BurnsFam5

Corn Maze

2009-10-23T08:43:00.003-06:00

On Saturday the 17th we went to the Corn Maze/Maize however you want to spell it. The signs all around the place had it spelled Maize, just for a little extra something I guess. We had a great time getting totally lost! At one point we were so confused that we were all getting grumpy with each other. The kids thought for sure we were going to be lost in the maze until midnight! There were check points to help you along your way, so on maze #1 we found the first 3, of course that took us about a half hour, but we could never find #4, somehow we skipped all the way to #9. By then we were just happy to be finding our way out since there were only 10 different check points. The second maze was a lot easier. Too bad we did that one first, we were over confident with out abilities that we ventured into the first maze and that is when the true adventure/arguing began!
The boys are still happy here, Kennedy was a little sassy about having to stop to get a picture taken. Just like her!

Kennedy pointing the way, she did lead for a little bit. We were so lost we didn't mind following a 3 year old.

Outside the maze's they had other fun set ups. This is a big tube slide. Trevan is the one waiting to go inside.

Here he is at the bottom. He totally loved it, so much so that he didn't want to do anything else for a long time.

Mason the jumper. He was jumping off of anything and everything. We all had a great afternoon.

Trevan and the Cougars

2009-10-17T11:28:00.002-06:00

Trevan is a true BYU fan! No matter what!!!! Last night we went to a high school football game and he only cheered for BYU! As we were walking into the "stadium" he is chanting BYU,BYU,BYU we told him that we were not at a BYU game but at a BISON game. He didn't care, all through the game he cheered BYU over and over again. AT LEAST WE ARE TEACHING HIM RIGHT! He knows where his loyalties are. (sorry all you UofA family fans, I guess my influence is greater on him than George's) Love you my TRUE BLUE BLEEDER BOY!

Parent Teacher Conference

2009-10-12T20:56:00.003-06:00

Today we had Parent Teacher Conference at the boys' school. We first met with Mason's teacher Ms. DeRosa. Mason is doing very well in all areas. His teacher has recently started giving him more advanced math to keep him challenged and she is also starting up an advanced reading group the he will be in. We have always heard how bright Mason is and how he loves to learn and gain knowledge. Mason does have his struggles and this summer they came on in full force. We tried many different strategies to help him pay attention and to be able to follow directions more fully but when school started and he would come home and say he was having a hard time listening when his mind wanted to day dream we couldn't deny it any longer. I had done plenty of research over the summer and he seemed to fit the ADD profile. We filled out the paperwork and so did his teacher and he was medically diagnosed. He started on a low once a day dose of meds and what an improvement! We are so proud of him and all of his hard work. I know some people are against medication for ADD/ADHD but for us we feel it has been the best for Mason. He has never struggled in school before but school work doesn't get any easier either. And we feel that if he had some other horrible disease we would treat that so why not this? Just how we feel.

We met with Trevan's teacher Mrs. Orr also today. He too is doing very well. He is a totally different child at school than he is at home. Here he says he can't do anything, meaning write or read, but at school it is a different story. He it one of three kids who know all their sight words, letters and their sounds, and he can count to 100. He also is well behaved at school too, so nice! (some of you have heard the Mason horror stories!) He also has a girl who loves him. She always tells him how handsome he is and blows him kisses daily! Before school started we had a Kindergarten Tea where the students got to meet their teachers, well I took Trevan but this little girl was not there that night. Mrs. Orr thought that it was funny that we would bring Trevan and not his twin sister Alaura Burns! Mason tells Trevan that if he married her she would not have to change her name! Too funny!!!

All in all two very good school reports so far. We are so proud of the boys and their efforts in school.

Home Depot

2009-10-06T09:32:00.002-06:00

The first Saturday of every month we can now be found at Home Depot! I love that the kids each get to do their own craft. This month they made fire house banks. Only a couple of thumbs were hit this time, mine and Trevan's. Not to bad for having 3 kids going nuts with the hammers.

