Kalen's meeting September 2013...

It's that time again.  The time that we set aside for our children ages 5 and up to be able to meet with Kirk and I alone, they pick their favorite treat and get to stay up "all night" with mom and dad.  I love this time so much.  When we are with any of our children alone, they are such different people, I love this experience.  This time Kalen's meeting was first. 



In case it isn't clear Kalen is in this picture, he's the background to his sister Summer.  Kalen is getting big.  He's right at that point where in just the blink of an eye he will be taller than me, and much, much, bigger.  Our meetings with Kalen are always entertaining.  He's very lighthearted and funny.  He loves to laugh and he loooooooves to talk about his younger brothers and sisters.  That's why I chose this picture of him and Summer.  He loves her so much, but she doesn't always love everyone else so much, she's a little difficult.  But he never gives up on her. Everyday when she wakes up I hear him say, "Summer can I give you a kiss?" And she replies, "later."  He cracks up laughing every time.

This time around in Kalen's meeting, besides talking about how cute his youngest brothers and sisters are, we talked about school and goals that are trying to be accomplished.  Kalen is about a year away from his Eagle Scout Award.  We had to help him get organized, all of his blue cards, badges, council meetings, etc. put into order so he could see more clearly where he's at.  He's not too far.  I'm so grateful for a son that is such a good example of motivation and hard work for his younger brothers and sisters. 

Some other big changes for Kalen are that his homeschooling has changed.  He's in seventh grade and is taking Pre-Algebra from BYU independent studies.  It's a great program.  He's also taking a writing course called write@home where he has a real time writing coach that helps him revise his papers and gives him a grade. This has been great timing as he is ready for these challenges.  So far he is doing great. 

I chose to do an interview with Kalen this time around, these are his own words. 

1. What's the best thing about being you?
I know I can always work hard.

2. What's great about being part of your family?
That I have a mom who stays home, she home schools us and I have so many siblings.

3. Your favorite Book?
Candy Shop Wars

4. You in three words.
Hardworking, Happy and Serving

5. Favorite Memory?
Going to Zion's Camp for the first time.  It was so great.

6. Favorite Quote?
Be True to the Faith

7.  Proudest Achievement?
Making MVP for my swim team and taking 3rd place in the 5k run. 

8. What's your favorite thing that your mom makes?
Chocolate, Peanut Butter, Banana smoothies.

9. What do you want to be when you grow up?
A Pediatrician

10.  What do you know for sure?
That Christ is my Savior

11. What do you look forward to?
Serving my mission

12. What do you believe in?
Swimming, I believe I can be great at it.

13. Your mom in one word.
Organized

14. Your dad in one word.
Athletic

15. Favorite saying?
"I'm quick, you're silver."  (He swims year round for Quicksilver.)

16. Who is your best friend?
Joe Stepan

17. What do you love about Joe?
That we love to joke around, but when it's time to get serious, he gets right down to business.

18. Who do you admire?
My Grandpa Rick

My husband and I are blessed to have Kalen as a son, and an example in our lives.  Kalen is not perfect.  But, he listens to us, he takes heed to our council and tries hard to be the best boy that he can be.  He's come a long way.  He reminds me a lot of his younger sister Summer, as a younger boy he was also a bit difficult.  I suppose that's also why I love the picture above.  We love Kalen so much.  We love our meetings together, this tradition we've kept going.  It's clear that he's happy, thriving and that he loves being a part of his family.  I can't think of anything better. 

His latest piece, dedicated to his dad.  His dad loves this song... :)

Greatest Hits...Exploritorium!

 One of our greatest hits of the summer was traveling to the Exploritorium.  We went with the two Wallwork families, while Marie was visiting.  The funny thing is that I had forgotten all about these pictures and came across them looking for something else.  And I'm so happy to have found them since they are such great shots and it was a super fun day had by all.  

 

 

 

 

I love the Exploritorium because it's totally hands on.  The kids can touch, build, fix, mess up, draw, and experiment.
 

Sisters putting their heads together.  :)
 

Lila and Ethan with Reece participating in an exhibit.  Not sure what because I was chasing Summer around.  :)
 

 

 

 

 

 

My kids loved the museum, this was our third time going.  The last hour the museum was open the kids played outside.
 

 

 

 

 

Ladreal was great to play with Shane and Summer.  He's one out of four boys, he knows how to play.  They're all so cute.
 

 

So fun!!!  There were a couple of bridges and they had a fog machine that would totally immerse the area every five minutes.  The kids played tag in the fog forever!!!  

Coming out of the fog...

