A Day in the Life...

Sunday, September 28, 2008

The Elephant Parade

Another fun kick off for the circus (we didn't go this year and Cameron was mad, mad), but we did enjoy the elephant parade and the Children's Museum party afterward!

You Gotta Love the Ward Campout

A few weekends ago we joined our friends (yes it happened to be my birthday and really was a great way to celebrate) for our ward campout at Heber Valley Girls Camp. What can be better than dutch oven cooking, kids running through the woods, girls camp games, smore's at the fire and sharing a cabin with other families (ok so maybe not that part, trying to keep your kids quiet all night is a little tough ... let's just say Lauren's leaders are going to hate her at girls camp). But these beautiful cabins and campground is the way to go camping!!!

We did a zip line/swing/ropes course the next morning and even Cameron was brave enough to do it (with a little bribery from his sisters)! Great time had by all!! Thanks Becca for giving up your anniversary... this will be a memorie my kids will always treasure!

Is There Anything Cooler than Learning to Ride a Bike?!

One of my favorite mom moments has been helping my kids to learn how to "ride a two-wheeler." We have this great little (little is the key word) that was passed down from the Walls (yes Christopher started it all). It is so little that if you fall and crash you are only about 1 foot off the ground. Anyway... Cameron joined the ranks of real bike riders. He can't wait to take his bike up to the cabin this weekend and do the bike path on his own!!

Cam's life has changed now -- he wants to ride the bike all of the time. And if he is riding with his sisters, it drives him nuts because he can't quite keep up. He and Kenzi rode up to their friends' house the other day and he screamed and cried and peddled the whole way up because he wasn't in front.

The learning curve has been full of bumps and bruises and one major crash off the bike after hitting the cur, flipping through the air and landing on the sidewalk. Thank heaven for helmets -- Dave thought he was dead as he watched him fly through the air... he even had a dent in the helmet.

Congratulations Cameron!

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Playgroup -- Great Memories of My Mom... hope my kids have the same!

I remember when I was little taking summer "playgroup" trips with my mom and the neighbors to Hogle Zoo, Liberty Park and the Museum of Natural History. I'm so glad to have great friends that help me carry on that tradition with my own kids. So far this month Cam and I have enjoyed Dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Point (with 1000 other moms and kids but it is still cool), Hogle Zoo (Cameron loved the zoo and thinks we are going back on Monday) and Hill Airforce Base Museum (Cam and Brandon ran from plane to plane making up stories and having a great time!) I didn't take my camera to the zoo or Air Force Base, but here are a few photos from Dinosaur Museum.

Back to School

I always have mixed emotions when Back to School rolls around. My kids are always so excited and I'm so happy that they love school... but I must admit I get a little sad and "kid sick" when summer ends. Lauren headed to 5th grade, Kenzi to 3rd and Cameron to preschool. They all did great and Cameron even jumped right out of the car and didn't look back!

Happy Birthday Kenz!

Kenzi just celebrated her big 9! I can't believe it has been 9 years since the 10 pound baby came into our lives. Nine years later her 24-7 singing, creativity and sweet and tender heart keep our lives hopping! We love you Kenzi!!

Kylie, Kjerstin and Lauren.. s'mores and hotdogs Yum!!!

Friends, food and fun... what more could a girl want?!

Dave's tire swing is a hit with everyone!

The girls watched Ella Enchanted in the backyard -- Kenzi's favorite yearly summer activity!

Breakfast in bed... and no jobs! Kenzi loves her birthday!

Our good friend Karen.

Grandpa and Kenzi

What would we do without the Becksteads?!

Kelli and Kerri took Lauren, Kenzi and Cameron out for icecream to celebrate all of their birthdays -- thanks Kelli and Kerri you are awesome cousins!!!

Brother Tangren... best Home Teacher ever!!

Where did the summer go?

Ok... so I'm two weeks into September and can't figure out what happened to summer. We had a great time and loved the swimming, BBQ, cabin, soccer, visitors and fun! Just a few pictures of some of our end of the summer Lagoon, parades and more...