Family Trip

McKay, just happy to be on vacation
Tanner was a trooper, but got pretty worn out.

Our family vacationed at the end of June with the Moretons. It was so nice to have all of the family together. We went on a church history trip. We started by staying in Kansas City and seeing the sites in Indepedence, MO. We also took in the whole area of Richmond, Liberty, Far West, and Adam-ondi-Ahman. We even had some time to enjoy to Kansas City BBQ. It was then off to Nauvoo. The temple is so incredible there. It is absolutely amazing inside and outside. It was a highlight of the trip to do a session there. We enjoyed tours of the replica homes in the city of Nauvoo. Carter and McKay especially liked going to the blacksmith and the brick maker. They also learned how to make cookies, shoes, and even rope there. The next day we went to Carthage Jail where the prophet Joseph Smith was martyred. It is such sacred ground there and a great place for reflection. It was then on to Winter Quarters just outside of Omaha, NE. There we were able to go to the visitor's center, temple, pioneer cemetery, and Kanesville Tabernacle. It was amazing to think of the trek that the pioneers made across the plains. Here we were driving a similar route in our air conditioned car. We thought we were going to die of heat exhaustion just walking around to the different sites. This trip was a great testimony builder to me of the truthfulness of the church. It was also a great time to be together as a family playing games and having fun together. It will always be a memorable trip.

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End of the School Year

Carter had a lot of festivities at the end of the school year. First he had what they call immersion week and learned about Mexico. One day they took a field trip to a fun Mexican restaurant and saw cliff divers perform. Later in the week they had a Mexican fiesta. I went and helped prepare all the food and stayed for the lunch, dancing, and pinata. It was fun to watch the kids do the Mexican Hat Dance, and as Carter told me, "Mom, I am very good at it." I would have to agree with him; you can judge for yourself.

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The next week his class put on a frog puppet show for all the parents. It was very cute. This year his class has also worked diligently on a personal narrative. Carter wrote his on a family trip to Nickel-A-Play arcade. He did a great job reading his book to the class and parents.
All of a sudden the end of the year was here. Carter had his last day on June 5. They had a little Kindergarten graduation. At the graduation each student was honored with a candy bar and certificates. Carter was awarded the Reese's Whip for "whipping up the most interesting conversation." That is definitely Carter! Carter had a great year and made many friends and learned so much. There were several tears wept by his teachers and some others as good-byes were said. I know Carter will miss being at school, but he is excited to get going with some of our summer plans.
Carter and his teacher Ms.Peppler

Tornado?!

The tornado at Southlands only a couple of miles from our home

Or "tormado" as McKay kept calling it, and yes we really had one here in Aurora yesterday. We were actually in church at the time and Lamont was teaching the Elder's Quorum and I was teaching the Young Women. I was just teaching away to what sounded like a serious rainstorm when the Bishop came busting into the classroom and told us all to get out in the hall. I had no clue what was going on until I saw one of our friends with a picture of a funnel cloud on his cell phone that was taken from the church parking lot. Lamont of course went to check it out and saw the funnel in the distance.
After rounding up the boys we headed into the chapel to wait out the tornado and hail storm. Luckily the tornado did not hit the church, but on the way home we noticed a fencing area torn to shreds about a half mile away. It is amazing to me how isolated tornados can be; one spot is untouched while the next is destoryed. We returned to our home to find it just fine. We made it through the storm with only some minor hail damage to the car (the hail was about the size of a quarter). Unforunately we can't say the same for our favorite shopping area, Southlands. We drove down there yesterday evening to assess the damage. From the reports and damage we knew which way the tornado had gone, which was right over our neighborhood. It just didn't touch down thank goodness. Many of the stores in the shopping area had some significant damage with trees being ripped out and shingles ripped off of roofs. Many homes around the area also received damage. I thought we were through with this sort of thing after moving from Texas. I guess I need to remember that we are on the Kansas side of Colordao. It was such a crazy day and we feel blessed to make it out with only minor hail damage.
Damage in the Lowes parking lot

Memorial Weekend

We did not go anywhere for Memorial day this year, but were lucky to have my sister Michelle come into town and spend the weekend with us. We decided to check out Golden, CO for the day and went to Heritage Square. It was set up like an old fashioned town with a little amusement park inside. We let the boys choose a couple rides to go on, but most of all they wanted to mini golf. McKay felt like he knew what he was doing and didn't even want any help. But, I would have to say the highlight was the Alpine Slide. We took the ski lifts to the top of the mountain and then went down on little bobsleds. It was beautiful up there and a lot of fun. McKay kept accelerating our sled - no fear! Afterwards we went to scope out Red Rocks Amphitheater. It was gorgeous and I can see why it is a hot venue for concerts.




