EVERYTHING in the park at least 1 time. And Emma and I rode the Banana Ride 4 times in a ROW!! And Grant rode the Snake Roller Coaster 6 times!!


Grant in his glory.........


(I just learned how to use the collage feature on Picasa, can you tell? I promise not to use them in EVERY post. I was just so far behind it was a quick way to post a lot of pictures at one time)

Kindergarten Graduation

I realized that in the hustle and bustle of the end of the school year, I never posted pictures of Emma's graduation. She is officially a 1st grader!! She had a great performance where they sang all of their favorite songs from the year.



Emma, you had such a great year! You started off shy and reserved, but quickly made friends and developed such a funloving, care free attitude. You developed a LOVE for reading, and by the end of the year you have started to read "chapter" books. And I saw a spark of interest in math too. Money has really caught your attention and you love to figure out how to count by 10's, 20's, 100's etc. You are constantly asking how to spell words and love to make cards for people. Good job Emma! We hope you continue to love learning, and make many more friends as a FIRST GRADER!

Summer Bounty

These are a few updated pics of our garden. This is about the number of squash we pick from the garden--EVERYDAY!! And we have our GIANT pumpkins growing over the boxes and to who knows where (the kids think this is absolutely amazing)! We also have 4 tomato plants doing very well, and green beans that we just picked for the first time. We are thinking about doing a winter garden--any tips?

Family Outing

I would like to say that we have some fun, interesting, highly adventurous activity to report on, but I don't! Instead we took a family trip to Urgent Care this evening. Long story short--Grant and Jamie both have bronchitis, and both have the start of ear infections. So off we go to get prescriptions, juice, and a good movie to round out our weekend.


PS-We did take a fun, adventurous trip LAST weekend, but then everyone got sick and I didn't have time to post. But stay tuned--once everyone is resting comfortably I'll get to it. =-)

CHANCE

Okay, sometimes my kids make me laugh soooooooooooo hard. Here is the most recent conversation with Grant. Let me set the stage. He is strong enough now to open our freezer door, and does so quite often. This time he saw some of the premade cookie dough in the box and wanted to make some. So I agreed, and asked him to go get the stool. Everything was going along fine, until he thought he should THROW the cookies on the tray because they bounced:

Me: Grant, stop.
Grant: Threw another cookie.
Me: Grant, if you don't stop, you have to get down and won't be able to help me make the cookies.
Grant: Threw another cookie.
Me: Okay, get down you lost your chance.
Grant: No, no, no!
Me: Yes, get down. I told you if you threw another cookies you would loose your chance.
Grant: No, I can get my chance back! See, "Chance, come back, where are you!?"

OH Canada

Below is the email we received from Jamie's parents YESTERDAY!!!!

Welcome to our world today. I cleaned about 6 inches off the car, only about 3 inches off the deck because some had melted, and knocked lots off our trees and bushes so they wouldn't break. It's sure disgusting! I hope it doesn't kill our berries & apples - Saskatoons, strawberries, & apple trees were all in blossom. It's supposed to freeze the next two nights. We'll cover what we can & hope for the best. We cut all the asparagus yesterday, and covered the tomatoes and some corn & potatoes. We hope all our work wasn't for nothing. Love you all, Jane

And here is proof of what she is talking about:




We LOVE to visit.........but let us know when the snow clears!! California is sunny and warm if you need a "vacation"! =-)

To Be Six Again

I got this one over an email and it gave me a good chuckle:

A man was sitting on the edge of the bed, observing his wife, looking at herself in the mirror. Since her birthday was not far off he asked what she'd like to have for her Birthday.


'I'd like to be six again', she replied, still looking in the mirror.


On the morning of her Birthday, he arose early,
made her a nice big bowl of Lucky Charms, and
then took her to Six Flags theme park. What a day!

He put her on every ride in the park; the Death Slide, the Wall of Fear, the Screaming Monster Roller Coaster, everything
there was.


Five hours later they staggered out of the theme park. Her head was reeling and her stomach felt upside down.


