Uncle Scott's Visit

Uncle Scott came to town to get his teeth drilled on--and to go get pizza with the boys of course! We had a great time hanging out with Uncle Scott. Check out our adventures:

We hiked up Battle Creek Canyon to the falls.  It is a short and pleasant hike and we couldn't have asked for a better day.

McKay crossing the falls.

There is a cave just before the falls.  McKay wanted to check it out on the way down.

Kayden asking me to take his picture--and of course I did (several times).  He is one cute kid and he did great hiking by himself up to the falls and back down again.

Kayden tried to find the biggest rocks to throw in the stream.  He was extremely dirty by the end of the afternoon.

Jaxon and Josh playing by the waterfall.

Hiking back down the mountain.  I couldn't pass up this shot.

Or this one.  Josh and Kayden are "best buddies".

Resting in the shade on a cool log that crosses the stream.  The boys loved being with Uncle Scott.

McKay hanging out by the falls.  On the way home we stopped by a shaved ice shack and had a delicious cool snack.  Later that night we went and got "all you can eat" pizza.  As we rolled ourselves out the door to go home, McKay was wishing he would have eaten more pizza.  That kid has one bottomless pit for a stomach.

The next day Uncle Scott's mouth took a beating so hung out at home during the day.  Later that night we all went to go see Avengers.  We all enjoyed it very much (some were seeing it for the second time).  Kayden fell asleep right as it was getting good.  None the less, he loved the movie.  The boys play Avengers all the time now.  McKay is the Hulk, Jaxon is Captain America, Josh is Iron Man and Kayden is Thor--only with a sword instead of a hammer.

On the last day of Uncle Scott's visit, we went up the canyon to Bridal Veil Falls for a picnic and to play in the water.  It has a great place at the base of the falls to play.  My boys love rocks and everything dirty so this was perfect for them.

Uncle Scott and Kayden checkin' the water out.

Josh thought finding this sunk log was pretty cool.  He didn't let it out of his sight all day.

Triumphant Josh with his beloved log.  When we left, we strategically hid the log by other logs in hopes that it will be there when we go back in a few weeks when Uncle Scott comes back for another visit along with Aunt Caprice, Sara and Becca.

Josh and Jaxon playing in the water.  Jaxon is a master rock skipper and spent a good part of the day finding skipping rocks and then skipping them.  We will not fail to mention all the people that he nearly hit with his rocks and the countless times he splashed complete strangers.

Take my picture!

McKay decided to walk up the falls as far as he could.  He is sitting on the log in the middle of the picture.  He wanted to make it to the top, but he was in bare feet and couldn't find a strategic way to go any further.  We decided that next time we would wear our hiking shoes and go all the way to the base of the big falls on a nearby trail. The boys can't wait to go back.  Hopefully Josh's log will still be there!

Summer Has Begun

School is out and summer has started. We have been busy and we have had fun. (More posts to follow.) They first week school was out we hung out at home working on Summer Bridge books, playing with friends and completing projects that have been under works for some months.

McKay received this tasty puzzle for Christmas and has been working on it ever since.  It would get completed in spurts in between school projects and a busy schedule.

McKay wanted to finish it without any help from anyone.  I desperately tried to fit in a piece or two, but McKay would refuse and give me stern looks.  He finished it up within a couple of days of school being out and has it displayed nicely on the desk in his room.

Jaxon was invited by his school buddy Chase to go boating with him one day shortly after school was out.  They sent me this picture via text while they were out on the boat.  It made me smile.  I am glad that the boys are enjoying their summer thus far.

Take My Picture!

Whenever Kayden sees the camera, he demands that I take his picture. He will pose (usually in a silly way) and say, "Take my picture!" immediately followed by, "Let me see!"  (Thank goodness for a digital camera.)  One day he put on a shirt his cousin Tyler had bought for him so I took his picture to send to Tyler.  Kayden wouldn't settle for just one picture.  Here is how the session went:

What a ham!

End of Year Awards

McKay received a couple of awards at the end of the school year in the awards assembly.  He earned the "Freedom Falcon" award by doing a long list of extra things. (Participate in the science fair, earn a physical fitness award, he memorized all the European countries and capitals, had to do 100 multiplication facts in under three and a half minutes and get 100%, do the NOVA challenge, type 30 wpm with no errors, read 156 wpm fluently, read at least 10 books that are over 150 pages, publish 8 personal writings, attend 6 out of 8 preparation parties, and get 100% on at least 10 handwriting sheets--what a list!)

He received a cool trophy and big candy bar.  McKay also received the award for the fastest typer in his class at 49 wpm with no errors.  On the last day of school he also received the award for "Most Likely to become a Doctor".  He is one smart cookie and I am proud of him.
Jaxon also received an award on the last day of school.  He earned the title of "Laughing Hyena: Often found rolling on the floor clutching his stomach"  He is a funny kid and made a lot of friends this year with his fun personality.
Josh also received an award this year.  He had perfect attendance for the whole year!  Way to go guys!

