Summer Soccer

Taylor's team at the Hooper Tournament. They took 2nd place.

Taylor getting his trophy from his coach. His team was "The Baker's Dozen"

Justin and Taylor both played on the AYSO Summer Select Soccer teams for their age groups. This meant soccer tournaments every weekend but one in June (and now one more for Justin at the end of July). They were in Hooper, Eden and one right in our backyard at the Cottonwood Heights fields.

They both played great and had a lot of fun. For some reason I only have pictures of Taylor's team - probably because they got trophies at every tournament.

Justin's team is in the U-19 division and is a newly formed team. They progressed a lot through the month of tournaments and will definitely do great things next summer.

Catching Up

It has been a busy summer, as usual, and I'm pretty behind in my posting. I was downloading my pictures from my camera to the computer and it reminded me of all the things I haven't posted.

• Boys summer soccer tournaments
• Brooke's birthday and bedroom remodel
• Layton company party at Lagoon
• Brooke's volleyball camp at the U
• 4th of July
• Shingleton Family trip to Bear Lake
• Getting ready for trek

I hope to catch up over the next two weeks.

Overheard from the Bathroom

sunday morning I overheard this conversation in the bathroom:

kamryn: "Kyson goes to the bathroom like this"
jared: "yeah, he stands up but I don't stand up"
Kamryn: "i'm going to go to the bathroom like Kyson"

I then hear her go to the bathroom on the floor.

Kamryn: "my panties are all wet. I better throw them away."
Jared: "i'll go get mom"

Hopefully she learned that girls can't go potty standing up.

thoughts from a 4 year old

The other day I was driving in the car with Jared and Kamryn.
Kamryn said to me:
"Who built Jesus?"
I said:
"Heavenly Father"
Then she said:
"Who built Heavenly Father?"
I said:
His father (hoping that didn't go much farther)
Then she said:
"Who built me?"
I said:
"Heavenly Father"
Then she proceeded to ask who built Jared, Justin, Brooke, Taylor, Mom, Dad, Grammy, Grandpa, Grand-dad, Grandma, Phoebe, Aiko, Olivia, Josh, Leah, Kyson, Rachel, and Meghan.
I answered the same everytime:
"Heavenly Father"
Then she said:
"Heavenly Father built everybody!"
I told her she was right.

Graduation

Phoebe, Jared, Olivia and Kamryn at their last day of preschool.

Jared and Kamryn have grown up so much during this preschool year.

Kamryn wearing her graduation cap.

Jared showing off his graduation cap.

Phoebe and Jared getting ready for their graduation party.

The whole class posing in front of the Bengal tiger.

(check out Jared and Kamryn in the photo)

Mrs Hardman asking Jared what his favorite thing is.

He ended up telling her blue is his favorite thing.

Mrs Hardman asking Kamryn what her favorite food is.

She said chicken.

A little Kamryn story

My sister's family invited us to go to Mountain Mike's for pizza tonight. The place had games and gumball and prize machines so all the kids were asking for quarters. We told them we didn't have any (or at least enough for all the kids to have one). After Kamryn asked me the 2nd time for a quarter, her uncle Dale told her to go ask that man over there for a quarter, never dreaming that she would really do it. To all of our surprise, she went over to the nice man enjoying dinner with his wife and little baby, she asked him for a quarter. We were all dying. She took the quarter, put it in the prize machine (like a gumball machine but full of little prizes) and got the perfect thing for her - a little ring with a pink stone. She was in heaven. I told her to show the man and say thank you and she did. I went over and explained how shy she is and that we couldn't believe she actually did what her uncle suggested. After that she started telling all the kids to go ask the man for a quarter. Luckily he was finished with his dinner and got out of there quick.

Jared's Ocean Encounter

Life's a Beach

For the 2nd day of our trip we went to Laguna Beach for the afternoon.
While we were driving there the kids fell asleep so Paul and I enjoyed exploring the coast and checking out all the great views and homes.

Jared braved the waves with his dad and got all wet.

Kamryn loved playing in the sand.

Jared with his dad showing off "chichen-itza" that Paul built.

Kamryn and her dad. Ever since we went to the mayan ruins near Cancun 12 years ago, Paul always builds this mayan temple whenever we are at a beach.

Jared fighting Darth Vadar

Jedi Apprentice

Jared wanted to watch the Jedi Training Show. So we did and it was AWESOME!
He got picked to be one of the trainees and he was in the show.

Darth Vadar challening the trainees to come to the dark side with him.

The Jedi Master working with his apprentice.

