Jessi conquers a fear... and turns 7!

Our little Jessi is not so little anymore. But she's still little enough to wish for Bitty Twins for her birthday! Last night was her dance recital and long story short, I cried when I saw her dance. I couldn't believe it. Since she started ballet last September she has been worried about the big recital in June. Cried many times just getting used to the dance class alone, and cried through her pictures a few weeks ago. Shawn gave her a blessing the night before the dress rehearsal and I said many prayers over the last months that she would be able to do this. I talked with her wonderful dance teacher about what to do if she refused to go out and dance when the time came. We came up with that she needs a "tough love" approach and her teacher who is also a member of the church said she would go by the spirit. Friday was the dress rehearsal and Jessi started melting down in the car on the way there. We got to the place and she was still crying as I helped her find her place in the "finale" dance which they were practicing first with ALL the dancers (over 100 dancers). Yes, it was just a teensy overwhelming for Jessi with all the people, costumes and bright lights. I left her crying with a few of the girls in her dance to go watch in the bleachers. Then they were wisked off the stage and a friend of mine said she'd go check on her. Jess had calmed down and was okay. When it came time for her dance she was crying when she came out on stage, but pulled it together and danced and I even caught her smiling a few times! The next day (yesterday) was the big show. I dropped Jessi off at the dressing room and she was all smiles and very excited. Then I went out to find my seat. I ran into her teacher right before the show and she asked how Jessi was holding up. I told her - she was doing great. Her teacher told me that at the dress rehearsal when she saw Jessi melting down she gently went up to her and said "Jess, you've got this. You can do this" and then walked away. pure and simple. And she danced so beautiful! After the show, she wanted to do the whole show again! I'm so proud of her that she conquered her fear. It was a great confidence builder for her! So proud of you Jess! Hooray for an amazing teacher and hooray for our Jessi!

Disneyland with the Peds

on Mothers Day we got a special treat. My sister Krystal and her husband Dave and 5 kiddos came down to Disneyland so of course we had to go along. And did we all have the time of our lives. I got to ride Space Mountain again which I hadn't done in years and it's still the coolest ride there. Also got to ride California Screamin again - that one wasn't as fun as I remember it being - a wee bit more scary this time. I will always remember your reaction to that ride Kryt!!! It was really fun to see how Zachary enjoyed it all and I loved seeing Jessi with her cousin Lauren hand in hand all over the place. They have even lost the same tooth! Thanks Peds for all the laughs and tears and even a bit of barf.

piano recital, Easter, arrow of light

We had our Spring piano recital and I just loved it. I love hearing all the students play and I feel so proud of them. This year we combined with 3 other teachers which made it really big and nice. For Easter we did all our traditional stuff and one thing I love is that we always have salmon. Shawn and I both love it, but normally don't get it because it's expensive so we figure one a year is good. Delicious! And it's a good way to remember that we should be fishers of men like Jesus was. Then we had our Arrow of Light ceremony. I felt so proud of the boys. Out of our 7 Webelos, 6 got their Arrow of Light that night - and Orion was one of them! Don't I look cute in my scout shirt - such a fashion statement.

a 12 year old and a 2 year old

I know I've been very neglectful of the blog, I am repenting and starting again. Well Zac is 2 now and his favorite toys are "woodybuzz". not woody AND buzz, just woodybuzz. He's a nut for Toy Story. And tantrums in full swing. Ethan is 12 now and loves being in the YM program with Brayton. Shawn also, just got called as 2nd counselor in YM so he is the deacons leader. The boys think it's the greatest thing ever to have Dad as their leader. We've decided to take the kids out to BJs when they finish their Faith in God booklet and it's so fun to spend an afternoon with just our new 12 year old. We did it last year with Brayton and it's just so fun to be with them at this special turnign point in their lives. I always say this, but I just can't believe how fast childhood goes. It's so fun to watch them grow up.

One Decade, One Teenager, One Ice Cream Cone

Time is flying. Orion is 10, Brayton is 13, and Zac can manage his own ice cream cone!