 Thira played "Ninja" with the kids.  She loves this game; I had never heard of it.  Thira always has the tricks up her sleeve.   My kids loved it!  Now my kids play it all the time.  We'll be in line at Costco and they'll start playing it.  Ha!  

I love the vibe of the city.  I love the cool air, the mist, the fog and the buildings.  But mostly, it's just so wonderful to be out and about doing things with the people we love most.  This summer was so wonderful.  One of my most memorable yet with my children.  We were on the go the whole summer.  The Exploritorium was one of our greatest hits!

Champs 2013

After a long day at Championships for swim team we gathered at our home pool for fun, good food and closing ceremonies.  This is backtracking a bit...July, 2013.




Georgia's swimming peeps.  Kate Mulliner and Isabelle Macdonald.  

 

 

 

 

 

This is my oldest son.  How is this my son?  He's almost 5'6 and he's truly a young man now.  What's happening?  Life, I guess.  :) 

 

The ceremony begins...
 

 

Meanwhile...she is wowing the crowd with her finesse.  She always has me put my earrings on her ears and she thinks she is "wearing" them.  I have to hook them on to the upper part of her ear.  She's something else, this one.
 

 

 

Finn and Shane...great friends.  I asked them to smile and this is what I got.
  

Congratulations to these swimmers.  Kalen and Reece both made MVP for their team and age group.  Georgia medal-ed for the medley relay race.  She swam as the anchor and pulled her team from fifth to third place, which put her team in the top three.   Reece placed 1st for his butterfly stroke out of 65 boys at Champs!!!  First!!!  And Kalen placed in the top three in every race he swam at champs.  Gwyneth took two first place ribbons.  She is not in any of these pictures because she stayed home from the after party.  After swimming all day at champs, as soon as we got home she fell asleep on the couch.  I was not going to wake her up.

Great job to you kids!!!  You have your awesome dad to thank for the gills that you've inherited!!!!!

PS. When we go home, Gwyneth was still asleep.  I don't know how these kids do it.  :)
 

Together Again!

My best friend Marie was here in July with her family, for a week long visit.  Little did she know that Thira and I had been planning for months to surprise her for her 40th birthday by driving down to her house.  I left my home Friday morning at 4:45am to pick up Thira and off we went.  Marie lives in Temecula, CA.  So from where we live, it's a seven hour drive.  We were there by 12:15pm and she was totally surprised.  I wish I had been able to get pictures of the whole surprise because she was completely stunned!  We made ourselves right at home and insisted that she open her gifts right away.

One might think that our weekend together was filled with adventure, mystery, and major indulgences.  But, why would we want to do that when we could play "pet shops" and "Polly pockets" with Marie's daughters Emry and Lila?  :)  Truly the weekend was wonderful, filled with low key, memorable moments like this.  Our best friend Thira also happens to be Marie's sister in law.  She's in the middle of the two girls and I think she's having the most fun here since she has four boys.
 

 

We of course played lots of games.  But since the games these friends like to play are for the genius minded, I mostly listened and admired.  Yes, my friends are geniuses.  That's why I hang out with them.  :)
 

 

Now we're getting on to something I'm good at...crafting.  Specifically, making head bands.  Marie's dear parents, Lona and Bob, came with Steak and Lobster for Sunday dinner for a birthday celebration.  Marie's niece, Kylee brought all of her "head band" crafts.
 

 

What up Glenn?
 

Just the two of us. Oh and "Bru-dog" or Brutus.  He goes everywhere she goes.  She says he's the perfect child.  He doesn't ask for much just food and water and a place to sleep.  Ha!


 

Here is Brutus in all his splendid glory.  Marie loves this dog to no end.
 

Emry, Marie's oldest daughter is going to be thirteen...can you tell?  She's a great girl and loves the camera.
 

 

Sweet Lona.  Marie's mom is awesome!!!!  I love her.
 

Jeannette, Marie's sister.  She's a doll of a woman.  I always love seeing her and getting to know her better each time I visit.
 

If there is a bowl of watermelon, you can find Marie right next to it.  It's her favorite.
 

Solving the worlds problems around the island.
 

Listening to the problems being solved... :)
 

 

Love.
 

A fantastic picture of Thira and Jeannette.
 

We had such a great time.  It was relaxing and filled with lots of love.  It was so wonderful just being together as women.  I keep thinking that these are the people that I'm going to go through life with.  This is my support.  I love them beyond measure.  And they love me for who I am and inspire me to be better.  We will always be there for each other, always.

Happy Birthday to my dearest friend, Marie.  May life continue to bless you and your lovely family.  You have my heart.  Love you forever.  xoxoxoxxooxo