Halloween 2009

It's going to be Christmas soon and we've been busy. I must post a few Halloween pics before it seems too late.



Our little witch with her cousins Mulan (Delaney) and Nemo (Avery)






Our little lion cub





The Countness of Darkness. Makeup job courtesy of her Aunt Lori.







Jack Sparrow's pirate sidekick (Braxton), Elphada (Jaden), and Tinkerbell (Kayelyn) visiting at the ward trunk or treat.

These are some of the cute faces of our family's Halloween

One!

One birthday party
One birthday cake
One special boy
One great year
"One"-derful You!

Just gotta dance

So much to blog about, so little time to do it. for now here's a cute video of Spencer. Claire was given this birthday card from her little friend Brooke several months ago. It has a cute tune and has become Spencer's favorite toy. Even though the start and stop of it all can be a bit annoying, I love the way he moves to it and if you listen carefully, you can even hear him hum the beat. It makes me smile!

Not as planned.

School starts back on Monday and I have to report to Jury duty. I was so hoping that My number would not be called. No such luck. Kerry gets to play stay at home dad while I hang out at the courthouse. It's times like these that I realize how much I enjoy being a stay at home mom and taking care of my kids. Now if only I could remember that when they drive me crazy!

This is what happens...

when you have two older sisters! Who knows what torture lies ahead for this poor boy.

Before it's gone

July is always a busy time. Birthdays, anniversary, vacation, camp and more. Here's a recap of what we've been doing this month.

Shelby turned 10. Happy Birthday. She had a game party with many of her friends. They painted toe nails, Played pictionary and the present game and ate lots of junk. I wish the pictures came with sound effects. If they did, you would hear lots of giggling. Shelby is lucky to have so many good friends. Can't believe she's 10 already!






































The next day, Shelby headed off to Utah for gymnastic camp. This was her first experience away from home. She was able to go up with her friend Lindsay's family and stay the weekend at her grandma's home before camp started on Monday. She had a great time. Some of the highlights included: makingnew friends including her counselor. Games, pizza and late nights in the dorms. Jamba Juice. Having a cell phone to use, And learning the back hand-spring. She hasn't stopped tumbling since she came home.

We decided to stay and spend some time with Kerry's family over the 4th after picking Shelby up from camp. I LOVE Utah in the summer. The weather was so nice and I think it was the prettiest I've ever seen it up there this year. Soooo green! Just like other kids, mine have a blast playing with their cousins. It was hard to come home to the heat.

Claire turned 5 this year. She had a Hello Kitty party and invited her family and friends. All she wanted was a pinata, so in a 110 degree weather, we set up a pinata. The rest of the party took place in the air condtioning. Claire is so excited to be five even though we keep telling her each year that this had to be her last birthday because she's not allowed to grow up. She is looking forward to starting school in the fall and asks me vertually every day how much longer before she can go.













On the 17th, Kerry and I celebrated 16 years of marriage. It has been 16 years of happiness. I couldn't have married a better man who would treat me any better than Kerry does. I feel lucky to have him.

Shelby is almost finished with school. She has been in Ms. Dattero's 4th grade class and loves her classmates and teacher. At the awards assembly this morning, Shelby was awarded for A honor roll, citizenship, and she also earned the Nevada citizenship award. We are so pleased with her good work this year in school. She'll have a few weeks of break and then off to the 5th grade.

Life's a dance sometimes

The girls had their dance recital this weekend. It ended a year long class for each of them. Shelby took ballet and Claire took ballet and tap. They both did a great job and the recital was fun to watch. Shelby and Lauren


Claire's preschool graduation was last month. She loved going to preschool. She looked forward to Tuesday and Thursday mornings. I even used it as bribery sometimes. I figured I had to use it while I had it. How long will I get away with that? School is only fun for so long. She will be going into kindergarten very prepared and we are very happy about that.



