President Kendyl

This is what happens when you let your 13-year-old take your camera!!

Kendyl, friends and Governor Huntsman.

Kendyl, friends and Mrs. Huntsman.

Today Kendyl went to a "Power in You" conference. It is for teenagers in leadership positions. It was her first duty as 8th grade President. She had the best time. It was at the E-Center. Governor and Mrs Huntsman sponsored it and really did a great job. Kendyl said it was very motivating and challenged all of them to bring out the best in themselves and others. Doesn't she look so grown up?

GOOD NEWS!!

I had to post this. This summer was awful with gas prices. I couldn't fill up my van for less than $80.00 and had to fill up at least once a week, more like every five days and Dean not much less. Today I filled up my car for less than $33.00. Who would think this would make me so happy but it did.

HAMMER TIME!

I love the look on her face. She is concentrating so hard.

Saturday morning Jake, Addy and I headed to Lowe's. I had signed them up for the builder's workshop. They had an extra opening so we also took our friend, Britten. The kids had a great time and I ended up frustrated and with a massive headache (too much hammering). Just kidding. It was really fun and the best part of it all was it was free!!! Lowe's was great. They provided the activity, aprons, goggles, tools and a cute little certificate when they finished. I was at a table with a know-it-all dad and one of those parents that try to show what a good parent they are in public, we all know what I'm talking about. I was almost done and I saw that he was doing it all wrong. I thought about telling him but thought no, I better not. The funny thing is when I got home I realized it was me that did it all wrong. OOPS! Thank goodness our kids don' t know the difference. I guess it pays to read all the instructions first. All in all it was a great way to spend a Saturday morning and can't wait until next month. Maybe this time I better send Dean.

TWILIGHT MADNESS!!!

Friday was my girlfriend Leigh's birthday and what a better birthday present than Edward Cullen and the good thing about it was, we all got to enjoy. My friends and I love the Twilight series and couldn't wait for the movie. It was opening night and it couldn't have been better. We bought out tickets about three weeks ago and thank goodness we did. It was number #1 all weekend and hard to find tickets. We started the night out with dinner at Yaponi's (our new favorite spot) and then ran to the movie. Thank goodness for reserved seating, we barely made it. It was so fun. I even had butterflies waiting for it to start. The theater was full of girls like us, some men and many teenagers. The teenagers and moms alike all yelled and screamed and oohed and aahed at all the right moments. I was prepared to be disappointed and for it not to be everything that it was built up to be but it delivered and we all can't wait to go again. Does anyone have plans next week. I love my girlfriends and am so thankful to have them in my life.

fUNnY KiDS!

This is what happens when you have some leftover birthday balloons laying around and two silly kids who ate too much sugar at the party. Thanks for making me laugh.

Kids have the right idea!!!

Today I woke up grouchy, stressing over all the things I have to do: work, clean, bills, scouts, kids homework, grocery shopping, Thanksgiving, Christmas (do I need to give more). I had already arranged for a play date for Addy with one of her cute friends Adam, so I decided to just forget about it all and just enjoy the moment. I went down to the Maverick and got my big 44 oz Diet Coke. I think I should get a discount there since I am a regular and know all of them by name (ha! ha!) I met Addy and her friend at the bus stop and went to the park to play. (It was so nice today we didn't even have to wear jackets). Pretty soon we had two more friends, Britten and Sara, join us. It was so much fun. We had macarooni and cheese for lunch and graham cracker cookies with frosting for dessert. We played princesses and "fighting bad guys." They had so much fun and you know what, all the things I was stressing about earlier will still be there when I'm done playing. Thanks Addy for teaching me today to enjoy the moment. I hope I remember this lesson for a while this time.

kENdYL

Kendyl loves soccer. She loves to play it, watch it, think about it, dream about it. You get the picture. For the past three Saturdays and then again this Saturday, she has been trying out for ODP (Olympic Development Program). This is an incredible program for both boys and girls. They are for girls between the ages of 10 and 18. In Kendyl's age group there were at least 120 girls at each Saturday clinic and they will only pick 38 from all four of the Saturday clinics. It is very exciting. I think Dean is as excited as she is. I am not sure when we will find out if she made it or not but there will definitely be a post. Kendyl also plays for her school team. It is a co-ed team and she is the only girl on the team and I haven't seen a girl on the any of the other teams yet. The coach put them in the varsity level so Kendyl is playing with a lot of BIG, BIG high school boys. Kendyl's school is a new school and the team is just beginning to play together so lets just say this has been a learning experience for everyone.

Addy's birthday party!!!