Say What!

2009-09-18T15:48:00.003-06:00

Today while driving home from picking up Kennedy from school she was chatting away about her morning. Today was show-and-share so she took one of Mason's Apes. Here is a portion of our conversation:

Kennedy: "Mom is this mine?"

Me: "Is what yours?"

Kennedy: "This"

Me: "Kennedy you have to say what it is."

Kennedy: "What it is!"

Skate Park/Paris Gibson Park

2009-09-08T14:14:00.003-06:00

Yesterday we took the kids to Paris Gibson Park. Mason has been asking all summer long to go to the skate park and I kept putting it off thinking for sure he would break his arm or something! He was so excited and I was equally nervous! George decided it was time to "make" Trevan learn how to ride his bike. Mason checking out the action, deciding where to ride.

Kennedy enjoying the show!

Mason really enjoyed all the hills, he did try the bowl type areas but they were very crowded.

This is George's idea of teaching Trevan how to ride his bike! Not really!

This is really how it was done. Trevan is so funny, he can ride for a long time by himself, until he realizes you are no longer holding on, then he freaks out!

George and Trevan feeding the ducks.

cute little squirrel who was not afraid of people.

First Days of School

2009-09-08T13:34:00.002-06:00

This post is a little late in happening but better late then never! All three kids are now officially in school. Mason is a third grader this year and finding out that it is much tougher than the past few grades. He has a wonderful teacher who is big into Math. Trevan started Kindergarten and is loving it. He comes home everyday with a hand stamp which lets the parents know they behaved very well. He started school the same day as Mason, which is a little unusual seeing as how everywhere else we have lived Kindergarten has started a week later that the rest of the school. Kennedy is back in preschool and is so excited to see her friends again. She has new teachers this year and is excited about going. Kennedy, August 31, 2009 her first day of school.

Mason and Trevan, August 26, 2009 before they were forced to ride with me to school. They really wanted to ride the bus but putting Trevan on the bus on his first day of school was impossible for me.

Mason already working hard first thing that morning.

Trevan and his teacher Mrs. Orr. What a fun morning we all had, up until it was time for me and Kennedy to leave the school! Yes, I cried, and No I didn't think that I would since he is the second child to start school.

Horseback riding

2009-08-21T10:45:00.002-06:00

We spent an evening at Wade and Bonnie's house riding their horses. We talked about doing this for a couple of weeks before we actually got our schedules worked out. In the mean time we spent a night at the rodeo where the kids got all excited about riding. The rodeo was the reason I planed our vacation when I did. I have missed them over the years and here in Great Falls they want an arm and a leg to go! Anyways, the rodeo was a hit with everyone. So, on the day we went to Wade's once again I was telling Kennedy about getting to ride the horses, so she was so excited to ride in the RODEO! She was a little sad about not getting to be a rodeo queen. I think Trevan was first on a horse. He is on Junior, who by the way always scares me. Kierstan was leading them around and at one point some of the horses got to close to Junior for his liking and so he tried to kick them. It was at that point that Trevan was done, just done! He did try to "cowboy up" and feed another horse Ace out of his hand.

Mason is on a horse that I forget the name of. At first someone was leading them but Mason decided he could do it alone. Yes, the same Mason who was afraid to ride the horses at the fair's in Germany where they just tie them together and lead them in a circle!

Anyways, he loved it. The horse was start to jog a little and he would laugh so hard. Also this (as well as all horses) horse had a mind of his own. He knew Mason wasn't the boss so he would stop and eat whenever he felt like it. At one point he just made his way right into the barn to help himself.

Once Kennedy realized how big horses really are she was not going to have anything to do with them. After being there about an hour we started to try to get her to warm up to one. Ace is a very gentle horse. She was ok with petting his mane but when I tried to put her on she freaked. Here, Wade is trying again to help her warm up.

