Fourth of July

The fourth of July has recently become one of my favorite holidays and it is a time that I look forward to each year.  Last year we discovered that Snowbird Resort has an Independence Day breakfast and we had such a good time we decided to make it a tradition.  We headed up the canyon this year and enjoyed a yummy breakfast in perfect cool mountain weather.

  After breakfast we did a little exploring and then took the tram to the top of the mountain.  Suddenly the cool mountain air became super cold mountain air.  There we were at the peak, in shorts and flip flops, in 40 degree temperature!  Burr....thank goodness I packed sweatshirts just in case!  It was definitely worth it because the view was amazing.

Our night, as always, was spent and Andy's Aunt Sharon's house for a barbecue and a viewing of Holladay City's firework show.

We also celebrated Herriman Days a week before the fourth of July.  I always have such a good time at our little town's celebration!  The parade is just the right amount of time and each entry that goes by throws out some kind of candy.  The kids definitely love this part!  At one point Dylan saw someone throw a small package of skittles, so he threw down the taffy he was holding and hurried out to get the skittles before Ethan or Hallie could.  By  the end of the parade we had two gallon sized baggies full of treats!  

Later that night we went to the park to enjoy rides and a firework show.  I love this time of year and I love to living where my family can enjoy so much freedom!  

Kindergarten Graduation

The big day was on June 11, Ethan graduated from kindergarten.  His graduation program was so cute.  His class put on a fashion show.  Each child dressed up in something that they love and walked along the "catwalk", really the stage, while the "emcee", really Mrs. Craven, told about their look and their likes.  It was so fun to watch Ethan walk across the stage with his tongue in his cheek (this is what he does when he is embarrassed). It was also fun to watch the other students.  I have gotten to know them a little throughout the year while I helped in the classroom.  They also had a few songs they had been preparing and a slide show of all the things they had done throughout the year.  I am quite proud of myself for holding it together so well, even though the "Friends Forever" song tugged at my heart a little.  Ethan is very excited to move on to first grade, however I'm not sure I am.  I can't believe he is going to be gone all day and I know I will miss him.  I guess I will cross that bridge when it comes.  July 27 is not nearly far enough away.

Ethan's teacher this year was Mrs. Craven and I couldn't have asked for a better teacher.  She was so wonderful and got to know each child so well.  I was so sad on Ethan's last day of school and I think that the biggest reason was knowing that Ethan wouldn't see Mrs. Craven on a daily basis.  She was such a big part of his life for 10 months and now it is all over.  Ethan also told me that he is going to miss her too.  I can only hope and pray that my future kindergarteners will have Mrs. Craven as their teacher!

Hobbies

Life for the kids has been busy lately.  Besides spring bringing along warm weather, green grass and blooming flowers it also brings dance recitals, singing recitals and baseball games.  The kids have been spending their time with practices and extra practices and performances.  It has been fun watching them but I have to admit that I am glad it is all over now.  With baseball twice a week, singing twice a week, and dancing lessons it gets a little crazy.  All this, and the kids are only 6 and 4.  I can't even imagine what it will be like when they are older.  I am grateful for the time that we have to spend together as a family right now and I know I need to cherish it while I can!  I guess I am officially becoming a soccer mom.  

Birthday Kids

Hallie celebrated her fourth birthday on March 27.  This happened to be the same day that Monsters vs. Aliens came out so she took two of her friends out for ice cream and a movie.  She had such a fun time being the birthday girl.  That night we went out for dinner and she got to pick her favorite place, The Pie.  I can't believe that she is already four.  She is such a sweet little girl, but also has a feisty side too.  She is definitely an entertainer.  Everything that comes out of her mouth is in song form.  She loves Sponge Bob and Barbie movies and she loves making her brothers laugh.  She loves playing with her friends, going to her singing lessons, and dressing up as anything.  I am so grateful that she is part of our family.  She keeps me laughing and brings such happiness to our lives.

Ethan turned six on April 19.  My how time flies!  My baby is now six years old, is getting ready to graduate from kindergarten, has his first loose tooth, and looks like a big kid instead of my little Ethan.  He is very in to watching big people movies with his dad so he decided to have a spy/mission impossible party.  He invited six of his friends over for "agent training".  They had target practice with water balloons, a race to see who could get their disguise on first, and had to solve clues to find their goodie bags.  It was fun to finally have a birthday party where the kids could actually understand and follow through with games.  That night, Ethan's choice for dinner was The Mayan.  He loves that place, however mom and dad do not! (it's a good thing birthdays only come once a year)  Ethan is your typical crazy boy.  He does pretty well on his own, but when you get him together with his friends trouble is on the way.  He is very smart and especially loves doing math.  He is such a good big brother.  He lets Hallie win at games and absolutely loves Dylan.  He is so sweet and is becoming such a help to me.  I think your first born always holds a special place in your heart!

Spaghetti Tacos

My kids love the show iCarly.  Okay, I'll be honest.  They whole family likes the show iCarly.   They do really funny and strange things on this show and one of them is eating spaghetti tacos.  One day Andy came home from work and told me that he and Ethan were going to make dinner.  I was thrilled of course, until I saw the outcome.  Yep thats right, we had spaghetti tacos for dinner.  It tasted pretty much how you would expect it to taste.  The kids ate it all but admitted later that it wasn't very yummy.  However, it was a fun dinner and a lasting memory.

Happy Birthday Dylan!

I can't believe my baby is one.  His birthday was on January 7 and I am amazed at how fast this year has flown by.  Dylan is so cute and is starting to have such a fun personality.  He started walking when he was 10 months old so he is almost running now.  He says quite a few words and phrases but of course "mama" isn't in his vocabulary yet.  His favorite things to say are "dada", "what's that", and "ball".  He absolutely loves the "I like to move it, move it" song from the movie Madagascar.  Every time he hears it he gets a huge grin and starts dancing.  Dylan loves to scream like a girl-all day long.  I am hoping this phase ends soon.  Dilly squish (as he is called at home) is a mama's boy and loves to be held by me a lot.  This can be frustrating but I am glad he loves me so much!  Dylan loves to give hugs and cuddle with soft things.  He is very loving and silly and I am excited to see what his second year has in store.

White Christmas

I am truly always dreaming of a white Christmas but this year I think it went a little to far!  We left our house pretty early on Christmas day to go visit family.  When we left there was about eight inches of snow already but while we were away it continued coming down.  By the time we arrived back home there was over two feet of snow!  Luckily our traveling went okay because the storm seemed to just hover over Herriman.  Our elders quorum (the ones who spent Christmas day at home) spent the afternoon helping people get out of their houses and shoveling driveways.  We were very grateful that we were able to get into our garage when we got home.  It was very beautiful but I think next year I won't dream of such a white Christmas!