Jacob's 9th Birthday

Happy Birthday to you Jacob. Yesterday was Jacob's birthday. He had a fabulous day. He thought this was one of his best days yet. We started the day opening presents. He got a science kit and some legos.




Then he had to go to school. After school he played with his new stuff and he got to choose dinner. He chose Hawaiin Haystacks. His favorite. Then we had cake. He loved this day.

First Day of School

So Monday was Jacob's first day of school and Joshua and Abigial both had appointments to meet their teachers. Jacob said his first day was great. He really likes his teacher. Joshua met his teacher and really likes her. His first day of 1st grade is today. We hope he does well. He was so excited last night that he didn't fall asleep until 10:00 p.m. Hopefully he doesn't fall asleep on his desk. Abigail really likes Mrs. Johnson for Kindergarten. She starts next Tuesday.

Here are pictures.

Is Anyone Listening . . .

So today we get home from church and I ask each of the children what did you learn today. I asked Joshua first. This was his reply: "We learned about the state of Palma" Is there a state called palma. What was he learning.

Next I asked Aigail what she learned. Here is her reply: "I learned about the place Santa Clause lives." Hmmm wonder what they really talked about.

Then I asked Jacob. Here is what he said. "I learned about Adom-ondi-Monday." Well, at least his resembles something churchy.

Wonder what they'll learn next week . . .

Bear Lake Camping Trip

So this weekend we went to Bear Lake Camping for John's family reunion. We left Friday morning. We arrive and had lunch with John and then we checked into our campground. The wind was blowing so hard that we didn't put up our tents. We went down to the lake and played in the water. Finally the wind died down a little so everyone went out on the boat. Then the wind picked up again and went Aunt Megan and Uncle Greg took the boat back to the marina to get it out of the water, it was quite the ordeal. Greg and Megan both got swamped swimming after the boat when it got away from them. Quite the ordeal. Finally they got the boat safely out of the water.

The wind blew and blew and blew . . . Finally about 9:00 p.m. my kids were begging to go to bed so they could get out of the wind. So we all got into our tent and they fell asleep and the wind blew and blew and blew . . . Finally it started raining like a banshee. It was quite the night. At least our tent is good and it kept us dry and did not break. The next morning we woke up and it was about 50 degrees and blowing and raining. We quickly cooked breakfast and then we all hung out in Aunt Kim and Uncle Pauls trailer. Finally afters years of telling John we need a trailer, he finally agrees. After this weekend he said, OK, we need a trailer. YAH!!!!!

After lunch we cleaned up and came home. What a weekend. And to top it all off, I forgot my camera.

Then the icing on the cake. We were all packed and the kids strapped in their seatbelts, and John went to start the car and it didn't start!!!! Someone left the door open and the battery ran down. Luckily Uncle Paul had a battery jumper and we got jumped and off we went without any more incident.

Whew! We are home in our dry warm house.

Utah museum of Natural History

So yesterday was the free day at the Utah Museum of Natural History. We went for Family Home Evening. My kids really enjoyed the museum. It was very interesting. They had a couple of people there doing a little science show. It was very funny. I forgot my camera so no pics. I took one on my cell phone but don't know how to get it off of my phone onto my computer.

Pioneer Weekend

We are so thankful for our Pioneers. The faith and courage that they had to walk across the plains,and settle here is wonderful. I am so thankful.

This weekend has been a crazy one! It all started Thursday night, my kids and John slept out on the trampoline. Then on Friday we woke up and went to Grandma Atkinson's house. We went to the Fiesta Days. They had a car show and booths to look at. Then we went back to Grandma's house for some slip-n-slide fun with some cousins.




After that we wend to the Kamas parade. Much different from the Riverton parade, but still a parade. It was fun. Then Jacob, Abigial and Dad went to the Rodeo with Grandma and Grandpa, while Wyatt, Joshua and I stayed at Grandma's house.

On Saturday was the kids parade. Abigial wanted to be in it. So here she is dressed as a pioneer ready to ride the float.



Here is one of her on the float.



