Swing Set

With our tax return money, we knew we really wanted to get a swing set. We looked everywhere, and did a lot of research. Thought about buying one online to assemble, thought about one at Sam's club, but we finally decided that a smaller, less expensive one would fit our needs as well.  Allen and I started setting it up, but the directions were the most poorly written instructions I have ever seen. We made some mistakes and decided to wait for another day to finish.

The following Monday Allen took the day off before the rush of the beginning of a new semester. We started over and by the end of the day, we had a swing set. Braden couldn't be happier. He is posing in all of the pictures because as he says, "my swing set." It has proven to be a great thing for me as he spends a lot time on it and gets a lot more tired at night. I love it and couldn't be happier. 

While we were outside, we also had to get some of him jumping on the trampoline! Yep, heaven in the backyard!

Animal Reports

It is really hard for me to believe that McKenna and Kylie had their animal reports. I remember Tyler doing this in second grade, and I guess it just doesn't seem that long ago. So when it was the girls turn, it just about blew my mind away. They worked on these reports for about a month and a half. They had to research, write, re-write, put together a poster board. Then we got to go to school for the animal parade. We got to see all of the little kids and the animals that they chose, and they got to tell us all of the fun facts that they learned. 

McKenna did her report on the grizzly bear.

Kylie did hers on the Penguin.

We sure do love their teachers. They do such an amazing job, and I am sure we will feel that way next year, but words can't express how much we have loved their teachers this year.

McKenna with Mrs. Dennis.

Kylie with Mrs. Rydalch

Happy Birthday Braden!

We celebrated Braden's 3rd Birthday on March 2nd. This is something that he had been looking forward to for months. Anytime someone would a have a birthday, he would ask if he was next.  A lot of waiting and finally it was time for his. He knew that he wanted cake and definitely birthday candles. He had practiced for weeks, blowing them out. He was of course super excited for presents. The day came and I don't he think he was disappointed.

He got some fun presents - coloring books, little mickey mouse figurines, and a play tent with a tunnel.

We had a Thomas the Train cake. Braden LOVES trains! Although the frosting turned everything blue - and I do mean everything! 

However, all in all, it was a great day! We love having Braden in our family. He has a crazy personality and is very articulate in what he does and doesn't like. Even those days when he is into everything, we really can't imagine our family without him. Happy Birthday Braden!

February Highlights

I figured since March is almost over, I should post about some of our February highlights!

Since we were sick and gone from church almost the entire month of January, Braden started nursery in February - which was hard at first, but he is back to loving nursery. One day, he came out with this foam crown and he loved it so much that he wore it EVERYWHERE! To the store, to Grandma's, at home and outside. I of course had to get a picture of it. I later asked what the lesson was about, but apparently they just had extra in the closet and decided to give them out. Braden loved it.

Tyler is entering that fun phase of "creative homework" - the kind that I don't look forward to at all. For Valentine's Day, all the kids in the class were given a can that they had to decorate. Luckily, Tyler pretty much knew what he wanted to do - a chess board. Then glued pieces onto an actual chess board for the lid. Pretty fun. I guess the person who "won" made a giant lego out of theirs. Just in case you need some ideas for the future!

Another "memorable" moment was after work one evening, I was laying on my bed talking to my parents on the phone. Braden ran and grabbed my hair brush and a clippy and came out to comb my hair. Yes, he has done that previously so i didn't think anything of it. I get off the phone, turn around and look and he is holing a pair of scissors in his hand. No, I didn't hear him cut my hair - but he did. Lots of chunks. I was shocked to say the least. Allen is positive that one day I will look back on this moment and laugh so he had me take a picture of some of the hair Braden cut off.

Of course I already mentioned Valentine's Day - but Allen brought me home some flowers. It was a nice little surprise!

Tyler got a bobcat gram from school. They mailed it to the parents and then he got to take it to the office and redeem it for a prize. As usual, Tyler is doing great at school and we are grateful for a great teacher!

During President's Day weekend, it actually snowed! The kids were so excited and since we hadn't been sledding at all this year, we went to the BYU-I hill to go sledding. I was nervous for Braden because he hates being cold. He gets so grumpy about it - but he lasted and LOVED it.

In fact, he loved it so much, he was not happy that after a couple of hours we decided to leave. He has some pretty lethal looks. Wish I could catch some of them on camera sometimes.

Then there was the Mitt Romney rally in Idaho Falls. Allen debated about going, and finally decided to go and take Tyler with him. Tyler loved it - he was so excited. He has been watching all of this election stuff with a lot of interest. It was a neat experience for him.

In fact, there was a guy that they knew who actually gave Tyler the sign to keep! Besides Kylie's surgery, that was a condensed version of our February!

Christmas 2011

Another great Christmas year. For Christmas Eve, we had my parents over for dinner and served ham, funeral potatoes, green bean casserole, rolls and salad - pie and ice cream for dessert. After we ate and let my parents leave, we decided to drive around to look at christmas lights. We saw some great things and it gave all sorts of ideas for next year. I let Tyler take the camera and take pictures of all the things he liked. He really enjoyed that.

We had to take pictures in front of the tree - Braden really loves his santa hat.

Of course we made cookies for santa claus. This was obviously after Santa had come because the milk is gone, and santa brought us a huge thing of oranges. LOVED them!

Christmas morning came way too early - I think all of the kids were up by 5:30 a.m. and they kept sending Braden in to wake us up. At 6 a.m. we decided it was a losing battle and we just woke up to open presents.  Braden of course was so excited - and wanted to open everyones. The older ones are a lot better at actually taking turns. They were all pretty excited with everything.

We got some new wii games which we are loving and a 4 wii remote charger. That is nice. I got a steam mop - just a cheap knock off  of the shark brand - but i have to say that it works so well and I LOVE it! The floor is coming so clean without major scrubbing. It is perfect.  Another huge gift is this one that Braden is standing in front of. He wanted to open it so bad but we let all of the kids open it together. Santa brought us a basketball hoop. The best part is we have had such a mild winter that we have had a lot of opportunity to play a lot of lightning. So fun!

Another great Christmas and looking forward to another great year!

December 2011

December was one of the craziest months! I have found that since my children are getting older, I seem to be so much busier going from one thing to the next. Between Allen and I we had 3 Christmas parties for work, and of course the ward christmas party, and I got to help in McKenna's class for the class Christmas party. Lots of GREAT food!

Tyler was especially busy. He had his class party which I helped him get ready for, an orchestra concert, DARE graduation, and his piano recital. He played very well in all and did an awesome job!

The girls also had a school program in which all of the classes got to sing a Christmas song. They did a great job - I just wish I had a much better camera that worked with all the lighting!

Of course we put up the Christmas tree - always a favorite activity for everyone involved. Busy December - enjoy the pictures!