We decided to just put her on with George. She wasn't too thrilled at first so we told her it was just to take a picture. And that is all we got! She did not want to ride! Thanks Wade and Bonnie for sharing with us!!!! Can't wait to ride again.

We also spent a day on Utah Lake with Mike and Chyleen. That was so much fun. We all loved swimming and riding in the boat and the water weenie. George had never done anything like that before so it was extra fun for him. Mason and Trevan both loved the water weenie. They were both a little worried about when they were going to fall off but quickly found that life jackets really do work. I have to say I was most amazed at my sister Hollie. She was all for doing it all! (if that makes sense?) I never would have thought she would ride the water thing but she did, and she was good at it. I would fall off after a few bumps but not her, she had the death grip and it worked for her. I'm sure she was sore the week after though. Kennedy never did get in the water, but she was not about to get out of the boat! She at first was scared that Mike would go too fast, but a little while into it she was yelling faster faster! Thanks Mike and Chyleen, next summer can't come soon enough for me!

A very special thanks to Laura and Jeff for letting us stay with you guys for 2 weeks! We have such fun memories from this time, sickness included! Which by the way I brought it home with me and was sick for a couple of days! We always had something to do while there, whether it was going on an outing or just swimming in the pool. We brought home with us two very tan kids and one brown boy! (I can't say Mason is tan because he is totally a brown color!)

Hogel Zoo

2009-08-21T10:10:00.003-06:00

Another fun day in Utah! I was so excited to take the kids to a "real" non smelly zoo. They have been to a few zoo's in Germany but they are nothing like our American zoo's. (at least in my opinion) The day we planned to go while I was doing Kennedy's hair I told her it was zoo day. She then asks if Uncle Mike is coming. I said yes, so she asks "Is he bringing his sister?" ha ha ha, was my response. She was actually asking if he was bringing his daughter Starlee. Kennedy and Starlee. Aren't they just two beautiful girls? Well we think so! On a side note, when we got home from vacation I had Kennedy's hair cut just a little shorter than Starlee's is in this picture.

Mason, Trevan, and Starlee on the train, oh and of course Kennedy's head and George's arm!

Mason and Trevan with their cousins Grayson and Gavyn. Who would have ever thought that my sister and I would have boys of the same age. Mason and Grayson are only 7 months apart and Gavyn and Trevan are only just over 4 months apart. My boys are always so excited to go be with their cousins.

Mason, Gavyn, Starlee, and Grayson in front of the Giraffe. On the day we went a new baby giraffe was born so they had only the one out and we were not able to go to the other side of their habitat (or what ever it is called) the zoo keepers were trying to let mom and baby bond without onlookers.

Mason and the black bears. It was so hot out that we were all surprised that the animals were not in the water. Even the penguins were not swimming.

This picture cracks me up. She would not smile for anything! Little story about Kennedy, we have been talking for about a year (I know, a long time) about getting a dog. Well Kennedy says "I hate dogs, I want to go to the zoo and get an elephant!" So while viewing the elephants she was acting so weird. No smiles or anything. And did you know you can not purchase an elephant? That is what she found out, maybe that is the reason for the sour face! We had a great day and nobody got sprayed from the Lions! (personal experience from a stinky zoo in Germany!)

Dinosaur Park

2009-08-20T10:48:00.002-06:00

Did you know they have real dino's in Utah? Well that is what Kennedy thought when we went to dino park. She was sure the two in the top picture were real. They were behind an electrical fence and were making noise at each other so that makes them real!

By the time we went outside at the park we had convinced her they were just pretend. That is when we had some real fun. We were no longer having to carry her around. When we would come up to a new dino she would make sure we knew it was pretend!

These are very very vicious creatures! One of them was trying to put on his most fierce face while another was trying to be intimidating. The third was just being pleasing!

Also there was a scary volcano that was erupting! The boys got a little to close and had to "run" as fast as then could down the mountain!

I HAVE ALWAYS HATED GRASSHOPPERS! As a child the neighborhood boys would catch them and pull their legs off just to see what would happen. Just thinking about it give me the creeps.

