First Grade Talent Show

Jaiden said she wanted to participate in her class talent show. I assumed she wanted to dance, but she actually wanted to play the piano. I didn't understand being we don't own a piano and she doesn't take lessons. She immediately corrected me with telling me she knows how to play "up on the house top" thanks to aunt Jennie. I thought she would drop it and just dance but she asked Granny on Sunday to borrow her piano book. Jaiden practiced the finger numbers and sure enough played in front of her whole class with no hesitation. She also performed her dances and was actually selected to perform her Jazz dance for the first grade talent show. (I will add the video once I figure out how to download) The day of the performance she was nervous and hesitant. While changing her clothes she started to cry. I kept telling her she didn't have to perform and it would be fine. She kept saying she wanted too but I think she was just nervous. Of course she had red eyes while walking out of the bathroom and I am sure everyone thought I was forcing her to do it. She did GREAT and is such a little performer once she gets in front of everyone. Great job Jaiden!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PA!

We celebrated (Nana's) Pa's birthday. We tried to make his favorite dinner - roast. It didn't cook long enough and we had to make it into to steaks but it actually turned out pretty good. We made his favorite cake - better than ... cake :) And of course we gave the staple gift of slippers - Pa shoes. HAPPY BIRTHDAY PA!!! We love you and are grateful to have you so close.

Take me out to the Ball Game ...

We went to a Bees game on Memorial Day. It was fun, but cold. I have never had hot chocolate at a baseball game? I actually got a foul ball since Jason was yelling at me, "it's yours Jenn." Don't worry I raised my arm after getting it the ball so everyone knew I had it. (Yes I have paid attention at a few ball games) As a good mother would I gave it to Carter. Madison was pretty good but kept wanting to go up and run wild. She actually would point to the pitcher when we would ask where the ball was. She actually loved to watch the Bee. Before heading home we let the kids play at the "Beehive" (playground). Of course Jason and Jaiden played a slight game of "chicken" while she was crossing the monkey bars. It was fun to spend time as a family.

Congratulation Jaiden!

Jaiden received a letter congratulating her for being selected to be a member of the UDA Company Mini Team. Hold on to your wallet Daddy. Rev up your engine mom and get ready to chauffeur. Congrats Jaiden it will be fun to watch you perform. We are proud of all your hard work and dedication.

Sleep Over Mania

At Sunday dinner with the Tripps the kids were vying for sleepovers. Since it was a holiday we ok'd a sleep over with Carter's twin cousins Conner and Nate. Jaiden also worked Granny over to let her sleep there.
Poor Madison got stuck with all the boys. Carter loves it and is totally in his element with the boys. They jumped, watch "water horse" and logged time on the play station. The boys requested the "thunder wake up call" (see the video) The "thunder wake up call" started in Lake Powell thanks to Jason. I thought his sisters were going to throw him off the boat blasting the song to wake everyone up. His kids, parents, and grandma thought it was hilarious and now it is tradition.

Nintendo DS

Jaiden received a Nintendo DS for her birthday but I think she logs the least amount of time. Carter and Jason are always finding it and playing. Not to mention Madison always whines when she doesn't get to play. How young is too young for video games.

Dancing Queen

Jaiden decided to audition for the UDA Company (competition team). I am sure you all thought I pushed her to do it, almost exact opposite. I had mixed emotions regarding her age and getting burned out. It also is a substantial monthly cost and a commitment for me to transport her. Although I did think she would really enjoy it. I explained all the requirements and she still wanted to do it. She hesitated a little due to the unknown and the words "audition" and "competition". We kept reminding her that it was completely her choice. She went for it and it was surreal to see my daughter walking into an addition with such confidence. We are proud of her for even trying. GOOD LUCK JAIDEN. We will find out next week if she made a team.

Look at that mop!

Mark it on the calendar - Madison actually kept a hair thing in for one hour. She refuses to wear anything in her hair. If I try she will work and work to remove the item and it usually looks worse then before I started. She has a ton of hair and just looks homeless half the time. Jason calls her hair cut "the window cut" because I have to continually trim her bangs so she can see. I am documenting this because I am sure when she is older and sees pictures she will ask why she always had a mop for a hair-do.

Preschool Graduation

Carter finished his first year of preschool. He seems to be the "best friend" of everyone in the class. It was funny to see him interact with all his classmates. They kept attacking him and goofing off. He seemed to always remind them to stop and behave. They performed "Old McDonald" as a class and Carter was the duck but seemed to get confused with the pig sound - watch the video :) We love you Carter.

Help water in the basement???