Movin' and Groovin'

I LOVE the school dance festival.  I love watching the boys dance and I smile when they get embarrassed because they have to dance with girls.  This year was no let down.  We had a good time watching the boys dancing at their new school:

Josh and the first grade danced to Dynamite.  "I told you once, I told you twice..." (above)  Josh is in the middle with tan shorts.  He and his class made tie-dye shirts for the dance festival, their program and a couple of other activities they had at the end of the year.

At the end of the song they all fell on the ground.  It was a great ending to a great dance.

Later we caught up with Josh and took his picture while the other grades were dancing.  He is one cute boy.

Jaxon's class studied Utah History this year so they did some Square Dancing.  Jaxon didn't like dancing with a girl, but he did a good job and it looked like he was having fun.  (He is in the middle with the red neckerchief.)

He did some twirling, doe-see-doing and sashaying.

We also caught up with him later and took his picture.  It was hard to get a good shot of him while he was dancing.  At least here he is sporting his hat.

McKay's class did a medley of all the dances that they did kindergarten through sixth grade.  It was fun to watch (even though McKay was only at this school for sixth grade).  He had a good time dancing to all the different songs and he liked that he didn't have to dress up.

The fourth grade square dance (with a cute girl).

Now, if you thought McKay was tall-- take a look at the boy in black that was in his class this year.  He moved in in the middle of the year and no one could believe how tall he was.  He looks like he belongs in high school!  McKay was no longer the tallest in his grade (or in the school). 
I can't believe this was McKay's last dance festival.  Hard to believe that he will be in Jr. High next year!

Graduations 2012

I attended two graduations this year. The first graduation was for McKay graduating from 6th grade and the second one was Kayden's preschool program and graduation.

McKay had a good year this year (even though it was a new school, new friends and a new teacher).  He loved his teacher, Mrs. Powers.  He was sad to say good-bye to her and is determined to go back and visit her next year.  (Yeah right.)

Kayden's graduation program was as cute as could be.  I loved watching him sing all the songs that he learned this year and interact with all the kids in his class.  Above he is singing the Maraca song.  He loved shaking the Maracas, especially when he got to shake them fast.

They sang a song about Santa and shook some bells.

They also sang a song about the Three Little Kittens who lost their mittens.  Kayden couldn't be cuter.

Kayden said his part perfectly.  (This was a crumby picture--I wish I would have gotten one with his at the microphone, but I was juggling the camera and the camcorder.)

I just love that smile he has as he shows off all that he has learned this year.

Kayden with his two teachers Miss GeAnna and Miss Ginny.

The program was cute and fun to watch and Kayden was as cute as could be.  He is excited that he graduated from Miss GeAnna's preschool and that he will be going to Miss Lori's preschool next year with two of his buddies.

I am proud of both of my graduates.  It is amazing how fast time flies by.  I can't believe McKay is going to be in Jr. High next year (I cried on the last day of school unable to believe he is as old as he is) and Kayden will be in kindergarten before I know it.  I better remember to enjoy these times.

Uncle-Wan Scott 'Obi

We are a little excited around here--Uncle Scott is coming for a visit!  (He is coming to get some dental work done.)  The boys each received a package in the mail today from Uncle Scott containing puzzle pieces that they had to combine to make a message.  We had to wait all day for McKay to get home so he could open his package.  We were all anticipating McKay's return so we could put the puzzle together and read the secret message.

The boys each had an envelope addressed to them Star Wars style.  We like Star Wars at our house.

Uncle Scott included the picture of the puzzle, but we thought putting together the side with the message was easier--plus we were too anxious to see what it said!

The completed message.  The picture makes it a little difficult to read so I will decode it for you:

"Urgent message from the Jedi Council for Youngling K-den, Padawan Jo-shua,  Knight J'axon and Knight McK-ay.  Your knowledge of The Force is impressive.  You have done well to discover this secret message!  You have been summoned to a secret meeting next week on the Planet Highland in the Utah System.  Count Jeremy and Countess S'ara will pick the date and time of this meeting.  Prepare yourself to learn the ancient secret of the 12 crusts as first discovered by Pizza the Hutt.  Jedi Master Uncle-Won Scott 'Obi will oversee your training.  Prepare your mind stomach for the challenge ahead.  Beware of the Dark Side!  May The Force be with you!  Uncle-Wan Scott 'Obi"

In other words, let's go get some pizza!  We are excited to have him come spend a couple of days with us--even if his mouth is numb for a good part of the time.  The boys are preparing their minds and stomachs (doesn't take much) so they will be able to down as much pizza as possible at the local all you can eat pizza place.  The Force will be ever with us!

Fathers and Sons 2012

Father and Sons camp out has to be the best weekend of the year, am I right? The boys had a great weekend together while I enjoyed a fun girl's night out.  Here is the boys' weekend wrapped up:

McKay and his friend Parker having a good time together.

Kayden was anxious to get his chair set up so he could enjoy the fire, smores and peanuts.

Jeremy's mom gave us a big box of peanuts so the boys took the peanuts with them on the camp out.  Kayden (who loves peanuts) was sharing with everyone whether they wanted peanuts or not.

In the morning, they went on a hike together.  These are my sweet boys having a good time.  They look forward to this weekend every year (as do I).  Kayden always asks when "boys camping" is.  Little do they know that we have a family/neighborhood camp out coming up in a couple of weeks.  (I know--I am brave!)