Thursday, October 6, 2011

2 Years already????


Happy Birthday Stockton! It's hard to believe it's already been 2 years that we've had you with us. You are full of hugs, kisses, and love! You brighten our home!
So Stockton got a few books and a basketball hoop that he has been playing with non-stop except to eat lunch, diaper changes, and a nap. He can't get enough. When he's not shooting the ball, he's got his new books in his hands, wanting to read them again and again. He has been walking around the house the last week or two "counting" (by saying two for everything), and if he has a snack, he says, "Two" and won't stop until he has 2 of whatever it is...apples, fruit snacks, books, everything! It's a good thing he's 2, since apparently this is his favorite number. We love our little boy! Happy Birthday little man!

Saturday, October 1, 2011

September Nuts and Bolts (our monthly family newsletter entry)

September came and went so quickly. Sometimes it’s amazing how that happens. Here’s our rundown of September happenings:

• Tayah had her first day of preschool, attending twice a week with “Miss Mary.” She loves it and is enjoying all the things they do and learn there. It’s a fairly small class and they are focusing on the children learning how to learn and associate with other children. So far, so good!
• Kadence continues to adore kindergarten. She is learning so many things—many Spanish words, phrases, and songs; new skills, while enhancing things she knows. We have loved our daily reading. We’re asked to do 15 minutes with her, but have so much fun, it’s often 45-60. She is making good friends. Elizabeth helps out in each of the girls’ classes once per month.

• The girls had their school portraits taken. Adorable!

• We also went to the school carnival. Lots of fun and a good turnout.
• We put our autumn decorations up and bought a lot more. Our family loves fall…in fact, it’s one of our four favorite seasons.
• Stockton really is picking up words left and right. Our favorites are, “sure” (when we ask him to do something), “sorry,” “yes” (never “yeah”), “Nanence” (Kadence), “Taytay” (Tayah), and “BOOM BABY!” (from Emperor’s New Groove.
• Elizabeth and I had some wonderful date nights, including sealings, the Jon Schmidt concert at Thanksgiving Point, and going out for dinner and shopping.
• Stake Conference was wonderful, as was our annual Stake High Priests social. Our new building in our stake was also dedicated that weekend.

• Labor Day was a little different for us, as it was Kadence’s first holiday from school!

• The Utah State Fair was wonderful, as usual. I think we’ve now gone every year of our marriage. The kids loved it, especially petting some baby piglets.
• Thanks to Grandpa for having us over for pear-picking.
• Work events: WAGON meetings at UVU (all the annual giving colleagues from schools in Utah and Idaho), LDS Business College’s 125th Anniversary kickoff (where I was on KSL TV in the background), alumni chapter chair training, and our yearly Signature Scholarship and Mentorship luncheon.
• We had flu shots (the two youngest did great, the oldest? Not so much…) and dental check-ups.

• With Dad, Carissa, and Darrell and Tanya’s family, I went to Jimmer Fredette’s All-Star game where drafted and undrafted rookies played a “real” NBA game. It was just nice to see some actual basketball in the midst of this horrendous lockout. I don’t know what I’m going to do if things continue; I also don’t know what Elizabeth will do with me!

• We’ve watched the ups and downs of the BYU football team and hope they can find some semblance of consistency. I enjoyed hearing Bronco speak at Cougar Club with Dad

• The girls attended some birthday parties for friends.

• Church-related: kept very busy with my new high council calling—lots to do and lots to learn and we’re loving it. As I’m over physical facilities, we’ve only had a few minor emergencies thus far. Such a blessing to serve. Elizabeth is playing volleyball weekly with our ward and is entering tournament play. I continue to play basketball with our ward weekly. Elizabeth greatly enjoyed the General Relief Society meeting.

Life continues to treat us marvelously. We feel so very blessed to have choice experiences. We are always grateful for our sweet children who are our everything.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Boom Baby!

Kidisms (no longer just Girlisms, now that our Stockton is becoming quite the verbose baby boy):

KADENCE
After watching "Ramona and Beezus," Kadence was telling me how much she loved "Morona and Jesus."  We're teaching them well :)

TAYAH
On our monthly Daddy/daughter date:
Tayah: "Daddy, where does the sky end?"
Me: "It doesn't sweetie."
Tayah: "I think it takes 20 or 25 steps to get to the top."

STOCKTON
"Boom Baby!' (from Emperor's New Groove; This one absolutely, absolutely cracks us up.
"Nice!" (usually said to Tayah, meaning, "Be nice to me."
"Sure." (anytime we ask him to do something, this is his response

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Tayah's Big Day and the State Fair (Lacking Creativity for the Title)


Tayah had her first day of preschool Wednesday and could not be more excited to be in Miss Mary's class!  She has some friends in there, loves the big classroom, and had "so much fun" the first day.  It doesn't hurt that she is right next to Kadence's class and has access to the kindergarten playground. 

And life continues to move on and our children keep disobeying us...by growing up too fast!


Thursday saw us hitting the State Fair.  Word to the wise: if you can, go the first day; not nearly as crowded as it usually is!  We so much fun we couldn't "bear" anymore.


These two pumpkins made us think about Cinderella's carriage.  By the way, gotta love Tayah's face here.


We were able to see a litter of new piglets and the girls were able to pet one of the babies.

It was another fun-filled family adventure...without a single fit.  WAHOO!