TWINKIE'S!!!!

Ian enjoying his very first Twinkie! I thought I should document this momentous occasion.

It was packaged for the Shrek - Forever After movie so the filling was GREEN!

The other kid is Jason who was camping by us.

Seriously! How do their Little Minds Work?

This is my conversation with Ian when I told him we were going to Taylin and Finley's house for dinner.

Ian: Do they have a playground?

Me: Yes.

Ian: Do they have a tiger?

Me: Umm....No.

Ian: Oh good! That would be scary.

Sweet Boys

Last night the boys had a sleep over at Grandma Sherrie's. Dane told Grandma that he just had to call me to say goodnight. When I answered the phone I couldn't get a word in he was so excited. He said he had the perfect day! He also told me about his good, medium and bad parts of the day. We do this every night at dinner time. I love hearing what the boys remember about the day. And I think it is a good way to initiate conversation. I hope as they get older that doing this will be a good way for them to talk about things and keep the lines of communication open between us. Ian says the same thing every time. His good part was going to Abbey's house (whether he did or not). His bad part usually changes whether it was from that day or not. I just LOVE these two Boys!

The Second Day of Summer Was Better than the First

I will spare you the details of the First Day of Summer. It included quite a bit of yelling coming from me and the kids. I pulled out my hair in frustration and wondered what in the heck I was going to do with these high energy kids all summer! Aaaaagh!

We started off the second day of Summer vacation by heading out for an early hike with Skadi. The boys wake up at 6:30 pretty much every morning so I figure we should make the most of the day when everyone has lots of energy. I was so proud of the kids. They hiked for an hour with minimal complaining. The view of city in the morning was beautiful.

We came home from the hike and cleaned up and then headed to Ogden to meet my friend Natalie and her kids (Lola, and Luke) for lunch. Then we headed to the Dinosaur Museum. It was a pretty cool place with an indoor museum and then an outdoor park and lots of dinosaur statues. We had a great time!

Kindergarten Graduation Celebration

I must admit that I am sad that Dane has to leave kindergarten and these two fabulous teachers and move on to first grade. He had the most fantastic year and progressed immensely. He developed great self esteem, and became a good reader. Rachel and Lonnie were great at recognizing Dane's strengths and really encouraged him in the areas he excels in but also challenged him in the areas he is weaker in. Dane is definitely prepared and ready for first grade. I know he will remember Lonnie and Rachel forever. No one forgets their Kindergarten teacher because they play a huge roll in your development.

One think about Rowland Hall is they know how to throw parties. We had 3 different Kindergarten Celebrations! A class water day, a whole school Color (field) Day, and a graduation party. Phew! They were all very fun though and I am grateful I was able to volunteer at all of them. It was fun to be involved and spend the time with Dane.

At the class water day we released the butterflies that the kids have been caring for and observing since the caterpillar stage. It was a symbolic event. These kids started as caterpillars with the butterflies and throughout the year they both grew until it was time to be released. The butterflies out into the world and the kindergartener's into first grader's.

I must admit that I shed a few tears.

Ian Preschool Graduation

Ian had a fantastic first year at CCNS in the 2 year-old class. I can't believe how much he has changed since the beginning of the year. He has matured into this smart and confident 3 year-old. His teacher, Mrs. Stephanie, is wonderful. She truly understands children and it is amazing watching her with them. Dane had her as a teacher in the 4's class and I am so glad Ian gets to experience Mrs. Stephanie. Next year Ian will be in the 3's class and cousin Abbey will be there too! I am so grateful I was able to co-op in the class a few times a month. It is exhausting but so rewarding to watch your child grow in the classroom setting. Co-opping is a great way to take what they are learning in the class and incorporate it in the home and everyday life. The purpose of CCNS is to give the children the skills of being a part of a group, being respectful to your fellow classmates, sharing, engaging. These are all skills they will need as they continue through school.

Lake Powell

We took a trip to Lake Powell in May with Ellerbeck's, Shupe's and Epperson's. We had fantastic weather and great company. I didn't take any pictures but luckily Steph snapped this one of the family as we headed out on a Lake tour.

The trip was wonderful and injury free until Jared fell doing a sick wakeboard trick and broke his tibia. They had to leave early to get Jared to a hospital. Poor Bud!

Happy Father's Day

Today we celebrated the WoNdErFuL and AmAzInG Father of our family. This guy does it all. He works HARD to provide us with a fantastic life, he has PLAYING down to a fine science, he puts his FAMILY first. We are so proud to call this Father and Husband ours.

We Love You Dustin!

Dustin made me these beautiful planter boxes for our back patio and today we planted some starts that will hopefully produce some yummy veggies this summer.

Dane was able to take a spin around the Miller Paving parking lot in his go-kart today. He was in heaven! Dane even pushed Ian around a little bit too.

The kids disappeared for a while in the morning and this is what Dustin and I found. They had set up a lemonade stand. Dane painstakingly spelled out lemonade in modeling clay. They were trying to sell Capri-Sun's for $5. Since we live on a deserted circle Dustin and I were their only customers and we were able to negotiate a more reasonable price of $1 each. They were so proud of themselves and even made flyers to take to neighbors that said "Come to our Lemonade Stand, at Dane and Ian's House".

Happy Birthday Grandpa A

My Grandpa Allred's birthday was on June 11. I forget how old he is.....very young though. Isn't he a cutie?

Megan and I took the kids over for breakfast to celebrate. I brought fruit and Megan made her yummy whole grain berry muffins that are delicious AND nutritious.

We had a great time visiting. The kids like to sneak downstairs and jump on the small trampoline and turn on the treadmill to a slow speed and use it as a slide. If this high energy behavior bother's my grandparents they sure do hide it well!

We LOVE you Grandpa! Happy Birthday!