Sunday, June 21, 2009

Happy Father's Day



I want to tell my Dad Happy Father's day and share how much I love him. I know I have the best Dad out there. I can't think of a kinder, more selfless, giving man than him. There are so many reasons I love my Dad, but here are a few:

Thanks Dad, for always coming home to make us breakfast in the morning, and watch for the bus. I will always remember sitting at the bar in the morning and your watchful eye looking out the door.

Thanks for being the coolest Dad in school. Can you say baby calf for show and tell? Thanks now for passing this fun memory and moment down to my son.

Thanks for always being there when I needed you. It was always reassuring to know I could get ahold of you and you would come and get me if I needed to go home from school or just plain needed someone.

Thanks for the cans of Mountain Dew and change from your truck ashtray. :)

Thanks for enduring many singing and piano recitals for me even when it wasn't "your thing." It meant a lot for me to see you sitting in the audience.

Thanks for never making money a issue. I never knew growing up if we did or didn't have money. I always felt like if I asked for something, I would be given it. I never went without and always had a few of (Dad's dollars) in my pocket just in case.

Thanks for loving and supporting me when I wasn't easy to love.

Thanks for your jokes and happy personality. You always make me laugh and you are always fun to be around.

Thanks for being the best Grandpa: tractor rides, feeding and choosing baby calves, fourwheeler rides, trips into town, babysitter extraordinaire, and more and more and more. My children love you and love to be on the farm with you.

Thank you for your help on all of our house projects. We can never repay you or thank you enough.

Thank you for your service to your community and neighbors. I am always proud to say you are my Dad because I know all the good things you do for people.

Thanks for always workings so hard from morning to night and still making time for your family. My favorite times are when we are together.

Dad-
Your the best. I am proud of you. I am so lucky and privileged to call you Dad. I love you!

Friday, June 5, 2009

Show Us Where You live

Its Show Us Where You Live Friday-Office Edition. Started by Kelly's Korner





I spend way too much time in here, stuck on the computer doing homework. At least, I like the room though! I love all the built in book shelves in the office, the woodwork, and our office rug (sorry, didn't get a picture), but I especially love the view to the left of the office:





This is from the "sunroom" looking into the office.

Monday, June 1, 2009

Too good not to share

I started another tradition with Carson this year and wanted to share. I bought the Dr. Seuss book "Oh, the Places You'll Go" and asked his teacher to please write a note on the inside cover of the book to Carson.

His teacher this year wrote:

Hi Carson,

I want you to know what a great person you are. I have loved having you in my class. You have worked so hard in first grade! I am very proud of you and excited to know of all the great things you will do!

Love, Miss Carter

PS I still don't like snakes :)
(The last line is a little joke between my snake lover son, and his snake hater teacher:)

Isn't that note sweet?

At the end of each school year, I will ask his teacher to do this until I decide when to give him the book-which I am not sure of that detail yet. I was thinking when he graduated but it gets complicated when they no longer have "one" teacher, but many. So, I was thinking possibly before he entered middle school, or if I did continue it longer, then asking one of his favorite teachers, or his seminary teachers to write the note. What do you think?

I want this to be a boost to Carson when he is older, he can read the comments and remember all the great things he has done, and the people who have helped him get there.

Last Day of School Party!

Carson and I started a kindergarten tradition that I hope to carry on for many years. On the last day of school, we wake up early for a celebration breakfast at McDonald's. We continue the celebration all night long with activities and fun. This year we included Carson's two best school buddies (and carpool friends) to join us.

Our afternoon celebrations started by going to Cold Water Springs in North Ogden for some fishing. Carson has been here before on a father/son outing and LOVED it. He has been begging to go ever since. As most of you know, I am not one for fishing or any activity that is mean to animals. I talked myself out of that, and told myself it was for Carson and I could do it.


I don't know what I was thinking...but lets just say I will be leaving the fishing up to Cameron in the future. I thought there would be employees to help get the fish off the line etc, no such luck. I was having anxiety over it, when luckily before any fish were caught, a kind man at the pond came to our rescue.

He taught the boys how to take the fish off the hook and was very helpful to us, and I left with clean fish free hands, which I couldn't have been happier about!

The pond is just swarming with fish and it was easy for the boys to catch them. We did some exploring, some fish feeding, and then headed home. Like, I said I won't be attempting that on my own again, the boys had so much fun.


Next, we went on one of my favorite hikes up 27th street to the little pond that is there. This time I came prepared for the kids to take their shoes off and play in the pond and stream. The water was icy cold but they loved it and Hannah loved getting wet too.


Carson loves to do neighbor "boo's" where we buy a little treat and sneak up to their doorstep, leave the treat, and run. We always do it for Halloween and Christmas, but I knew the kids would love doing it anytime. We bought some treats and each of the kids made a note that said "Yeah! School is out! From your secret friend" (each child made their own note that said what they wanted...but you get the idea :) We then snuck to a few kids in our primary who had their last day of school that day and dropped of our treats. Out of 3 houses we got caught twice, but it didn't matter, the kids still had a great time.

Last, we had dinner (kids choice-chicken nuggets) and made smores over the fire pit. We did some sparklers (shhh-don't tell!) and played tag and outside games. It was a fun night, and Carson sure slept well that night!


Safety Week









May 18-22 was safety week at Carson's school. I have decided to be as involved as I can be with Carson, while it is still "cool" for Mom to be there. I was in charge of "Fire Safety" day. I got the big idea (Cam thought I was crazy) that I wanted to have a fire truck come to the school for an appearance. One of our ward members is a fireman, so I asked him if that would even be possible. He pulled some strings and the fire truck came to the school for 3 hours on fire safety day. They let the kids climb on the truck, they sprayed water, and turned on the lights and siren. Needless to say, it was a huge hit. Score one for Mom!




On a side note...this cute little girl, my Hannah is posed with is another Hannah from Carson's class. She always loves to see our Hannah because they share the same name. On this day, 7 yr old Hannah wanted her picture taken with little Hannah in front of the firetruck.