I couldn't believe jared actually went up on the stage in front of everyone.

He did a great job and fought Darth Vadar.

(video coming soon.)

Where the Fun Never Ends

jared and Kamryn driving Goofy's car in Toon Town.

They thought this cake and balloons were real and were for their birthday.


jared loved the pirates ride, especially when we ended up in the pirate store.

More Disney Magic

To meet any of the characters at the park you have to stand in line of course. Mickey is the only one we stood in line for and this is why. Kamryn was too shy to talk to Mickey or be good for a picture. So we didn't get to see any of the other characters this time around. We did see them all in the parade and that was fun for the kids.

Thank goodness Kamryn was happy in a picture sometimes.


I can't believe I actually went on this ride. i don't do spinning rides but the kids wanted to go on the tea cups. So I just kept my eyes on Jared's shirt. The kids loved it.

I survived.

Jared is wearing a birthday badge that he got when we bought our tickets. He and Kamryn got in free since it was their birthday. He wore his badge all day and it was fun having the Disney cast members always tell him happy birthday by name when we walked on the rides. kamryn also got a badge but only had it on for about 5 minutes and then I put it on my pack.

Fun at the Park

The kids were excited to go on all the rides.

Kamryn loved the carousel. Before that we'd been on the Snow White ride and that was too scary for her - it was dark and there was a bad lady there.

Jared didn't get quite as scared on the rides as Kamryn did but he was nervous on some of the darker ones. He also loved the carousel.

Kamryn, Paul and Jared

On the way to Disneyland

Jared and Kamryn were so excited to go to Disneyland. We had them go to bed early (early for us was 9:00 pm) because we had to get them up at 5:30 am. They had a really hard time settling down and were so excited that they didn't go to sleep until about 11. They had already decided that they wanted to go on the plane in their jammies so that made it easier in the morning.

Luckily the flight wasn't full so we each had a row. And it was great that Jared and Kamryn each got a seat by the window.


Kamryn really wasn't too unhappy. She just doesn't like her picture taken.
They were both great on the plane. Although even on a short plane ride Kamryn asked a couple of times if we were almost there.
They also wanted to know if the plane was going to take us to Disneyland. We explained to them that we would land at the airport and then rent a car to drive to Disneyland.



We actually ended up renting a van which was really nice to have all that space. Kamryn had fun riding in the back all by herself.

We picked up Disneyland brochures at the car rental place which was fun for the kids to check out while we were driving there.

Presents

Jared got this killer whale swim toy from Paul's parents. He loved it.

Kamryn modeling her new birthday jammies.

Jared showing off his birthday pjs.

Kamryn got a cute little "hello kitty" castle from her grandparents but there is no picture to show because Kamryn REALLY doesn't like her picture taken. Justin, Brooke and Taylor gave the kids the Disney edition of the game Memory, which is a favorite game right now.

My parents gave Jared and Kamryn spending money.

The big present that Paul and I gave them was to take them to Disneyland on their actual birthday. They were very excited to go to Disneyland, even though I don't think they really knew what that meant.

Party Time

Kamryn with her princess cupcakes.

Jared with his spiderman cupcakes.

With boy/girl twins it makes for interesting birthday celebrations. Even if I wanted to do one cake or theme it would be impossible. But I'm always going to try to follow my BIL's advice and have separate cakes for the twins on their birthdays. This year it was a small family gathering to celebrate so we did cupcakes. That worked out really well for making what the kids wanted. Jared is all boy and wanted spiderman. And Kamryn is all girl and wanted a princess cake. Thank goodness for Zurchers.

Happy Birthday to my 4 Year Olds

Kamryn and Jared with their birthday balloons showing

how old they are now.

It's going to take several posts to cover the birthday celebration for Jared and Kamryn this year.

It all started on Monday evening when we celebrated their birthday at home with our family and grandparents. Jared and Kamryn were very excited for their party. They loved the balloons, presents, and cupcakes.

Mother's Day

Today was a great mother's day.
First of all, I got to sleep in until 9:15!
Then everyone got up and got ready without any problems. We were ready early enough that we got to walk to church. It was a beautiful day. I really enjoy walking to church with my kids. Its a good time to talk to them. I just wish Paul could walk with us.
It was fun to watch jared and Taylor go up with the primary kids to sing to us mothers. Kamryn wouldn't go up. She's just too shy these days.
After church I made dinner - what I wanted. i've decided it's just easier to have a nice dinner on mother's day if I decide what I want and then make it. And I would rather make it and then have someone else clean it up. We had meatloaf, roasted potatoes, and squash. Then some brownies later for dessert.
We went to visit at Paul's parents and then to my parents. It was just a relaxing, kick-back day. My kids gave me a new phone for my bedroom and Brooke got me a movie. And my mom gave me some money which I will use on an upcoming trip.

