Star Student

For the week of Sept. 21st, Kobe got to be the Star Student in his class. He was so excited. All week Miss LeSueur would read 2 or 3 things about Kobe & the other students guessed who they thought it was. Kobe & I decorated a poster about him. He loves Star Wars, so we decided to make the poster a Star Wars theme. He worked so hard on it! On Friday, I was able to go into the classroom. Kobe told all about his poster & I read the class his favorite book "Do Pirates Take Baths". Everyone laughed & loved the story. After the story Kobe handed out glazed donuts to the class. They were so yummy! Kobe just loves his class. And we couldn't have asked for a better teacher. Some of the things we told about Kobe are:

1. Loves Superheroes
2. Red is his favorite color
3. St. George is one of his favorite places to go
4. Only child
5. Loves to swordfight
6. Really good swimmer
7. Favorite food is Mac N Cheese
8. Loves playing video games
9. Has been to 11 states so far
10. does not like loud sounds
11. Likes to play sports
12. Blonde hair

Remembering 9-11

Stop for just a minute. Take an inventory of all the things in your life you have to be thankful for. Have you told those responsible how much you appreciate them? Write letters. Make calls. Tell them in person. Tell your teachers, your leaders, your police officers, your family, your friends, your employer. Tell them, "Thank you."

Double-no triple-our troubles and we'd still be better off than any other people on earth."

-Ronald Reagan

"Freedom-no word was ever spoken that has held out greater hope, demanded greater sacrifice, needed to be nurtured, blessed more the giver, damned more its destroyer, or come closer to being God's will on earth.

AND I THINK THAT'S WORTH FIGHTING FOR, IF NECESSARY."

-General Omar N. Bradley

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Husband Tag

1) How long have you been married? 8 years

2) Where were you married? Salt Lake Temple

3) How old is your spouse? 30

4)Who eats more? I would say....about the same. But I love food way more than him!

5) Who said I love you first? He did.

6)Who is taller? Me. JK! He is.

7)Who sings better? He does. I love it when he sings. And I swear he knows the words to every song!

8)Who is smarter? Me with somethings & him with other things. We need each other.

9)Who controls the T.V. remote? For sure him (especially during football!)

10)Whose temper is worse? Neither of us really have bad tempers. I really don't know!

11)Who does the laundry? I do. Laundry is my favorite housework to do.

12)Who does the dishes? Most of the time it's me. He helps when he's home.

13)Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? If you're looking at the bed, he does.

14) Who cooks dinner? We both do....but he is way better than me. He is naturally good, where I have to follow recipes.

15) Who is more stubborn? We are both pretty stubborn. I would say him.

16) Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? Depends on what happened. I think he admits first.

17) Whose parents do you see the most? Mine. We live close to my parents.

18) Who has more siblings? Equal amount. Two siblings each.

19) Who wears the pants in the family? We work pretty good as a team. But if I had to choose, then me!

I tag all of you!

Back to School

Summer's over. Can you believe it? I sure can't. It went by so fast. On Monday Kobe started first grade. He started at a brand new school in our neighborhood. He was so excited. Last week we found out that two of his best friends were in his class. When we read the names Isaac & Evie he started jumping up & down. It was so cute! He did not get scared or nervous at all. When the bell rang to go into class he gave us a big hug & kiss & was off. He was ready to go face the day. When I asked him what he was most excited for he said "three recesses & lunch at school." What a kid! When he got home from school, he had the best day. He was all smiles! He loved it.

I on the other hand, had the hardest day. I was so sad. My baby is growing up. He is my one & only & will probably be my one & only. He is my whole world! Riley was so good about it. He helped me out a lot. Now I just have to look at it as I get some me time. I have stayed really active & it has helped out so much. I even went to the temple on my own which I have never done before. I think I might start cleaning some homes for people. We'll just have to see what tomorrow brings. I can't wait to find out!

Donut Falls

This last week we hiked up to Donut Falls. It was so refreshing & cool up in mountains. I just love the peace & quiet that you get when you're up there. The hike was so beautiful & so easy. Really enjoyable. If you have not hiked to the Falls, I highly recommend doing so. We can't wait til we go back!

Pioneer Day

We had such a fun 24th Holiday. The day before was the Bountiful City parade so Bret, Andy, Drew, Sam, & my parents came to the parade with Kobe & I. Riley usually drives either the ambulance or the fire truck, but this year he was on duty so he was not able to be in it. It was still a really great parade though. I think it's one of the best! After the parade we all went back to my parents & all slept over. The kids swam & then we had banana splits. My favorite!! The next day we had a fun day all just hanging out & eating a yummy bbq. Good times!

Farmington Pond

We went to Farmington Pond last Sunday & it was so beautiful there. Some kids were having some fun on a rope swing, so Kobe wanted to give it a try. He loved it. We didn't bring him a swimsuit, so when he got done he had to drive home in some of Riley's shorts, & Kobe thought that was so funny!

Future Yankee

We had so much fun this year watching Kobe play t-ball. He did such a good job & he loved every minute of it. He can't wait til next year. Every time the kids go up to bat they were given the opportunity to take a pitch from either their Dad or the coach. Kobe was able to get a hit every time! He was so excited Grandpa, Grandma, Drew, Sam, & Uncle Bret were able to come & cheer him on. I think that was his favorite part about playing. Everyone yelling his name! We are so proud. Watch out Red Sox, we got a future Yankee on our hands!!

