Hot Springs Adventure

We thought it was be SO much to take the kids up to the Hot Springs in Spanish Fork Canyon.

Everyone did really well on the hike up. The trees were plenty green from all the rain this year. The river was roaring and rushing down.

As we got the Hot Springs we realized the water was so high it had pretty much washed away the lower springs.

(Check out all the water)

So we headed up to the Spring located higher up. The only obstacle we had was crossing the river to get over to the Hot Springs. I should have taken a picture. We walked across this think board to get to the other side. It was pretty intense, but we all made it over safe.

Here we are .... enjoying the warm water!

The river was pretty fast and the water was high. It was fun to relax and soak up the warmth as we watched the water rushing down the river!

Just as we were getting in the weather turned on us. Our beautiful day turned into a major hail storm. The trails were slippery with mud and water. The hail hit on us for what seemed like eternity. We tried to hide under a tree, but we found very little coverage. Zander slipped a couple times.... getting himself all muddy. We all did our best to carefully run down the path to the car, but the hike is about 2.5 miles. I am pleased to say we all eventually made it down. Even little Zander didn't cry too much. We were covered in mud and soaked to the bone but it sure made for a great story and some crazy memories!!

Gar is 9!!

It's hard to believe Gar is 9 years old!!!

Garrett is a shiny spot in my life. His constant smile melts anyone's heart.... especially when it comes to getting out of trouble. He just flashes that smile and bomb.... I am wrapped around his finger. G-man is so many GREAT things. Smart. Happy. Fun. Sly. This past year he has grown up. I have to add to the list.... independent. He barely needs his mom anymore. And as a matter of fact, he keeps me in line most of the time these days.

Happy 9th birthday G-man!! Love you kiddo!!

May Birthdays

This year I thought I would be so smart and have Garrett and Zander's birthday parties combined. For the most part.... the party was a success. I think all the kids had fun and Garrett and Zander were happy birthday boys!

Check out the line of kiddos. We had a total of 26 kids that showed up. WOW!

It was tons of fun!!

Jump on It was the choice of activity.

Everyone left with smiles!!

Garrett LOVES burrito's. He had a breakfast burrito that morning and then picked to go to Barbacoa so he could have another type of burrito for dinner. He loves his soft shelled food!!
(he is always has a silly face)

Megan also celebrated her birthday in May. Bruno Mars tickets were her special gift. She said she even had a good time!!

Happy Birthday!!

Easter

Happy Easter!!

Alpine Days 2011

Conner completed track for this year. It was his first time competing and participating in Track. He did really well. We are so proud of him!!

Here is Conner, Todd, and Cannon. Some of his track buddies.

Do you see all these participants? There were over 35 7th grade boys who qualified for Alpine Days. Only the top 7 are chosen to participate in the finals. Conner qualified for both the 100 and 200 meter runs!

These boys are all really fast. Conner ended up taking 5th in the 100 meter and 6th in the 200!!

Conner had a team in the 4x100 relay also. They placed 4th in that event.

He also did the long jump.

All in all it was a real fun day. Nice weather and plenty of running all day!!

Track

It's Track time too. This is Conner's first year trying out the sport.

He is killing everyone!!

He runs the 100 meter, 200 meter, 4x200 relay, and 4x400 relay!!

Go Conner!! Go Mountain Ridge!!

Baseball Starts

Baseball has started for Garrett! He is loving it! He told me the other day he wants to be a baseball player when he grows up. Keep in mind, he also wants to be a football player and when basketball season was in season... he wanted to be a basketball player too. I love it that he is all boy!!

I loved this picture. All the boys lined up to watch him. Do you see little Garrett in the outfield?

Go White Socks!

Spring Break 2011

For Spring Break this year we went to sunny Las Vegas!

While it was raining and snowing in Utah - we were out relaxing by the pool.... soaking up the sun!

FUN!

We had a great time.

We ate at this delicious buffet. The best part was all the desserts. Zander had 3 desserts. Stocks had several. Gar was in heaven... and Conner got a stomach ache from eating too much sugar. Niel and I were just happy that we found a place where everyone could find something they liked!!

We did a lot of swimming. I was relaxing so much at the pool that I failed to take enough pictures. All I can say is that it was WARM!!

We spend a half a day at on the strip. Niel even tried to chase a bus down so we could get to our destination.

Here are a couple of fun pictures of just stuff we did!

We went to a magic show!

Watch the dancing waters at the Bellagio!

Treated ourselves to whatever we wanted!

Walked around in the warmth!

Tired ourselves trying to find the bus!

And played lots of games together!!

It was a great trip!!

A Team Golf Night

Every two weeks we have A-Team night. In order to participate, you must have good grades.

For A Team night we decided to make good use of the warm weather and find something to do outside.

We decided to go golfing!

We had a fun time. Stocks even got 2 holes in one.

Note... Conner did have good grades - we was just busy at a birthday party!! We did our best to have fun without him!!

NCAA Champion

We have a new family NCAA Champion this year.

(Who knew Butler and UCONN would be in the final two)

I guess Zander knows his college basketball.

Zander picked Pirate Island has his method of celebrating!!

It ended up being a real fun night for all of us.

Games for the littler ones...

karaoke for the bigger ones....

And a fun night for the oldest ones to just sit back and watch it all happen!!

SEVEN

Zander is officially 7 BIG YEARS!

(Love the toothless grin)

Good morning!

Zander had been looking forward to breakfast in bed since his last birthday.

We had a small get together with family.

Thanks for coming over!!

Zander gets a friend party this year. More to come.... soon!

My Baby is 7??

Zander is 7! Yah... that's right. Pants is officially SEVEN big years!!

What a character.

It's funny.... everyone who knows Zander has a story to tell. He is a crack up. He is friendly. He is entertaining and someone you can't forget.

This picture says so much!

You got to love the kid....

.... I know I do!

Happy Birthday Zander Pants!!!

The Principles Office??

Most of the time Zander is making everyone laugh with his GINORMOUS personality. He does and says some of the most funny things. I love him to death!!

But we do have other times that are challenging. I suppose parenting isn't always suppose to easy. Zander reminds me of that some times.

This past week Zander was sent to the principles office.

All of Zander's classmates think he is so funny. His teacher has mentioned several times that others really look up to him. Not only can he make others laugh but he is a friend to everyone. Those are some really good qualities... especially for a 6 year old. But the other day Zander was getting frustrated at a girl who "wasn't being very nice." Zander knows he isn't allowed to do mean things to other people, so instead.... he asked his little friend to be mean to this girl. Zander told his little friend to pull the mean girl's hair. The little friend did what Zander told him to do, and did indeed, pull the girl's hair. The girl defended herself and she punched the little friend in the stomach. The little friend cried immediately and the girl and little friend started hitting each other back. Meanwhile, Zander just sat back and watched it all happen.

All three of them got sent to the principles office. As a result, they all lost their recess for two days. They had to sit in the office and "think" about how they could have each responded better.

Now, I realize the little friend didn't have to do what Zander told him to do..... but, I do see how sneaky Zander can be in getting what he wants. Not good!

Zander lost his privileges at home as well for the rest of the day. He wrote sorry notes to the girl and boy. I really hoped he learned something.

On a brighter note.... this little picture is more of our FUN Zander! He really is a good boy and lots of fun to be with. And... he really can brighten my day with his love and excitement for life!

Happy St Paddy's Day

Yeah! We love to celebrate Green!!

St. Paddy's Day means eating LOTS of green treats!

Donuts - Sprite!

And cookies!

This year we switched it up with GREEN hair!

We had such a fun DAY!