Then we had an Atkinson reunion and met lots of cousins. Wyatt by this point was melting down, so we left and came back to Grandma's house. That night, John and the boys went to the Derby while Wyatt and Abigail and I stayed at Grandma's house. Needless to say, Wyatt and Abigial were so tired they were so naughty!! Grandpa was there and I think we gave him a few more grey hairs with all the cyring! Thanks Grandpa for keeping your cool. We then came home. We arrived home about 11:00 p.m.

Whew! The weekend is over. Now comes the cleanup . . .

Picking Raspberries

So on Saturday John picked some raspberries and we got some big ones. I have never seen a raspberry as big as some of the ones he picked. It was an inch wide and long. Usually raspberries are about 1/4 of an inch or a 1/2 inch. I took some pictures. MMMM we sure have been enjoying our crop of raspberries.

4th of July

Well, this has been a wonderful and busy 4th of July. We went to the parade on Friday night. We decided this year, instead of trying to hurry and eat dinner and get cleaned up and hurry to the parade, we would get some takeout and eat dinner on the sidewalk while waiting for the parade. This worked really well. We sat by the Hutcheons and Laws. This makes it fun for everyone. Everyone has a friend to talk to. My kids just love going to the parade and catching candy. They came home with quite a bit of candy. In the parade the national guard drove a tank down the road. John got some pictures of it.

On Saturday we started the day off with going to our neighborhood bike parade. The kids decorated their bikes and we rode through the neighborhood. It is always fun for my kids. Then one of Joshua's friends got baptized so Joshua and I went to his baptism. What a cool thing to be baptized on the 4th of July.

Afterwards we went to Cowabunga. This is a new water park in Sandy. It is really cool. There was hardly anyone there and it was quite fun. My kids loved it. It is a waterpark for younger families and it was perfect for my kids ages. We didn't get any pictures of this because we didn't take our camera.

Then we went to the Riverton Fireworks. What a great firework show. Riverton does a great job with their fireworks. I thought for sure Wyatt would fall asleep, but he stayed awake for the whole thing. My other kids have all gotten scared during the firework show, but he didn't.

All in all it was a wonderful day.

Then on Sunday we went to church and after church we went up to John's parents house. The kids got to play with some of their cousins. Then Jacob, Joshua and Abigail got to stay and spend a couple of nights with Grandma and Grandpa. They are so excited to be able to stay and play with their grandparents. So I just have Wyatt. It is kind of quiet around here now.

4th of July Carnival

Last night wasthe 4th of July Carnival at Riverton City. My kids had a blast. Jaco went on a few of the "Big kid" rides. He loved the starship, and the sizzler. I went on the sizzler with him and came off very sick!! John went on the Starship with him and then John came off very sick as well. Jacob talked Abigial and Joshua into going on the starship. When Abigial came off she was green and started crying. She did not like that ride.
Here is a picture of Jacob and me on the sizzler and one of Jacob getting off of the starship all woozy.




Here is on of Joshua and Abigail riding a coaster ride and loving it.



We let Wyatt ride the merry-go-round. He loved it. He had to ride three times. He would not get off. He is a carny at heart I think.



It was a fun night. We were glad the the ticketswere only $.50 cents. It was wonderful.

Running through the Sprinkler/Joshua's K-Garten Graduation

So on Saturday we pulled out the sprinkler and Joshua, Abigail and Wyatt ran through it. Jacob was at a birthday party. I was so suprised that Wyatt ran through the sprinkler. He loved it! He was laughing and giggling.






Then today was Joshua's graduation. They made and unusal puppet and then they sang some songs for us. I ran out of room on my memory stick to record very much. Sorry.

Andre Rieu Concert

So for Mother's Day John got me tickets to see Andre Rieu in concert at the USANA Ampitheather. The concert was last night. It was wonderful. If you don't know who Andre Rieu is he is a violin player and he gives wonderful concerts. He is on PBS a lot during their pledge times. It was the best concert I think I have ever been too. We got there and the wind was blowing so we had to wait 20 minutes for the wind to die down. Finally the concert got underway. It was the best two hours. He plays such happy music. If ever you are down and need a pick-me-up, listen to his music and you can't help but smile. The audience kept encoring him. He did about four encores. Then they finally shooed us away. It was amazing. Here is a picture of John and I waiting to the concert to begin. Here are a few video clips of the concert. I just loved it. Thank you John for a wonderful evening.