Utah

2009-08-20T10:22:00.002-06:00

After our week in Arizona we drove back up to Utah to spend the next 2 weeks there. Kennedy finally catching some zzzzzz's while driving. It is a rare occasion for her to sleep in the truck. (she is too old for naps after all!)

Doesn't Mason look just so excited? And Trevan, well I think he needs to cheer up!

One night we had the chance to watch our niece Gennalyn play softball. I took more pictures of here than this but I think if I post them here she would never ever talk to me again! This wasn't a "real" game, just a game between the team and the parents. It was a fun relaxing game to watch.

Of course the boys found other things to do than watch another softball game.

Somewhere midway up this huge tree are Mason and Trevan. If you click on the picture you can see them better. Trevan is wearing a red shirt and Mason is in blue. I do know my kids are accident prone but I let them do this anyways and the only thing to happen was to Trevan and he walked away with just a scratch on the arm! Pretty lucky.

There was a really nice family at the park that night celebrating their July birthdays. They included our boys! They for sure didn't have to but they did. They were ice-block sledding and gave the boys a block and a towel to use.

Trevan and Gavyn just couldn't get the hang of ice blocking so they instead would race down the hill.

Grayson was able to balance pretty good.

The look on Mason's face here is so funny. George's big foot is trying to give him a helping shove down the hill. The two older boys had so much fun going on the ice. They both got pretty good at figuring out how to balance.

Misc. July

2009-08-15T13:19:00.002-06:00

Still catching up! This year we were able to celebrate Independence Day in our own country. We started with a pancake breakfast at the church, then on to the city's parade. The last parade we had been too was a few years back in a small town in Germany for Fasching (something like Marty graw). We were all excited for this to become a new tradition, but after sitting through the longest parade without a float, I'm not sure! I think for the most part the kids had fun but of course there were some complaints. They have a thing against throwing candy, instead they hand it directly to you. They were also handing out Cokes and Pepsi and ice cream sandwiches. Trevan waving the flag waiting for the start of the parade.

Kennedy giving the parade two thumbs up, Trevan's not so sure about that and Mason was having nothing to do with the thumb game.

After the parade we went to the base fishing pond. Mason is getting pretty good about casting out.

Trevan also casting out, he just is not patient enough to let his line sit in the water he wants to reel in as soon as it hits water.

Kennedy learning to reel in. No fish were caught but that is not a bad thing. The kids have told us they will have nothing to do with eating what is caught! They just enjoy going out and having fun.

Another day we took the kids miniature golfing. I don't think we will be taking Kennedy again any time soon! She was more interested in picking the flowers and playing in the streams of water.

Mason is learning a big lesson here. NEVER WALK BEHIND SOMEONE SWINGING A GOLF CLUB! Yup, he got hit right above his eyebrow. Luckily it is a rubber putter! My brother Mike had to learn the hard way with a real golf club and ended up needing stitches. Both Mason and Trevan have been hounding us to take them back there. If we do it has to be in the next week, after that school starts for them both.

Arizona

2009-08-14T09:42:00.003-06:00

In July we spent a week in Arizona. I know, we are CRAZY to want to go there during July. I swear it was hotter than the face of the sun! With temps over 110 we spent most of our time in the pool. We did spend a little time at a splash park, which by the way are the only pictures we have from our time there. Here are the kids walking to the park. I am really saying it was HOT!

Trevan and Kennedy taking a breather in the cool water.

I really don't know what to say about this picture. I guess Trevan's back side was a little too hot for his liking.

Nothing like getting a bucket of water pored in your face!

Kennedy walking through the water tunnel.

Do you wanna piece of me? Trevan next to the water cannon.

Mason running away from the bucket of water. He was not patient enough to let it fill up and then dump on him. He would wait for a little bit then run away. We really had a good time visiting family and friends. Next time we will have to visit in the winter!

