Kasen's Baptism

Kasen was so excited to be Baptised. Although Kasen can swim like a fish he was really worried he might drowned when they put him under the water. We practiced several times in Grandma Julie's pool so Kasen would not be nervous.

My parents were able to come.

Great grandpa and grandma and grandma Julie also came to support Kasen on his special day.

Brother Witten Baptised Kasen and Drew Witten (which is our friend) confirmed Kase.

The two little girls are twins and then Kasen

After the Baptism we had Bishop Dance bless Kamden. It was such a special day for our family. We went back to our house and had lunch. Las Vegas Grandma and Grandpa gave him a journal, a baptism pillow case to color, CTR rings and a song book. We also gave him a journal. Kasen said, "I loved everything about today!"

Swim Lessons

Every summer I sign my kids up for swim lessons. Kam was still to young. He was mad. This is him trying to talk me into letting him get into the pool.

After a very LONG conversation and multiple reasons why he couldn't go swimming he decided to relax and watch Kasen and Avery.

My kids loved their instructors. Kasen was so excited that on the last day they let the kids jump off the lifeguard watch stand.

Avery's teachers name was Peanut. (nickname) She was so kind and worked well with the 3 kids that was in Avery's class. My kids now jump into the deep end of pools and never wear floaties. I am so proud of their progress.

                                 

Mammoth Creek

We spent the weekend up at Mammoth Creek. It was just my family and grandma Julie. The kids had a blast. The cabin above us had a little girl and boy about the same age as our kids. The cabin down below had two boys about the same age as Avery and Kasen. Our kids were definitely not board. They spent the weekend floating between the 3 cabins.

We had heard there was a Balloon Festival over in Panguitch which is about 35 minutes away. The kids really wanted to go.

It was so neat. They blocked off the Main Street and blue up the massive balloons. My kids got to pull the handles to blow the fire. Kasen thought this was so cool. They also had all of the traditional bounce houses, face paintings and booths.

Kasen, Levi, Kamden

Kasen wanted to take pictures with the Rodeo Queen girls.

Grandma bought Kamden this cute cowboy hat.

It was so pretty seeing the balloons lit up at night. I did not realize how massive they were.

Levi,Jake,Avery,Kam,Kasen

The boys over for lunch.

 My kids had so much fun with Jake and Levi. They were such nice little boys and my kids were sad to say goodbye.

My Mom and the Craziness

We were headed to Vegas to visit with my parents. You should know that there is never a dull moment when my mom is around. Today was no different. I had just gotten off the phone with her about picking up a pizza from Sam's Club. Not 10 minutes later she called and said their house was on fire and to get there as soon as possible. I just figured something tiny, so we payed for the pizza and went to her house. When we pulled up their were 4 fire trucks and realized this wasn't anything small.

My mom had said she sat down to go to the bathroom and heard a crackling noise. She thought it was just the fan that had been running to get the steam out from the shower. She hit the fan to see if it would stop and flames just shot out. The fan had shorted out and caught fire in the attic.

As she is calling 911 my dad is throwing little cups of water. (which is doing nothing), So my mom runs in the backyard and gets the hose and just starts spraying. By the time the fire department arrived the fire was pretty much out.

They had to cut the ceiling open and make sure the fire hadn't traveled. They are so lucky it didn't spread. Two of the trucks stayed and checked everything out. Kam was freaking out, but the other two were very curious.

The fireman were wonderful. They let Kasen and Avery tour the 2 firetrucks, hold the house, sit in side the rucks and even gave them  fire hats. This fireman was humongous. He was 6ft. 7in.

Thanks to the quick response of the fireman and my mom who thought to get the hose. Only the bathroom was damaged. I promise mom I will take you more serious next time!!

Father's Day

Nick has had an extremely stressful past few months. He loves to golf and what better way to relax. I bought him a round of golf and Nick and his best friend Keoki golfed Sunday morning. The kids got him a book on tape, and the next day I took Nick to dinner and a movie for some alone time. Later Sunday afternoon we got together with his brothers, wives and his mom and swam.

(frame I gave Nick)

Nick is a wonderful father and I couldn't have chosen anyone better. Nick is always involved in our kids lives whether it be school or sports. I fell like he really knows each one of our kids and understands there different personalities. We love you!!