Unbelievable

This post is a little late, but I had to put this on. My brother Brigham and his wife Tyra are world's most amazing quilters. They made this Harry Potter quilt for us for Christmas. We liked it SO much we put it on our bed. It's awesome. The eensy weensy pieces of fabric they sewed together to make each square is nothing short of unbelievable. I can't imagine having the patience to put something like this together, much less the know how. Brig and Tyra, we absolutely adore our quilt. Thank you a million times. If there is ever a fire in our house I'm grabbing the kids, our photo albums... and this quilt.

Happy Christmas

We love our new Christmas PJs! And Shawn came up with a brilliant way to display legos. This is what he helped Zac make for Ethan for Secret Santa. Ethan is our Lego Lover and he has been collecting lego sets that have littered his desk and dresser top with no place to go. So Shawn came up with this fun idea for displaying them and I must say - it is awesome. And now Ethan can actually use his desk to do homework on! Happy Christmas to all. And Happy New Year!

Christmas Day

One thing I love about living in California is that there is a good chance you'll have good weather for Christmas. This was the case this year so the kids were able to get out and try out their new riding toys. We got a Rip Rider and a Green Machine and Zac got a trike. Jess had been dying for a Bitty Baby and I love watching her with it. She named her Valerie and loves taking care of her. It was a wonderful Christmas. I can't wait til the next one. Next month Brayton will turn 13 and so this was our last Christmas with all our kids being "young" kiddos. Now we enter the teenage years. With this new phase of life we brace ourselves, but also watch with excitement as our children turn into young men and women.

Christmas Eve Culdesac Baseball

Something we've never done before was play baseball on Christmas Eve. Orion's friend Jack came over and brought his bat and homemade tee so the kids had a ball playing ball. I don't think Orion made it out of his pjs for all of Christmas break! This is how they passed their time waiting for Santa's arrival. Zac enjoyed playing spectator.

The Temple at Christmas

Well, I'm finally blogging again! Christmas was wonderful. For the first time since moving to California we went down to the LA temple during Christmas. A friend had shown me a schedule of events going on in December and we decided to go see the hand bell choir on Shawn and my anniversary. It happened to be on a really rainy night so it rained the whole way down and while we were there, but the hand bell choir was amazing and completely worth it. The lights at the temple were beautiful. The visitors center has finally been finished - it's been being redone for the last I don't know how long and it was really fun to walk around and feel the spirit there. There's a lot for the kids to do and completely worth it. If you are ever in the area, we highly recommend going to the visitor's center.

fall fun

Last time I tried to post these pictures, they weren't showing up, so I'm trying again. Fall is my favorite time of year. I love going to pumpkin patches, harvesting gardens, feeling the cool air, and anticipating the holidays. It's nice to be back in the routine of school and homework hasn't even been too horrible so far - such a relief for all of us! The kids are enjoying their new classrooms and activities. Brayton and Ethan are on a Robotics team with Shawn as coach which they are loving. Orion is still drumming, Meri still gymnastic-ing, and Jessi started ballet which she is loving! I'm back to teaching piano 3 evenings a week and doing pre-school a couple mornings a week. Shawn is still executive secretary and I'm still 2nd counselor in YW. Between scout camp outs and Meri going to activity day girls and all the rest of it, we stay really busy. We are looking forward to General Conference next week to relax and listen to the words of the prophets. And after conference Zachary will be 18 months - going to nursery! yay! Hope you all have a wonderful fall. Here are a few fun photos: Meri with our neighbors puppies, Jessi enjoying her corn on the cob, and our sunflowers. Hope the pictures come out!

back to school

Well, the kids are back in school and it's quite peaceful at home now during the day with it being just Zac and I at home - especially when he's napping! The kids have awesome teachers this year including our middle-school boys and we are off to a great start. Homework hasn't even been too horrible. :) Hooray for wonderful teachers and wonderful kids!