WELCOME 2011

It is almost unreal that 2011 begins tomorrow. Sometimes it still seems like 1997 and I am a newlywed trying to mesh my life with the life of my new husband and his two little girls. Where did all the time go? Those little girls are now grown adults living on their own. My kiddos are now the exact age they were when Kev and I were married. Boy, the years have flown by! This year brought new experiences and opportunities. Kev got a promotion and I started a new job which I love! We are SO grateful for employment! My kiddos also had wonderful experiences this year and have grown and matured in ways I am loving. I feel like we are ending 2010 on a great note and even though it is hard to believe 2011 is beginning I look forward to what this New Year will bring. I am excited for the new experiences and challenges that await us in this New Year and hope that they are good ones and not crippling ones. I am so grateful for my testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I am grateful for the constant love of a Heavenly Father who watches over me and my little family and for my elder brother Jesus Christ who made it possible to someday return to that loving Heavenly Father with my family. I hope 2011 is a HAPPY NEW YEAR for everyone!

CHRISTMAS 2010

Well, Christmas 2010 has now come and gone! It was a wonderful Christmas and probably the first Christmas in a long time that I was a bit more stress free and was able to really enjoy every moment of it. The kiddos say it was the best Christmas ever and to hear that is just priceless! They got some wonderful gifts but what made it priceless was knowing that they really appreciated what they got. I wanted to take lots of pictures but I was enjoying it all so much that I only captured Christmas morning.

The kiddos open one gift on Christmas Eve and by tradition it is always PJ's. I always like to do fun looking PJ's. However, this year Keaton told me that he was now 11 and needed something more grown up so I promised him that if he wore his PJ's this year, next year I would get him mature looking PJ's for Christmas Eve. He was a great sport about it!



On Christmas morning the kids were up early and very excited to see the Santa gifts and check out the stockings!













Their BIG present this year was that they each received their own cell phone. Bailey Rose was just BURSTING with joy over it however, Keaton opened his first and she whined which you can hear on the video clip because she was sad over the fact he got what she wanted most. Even though Keaton was surprised and thrilled he was more BURSTING when he open up his new Wii classic controller isn't that is a boy for you!





Grandpa & Grandma Smith and Aunt Deb came for a yummy and traditional Christmas breakfast and then after opening the tree presents and much later we headed to Grandpa & Grandma Smith's house for a DELICIOUS dinner and opened more presents and then while all the cousins played all the adults visited and rested. Chad my little brother and his son entertained us while they played the new Michael Jackson Wii game. So funny to watch them play! It was a very Merry Christmas!

LOOK WHO CAME TO OUR HOUSE LAST NIGHT!

When the dad works for Coca-Cola from time to time he brings home fun things! This Santa came home from work with dad last night. The kids thought it was fun! Bailey Rose had the most fun with it. When Bailey Rose saw it she exclaimed, "Can I keep him in my room?" Keaton said, "Wow Dad, that is cool!" Within a few minutes the excitement of our new addition was over for Keaton. As a little boy he would of dug this. It is funny to think how some things use to be thrilling and exciting to Keaton and now that he is older certain things are not so much anymore. It is much more of a challenge to make things thrilling and exciting for a boy then a girl. At least that is what I have found with my kiddos! It is somewhat of a letdown for parents when you realize your kiddos are getting old enough that you truly have to work at pulling off the "EXCITING"!

SIXTH GRADE SCIENCE CAMP

This last Wed. Keaton and all the 6th graders took off for a few fun filled days at Science Camp in Prescott. Kevan was able to go and chaperon and took pictures so that I could see Keaton's experience. They all had a BLAST! Keaton has since told me all about it and I am so glad he had a wonderful time. He was SOOOO excited to go and he had the best time hanging with friends and having new experiences that I know were so good for him to have!

GETTING READY TO GO!


ON THE BUS WITH BEST BUD NATHAN & READY FOR THE TRIP!


PICKING HIS BUNK!


CLIMBING THE 32 FT. WALL! (Once they were up the wall they zip lined down. Lots of fun and a bit scary too. I wish I had a picture of the zip line).





PLAYING DODGE BALL (They were only allowed to move 3 steps per ball).


THEY TIE DYED T-SHIRTS!


THIS WAS A GAME CALLED "BUILD A BEAST! (Played like the old game "Telephone").


"THE BEAST" (This is the end result).


PICKING APART & EXAMINING OWL PELLETS! (Not Keaton's favorite activity).


PRACTICING FOR THE EVENING SKIT!


THE SKIT!


LEARNING ABOUT THE SUN!


TUG-A-WAR (Boys vs. Girls) Boys won one & Girls won one!


KEATON WITH SOME OF HIS FRIENDS & CABIN BUDDIES ON THE DAY THEY WENT HOME!



Keaton and Kevan were both very glad to get home and to sleep in their own beds last night. However, they have the memories of the last few days and I know that it will not be something Keaton forgets about anytime to soon. I must admit it looks and sounds like lots of fun and I am looking forward to going with Bailey Rose in a year when it is her turn to go!

SINCE THANKSGIVING...

Well, since Thanksgiving we have been decorating the house for Christmas, Christmas shopping, having band concerts, piano recitals and outings with the Girl Scout Troop. This last week has been real busy! Keaton had his band concert and it was so enjoyable! He is playing trumpet for the second year. I love seeing my children develop talents! He also had his first piano recital. He has only been taking piano for a very short time and loves it just as much as trumpet!



I LOVE his cute bow at the end!

Bailey Rose had the opportunity to get all dressed up and attend the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre with her Girl Scout Troop. They had a yummy buffet style dinner before hand and then after they watched the "Annie" musical Production. She had a blast! She has been singing the songs from the musical all day! Just too cute!




This is also the first time that I have had all my Christmas shopping done weeks before Christmas! I love it! Now I can just relax and enjoy the holiday and stay focused on the real meaning of Christmas!

This next week is another busy week! We have 6th Grade Science Camp for three days in Prescott. Kevan will be going with Keaton. I know they will have loads of fun. Bailey Rose and I will be hanging home just the two of us and she has her Dr. Appts. for her ear. It should be busy but fun! Both Kev and I get the chance to spend some one on one with the kids!