No More Truffle Shuffle

Here I go. The weight loss journey. I really just want to be thin again & feel totally in shape. I want to feel like I look good in clothes again (& without!). I am so tired of looking like Chunk in the Goonies doing the truffle shuffle every time I move!! HaHa! It is just so incredibly hard. I am soooo weak. If I want it, I eat it. And not only do I eat it. I keep going & going & going!! I actually started the "diet" about 2 weeks ago. Mindy lent me all the weight watcher books so I could get an idea of the point system. I really think it is the way to go. I like how you can still eat normal. I've been working out since Kobe started kindergarten at the gym, but I just walked on the treadmill. I have now added running into the schedule. I run for about 10-15 min. then walk for an hour. I want to work up to running the whole time. So far, I have missed running/walking only about 2 times. All I can say is by the time 15 min. is up, every single muscle in my body is burning. I love it though! When I am completely done with the whole hour, I feel so good about myself. Let's just hope the momentum continues! To all those in the same boat,Good Luck it's a tough one!! If you have any tips let me know.

Kindergarten Graduate

Well.....today's the day. Kindergarten graduation. Last day of school. I feel so proud of my Kobe, he did such an incredible job this year. He learned so much. Everyday he would come home & tell something new that he had learned. He really is like a sponge, taking in everything around. It is so amazing listening to him & wondering what he will become as a man. He makes me proud in everything he does.

I can't help feeling a little sad though. He just seems to be growing up way too fast. I miss him already ( as I'm choking up just writing this!). I don't know what I am going to do next year when he will be gone all day. I love playing & talking with him. The things he comes up with & tells me! He is so funny. He told me that when he grows up, he is going to be a food critic. He just loves food so much! His newest expression is that everything is "freakin awesome". What a goofy guy!

I just feel so blessed to have him as my son. I don't know how I lucked out to get some an awesome kid. I would rather be a mother, than anything else in the world. As Pres. Hinckley said "Of all the joys of life, none other equals that of happy parenthood. Of all the responsibilities with which we struggle, none other is so serious. To rear children in an atmosphere of love, security, and faith is the most rewarding of all challenges. The good result from such efforts becomes life's most satisfying compensation."

My Own Van Gogh

This is Kobe's artwork from the Reflections contest. He decided to do it all on his own. The theme was to draw something that makes you say "Wow". He wanted to draw a volcanoe. If you look close if the lower left corner, you can see he drew himself. The volcanoe is in the top right. He was so excited. Kobe's was chosen the best out of his class, so his went on to regionals. He won a giant candybar & a ribbon. He was so excited. We are so proud of our little artist!

Easter

We had such a great Easter this year. Kobe had a blast searching for his Easter basket. We went to my parents with Bret, Andy, Drew, & Sam for dinner. Kobe had such a great time with his cousins. They went on a huge Easter egg hunt. They got so much candy I was shocked. We are talking full size candy bars & cotton candy. What lucky kids! We then went to Southwood & they rolled eggs down the hill. They loved seeing how fast the eggs would explode. Kobe loves his cousins so much. I'm so happy he could spend Easter with them!

Disneyland

Over Spring Break, we decided to go on a vacation to Disneyland. Yay! We had a blast! We got the three day park hopper passes. We went with my parents, Mindy, Scott, & Little Riley. It was so fun watching Kobe & Little Riley see everything for the first time. (Kobe has been once, but it was not a happy time for him!) Little Riley loved running from ride to ride. Especially the big rides. Kobe did a lot better this go round. He actually liked the characters. My parents bought him an autograph book & pen. He loved looking for everyone to get lots of autographs. He didn't like the rides too much. Some he thought were okay. His favorite was the Toy Story ride. We would go through him being so nervous before each ride, & then when it was over he'd say that wasn't so bad. The kid makes us laugh at everything he does.

One of the nights me, Riley, Kobe, & my parents went to an Angels game. This was Riley's favorite thing! He once went on a guys trip to watch & he has wanted to go back ever since. The Angels did really good. The night after we watched, Adenhart (one of the players) was killed in a car accident. That was really sad. We will definately go to another game. Maybe one day, we could hit up a Yankees game!

We also went to the ocean two days. One day we went to Huntington Beach. Riley & the boys got in their swim trunks. It was too cold for everyone else. I was freezing! But we still got lots of sun. The boys loved building sand castles & finding shells. They waded in the ocean. I could not believe Riley actually got in & swam. He is way braver than me.

This was such a relaxing vacation. We had so much fun. And we cannot wait to go back again very soon! Gotta love California!

Tree House Museum

For Kobe's 1st field trip in kindergarten, we went to the Tree House Museum. Everyone had so much fun. Riley & I were both able to go & help out. We learned about fairytales, knights, reading, & many other things. Kobe's favorite thing was, of course, the knights. They got to put on a real knight helmet. It's amazing how heavy it is. They also got to put on a play & act out a story. Students were chosen to go on stage. Kobe was chosen to be the king. He loved being up there on stage. He did such a cute job. We sure love our little guy!