Beautiful Christmas Cards!

This is our attempt at taking a picture for the Christmas cards. We got one that was slightly better, but it was a stretch. Kaydee and Anders were very cooperative but Keaton was crying and Alyssa just wanted to run away! Pictures are so stressful.

Christmas Dance Review

On Friday night we traveled to Grantsville High School to watch Kaydee's performance. She did awesome! Alyssa and Keaton thought she was a rock star on the stage. Her dance was called 'Christmas in California'. It was a cute recital. We're so proud of her for working so hard at her talent!

Getting in the Christmas spirit

We went to the Home for the Holidays event in town and the kids sat on Santa's lap. Alyssa was too afraid to get near him.

Anders on Santa's lap
Kaydee with Santa

We went Christmas tree hunting with the family. It was fun to spend some time in the mountains. The kids even found some snow to play in.

We drove many miles and did a lot of hiking, but we finally found two perfect trees. Then Kyle taped the camera to the side view mirror and set the delay to capture this wonderful moment. :)

Halloween pics

Okay, better late than never. Here are a couple pictures of the kids on Halloween. Army guy - Pa Johnson

Piglet

Fun Weekend

Kaydee turned ten years old on October 17th. She had a fun party. She is a sweet girl and we all love her so much.
We had a fun day Saturday at the pumpkin patch. The kids all picked out some pumpkins and gourds. We had to carve some pumpkins right when we got home. Anders and Keaton wanted to sit outside and watch them all night!

More at Maple Grove

Alyssa loves her cousin Gavin. Kyle caught three fish with his bare hands. I didn't want him to hurt them so he just played for a minute and then threw them back in.
Anders thought it was cool to hold a fish.

Saturday at Maple Grove

Here are a few pics from playing at Maple Grove. I have a bunch more but they were on a different memory card. I'll put those on soon.

Anders loved looking for bugs and critters.
Alyssa kept saying "wow" at everything!!
The kids on a nature walk.
My little baby is turning into a big girl!

Keaton turned five!

Keaton celebrated his 5th birthday on September 10th! He got to be the leader at school and he passed out his birthday treats. He had a family party that night.
He looks fierce in his new hulk underwear set and his spongebob slippers!!
This was Keaton's first friend party. He had a great time with all his buddies.
We're sure glad Ainsley and Addison brought Keaton a lasso. Kyle found his inner cowboy and roped all the kids. I fear what might happen next time one of the kids runs off . . .

TAGGED AGAIN

Post these rules on your blog. List: 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 goals, 3 current obsessions/collections, 3 facts about yourself. Tag people at the end of your post by leaving their names. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog!

JOYS-
1- My kids
2- Kyle
3- family and friends
FEARS-
1- losing a family member
2- cancer
3-spiders
GOALS-
1-Become a great parent
2- Be a great friend
3- Gain some patience
CURRENT OBSESSIONS/COLLECTIONS-
1- running
2- cooking
3- trying to tame Keaton's temper
FACTS
1- I love my family
2- I am very happy
3- I love staying home with my kids but I daydream about crunching numbers :)
I'm tagging:
Krista, Mom, Tanya

TAG

20 YEARS AGO...
1. I was almost seven, starting first grade.
2. I was playing lots of barbies and 'house' with my sisters.
3. I was wearing neon leg warmers, a knot in my shirt, and sporting a side pony.

10 YEARS AGO...
1. I was a junior at North Sevier High School.
2. I was busy cheerleading.
3. I was spending lots of time with my best friend, Melissa.

5 YEARS AGO...
1. I had finished up at Snow College and was at UVSC.
2. I moved from Orem to Pleasant Grove.
3. On September 10, I had Keaton.

3 YEARS AGO...
1. I earned my BS degree in Finance.
2. I married my best friend, Kyle. :)
3. I moved back to Salina (what an adjustment)

1 YEAR AGO...
1. Kyle and I bought a house in Salina.
2. I was getting used to having a newborn again.
3. I went to Colorado Springs to visit Ma and Pa.

THIS YEAR...
1. We went to Kansas for summer vacation to visit family. fun.
2. I started running almost every day and entering 5k's with my sister.
3. We've spent a lot of time in our house and our yard.