Like I said in an earlier post, birthdays at our house last for weeks and weeks but I promise this is the last of Addy's birthday posts. Addy had her birthday party last Saturday night. It was so much fun. It actually turned out better than I thought. I wasn't sure if they were old enough yet but they proved me wrong. We made it a late night (late for six years old that is). Everyone came in their pj's and we watched "Kung Fu Panda." We also had dinner and painted pillowcases that they got to take home as their favor. She got some awesome gifts and has been playing with them ever since. I am so thankful that she has great friends. Just a note, the dog in the picture is not ours. It is just a neighbor's dog that we sometimes borrow. Her friends all thought Addy got it for her birthday.

More birthday fun!!!

On Addy's birthday I came to her kindergarten class with treats for her class. Addy chose pink, blue and white mini-cupcakes to share. She was so cute with everyone, making sure that each child had what they wanted. The kids also sang Happy Birthday to her and made her fun little cards. I learned something about Addy at school, her teacher told me she is only shy at school when I'm around. Addy even made me stand up next to her when they sang Happy Birthday to her. What does that mean? After school we went to Dean's work and we took her to lunch. She chose JCW's, always yummy. She was so cute and grown up. She absolutely loved that she didn't have to share her mom and dad with anyone else. We sure love this little birthday girl.

ADDY turns 6!

Yesterday, November 13th, was Addy's birthday. I can't believe our baby is six years old. Where has the time gone. Her day started off with waking up to streamers and balloons and a birthday pancake on the "special" plate. She also got to open her presents from us. I love birthdays. Remember earlier I stated that birthdays at our house last for at least a week. This year is no exception. Her friend and cousin birthday party isn't until Saturday night. We are doing a late night movie party. She can't wait and is very excited for more birthday fun.

BYU!!!

Dean and I had the chance to go to the BYU versus San Diego State game last weekend. Dean is the Young Men's President so we took along the youth from our ward on our date. Just kidding, lots of other adults came too. It was so much fun and the Cougars won. The weather was perfect and we were with good company. My husband loves sports, I love my husband so I love sports?

JAKE!!

Jake loves to read. I left the dinner table last night and came back to this. I shouldn't discourage it right.

Another funny Jake moment happened last night during Family Home Evening. Dean was giving an awesome lesson and in the middle Jake suddenly said "ding, ding, ding. Time to move on." Maybe some day all our kids will be quiet and listen but in the meantime we will keep trying.

BABY FEVER!!!

No, this isn't what you think. I didn't have a baby, we were just borrowing my sister's baby for a moment. My kids love babies and this is a pretty cute one. Kendyl's mother instinct came out and you had to fight her to get a chance at holding him. She will be a great mother but not for many years to come.

High School Musical Madness!!!

Me and my sisters.

Addy and me!

Karlie, Claire and Addy

Claire, Addy, Karlie and Paige.

ADDY!!!

As part of Addy's birthday celebration, my sisters and I decided to take our girls to see High School Musical 3. It was so much fun. We were the only ones in the whole theater and I'm not sure who had more fun, my sisters and me or the girls. My favorite part is after the movies my kids love to go down to the front of the theater and dance. This time even the moms went. It's funny how good you can dance when no one is watching. My little niece Paige is such a trooper. She is in leg casts up to her thighs right now and she was even able to get in on the action. We brought her wheelchair down and she really can cut a rug. I did catch a theater worker secretly watching us and laughing. I loved the movie but I certainly don't remember high school like that. Thanks sisters for the good time. I love you!!!

More Addy!!!

Addy got a present in the mail last week from Grandpa Clyde and Grandma Barbara in Idaho. She was thrilled. Our kids love to get mail. We couldn't wait and had to open it before her birthday. I hope that's okay grandma. It was so much fun to make and Addy had it on all night last night. Thanks grandma and grandpa!!! We love you and miss you.

Addy's birthday!!!

Addy's birthday is on Thursday, November 13th and in our family it seems birthday celebrations last for an entire week or more. My dad and Terry invited all the McClure's to dinner on Sunday and surprised Addy with her birthday present early. Isn't that the cutest jacket? She has worn it to school every day since. Thanks grandpa and grandma!!!

COUSINS, COUSINS, COUSINS!!!

We love our cousins!!! These are my niece and nephew, Keaton and Karlie. They slept over the other night while their mom went to work. It was so much fun. Jake woke up everyone at 5:45 am to play the WII, gotta love it. They have so much fun together. Later when I was meeting their dad to drop them off, Jake came up with a plan. They could all live at Keaton's house for one day and then live at our house for one and go back and forth like that. What do you think Marnie? Thanks for playing.

BRRRR!!!

Today we woke up to snow on the ground. The kids were so excited. Mom was not. Thank goodness it was only a dusting and it was all gone by noon. I miss summer already. I wanted to get pictures of Kendyl too but she leaves for school when it is still dark outside.