Childrens Museum

2009-08-14T09:17:00.003-06:00

Back in June I took the kids to the local Children's Museum. They had a good time working in the construction zone, putting on dress up clothes and doing plays, puppet shows and much more. Trevan and Kennedy have been asking to go back, Mason on the other hand wants to go to a "real" museum with art on the walls. I'm sure that will be saved for a time when it will just be the two of us. Here they are in the construction zone area. They loved getting to wear the hard hats.

Trevan trying to hear the ocean through this big shell.

Mason working hard, only his hat was way too big.

Kennedy digging in the dino bone area. She was not interested in finding any bones, just playing in the sand.

Summer Fun (June)

2009-08-13T09:23:00.004-06:00

This summer has gone by in a blur! I can't believe school starts back up in two weeks. I have a lot of catching up to do on this blog. We will start with our June highlights. When the base baseball season ended all the teams and their families were invited to Great Falls minor league Voyagers baseball game and bbq. All the kids got to go out on the diamond for the National Anthem. Somewhere in the herd of kids is Trevan. He was so funny, he couldn't wait to get out on the field, but as soon as he was done he wanted to go home. Forget about watching the game, it wasn't about him anymore! We did stay until the 6th inning and the Voyagers did win that night.
Here is a picture of Trevan walking back to our seats. The stadium was very crowded that night. It was not only a night for the kids, but it was also Military Appreciation Night so all military ID holders got in free! Talk about CRAZY.

Mason and Trevan also took swimming lessons in June. I didn't sign Kennedy up for them because the flyer we got on the pool said the kids had to be at least 4 yrs. old.

Kennedy waiting on the side lines. It really didn't bother her that she didn't get to swim though. She was fine just watching.

Mason trying to learn the front stroke. He really has enjoyed the water. And he has come so far since the first day.

Trevan walking on the bottom of the pool moving his arms like he is swimming! Poor boy kept rubbing his eyes that on day two they were swollen. (we did get both boys goggles after the first day) He too has done a good job of learning, just not as advanced as Mason is yet.

There is still more to come, but right now I have to take all three kids to swimming lessons!

I Belong!

2009-06-20T17:56:00.002-06:00

Today was a special day for Mason. He became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We are so proud of who he is becoming and the choices he is making. Mason is a very good example to his brother and sister. He was pretty nervous before the actual baptism, but so was George. Well, maybe George wasn't as nervous as he was emotional. I guess the first born gets all the tears from dad!

Here are the three kids, well 2 1/2 of them! Kennedy was off in left field. Trevan had asked Mason earlier in the week if he could say the closing prayer today and he did a pretty good job. I also would like to mention the fact that it is a rare occasion for us to have a family event where Trevan does not have a "bonk" on the forehead! This one was from a skate board. If you need to enlarge to get the full view, feel free.

Happy Birthday Mason

2009-05-15T13:13:00.004-06:00

Happy Birthday Mason! 8 years sure have gone by fast. In the 8 years Mason has been with us we have lived in 6 different homes, 2 different countries, 2 different states, and traveled many miles. Mason was born in Anchorage Alaska, and has asked countless times over the last 5 years to move back there. Here is a look at how he has grown and changed. 3 weeks old. We tried and tried to wake him up for his first big photo. He was a very good sleeper as a baby.

Here he is at 1yr old. Check out the hair! It was always standing up!

2yrs old. By know I had started butching his hair. I couldn't handle the sticky up hair anymore. (except in the front, he has been sporting that hair do ever since)

3 yrs old. This is when he was still so sweet and easy, you know, before we turned his world upside down and moved him to Germany! We have always joked that the Mason we had in Alaska stayed there and little monster Mason came with us.

4yrs old. Pre-school days.

5yrs old. Kindergarten. I think there was a big change in him from 4 to 5. He lost the last little bit of baby chubby.

6yrs old. He was not wanting to get his picture taken this day. Can you tell by the look on his face? Maybe that is why I don't have one from him being 7yrs old.

