Tumbleweeds

Austin and Allison got to be in another play this summer, this time called Tumbleweeds. Tumbleweeds is a western comedy based on an old comic strip. There were about 50 kids, ages 4-18 in the play. They practiced several hours a day for several weeks. The night of the performance I wasn't sure how well they were going to do because they hadn't actually made it through the whole play without stopping yet. But they did so well they gave me goosebumps. I loved it and am so proud of them.

Austin was the Indian Chief and had about 20 lines. Austin is my super-smart boy but gets really nervous speaking in front of people. He is a perfectionist though, and doesn't allow himself to fail so will usually perform well, regardless. That is one reason I really want him to be involved in the singing, dancing, acting group because I want him to be more comfortable in front of people. By showtime, he had practiced and performed so much that he said he hardly got nervous at all and did so awesome. I am so proud of him.

Allison was a little Indian with the rest of the 5 year olds. They didn't have any speaking parts but she danced in three muscial numbers and the audience loved them and thought they were all too cute! And they were!

Asher just hanging out during rehearsals. Chris and I were involved in making props, scenery, costumes and choreographing so the kids did a lot of "hanging out."

In the comic strip, the Indian chief has a "bodyguard" named Bucolic Buffalo. Chris played that part so he got to be Austin's bodyguard. Austin loved it. Chris didn't. :) But he loves his wife and son so will make himself feel like a fool for us.

Allison singing in the last musical number of the show.

This is the final musical number.

Austin, Dad and Allison after the final scene of the last night's performance.

Fourth of July Weekend...a little late.

The kids performed twice during the Fourth of July weekend with their singing/dancing group. They performed at the American Heritage Festival and during the parade. They loved being in the parade and they ended up on the front of the newspaper too!

Later that night...we had a BBQ with the family, rode the family train, watched our own fireworks and then watched the city fireworks which are let off just down the street from our house. :)

Abigail is so timid about everything. She always wants to hold the sparklers but they also scare her. She tries to be so brave.

The cool thing about getting together with a large group of people is that they all bring their fireworks and so to get through them all you have to light several at once.

This was a very LARGE firework. It lit up the whole sky and the kid's faces looked like this....

Mom and Asher

Weekend at Aunt Stacy's

My kids would live in the pool if I let them (at least Austin and Allison would). Once it hits spring they start counting down the days until we visit Aunt Stacy's next because they can have several whole days of swimming.

This was Asher's first time swimming. He didn't hate it but he didn't love it either. He pretty much has this stoic expression on his face the whole time.

Abigail loves the new bathing suit her Uncle Ed picked out for her. She said "I likes having big muscles." Chris said she looks like a purple ninja turtle. :)
Austin and Allison have no fear. They jump, dive, fall, flop, splash and smile the whole time.

Dega-sitting.

My sister, Gail and her husband, went out of town for a week and asked if we would babysit her chinchilla while she was gone. I was happy to say yes because my kids would love a pet but have very mean and selfish parents who would never say yes to something permanent. But we would be happy to do it for a week and give it back. :)

So here is Dega. I am sad we didn't get more pictures. My kids loved watching him run in his ball and feeding him his dessert every night of a single raisin. However they did not want to clean up around his cage everyday.

Look at that cute profile!

Here we are giving Dega a bath. That kids thought it was so funny watching him shake in his dry bath. Yes, it may look like he is getting dirtier but he is, in fact, bathing.

Water Play!

Summer is great! The kids can finally get out of the house and play, play, play! I love how creative they get with anything they do (inside or out). No matter how stressful life seems to get, they always seem to have so much energy and happiness in them. I guess that is one of the many reasons we are supposed to "be like a little child," right? And that is why we have them, to teach us to be better people. I love the little lessons that my children teach me every day about myself. As much as I don't want to sometimes admit my weaknesses, I see them in them and want to quickly change myself so they will change themselves. Wow, this post quickly changed from just plain old pictures to some deep life reflection. But sometimes, I can't help but look at these sweet pictures and their smiling faces and be reminded of how great life is and how much better I want to be. My children make me want to be a better person. Hopefully they make you feel the same way.

Just chillin'. I love how much my kids love each other and are best friends even after they have just yelled at each other. They truly are a great example of forgiveness.


I love this picture of Abigail, even thought I cut off her eyes. She tends to be my more serious adult-like child so when I see her really having fun and smiling it makes me happy.

Allison on the other hand is pure joy. She is constantly a ball of energy and happiness. She finds joy in everything she does and is so imaginative.

Wrapped up like little bugs, drying off. I love capturing moments like this when they aren't looking and posing for the camera but showing just how naturally creative they can be.

It started to get really windy, so here is Allison making a "flag."

Catching Up!

Just when you think your life can’t get any busier, it does. Somehow you manage to get everything done that needs to get done…everything that is, except blogging. We are a little behind and I don’t see it getting better anytime soon. I have started this post several times and keep changing it because I get interrupted and then life changes and hence the post needs to change. I am determined to get it posted CORRECTLY, today! Get ready for picture overload!



Scout Expo
A couple of weeks ago we attended the Scout Expo with Austin. It was a lot of fun for the kids.

Austin got a bulls eye on the knife throw.

I was mesmerized by this eagle. It has been a long time since I saw one up close and she was simply majestic.

While the kids and I were going around to all the activities, Chris stood in line for the zip line for 1 HOUR and 45 MIN.! We must really love our kids! They really wanted to go on it so we made it happen. SPOILED, I tell ya!

Allison was so brave, I thought she would get up there and start crying but she loved it. Now, if we could get her to ride a two-wheeler...

Austin loved it too!

We also stood in line for 45 minutes for face/arm painting. Allison got a guitar on one arm and a butterfly on the other.

Abigail was so shy that she just got a heart.

Austin sawed some wood and then got a bear claw print branded into it.

Preschool Graduation

We loved, loved, loved Allie's preschool this year. We had a preschool co-op with four other people. The kids loved going and I really enjoyed teaching once a week. The kids really are the best of friends. Their preschool graduation was so cute. They performed a couple of songs and did a graduation cheer. I still can't believe she starts Kindergarten in a few months!

In-Tune

Some of Chris's cousins started a performing group/show choir in Cedar City. It is supposed to be from ages 5 and up but Abigail knew all the songs and dance steps so they let her do it too. They performed at the Cedar City Business Expo a 50's themed program. They did so good and were soooo cute! And of course, my kids were the best! :) Stay-tuned for more pics of their summer play.

Field Day and The Last Day of School

Allison and Abigail got to help the girls in Austin's class during the tug-o-war. The girls lost but only because there is about 5 more boys than girls in his class.

I had never seen Austin hoola-hoop before this day. He actually did really well but didn't place.

Austin got 3rd in the sac race.

We loved Mrs. Greenfield. She was especially nice to Allison and Abigail and would always let them play with things in her room and give them treats. She always included them in class activities and asked about them. We will miss her.