YESTERDAY...
1. I made dinner and had family over.
2. I went shopping and had lunch with my mom and sisters.
3..I went running with Krista.


TODAY...
1. I went to church.
2. Kaydee helped me make dinner.
3. I had company over for dinner and games.

TOMORROW...
1. We will probably go to Accord lake for a picnic.
2. I need to wash my car.
3. I will spend time with the kids.

NEXT YEAR...
1. Hopefully, Alyssa will be potty trained!
2. We would like to go to Kansas again.
3. We will continue to work on our yard and house.


Well that was fun!!! Now I tag Melonie, Mom, and Tara.

Back to School Fashion Show

Strike a pose!!

With the kids heading back to school, we have been busy buying school clothes. The kids love to put on a fashion show for the family. My sisters and I used to do the same thing when we were young. We would go shopping with the grandparents and they would want to see us in their clothes. The kids take this pretty seriously.

First Day of School!!

Well summer is officially ending. Keaton headed back to preschool today. He was super excited and frankly, so was I. Not that I won't miss him dearly for those two hours but I know it is so good for him. He does such fun things and he learns a lot. Since starting preschool last year, he is doing much better socially. I can leave him for a short time and he now knows he will be fine. He is becoming more independent. Also, he will continue with his speech therapy. After his tongue surgery in Feb, we are starting to see some imrovements with his speech. He loves his teachers and his classmates. He will turn five in a couple of weeks so next year he'll be ready for kindergarten.

Baptism Day

The whole family

Anders cleans up nicely! What a sweetheart.

Anders' 8th Birthday!!

Anders turned 8 years old on August 14. He was so happy. He got the Heelys he's been wanting and various Indiana Jones guys. He especially liked the gift from Dylan. He had gathered up some of his prized toys and wrapped them up for him.

Tag

One Word!
I've seen this on a couple of friends blogs and thought I would give it a try.

1. Where is your cell phone? who knows? I never do
2. Significant other? Kyle
3. Worst bad habit? too much diet dr. pepper
4. Hair? not sure if I like it shorter
5. Favorite food? bread
6. Your favorite thing? my family
7. Your dream last night? bad guys chasing me
8. Favorite drink? Diet Dr Pepper, drink of champions
9. Dream/goal? I would like to travel a lot one day
10. Room you are in? Office
11. Your ex? ex, what ex?
12. Your fear? something bad happening to a loved one
13. Where do you want to be in six years? happy with my family(hopefully in Hawaii :))
14. Where were you last night? home
15. What you're not? crafty
16. Muffins? Choc chip
17. Wish list item? a new car for Kyle
18. Where did you grow up? Salina
19. Last thing you did? changed kids into PJs
20. What are you wearing? shorts and T shirt
21. Your TV? on, Kyle watching Olympics
22. Your pets? none, Kyle thinks they're stinky
23. Your computer? a little slow
24. Your life? wonderful
25. Your mood? happy
26. Missing someone? yes
27. Your car? Montero
28. Something you are not wearing? shoes
29. Favorite store? Tai Pan
30. Your summer? went by too fast
31. Love someone? Oh ya
32. Last time you laughed? 5 seconds ago
33. Last time you cried? oh its been a while, though i did tear up a bit at Anders baptism

If you got to the end...you are now IT!

We've been trying to get some family time and excercise in at the same time so Kyle takes Alyssa on the bike and I push Keaton in the jogging stroller. Of course, she has to wear Anders' football helmet for safety and cuteness!

We were headed out the door so I told all the kids to go potty. Alyssa went running in the bathroom and lifted up her dress. She tries to 'go' like Keaton does and she gets pretty frusterated that it doesn't work.

Wow! These kids have a great dad. On his first day of vacation he built them a treehouse. They love it. Kyle is always so worried about their safety. He freaks out if they pick up a rock or a stick. So imagine my surprise when he moved the trampoline over so they could jump from the treehouse on to it!

We had to adjust Keaton's ninja costume to work in 95 degree weather. He said his friends were playing 'cowboys and indians and a ninja'!!

Check out Kyle's sweet video. Make sure to pause the blog music.

The kids loved spending time with their cousins. The boys especially loved the butterflies!

Emma and Alyssa sharing the frosting off a cookie on Aunt Michelle's porch

Vacation in Kansas

Alyssa loves the slide!