CTR

 The theme for primary this year was Choose The Right (CTR) and all year we have been talking about making good choices and doing what is right. The primary kids have such sweet spirits and strong testimonies of the gospel. This is my first time being the primary chorister and I have learned so much. I love being in primary!

Austin gave his first primary talk in July. With the help of his dad he did a great job:

I can CTR by living gospel principles.

I can CTR by remembering to say my prayers before I go to bed.

I can CTR by asking my mom or dad to read scripture stories to me.

I can CTR by being nice to others. I can speak kindly to my family and friends.

I can CTR by being reverent during church and thinking about Jesus.

I can CTR by being honest and telling the truth.

When I CTR I make Heavenly Father and Jesus happy and I am happy too.

For the Primary Program I made CTR sugar cookies for the primary kids...all 60 of them!

 The program went perfect and I was so proud of those primary kids who sang their hearts out and did such a great job!!

And my cute kids did awesome also....they both knew all the songs so well.

Austin's part in the program was "Heavenly Father created the earth as a place where I can learn to choose the right." He knew it by memory but gets shy in public. He let the teacher tell him his line and then he said it into the microphone. Mikayla however walked right up to the microphone and boldly said "Prayer makes my family stronger!!" with no help or cue from the teacher.

I love these kids of mine!!



Let's Go To The Zoo

We hadn't been to the zoo for a long time so when we had a break in the weather, me and a friend decided it was a good day for a zoo trip. And our kids were thrilled about that!!

Kayla and her friend Buddy holding hands.
(no coaching involved)

 This little monkey was very entertaining so close to the glass.The kids were eager to hit the glass to get his attention which I am sure annoyed the monkey but every once in a while he would tap on the glass back at the kids.

 We enjoyed watching the sea lions swimming under the water.

 Measuring up.....penguin style.

 Looking at the Iguana.

 Buddy was excited to finally see the snakes......his favorite part of the zoo.

 Kayla loves brushing the baby goats.

 Taking a ride on the zoo train.

Holding hands again.....should I be worried??



POWER OF MOMS

I read this article from POWER OF MOMS today and loved it....puts things back into perspective. Read it.......you will love it (especially if you are mom with young ones still at home).

I Made It?

My favorite part.....These babies of mine are growing up, and I am finally beginning to understand their message: “Love me…Teach me…Feed me…Nurture me…” but most of all, “Please enjoy me!” 

I am going to try and ENJOY my kids a little more today (and hopefully every day)!!

Another lost tooth

Right after Austin lost his first tooth, the one next to it started to wiggle. On thursday, Sept 13th, when I picked Austin up from school he was all smiles wearing a "I lost a Tooth sticker" and holding a small treasure box with his tooth inside. He explained that during music class his tooth started bleeding and so his music teacher, Mrs. Hartsock (who we also go to church with), pulled his tooth out. And that night the magical tooth fairy came again and took his tooth and replaced it with a $2 bill.

Happy Birthday Brady

On September 4th, our dog Brady turned 7 years old!! He is a great dog and a very loved member of our family.



A few months after we got Abby, we decided to get her a playmate.

Brady and Abby were the best of friends from the beginning.

It's hard to believe that Brady was once this little.

He was barely bigger than this stuffed lion which he loved to chase and evetually destroyed.

Brady didn't stay little for long....but Abby and him are still the best of friends.

And even though he is a big dog, he sometimes thinks he is still little.

(this is Abby's bed he has squeezed himself into)

Brady makes a good guard dog because he can bark pretty loud when someone comes to the door. However, he does get scared pretty easily....by balloons, thunderstorms, and fireworks to name a few. During a thunderstorm, Brady will pace around our bed and when we finally let him up in our bed, he shivers and shakes until the storm has passed. This occasionally makes for some sleepless nights for us.

A few months after moving into our home, I left Brady outside on the 4th of July not thinking about it and that is when he discovered he had the ability to jump our privacy fence. This dog has ups!! Craig had to extend the fence up and put the ladder in front of it to keep him from jumping.

The kids love Brady. During the day while Austin is at school, Kayla will use Brady as her playmate.

It is hard to tell if he feels torturned or if he enjoys the attention.

Hopefully the latter.

Brady got some new toys and a big juicy bone for his birthday....

which he thoroughly enjoyed.

Brady is our active dog....he loves being outside running around the backyard. He loves to go on walks but his favorite is playing fetch with the frisbee. Abby lets Brady run after the frisbee and then when he brings it back she will snatch it from him.

Those are some happy faces (and tongues).

Brady is a sweet, obedient, and loving dog and we love having him in our family.

Happy Birthday Brady!! You are one COOL dog!!!

Branson, Missouri

Over Labor Day Weekend we enjoyed a nice family vacation in Branson, Mo at the Suites at Falls Creek. It was great getting away and spending time just as a family doing things together.

 As soon as we arrived the kids couldn't wait to get into the pool. They got to swim to their hearts content.

 Enjoying the hot tub.

 Our resort also had a mini-golf course so we took advantage of this every day.

There were several fun obstacles. 

 The favorite: hitting the ball through the alligator's mouth.

 Kayla getting a little coaching from dad.

 Nice shot!!

 Me and Craig were tied up until hole 18 when I hit a hole-in-one!!

 We also enjoyed swimming outside in the big pool.

 And the little pool.

Craig's friend, Glen, came up one day while we were there. They went Ziplining and had a great time. Sorry no pictures.

 Kids playing with toys on our screened patio.

 Gotta love silly faces!!

 They enjoyed watching movies together at night before bed.

 Kayla having fun at the park.

 

 

 

 

 

 

One day the resort had inflatables for the kids to enjoy.  They love these big slides.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Bounce Bounce!!

The kids also LOVED the jetted tub in our room!

 Our last day in Branson we headed to Silver Dollar City. We walked staight up to our first ride--American Plunge

 And we got soaked!!

 Next up was Fire in the Hole. Kayla did great on it though she said it was scary and didn't want to do it again. Austin however LOVED it and wanted to do it again and since there was practically no line we went again!!

 Lost River of the Ozarks......both kids LOVED this ride!!

 Craig went with the kids on the Riverblast which is basically a water fight between those on the boats and those on the the land.

 Kids gearing up to soak some boat riders.

Let's get them!!!





These boats went super fast in a circle and I must admit I did not like them. I don't really like the spinning rides but the kids don't seem to mind them.

 Getting ready to ride on the giant swinging boat.

 Me and Kayla rode on the swing carousel.

 I rode with Austin on Thunderation....his first "BIG rollar-coaster." I was worried as we were riding it that he was going to be too scared but he loved it and wanted to do it again. So we did.

We all went on the Flooded Mine.

 The objective was to take aim at targets with your pistol and compete for points. The kids had fun doing this and of course Craig scored the most points.

We had a super fun time at Branson and Silver Dollar City.

I love family vacations!!