Here is my big 8 year old. All grown up. He is so excited to get baptized and to get to go to scouts. Little monster Mason did stay behind in Germany and we found the sweet boy we left behind at 3. He loves school, I think having a male teacher has really helped him this year. He enjoys writing books and they have been up to 20 pages long. He is a very creative kid. His favorite color is blue and his favorite food is, well I don't really know because he is so picky! But to take a guess he loves cereal. He says when he grows up he wants to make video games and be a teacher. (the influence his teacher has had on him this year has been amazing) Crazy to think that in another 8 years he will be getting behind the wheel of a car, legally! (he tried to drive our brand new Durango when he was 3, he started the dings and dents, not me!) We are so grateful to have Mason in our family.

Trevan's First T-Ball Game

2009-05-14T18:00:00.003-06:00

May 11, was Trevan's first T-Ball game ever! He is loving it. He told me "Mom, I am rockin awesome!" He is so funny. Here he is on first base. Most of you know the rules of T-Ball. Meaning there are no outs and everyone bats then you switch places with the other team.

Here he is in the field. His position was between first and second base. He was pretty board because the ball never made it past the pitchers mound. Here he is drawing a circle in the dirt so he would "know" where to stand!

This is Trevan running the bases. He was the last batter up so they all run in. Mason was sure that Trevan had hit a home run! And just look at how big that shirt is! This is what happens when dad signs up the kid and orders the shirt!

The look on his face in this one just cracks me up. He is having so much fun.

Here he is guarding 3rd base. Every time the ball was hit he would run and cover his base. He was paying pretty close attention to the game, if only he could get some action! He really is enjoying himself and loves that his team is called the Rangers. (He totally loves Power Rangers)

Misc. stuff

2009-05-14T17:23:00.002-06:00

This is Trevan during his Pre-School's Mother's Day program. They sang us a couple of songs and then recited the story "Love you Forever". His teachers Miss Carolle and Miss Diane had taken pictures of each child with their mother and the kids decorated a picture frame, (Kennedy's class did a flower frame). The kids also told their teachers what they like to do with me. Of course they wrote these things down and laminated them for me. Trevan said, "I like it when mom playes the "Cootie" game with me. I love when mom squeezes me tight. I like it when she plays ball with me." Now our version of the Cootie game is not the one you buy at the store. "Cooties" come from getting kissed! Trevan always asks to play that game at bed time.

Kennedy was having nothing to do with the program. She does NOT like big rowdy groups of kids so she glues herself to my side. That is why there are no pictures of her with the other kids.

I put this picture in because of what she told her teachers. Her paper said, "I love my mom's hugs. My mom is special. I love mom. (best of all) I LOVE WHEN MOM FIXES MY HAIR!" she really does enjoy getting her hair done. I am so not making this up. The other day after her bath I was thinking of just blow drying her hair and leaving it alone. She would hear nothing of that! She was so mad and insisted on "getting" it done. I do not intentionally torture her hair, she does! I am just the hands that are there.

Another little thing on Kennedy. She is really trying hard to get the splits down. She will do this for hours and hours a day saying "mom watch me" She is getting better at them. What a fun little girl she is. Exactly what I always wanted!!!!

Easter

2009-04-13T09:39:00.003-06:00

Our Easter celebrations were kicked off on Friday night by going to see Monsters vs. Aliens in 3D. The week before the boys started asking to go see that movie and George told them the only movie we would be seeing in the future was the Hannah Montana movie. We didn't tell them we were going to the movie, we kept it a surprise. When we went in to pay for our tickets Trevan was not so happy! He was moping around until he finally asked if he really had to see the Hannah Montana movie! Monsters vs Aliens was actually a pretty fun movie. I wasn't really expecting to like it but I did. The kids loved it, well the boys did, Kennedy couldn't keep the glasses on her little face so she gave up on them. Saturday we finally were able to get the trampoline set up. We have it anchored down with 7 50lb sand bags and George still wants to get a few more. Later that evening after playing at the park and on the trampoline we finally were ready to color the eggs. The kit I bought wasn't the best. Not all the colors dissolved very well. But do kids really care? Not mine!