Neighborhood Carnival

Our YW/YM's put on a carnival for the primary children. There was a balloon toss, fishing pond, face painting, ball toss cake walk, and more. My kids had fun. Here are some pictures.
Here is Abigail getting her face painted.



Here's Jacob doing the cake walk.



Here's Joshua having fun.

Abigail's Preschool Graduation

So Abigial is now done with preschool and onto Kindergarten. Here is some video of her preschool graduation.

My Dad

I need to express a few thoughts about my Dad. He is has had alzheimers for the past 5 years. He had a stroke a couple of days ago. He is now bed ridden and can't speak and in a lot of pain. I think the end is nearing for him. John went up tonight and gave him a blessing. John said, he thinks that he has aged 50 years in the last three months since he has seen him last. So here goes the thoughts that have been rolling around in my head.

My dad is the greatest man I know.

My dad is the nicest man, he would give his shirt off his back if someone needed it. He was always willing to help no matter who or what it was. If someone needed help, he was there helping.

He could talk to anyone. He was never afraid to go and talk to anyone. I remember driving on vacations or something and coming across road construction and having to stop in the long line of cars waiting for the flagman to let the cars go and being stuck and dad would get out of the car and walk up to the cars in front or behind us and talk to them. He would always make a friend.

He could fix anything. He was so handy. I remember the handle on mom's vacum broke and instead of buying a new vacum he made a new handle to fit it and kept it working. He was always fixing things or building parts to fix something. Very inginuitive.

He could fix any car. I remember as a child many times going to the garage and sitting there and watching dad fix the car. It was some of my most fond times. Helping dad fix the car. He always had the engine out of one car or another fixing on it.

My dad is a very smart man. He has been in many situations and he has a great mind. He could always weave a story out of his many many experiences. I always loved hearing about his childhood and teenage years. He had many experiences. Some of the stories I remember are, I remember is on a snowmobile trip, and how he flew off of a cliff and broke all his ribs and how he had wrap duct tape around his ribs to get home. Then when he got home and got better how badly it hurt to rip that duct tape off. I remember giggling at that image. I loved to hear of all my dads chasings in the car. The one I remember the most is the one he tells of my Mom and Dad driving in the pickup and they were speeding along and came across a dip and the truck jumped the dip and flew through the air. And how my dad had to push on the accelrator so the wheels would be going as fast as the truck when they hit the ground. They landed safely and I think my mom was pregnant at that time.

Most of all when I think of my dad I think of cars and driving fast. When I learned to drive my dad taught me how to drive fast. He taught my how to run red lights and how to control the car going at high speeds. I guess this is why I have had such a need for speed when driving. It was always great fun when it would snow and my dad would spin cookies in the church parking lot and we would all be screaming.

I think my dad is the most fun loving, great jovial man. I love you Dad. I will miss you. Thanks for all that you have done for me. I will miss your words of advice and most of all your laughter and twinkle in your eye. I love you Dad.

Not Much Happening

So we have been really busy with life, but nothing that is blog worthy. So I thought maybe I would refer you to oquirrhsisters.blogspot.com and check out the links on that blog for money saving tips.

Memorial Day Weekend

This weekend we had a good time. On Friday we had a BBQ with my sister and her family. It was fun. Then on Saturday we went to Kamas and visited the graves. John's grandpa was in WWII. It is cool to hear some of his stories. Monday we just hung out hear and did the never-ending yard work!! IT was a fun weekend.

Piano Recital and Happy Birthday Abigail

Yesterday was my piano recital for my piano students. Jacob and Joshua are also learning the piano. The music store recorded our piano recital and gave us a DVD, so I did not video it. I got home and put the DVD in and the sound is missing from the DVD so alas I have no video. Here are pictures of Jacob and Joshua.





Today is Abigail's birthday. She got her presents this morning and she got a new bike. She has been riding it all day. She loves it. She has had a good birthday.

Here are some pictures.

Abigail is Turning 5!!!

Today we had Abigail's birthday party. Her birthday really isn't for a few more days, but this was the day that worked. She had an all girl party and was spoiled by all her friends. She had a puppy party because she loves being a dog. We decorated the "dog house" and played dog, dog, cat and a few other fun games. Including eating "puppy chow". It was a great night. Thanks to all who came.