With her teacher Mrs. Smoot


Summer's here and the weather's been great. It won't last long though, trying to soak up everyday while it lasts. I've been doing a lot of grilling and we've been eating out on the patio. Brayden is out of school and Shelby starts track break this week. We're going to enjoy the lazy days of summer while we have them! Hope everyone else has a great summer.

Is'nt He

CUTE!!

5 months old.




Shelby and Specner

They seem to like each other ALOT!

Easter

We started our Easter celebration on Friday afternoon. Instead of an egg hunt this year, we invited the cousins over for some egg dying and a craft that my mom saw in a magazine while waiting for her dental appointment. It just so happened that it was in one of the few magazines I get. The kids made little Easter chicks. We wanted the kids to focus on others and so we asked them to think of someone they could give their craft to.






















We spent about an hour on Saturday delivering Easter chicks to various friends and teachers. My kids seemed to enjoy this but still asked several times if we were going to have an easter egg hunt even though I had told them many times that we were doing this instead. If ever I wonder that they get tired of doing the same thing year after year, THEY DON'T especially if it involves candy.

The Easter bunny found his way to our house again. I thought he was pretty smart this year for bringing the kids new swim suits. How did he know they needed them? (Ha Ha).

At church, Brayden gave his first talk in sacrament meeting. He did a great job. He took this assignment very seriously and spent alot of time writting it himself. If he was nervous, he didn't show it. He has never ceased to amaze me with how he handles this kind of pressure. All of the talks on Sunday were so good. It made Easter really nice. I'm so grateful for my knowledge of the Savior and to know the true meaning of Easter. We ended the day at Mom's house for a family dinner.

I'm still alive

I told myself that I would post something before the end of March. I can't believe that I haven't posted ANYTHING this year. It's not because I have nothing to say. I just can't seem to find the time lately. The few times that I have gotten on my blog, I've started off by catching up with all the blogs I love to read. Before I know it, I've spent too much time reading others and have run out of time to post. I am grateful to all my friends who have blogs. I haven't had the time to make comments but I'm inspired by your lives and enjoy seeing how your families have grown!

Here's whats happening with us:
My baby is getting so big. Even though I can't imagine how I could love him more each day, I do! He has gained the title of our easiest baby. He is so fun to have! He is much bigger than he was in this picture. It's time to get the camera out. He weighs about 16lbs now. He has chubby little cheeks that get kissed to death and all those lovely rolls perfect for squishing. Can you tell that I eat him up? Anything silly makes him laugh even the slightest change in facial expression. He's been drooling now for months but no teeth.


Brayden's band teacher discovered that he plays the piano so he asked him to join the jazz band and play the piano. This has meant that he has to be to school an hour early. Thankfully, Kerry has agreed to take him to school. I'm looking forward to hearing him as a jazz pianist at his next concert. He continues to do well in school. He has been invited to join the honor society for next year. I am so glad he is liking middle school. I worried a little bit about it.

Shelby just went back to school from her track break. It was lovely having her home. She kept her little sister occupied. There are a few kids on our street that were also on track break. They spent almost everyday playing outside together. Shelby had to pick a "great American" to do a report and speech on. She picked Beverly Cleary. She read one of her books for the first time last year and really enjoyed it. We have been learn all about her life and books lately. She had to dress up as her (kinda hard) and give a speech. We managed to pull something together. She did a great job. I'm going to bring my camera to school on Thursday to get a picture of her at the living museum the school is doing.

There's always something to be done around here. I do not lack for spare time. It's been a busy month. We lost our sweet grandpa earlier this month. He was a good man, someone I could look up to. He is the first of my grandparents that I have lost. I am very fortunate to be able to know each of my grandparents. His funeral was very nice. We will miss him but know that we will see him again someday.
Spring is here and it's beautiful outside. My rose bushes are full of blooms that I will soon enjoy. I planted some flowers a few weeks ago. loving the way my backyard looks smells right now. I only be able to enjoy it for a few months before it gets too hot.
I guess that's all I have time for now.