This is how they really feel! ha ha. If you were to ask these crazy kids what their favorite thing to do on Easter is they would not answer with the egg hunt, or the basket hunt, or even the new clothes. What they would tell you is that the best part it the EGG WARS! If you don't know what an egg war is that just means you have not had the privilege of spending an Easter dinner with the Jacklin family! (my, Linda's, family) Trevan won the first round and I won the second. George tried to cheat but I still beat him.

Sunday afternoon, getting ready to hunt down the candy filled eggs. We gave Kennedy a head start because she was content to just look at the eggs and not really pick them up. After she picked up one she thought she was done!

Both Trevan and Kennedy finding the hardly hidden eggs. The boys were actually pretty funny with Kennedy. They would tell her where the eggs were and then pick them up for her. They really are not stingy boys when it comes to candy.

George did hide some eggs that were a little harder to find. I had to take pictures of where they were and then show the boys the picture so they could go find them. They had a really good time, and so did we.

The past few months Trevan has really been asking alot about Jesus and how and why he died, and that he lives again. It really made an impact on him. He knows the true meaning of Easter and why it is and important for us. We have stressed the fact that Easter isn't about candy and eggs, and we don't even mention the Easter bunny in our house. As we were driving home from church yesterday we were talking about our primary, (George and I are Trevan's teachers) Mason started telling us about sharing time and the lesson that was taught, he said he had one little tear leak from his eye. So nice to know when the spirit whispers truth that he was in tune to hear and feel it.

Wedding

2009-03-14T16:03:00.003-06:00

On March 7th one of my favorite nieces got married! She looked so beautiful. I really can't believe she is old enough to be married. Kierstan and Justin had dated for about 2 years. They both looked so happy. As my brother Wade walked his daughter down the isle I watched Justin's face, I just wish I could have gotten a picture of him watching her.

These are Kierstan's sisters, Brittan, Lauran, and Jillian. I think the little girl in front is one of Justin's nieces.

The first kiss as husband and wife. So sweet.

My brother Wade and Kierstan during the daddy daughter dance. I can't remember what song was playing though.

George and Kennedy during the daddy daughter dance. Kennedy was so excited to dance. All night long she kept asking when it was time to dance. Even during the ceremony she was ready to boogie! By the end of the night she could barley stand but she didn't want to leave the dance floor.

They had a "Money Dance" where you pay to dance with the bride or groom. This is Mason taking his turn with Kierstan.

Here is Trevan having his dance with Kierstan. Trevan was so funny all day that day. He knew we were going to a wedding but he started to get stressed out the closer the time came. He was confused and kept asking who HE was going to marry! I kept telling him Kierstan was getting married but he still didn't get it. I guess he thought he was the one getting married that day. Then during the ceremony he asked me if Kierstan and Justin were going to have babies. I said yes, then he was trying to see the babies! I told him it would be a few years before that would happen! He was so cute about the whole thing.

Once again the "Money Dance" as I said before you pay to dance with the bride or groom, and most people pay 1 dollar, but Jeff, the goofball jokester, paid 5 dollars to dance with Justin! SO FUNNY, and so much like Jeff. Justin was a good sport about it too. His face was as red as could be but he was laughing just the same. Their video guy also was getting this dance! I can't wait to see how it turned out. Congratulations Kierstan and Justin!

We had a fun trip to Utah. I love staying with my sister Laura. Our boys are so close in age that they have a great time together. We hardly ever see them, but we sure do hear them! This time Grayson even slept in the same bedroom with Mason and Trevan! George's parents were able to make it up also. This was the first time in almost 5 years since the kids have seen them. George's dad, George has been growing a beard for a few months, so when Kennedy saw him the first time she called him Santa Claus! I guess he gets that alot. It was hard to leave to come back home but we will be back this summer! The kids are already counting down the days until they can see their cousins again.

