good bye summer... hello school!

As a last little family fun before school started, we all headed up to Strawberry with Jayson's canoe and kayaks. Jayson took Zoe out for a ride
Nate teaching Liv how to work the paddles

The kids all had a great time and took turns taking the boats out.

Max even had his turn on the kayak, while Nate and Kenya took the girls out on the canoe

Dad and Max taking the girls out for a ride.
We had a blast that day, it was fun for the kids to hang out family, even Grandpa took his turn out on the water with the kids. I feel blessed to have such a close bond with my family and enjoy spending time with each of them.

Nate ready for 6th grade

Max ready for 5th grade

Olivia ready for 2nd grade

They are such wonderful kids, and great students

cute little Frank 1 month old

Zoe all ready for kindergarten

Frank at about 1 1/2 weeks old
such sweet brothers and sisters

they sure love their new brother

cute big sisters

Frank has the sweetest face

Mommy and Daddy love you very much Frank

to be Frank

Our summer highlight was the birth of little Frank. He joined our family on July 30th weighing in at 9lb 5oz and 20 1/2in long. The labor and delivery was wonderful, I have a great partner and support and Dean even got to help deliver the big guy.

ready to get the show on the road

such a neat experience to hold your baby for the first time

our biggest baby

Frank had low blood sugar when he was born so the poor guy had to be admittedinto the level 2 nursery. He also had high biliruben levels so they put him under the lights while in the nursery.

Finally he was clear to come home when his blood sugar was good. His biliruben was still high, but that just meant he would need to be in the lights at home.

A few summer highlights

This summer was spent playing mini golf or racing cars at Trafalga, going down water slides or floating in the pool at Seven Peaks. Max turning ten. Taking a little trip to St. George with Grandma, Nikki, Emma and Lacey to see Little Mermaid and just simply hang out with cousins at the pool. Going to a couple of free concerts and playing with friends in the neighborhood.

Max and his buddies for his birthday

Zoe lost her first tooth :)

swimming with cousins

at the Brigham Young house in St. George

all in all it was a pretty good summer.

During the last week of school, Nate got to do a state report and a wax museum. He chose to to Massachusetts and Edgar Allan Poe. He loves learning new things, and did a great job on his report, including a great drawing.

the kids doing their dance festival on the last day of school

Merry old land of Oz

This year for the Wizard of Oz Zoe was a cute little munchkin.
She did a beautiful job with her dancing and had the cutest little poses.

Here she is with all of her munchkin class

Here is Olivia as a Jitterbug. She did an amazing job this year with three different parts; a jitterbug, tornado and an Oz girl. She had all of it down so good and loved every minute of it.

This year Shakaya got to be in the ballet too, she was a beautiful snowflake. It is always so fun to watch the girls perform and have such a great time dancing. Love you sweethearts, you are wonderful.

Preschool Graduation

We did a neighborhood preschool again, and had a wonderful time. This time around we had six kids and many great adventures. The kids learned so much and are now ready for kindergarton. Some of Zoe's preschool favorites were coloring, going to the park, the pumpkin patch, playing with friends and making fun snacks.
Mailee, Hannah, Zoe, Zach, Quinn and Finn

Zoe has a new talent! She learned how to ride a big girl bike, and now she loves going out and riding her bike with Liv and her friends. Awesome job Zoe!

Hope of America

This year in fith grade Nate participated in the Hope of America. It was a great experience for him and helped him become more interested in singing.
All the kids did such a great job, and it was really fun watching him during the program.
Way to go, Nate! Mom and Dad are proud of you.

Easter

For the past three years we have gone to the neighborhood Easter egg hunt/ potluck, they have so much fun looking for eggs with their friends. Olivia, Zoe and Emily searching for eggs

Liv showing off her new gummy teeth


Zoe on the hunt for more.


Everyone had a great time as always.

It's a boy!

We were all very excited for our ultrasound appointment, and to find out we are having a boy.

I finally got around to updating my blog! Some of it is from a while ago and a little out of order, but hey, it's done.

Max

We have the best school around! The priciple of Provost decided that the fourth graders needed to learn the violin, so he was able to get enough for all of them. So for the past four months the fouth grade has been playing each morning of school, and were recognized by the district for their greatness.
This has been great for Max to be able to have this oppertunity and learn a new instrument with his classmates. Good job Max, we are proud of you.

Aladdin

This years school play was Aladdin.

Nate did a great job and had fun. He worked really hard on the rehearsals

and took it very serious.

All the kids did an amazing job as usual, andthe whols audience loved the show.

What a wonderful experience for these kids.

Sundance time again

This year at the festival was fun, we got to go and hang out in Park City to star search a bit.

We didn't get the big name people like the year before, but we still recognized quite a few celebrities.
this is Peter Dinklage from the movie Elf and alot of other films as well. A few of the other celebrities we saw included are Anne Heche, Tommy Lee, Fred Armison, Michael Rapaport and James Franco

we saw two movies this year with the Ricci's and I took this phot of of them after the movie Terry... they are huge fans of Creed from The Office

this was taken after the film The sound of my voice. This one we saw with our friend Shauna and her son Bruno. All three movies this year were winners, we had a great time and always look forward to next year.

Happy Anniversary Babe

It's been twelve wonderful married years together, and I love you more than ever. I'm so proud of who you are and the great things you do for me and the kids. I LOVE YOU!

Christmas!

One of the favorite activities for the kids at christmas time is playing out in the snow. Grandma Williams found this fun little snowman kit for them, so they couldn't wait for it to snow enough to get some use for it.On Christmas Eve we spent time with my family like we do every year. We also shared the exciting news about our new summer arrival. This year we even had a special guest come to share a present with each of the kids.

We had a great Christmas morning, each of the kids were happy with what they got, and was excited to start playing with their new things.

Later Christmas day we went to spend time with Dean's family, and shared our exciting news with Grandma. Everyone had a great day, and even despite the fact that it was the first day I felt very sick fom being pregnant, I had a wonderful Christmas too.

I Love our families very much, and am greatful to be close to them and be able to share great times together.