Girl Friend Getaway

Last weekend I was lucky enough to go with 2 girlfriends to Women's Conference at BYU and then on to St George.
Women's conference was great. We enjoyed the classes, esp the one with Ruth Todd. We decided this should become an annual tradition but go to both days of the conference and get a hotel in Provo and enjoy a short getaway. I even met Rachelle from this famous blog. I also met up with my friend Paige and we were able to go to a couple of classes together.
We finally left Provo around 8:30 at night for St George. That is a short drive when you're with friends and you have lots to talk about. We got to Desiree's house around midnight and proceeded to stay up until sometime after 2:00 talking some more.
On Friday we went to look at the model homes in Coral Canyon. It's always fun to dream. We did some shopping and even saw the Butler family from our ward while we were out. We went to dinner at Red Robin and then went home and watched a couple of movies.
On Saturday we went to see a TERRIBLE MOVIE! DO NOT GO SEE IT!! We were excited to see Matthew Macaughnahey's new movie and we were so disappointed. We should have left it was that bad. We went home and watched Bride Wars which was much better.
It was so great to hang out with great friends, sleep in and just relax.

Mini Minnie Pearl

New Callings

Paul and I have both received callings in our recently reorganized, boundary changed ward. At the end of March we had a special fast and testimony meeting to hear about major changes in our stake. Our ward as we knew it was split in half. One half (the side we don't live on) was combined with the 4th ward. The half we live on was combined with the 10th ward and part of the 1st ward. We will continue to be called the 5th ward and we continue in the building we had been meeting at and get to keep the 11:00 time (YEAH).
The next Sunday after the split was General Conference so that gave the bishop's time to figure out how to combine these new wards. Our bishop, Harold Hinckley, did his best to meet with most of the families that were new to him. Our family met with him on Sunday and had a nice little chat. He asked us to tell him our family history in a couple of minutes. I've known the bishop for a long time because he was in my ward when I was a teenager. 20 years ago they took his street out of our ward to make a new ward. And now we're back together.
On Tuesday morning I got a call from the stake executive secretary saying that paul and i needed to meet with President Arnell, a counselor to the stake president. We figured that paul was going to stay on as Executive Secretary to the bishop.
WRONG!!
Paul was asked to be the 2nd counselor in the bishopric. Just what his very busy life needed. But he accepted the call and is glad to serve with this bishopric. He has enjoyed meeting people in this new ward. The hardest part about this calling is having him sit on the stand and not with our family.

Paul, Bishop Hinckley, Dan Hodgson

Paul is scrunching down so he's the same height as the others.

5th Ward Bishopric

(Paul at regular height)

Paul came home from a very long bishopric meeting on Wed night. There is a lot to do in this new ward to get it organized. Our ward in the combining of 3 wards had 2 RS pres, 2 primary pres, 3 YW pres plus 2 complete presidencies and advisors, 2 YM presidencies minus one president and lots more duplications on callings. So the bishopric have had a big job getting this all sorted out.

When paul got home he said the bishop had a calling for me. I asked him if the bishop was going to talk to me and he said he was supposed to do that. I told him that was bad because I could say no to my own husband. So I received a new calling from the bishopric at 11:00 at night.

Today I was sustained as the Ward Newsletter Editor. I was glad to accept this calling although I am very intimidated by the whole computer part of it. I had even mentioned to my friends that I would love to be a REPORTER for the newsletter just not not the EDITOR. Oh well, I'll figure it out. Now the big challenge is they want an edition out for next Sunday! Yikes!! And I leave to go out of town Thursday morning so I have to have it done and printed by Wed night. Wish me luck!