Mother's Day

So another Mother's Day has come and gone. I don't know if you all don't like Mother's Day as much as I do, but I wish we could skip it all together. I don't like going to church hearing all the stories of these perfect mothers and feeling like I am failing in everyway.

This Sunday though our Stake President came and taught Relief Society (we had all the primary ladies and YW leaders as well, while the men took care of YW and Primary). He taught a wonderful lesson. He asked what are you thinking, what did you come to church with on your mind. One lady, who is probably the most wise women in our ward, said that she hated mothers day because she didn't feel like she measured up. I think she said what most of us were thinking. Then we went onto discuss how we are all trying and it was very spiritual and wonderful. I came away from that meeting with my cup full.

Later that day we went to John's parents. On the way home, we were driving past a field that had some horses in it. Abigail goes, "Look! There's a milking horse." John and I started laughing and said, what's a milking horse? Joshua pipes up and says,"It a horse with white and black spots." It was pretty funny. We had a good laugh.

Allowances

So, I am trying to figure out an allowance system for my kids. I would like to know what anyone out there does. What works for you? How often do you pay and do you make your kids work for their money. Let me know what you do?

Crazy Weekend

This weekend has been crazy. On Thursday afternoon and Friday afternoon Jacob had to go to the District Science Fair because he won 1st place in our school Science Fair. Here is a picture of him next to his science project. Then today Abigail had her dance competition. She did a very good job. She has come a long way from where she was at the dance competition last year. Good job Abigail.

"Mother Gooney Bird"

Joshua has learned this song from school - "Mother Gooney Bird". He sings it so cute. He was singing it for Wyatt to keep him still while I clipped his nails, and John quietly took a video of it while he was singing.

Yah!! Warm Weathe

I love the warm weather!! My kids have loved it too. On Saturday, Wyatt went outside and got dirty! This is his first time being dirty. Other than food dirty. It was kind of cool. We went on a bike ride this evening and played at the park. Wyatt loves riding in the bike cart. He sits back there and sings. Abigail loves riding bikes. She is ready, anytime anyone wants to ride with her. I am glad the weather has been warm.

Easter/Wyatt's First Haircut

So this weekend has been fun filled. On Friday night we died the Easter Eggs. My kids had fun. Finally my children are old enough to do it without making a mess and it being such an ordeal. Nice for me.



On Saturday, we went to Grandma and Grandpa Atkinson. Grandma gave everyone a haircut. Wyatt had his first haircut. Yah!! He looks so grown up now.




Then we had an Easter Egg hunt.



We had fun and are glad that Grandma and Grandpa are back from St. George.

We are feeling better

Finally, everyone is feelig better. Last Friday night Abigail came down with a high fever and she had the fever for six days. Then on Tuesday, Joshua and Wyatt started in with the fever. I took Wyatt to the doctor on Thursday, because he was just acting horrible and found out he had a double ear infection, croup and the virus that Joshua and Abigail had. Wow! what a virus. Don't came back again. IT was a bad one.

This weekend we went to my parents because my brother needed some electrical work on his house. So John did that on Saturday. It was good to watch conference. I always enjoy listening. My kids didnt do so good with being sick and all. Good thing Grandma's house is big.

Saturday Fun

Today, the boys and John were outside for nearly 3 hours trying to start a fire in the new fire pit John got for Christmas. They were using flint and steel and a bow jack. It was lots of fun for Jacob and Joshua to try and start a fire this way. Once they succeeded we cooked hotdogs over the fire. Abigail was too sick to try. She has a fever.





Also, a few days ago, Jacob came home with this 1st place ribbon. His science fair project had taken first place in his class. Way to go Jacob. His project was testing which plants would grow better, those with electricity running through the soil or those with out it. His conclusion was that fast growing plants grow better with the electricity and slow growing plants do not.

Kaden's 1st Birthday

Today, we went to my nephew's 1st birthday party. Kaden is one years old. Yah! He and Wyatt were so funny to watch interact with each other. When Kaden was opening the presents, he just wanted to play with the 1st present and they kept taking them away to make him open more. It was fun. Thanks for inviting us.