Outdoor Gourmets!

Well I brought Sarah and Hannah up to Girl Scout Camp on Sunday. On our way up we had a hitch hiker, one of those yucky watermelon looking bugs we use to dread at Sky Y Camp. I found that kind of funny, the girls just thought it was gross. As we drew nearer to Idaho we had the pleasure of seeing a female deer, as it shot out of the forest in front of the car and then off to the other side of the road. There was plenty of room between us and the deer, but to hear the girls tell it the deer barely escaped with her life! They were both very excited about camp, they are going to be learning and practicing many different outdoor cooking methods. So Kyle next time your in town, bring the dutch oven, I am sure Hannah will have some recipes she'll want to try. I didn't pack extra batteries so there are not many pictures, but both of the girls have cameras so hopefully they will get some good ones. It was beautiful, and very quite up there. The camp is on the lake, and there are many different types of sleeping quarters. Sarah was hoping for the tee-pee's but they ended up in the Chalet's, which I think are very cute. Hannah was a bit nervous when I left, so if you have a moment please say a little pray of comfort for her, I would appreciate it.

Mia's Vaulting Lesson

Summer is suppose to be full of fun and adventure, but our summers usually just consist of a lot of whining and arguing. This summer I was determined to change that awful pattern and get all of the kids involved in something. Mia was the first to start, last Wednesday she had her very first Vaulting Lesson. I know, what is vaulting, well I will explain it as best as I can, gymnastics on horse back. As you will see in the photos below the children ride on a special saddle and perform various different poses which they must maintain for 4 counts( once she has more experience). The whole idea behind starting her out with these type of lessons is to help familiarize her with the horse and its movement. It is also suppose to help her to anticipate the animals moves, and make her more comfortable with mounting and dismounting. Mia had a blast, so much so that we signed her up for Horse Camp. Today, Monday the 22nd, was her first day. 5 hours of riding, vaulting, grooming, and learning about how to saddle them, she came home even more excited then when she left. I really think that we found Mia's thing, she was so happy that her horse, pony, for the day was Belle. She was able to take care of her, brush, feed, and saddle with help, and can hardly wait to go back tomorrow! They are having an awards ceremony, and demonstration of what they learned this week on Friday, I will try and figure out how to add a video so that you may all see her in action.

Natalia's Birthday

This year Natalia turned 9! Amazing isn't it how fast it all happens. Natalia, under much influence from her Father, decided it would be fun to have a picnic at one of the local parks on her big day. So that is exactly what we did, she even chose the menu. It was fun, the kids played for a while will I prepared the food, well Natalia spent most of her time playing a DS video game that she got from her Grandpa Dale and Gramma Donna. She really only put it down long enough to eat, but it is a game where she is the teacher and is grading her students work, educational right? After we ate, the kids all made S'mores, they even made one without chocolate for Maggie. Later that evening we had the Taylor Family over for S'mores Ice cream Cake, and more presents!! All in all I think that Natalia had a very nice birthday, of course she misses all her cousins and Grandparents who were not able to share this day with her, but there will be another one next year!

Jack's Recital

Well Jackson had his first, and last Hip-Hop Recital on the 12th of June. At the beginning of the year he was all excited about taking this class, but 1/4 of the way through it he was ready to through in the towel. Because he was a part of a team we decided that he could not just quit and abandon them, so we made him finish the year. I know that he was not happy with us about this choice, and it was a loooooong year, but it was so worth it to see him up there on the stage doin' his thing! I was so amazed that he did it, he has never been the kind of kid who likes a lot of attention, especially from a crowd of people he does not know, but he was great. Jackson danced to a mix of Bad and Criminal both by Michael Jackson, I could only find Criminal for our music. So scroll down, select the song, and check out our man in action! He did do a lot of the dancing with his face, but what fun to watch. We wish you all could have been there.

Bustin' Loose

Hannah had her first Hip-Hop Recital on June 12th. The girls danced to a song called Bustin' Loose, and it's in our music selection below so you'll have to check it out while you watch her slides. Hannah had fun in this class, it was a lot different then the YMCA, but fun. Hannah and Sarah both have decided that this one year experience in Hip-Hop was enough for the both of them. It was fun to watch, I always enjoy seeing how much progress the kids have made over the year. I won't miss all the chaos of the dress rehearsals, but I will miss her performances.

Mia's 5th Birthday!

Mia turned 5 on June 3rd! She had a small get together with some of her classmates at the Playground of Dreams. Mia was very excited about her new cowgirl hat and has been wearing it since she got it on her big bay. She is also looking forward to attending school with her big brother and sisters next year, one year and one year alone will they all be in the same school! Uncle Greg made Mia a Wardrobe for her birthday, a special place for her to keep all of her dress up belongings, make-up, shoes etc, everything that a little girl needs. So far she has kept it very well organized and uses it on a daily basis. This summer she is hoping to attend Horse camp, now that she if 5 she is old enough to go, 5 seems to be Mia's magic number!

Natalia's Recital

Natalia just had her Ballet recital the last week in May, she had tons of fun and wants to continue on with ballet next year. Every time I look at these photos I think back to her first recital when she was a little lion, it is amazing how much she has grown. Natalia is such a beautiful young lady, and not just on the outside. Her Dad and I are so very proud of her and look forward to many recitals to come, not the costume fees, just her dancing! We love you Natalia Rae!!!xxoooxxxooo