Kamden

Just relaxing!

Kasen Turns 8

I can't believe I have an 8 year old. Time just flies. Kasen was so excited to get a new bike and pogo stick. Nick had gone to a Tony Hawk event and got this bike (signed by Tony Hawk) a couple of years ago. Nick has been waiting for Kasen to get tall enough to ride it.  He has wanted those two things as long as I can remember. He also got a Nintendo DS game, flag football set and a huge Styrofoam airplane.  Kasen also wanted his party at the Bounce House.

I did not realize how crazy things could get with about 10 boys and a few girls. Kasen chose the theme of Avengers.

( Tayla, Kai, Fernando, Zach)

Some of the boys took a break from bouncing and  headed over to the dancing WII game.

Kasen and Kyle

Kasen got so many gifts and a whole lot of money. I wasn't able to get a lot of pics. The boys did not want to stop long enough to take any. He had so much fun and was exhausted when the party was over.

Of course my parents are always troopers and come out for all my kids birthday parties. My mom helped me decorate while my dad kept Kam occupied.

Later that evening we headed down to Pahrump grandmas and had a family birthday. Kasen got a few more gifts and a lot more money. I told him he should give his mom a loan. He just said no way!!

Baseball- The Twins

                          This was the first year since starting baseball Kasen did not play for the Dodgers.  This year it was the Twins with Coach Bill. Kasen new a lot of the kids on the team and had a great time. They lost one game and tied 1. All the other games they won. Kasen hit doubles pretty much every game. He is a good little player. The day of Avery's birthday I had to miss his game. As I was leaving he told me, "Mom don't worry I will hit a home run for you." Sure enough he did and ended up hitting 2 more in his season.

He has really good work ethic and listens to his coach and does not mess around!

School 2011/12

Avery attended all day Kindergarten this year. The first 6 weeks I thought I was going to die. She would be wonderful all day for her teacher and then come to my room and melt down and just cry she was so tired. I just about put her back to her home school which was half day. I talked with Avery and said I would give it a week. Sure enough it got better and Avery had an amazing year. This is Mrs. Rabjohn who Avery just adored. She was an aide and Avery got to read with her every single day.


Avery and Mrs. Hastings(another K teacher). Each day we did a Walk to Read group where the children went on their level. This was her teacher for the 30 min.

Avery's teacher Ms. Mills. She loved her and had the best time in her class. Avery finished the year knowing about 200 sight words and reading at a mid first grade level. She read and tested on 162 books which was one of the top in her class. Avery mastered all her kindergarten skills and we are so proud of her! She loves to read to Kamden and tries to get him to sound out words. It is pretty funny.

KASEN

I am so lucky because both of my kids had great teachers. Kasen had Ms. Salzwedel for 2nd grade. (no pics because friend took some and have not yet got copies. Kasen ended the school year reading at the end of 3rd grade reading level. He passed off the 1000 sight word list. Kasen loved learning songs and preforming them in front of the class. His teacher just thought he was a riot. He also had straight A's the entire school year. One of the comments on his report card were, "Are you going to sing a lot over the summer? You never know you just might become the next American Idol!!"  Kasen thought this was hilarious. I am so proud of Kasen and all of his hard work!

Avery Lost A Tooth

Kasen had to wait until the middle of 2nd grade to lose a tooth and here is Avery in kindergarten losing her first tooth. Avery just gave it a good twist in school and out it popped. She was so excited to see what the Tooth Fairy was going to bring her. She woke up at about 5 am and the Tooth Fairy hadn't made it yet. I told her the Tooth Fairy was running behind because so many kids had lost teeth that day. I sent her back to bed and when she woke up at 6 am there was 2 dollars waiting for her. Now she was excited and couldn't wait to tell her friends what she had got.

Field Day

The entire school did field day together. We had several different games and relay races. Of course water is always involved when you are outside for 3 hours in 100 degree weather. These are some of Avery's friends. Alina, Avery, Hanna

Angel,Avery,Alina,Catalina,Emily

Kasen is so competitive he was not about to lose the Tug of War competition.