On Monday we went to a Larsen BBQ up in Broomfield and then hit the Rockies Baseball game. Luckily we dodged the rain and all had a great time. Thanks Aunt Michelle for coming to visit and for giving us an excuse to do so many fun things!

Preschool Graduation!

McKay graduated from his first year of preschool in our co-op. It was a good year with a cute group of kids. The kids celebrated with a tropical themed swim party and BBQ. McKay became good friends with all the kids in his class and really enjoyed going twice a week. He is learning letter sounds and blending them together. He is also learning how to write his name. But, his strength seems to come with numbers. With a little help he can count to 100 and is always asking me to add numbers for him. In fact, he was given the Exceptional Number Knowledge award at his end of year party.

Flowers at the Temple

Once again this year we were able to take part in planting some flowers at the temple. This is the boys favorite activity of the year when they get to go and see the temple and help beautify the grounds. The pizza party with the ward afterwards is also a bonus!

Soccer Season

Carter going for the ball

Soccer season has come and gone and it was a cold one! Half of Carter's games had to be rescheduled due to snow or rain. At least it warmed up a little bit for his last game. Carter has been progressing in his soccer skills and is so proud when he makes a goal. He has really enjoyed soccer and we have even decided to enroll him in a mini soccer summer camp. The unstoppable award

In the fall McKay will also be starting soccer. Lamont is going to coach his team and it looks like he will have several of his friends on the team as well. He is very excited to start soccer and has already been practicing some soccer moves!McKay with his friends Jude and Kinley

Fathers and Sons Campout

We recently had the ward Fathers and Sons Campout. Even though it has been very warm during the days, it still got pretty cold - down in the low 30's - overnight. Carter and McKay had a great time and keep talking about going camping again - but next time bringing mommy along.

What a big boy!

Tanner is getting so big so quickly that I had to post these pictures. At eight weeks he went in for his wellness check and weighed 14 lb. 5 oz.!!! Yes, he is in the 95th percentile for his age. No, he doesn't miss any meals. He is such a sweet boy and is doing well sleeping through the night and can make it to 6-6:30am now, hooray! He is also so much more alert and is a smiley baby, although we have yet to really catch it on camera.

8 years!

Happy Anniversary! Here we are eight years and three boys later...it has been wonderful! I love you!

Party, Party, Party

Happy Birthday Carter! Carter turned 6 two weeks ago, but due to blizzard conditions his friend party was postponed until this past Friday. So, the celebration was stretched over two weeks.

We had a family party for Carter when everyone was in town for Tanner's blessing. This was our day to do cake and presents. It was fun to have so much family around to celebrate.


Round two was his actual birthday on April 14. After a minor setback of McKay locking me and himself out of the house with Tanner inside (the fire department had to come and break into the house for us) we headed to Carter's school to deliver cupcakes and celebrate with his Kindergarten class. Carter got to wear the birthday hat and everyone sang to him. Carter just loved it. I forgot to bring the camera, due to the stress of our "setback."

Round three came this past Friday and the weather decided to cooperate this time. We had a pirate party at the park. We did hot dogs, a pinata, and a scavenger hunt. Carter had a lot of fun with some school friends and some church friends.




It is hard to believe that Carter was so little like Tanner only six years ago. He is such a sweet, smart, and thoughtful boy and we love having him in our home.

An Easter Blessing

Tanner was blessed in church on Easter Sunday. It was such a nice day. We loved having so much family in town. My parents were here as well as my sisters Melanie and Megan, my brother Josh and his wife Kyle, and Lamont's brother Bennett and his wife Jenna. We had a great weekend at Carter's soccer game, bowling, playing games, and celebrating Carter's birthday.

On Sunday Lamont blessed Tanner in church. It was a beautiful priesthood blessing, and I am glad that my dad and our brothers were able to join him. I am also grateful that Lamont was able to do this for Tanner. Tanner wore the same blessing outfit that both Carter and McKay wore. Afterwards, we had a nice ham dinner together to celebrate Easter.

The Men (& boys)

Everyone who was at the blessing

Uncle Don, Aunt Susan and family came to join us for dinner.

The Bunny came!