Pre-School

2009-02-04T11:56:00.003-07:00

On Monday Feb.2 2009, Trevan and Kennedy began a new adventure in their lives. They started Pre-School! They both loved their first day there. When I picked them up the teacher had nothing but positive to say. She said Trevan is a very good helper and that he is polite to everyone. (This sounds good to me, after seeing him in primary for the last 2 years I wondered how he would do in school) Actually another little thing, when my parents came to visit us last when he was 3 1/2 my mom asked me if he had ADHD. Yes he was a very hyper toddler, not so much anymore.

Miss. Carol said Kennedy is such a little pistol! She was bouncing around the room. She also said that Kennedy has so much to say all the time! Her exact words were "She is just so darn cute I don't want to tell her to shh!" They will be going 3 days a week for 3 hours a day. I'm not sure what I will do with myself for 9 free hours a week! Haven't experienced loneliness like this in almost 8 years!

1st Semester Award

2009-02-04T11:40:00.002-07:00

A couple of weeks ago Mason's school had their awards ceremony. Mason was awarded the "Most Improved Academic Achievement" award. His teacher said he really deserved an award but that he couldn't give him the academic semester award because he wasn't here in the beginning of the school year. We are very proud of Mason. At his previous school he was in a multi-age program where the teacher let them study at their own pace. She also didn't give spelling tests, or any other kinds of tests. So, when we got here and Mason had to take his first test ever, I had to explain to him what a test was! Funny but true. Anyways, since being here he has scored 100% on every single spelling test and vocabulary test. In the Math area his test scores are in the 90% - 100% weekly. This little boy has been blessed with good genes! He is very competitive in school. He reminds me alot of his Uncle Mike. In this area that is a good thing!

Look at the excitement on his face. After the ceremony I asked him what he thought of his award, and in true Mason fashion he was sad and upset. He thought he was getting something better than a piece of paper! He said he should have gotten a big bucket of candy, or something cool like that! What a goof ball he is.

Photo Tag

2009-01-28T09:48:00.003-07:00

This is a Photo Tag. What you do is go to your fourth photo folder and get the fourth picture.

This is a picture of Trevan and his friend Diego. We were at one of Mason's basketball games last year in Germany. Diego's big brother Noah played on the same team as Mason. It was always a great time for these two little buddies, Trevan and Diego. They were always finding things to play with. This is my favorite picture of the two of them. Don't they make the cutest "cone heads"?

Top 100

2009-01-24T22:37:00.002-07:00

I saw this in a friends blog and thought that I would do it...to kill some time.

I tag anyone else who wants to share...Just paste this list into your blog and bold the ones that you HAVE done, and unbold any I have done that you have NOT...

I have done everything that is in big, bold letters .

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band (every Friday night I am the star drummer)
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning (Burger Bar rocks the salmonilla)
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch-hiked (didn't we all try to run away at some point during childhood?)
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise (not a real cruise, but I think the feiry to Alaska counts)
33. Seen Niagara falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors (I have been to my great grandma's house!)
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language (I am really good at jibberish)
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing (Rock Lake in the Uintahs, many, many rocks to climb over to get there)
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing (on a boat full of men, my mom caught the biggest fish!)
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris (stood under it so as not to get spit upon)
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud (my sister made me drink it, told me it was chocolate milk)
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie (plenty of home movies from childhood!)
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies for my sister =)
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma (they won't let me anymore, cancer)
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar (I have had sushi, YUCK, it had some egg crap on it)
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone (a nose counts right?)
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (not personally, but was tortured by it as a child)
88. Had chicken pox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury (one of my life dreams)
91. Met someone famous
92. Flown in an airplane
93. Joined a book club
94. Lost a loved one
95. Had a baby
96. Seen the Alamo in person
97. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
98. Been involved in a law suit
99. Owned a cell phone
100. Been stung by a bee