Friday I was on my way to teach dance at the studio and my mom called my cell wondering why my basement had water in it. I thought she was kidding but she was serious. She went into the playroom and water was coming up through he toes. I immediately had her turn off the sprinkler water valve thinking it must be the sprinklers. I told her to just call a disaster company and she had already called dad to come and see where the water was coming from. Of course Jason was in Arizona for business and it was to late for me to find a substitute for dance. She reassured me she would take care of it and not to worry. Carter and her rushed to remove as many items as they could before they were ruined. As I was driving I remembered my brother-in-law worked for a disaster company and luckily he answered even though he was on vacation. He immediately sent a crew to my house and they pulled back the carpet, cut out the pad (that literally could be ringed out), pulled off the base boards, started up their fans and a de-humidifier. THANK YOU MIKE and Paul Davis Restoration & Remodeling!!! My mom called Jason to get our home owners insurance which of course freaked him out when he saw her number come up on his caller id. While I was teaching dance I had the thought that it was my water heater not the sprinklers and called my mom to tell her to shut it down. THANKS JANET and MERV (We have had 5 neighbors have problems in the last few months) My dad determined that it was the water heater that gave out and instead of going to the drain it headed directly into the playroom. Least to say we went without hot water for 48 hours (due to the weekend) and trying to get a tank-less water heater installed. By Saturday afternoon the dishes were running low and I couldn't take it anymore so I became a "pioneer" and boiled several pans of water to wash my dishes. It actually took about an hour but felt great to have them done. We finally gave up on the tank-less and went with two 50 gallons that were installed Sunday by our new neighbor (Josh-Emma's dad which happens to be a plumber). He asked if we minded him installing on a Sunday while we were at church and of course beggars cannot be choosy. We had to go most of the day without water while he installed, but don't worry we still showered for church. THANKS MACKAYs. I thought we were close to our neighbors but showering at their house brings it to a whole new level. What would we do without our neighbors and family???? They are so willing to help and take such good care of us. We are truly blessed!!!

Water is now up and running. We still have to determine if the carpet is salvageable - we think it is. We need to get new pad and base boards but the dry wall has water marks but seems to still be strong. Could have been a lot worse and THANKS to all who stepped in to help. We are very grateful!!! Take note of the beautiful picture of the NEW water heater - isn't it gorgeous!!

Summer Time BBQ

Waterslide mania

Bathing Beauties (Hannah, Brinlee, Lauren, and Jaiden)

Future Miss Utah (Madison) - Check out those shoes (clear heels) and the pose down.

The party culprits - Mackays, Tripps, and Carvers

Tripp Family Pics

We had family pics taken with the Tripp's. Check out this crew. We love them all but together we are crazy and bring down the house. I am sure the studio was grateful it was still standing when we left. Look Out!!

Ride Baby Ride

It all started with Carter riding his bike with the training wheels bent. I pointed out that he wasn't even using them and he started to notice "no training wheel sound". It took a couple of weeks for him to finally ask to take the wheels off. He started on the neighbors littler bike and jumped right on and took off. No running behind or holding onto back. We couldn't believe it. Then the next day he wanted to try his big bike. Same thing I held the back while he got on and then he took off. He rode for quite a while until he fell going up a curb. I am still trying to figure out how to down load the video because he throws an absolute fit and will not ask for help. It was historic. He is solo all the way now and I cannot believe how easy it was or how young he is. We think he even beat Jaiden's record. We will have to pull out the archives to verify. CONGRATS CARTER!!!

Happy Mothers Day!

Life has been great this last year I am so greatful for all our blessings especially our health. The kids love the singing cards and they picked "we are family" for my mothers day card. I hope you all had a great mothers day.

Double B's

Madison LOVES babies and balls. She cannot get enough of either. She loves to hug her babies and have sister wrap them in blankets. She also loves to push them in the stroller. Of course her favorite doll is Jaiden's "bitty baby" and Jaiden is paranoid of her throwing it in the toilet. Madison loves to throw the ball and watch it roll down the street. She also loves to try and go after the balls at Carter's baseball games. (I will post a pic of her and balls soon)

Family Fun in St.George

Swimming, swimming, swimming, everyday from 10-1pm at lunch and then again until dinner while Madison took her afternoon nap. Carter would scream down his dad when he would try and make him float with his floatees. Jaiden was a fish and Madison took a while to warm up to getting in the pool. The kids love to stay at the Holiday Inn because they have an indoor/outdoor pool. They actually hang on the divider and swing yelling "ahhh, ahhh, ahhh". Jason started it and labeled the action "george of the jungle." I am sure everyone at the pool thinks we are nuts. We also ran into our old neighbors the Dilleys at dinner. It was fun hanging out with them the next day at their pool and then eating at the Pizza Factory together. We tried to find where "High School Musical 2" was filmed but got shafted. I don't know who was more excited looking for it the three girls (Jaiden and the Dilley girls) or Carter. He still wants to be Zac Efron for halloween.

The kids slept pretty good. We were really worried about Madison

and how she would be in a hotel instead of a condo. We actually got smart and put the crib in the bathroom. She slept great but we had to make a few bathroom trips to the lobby.

We spent an evening at "Fiesta Fun" miniture golfing and riding go-carts. Thanks Jason for the picture during ball recovery for Carter. Poor Madison got ditched in the stroller while we raced around the track.

We had a lot of fun just hanging out as a family.