He then took her to a McDonald's where he ordered her a Happy Meal with extra fries and a chocolate
shake.


Then it was off to a movie, popcorn, a soda pop, and her favorite candy, M&M's. What a fabulous adventure! Finally she wobbled home with her
husband and collapsed into bed exhausted. He leaned over his wife with a big smile and lovingly asked, 'Well Dear, what was it like being six again?'


Her eyes slowly opened and her expression suddenly changed. 'I meant my dress size, you retard!!!!

Organized Sports

Grant has just started a summer soccer leauge. We really debated since he is only 3, but one of his best buds, Sterling, is also going to play on his team. So we are jumping in with both feet. Jamie and Sterlings dad are going to coach. This is a picutre before his first practice: Then we had opening day with pictures. Grant wasn't too thrilled with that part, as you can tell. Attitude was written all over his face: This is the closest we got to a smile all day, with him and Sterling: But then the true meaning of the sport started--The Belly Bump!

Shirtless Golf

Grant: Mom, will you help me take my shirt off?
Me: Okay, but why?
Grant: Because I want to play golf.
ME: When you play golf, you have to keep your shirt on.
Grant: No you don't!
Me: Yes you do. Its a rule at the golf course.
Grant: Well, some people play golf without shirts.
Emma: Yea, homeless people!!

Birdhouse-Part 2

This is how it started--eveyone working together.


Then Daddy hit his thumb with the hammer, so............


Emma went and got the first aid kit.........and they started playing with that instead. So............


Daddy ended up flying solo. But.........


They were very proud of final product!

Say What??

This is a fun little activity that I just typed up for a Primary Activity we are doing on Saturday. Enjoy!! (if your not LDS some of them might not make sense, sorry) Say them out loud and kind of fast...See what you come up with. Answers at the bottom:

#1
PIE ON EAR CHILL DRAIN

#2
SAWED LEGS IT HE YOU TALL

#3
ARE TICKLES OFF ACE

#4
ME SHUN HAIRY

#5
CHEW SEE RIOT

#6
SIR CHIP ON DOOR END PURR RAY

#7
LOAF WON AN OATH AIR

#8
FALL OATH HE PRO FIT

#9
PAW PICK HORN PAW PINK

#10
CHAIR INK TIE I’M

#11
BEE SHIPWRECK

#12
PRIME AIR EAT EACH HER

#13
BROTH HERS SEND SEE STIRS

#14
PRIMER HE YAK TIFF IT HE


1-Pioneer Children
2-Salt Lake City, Utah
3-Articles of Faith
4-Missionary
5-Choose the Right
6-Search, Ponder, and Pray
7-Love One Another
8_-Follow the Prophet
9-Popcorn Popping
10-Sharing Time
11-Bishopric
12-Primary Teacher
13-Brothers and Sisters
14-Primary Activity

Homemade Bread--Solo Experience

Tomorrow is Emma's Kindergarten Graduation, so today I thought I would make a loaf of bread for the teachers. A couple of months ago my mom taught me and my neighbor how to make wheat bread. And I have made this recipe in the past also...under the watchful, experienced eye of my mom. But today I flew solo. I think it was successful. But maybe I shouldn't have planned on giving away the FIRST loaves I tried on my own. Sorry Kindergarten Teachers!! I hope you fill out Emma's report card BEFORE you eat your bread!!



The Finished Product:


This was the tag we attaced to them. "You RAISE the bar for great teachers. We KNEAD more teachers like you. Please DOUGHn't forget to have a great summer."

Clone Friends

So Emma and Grant have some new friends that are little clones of themselves. Emma met this little girl Ireland in Kindergarten and she happens to have a brother, Pierce who is Grants age. It is great!! We have traded playdates on and off for BOTH kids. That way everyone has someone to play with. At the last play date, their mom was telling me how well, EVERYONE was getting along. It's nice to know we MIGHT be growing out of the "MOM...........he/she won't leave us alone!" Don't get me wrong, there is still a lot of chase/tag/screaming/etc, but now it is voluntary on both sides!! Friends are great, and I'm sure memories are being made!!