Using up my Luck

Brooke and I have been trying to get tickets to Wicked in the lottery they have before the show. This is common in NYC and they are also doing it here. For every show they have a lottery to sell 10 pairs of tickets, each ticket is $25. We have gone down there 3 times and haven't won yet. We even take Jared and Kamryn with us so they can put their names in to help us have more names in our favor. I've decided we aren't winning because my name is getting drawn in other things and it is using up all my luck.
The other day my name was drawn on a radio station contest and Paige won a basket of stuff for me. She's my friend that is always winning stuff on the radio. She told me to enter this contest on KOSY through Facebook and then she listens for my name and calls in and wins. So winning that used up some of my luck.
Recently, the Canyons School District sent home a note about forming a Task Force committee to study enrollment, calendering and other important issues for the new school district. Each school in the district will have one parent to represent them on the committee and the way onto the committee would be by lottery drawing of a name from parents who submitted that they were interested. You could submit your name to each school that your kids go to so I submitted my name 3 times - one for elementary, one for middle and one for high school. I was interested in the committee and figured if I got drawn good, if I didn't get drawn it would be a relief.
Well, I just found out today that I was selected to be on the committee. I am actually intrigued by the whole thing and hope it isn't too overwhelming. The first meeting is next week. So that lottery drawing of my name used up more of my luck. Hopefully Brooke has enough for both of us and one of these times that we go downtown we'll get Wicked tickets.

Brooke's Team

This is Brooke's volleyball team this year. She's playing for Mt Olympus, a small club. They are a great group of girls and Danielle is an awesome coach.

They played at "the Gym" up in Ogden today. it's a new facility and it is AWESOME!!

They had a rough start this morning but ended the day on an upswing and won their bracket in the tournament.

Deep Question

The other day I was at my sister's house just hanging out. Her sons (my nephews) were eating lunch. Jake who is 6 and in kindergarten, has a photographic memory. He is amazing at reading already and just so smart. He was eating away and then looks up and says to me,
"Lisa, Do you know Jesus?"
The question made me stop. I really didn't know how to answer him. I'm still thinking about it.
His mom asked him if he knew Jesus and with absolutely no hesitation said "yes"
The faith and knowledge of a child is amazing.

Easter Sunday Photos

We were ready for church early since Jared and Kamryn got up before eight. Since we had some extra time I convinced my kids to let me take some Easter pictures. The older boys didn't even remember it was Easter until I said something Easter pictures. They couldn't figure out why I was taking pictures.

Taylor (11), Jared (almost 4), Justin (16)

My handsome boys

My cute girls

Kamryn (almost 4), Brooke (almost 15)

Kamryn and Jared

Jared and Kamryn

It is almost impossible to get a good picture of both them together.

My wonderfully, awesome kids

Spirit of the Marathon

My friend loaned me a DVD of "Spirit of the Marathon". I watched it tonight and it was very good. A little too inspiring - as in it made me think about running another marathon. I know it won't be this year but it may happen in the next few years. I'd really like to run a 1/2 marathon this year. My biggest problem right now is I've got 2 blisters - one on each pinky toe. I could feel them coming on and didn't do anything about it. DUMB! DUMB!

So Sad

Early this evening I went to the viewing for Dan Howells. He was such a great example and friend to everyone who knew him. It was certainly evident how many lives he touched because the viewing was packed. The line to talk to the family members wound all over the church building. People have come up from Tucson where Dan and his wife Amy lived for several years. I went to high school and both of them and they are both such good, good people. I knew before I even got there that I would really have a hard time talking to Amy. I knew she would be the one comforting everyone. And I was right. She is such a strong person and so amazing. The greatest thing was their daughter Kathryn, who was in the accident with her dad, was standing right there with her mom and was so strong for everyone. She had a lot of cuts and abrasions on her face but she was smiling and hugging everyone who came through the line. It was so touching. I wish I could make it to the funeral tomorrow. It's going to be a beautiful meeting. My thoughts and prayers are with the whole family.

BTW

By the way, the Denver thing was a little April Fool's joke. Although I suppose anything is possible in Paul's business these days.

Wild Wednesday

Jared and Kamryn got to go back to preschool today. They go to Brighton High school's preschool program. The preschool is run by the h.s. students. When the trimesters change the preschoolers don't have school for 3 weeks. Only this time the break was more like a month. It was nice to have a little bit of a break but 4 weeks was a long time off. Jared and Kamryn were very excited to go back to school and Jared was even up early (one problem of being out for so long is they got on a terrible sleeping schedule). They were both so cute when they got home and showed me everything from their backpacks that they did at school.
After lunch we went over to Desiree's house so I could help her send some pictures to Costco online to get developed. The kids played and watched a movie while we worked on the computer and had a little facebook lesson.
Young Women's was very interesting tonight. This was our first night with the newly combined ward. We have a total of 21 YW now and most of them were there tonight. And then there are 2 complete presidencies plus another president and 2nd counselor from the 3rd ward that was added into our ward (a group of apartments near our ward building). The YW room was full of people. We did some fun get to know you games and the girls all seemed to be having a good time. But looks can be disguised. At the end of the night, I asked 2 of the girls from our original ward if they had fun and they looked at me like they were going to cry and one of them said,
"I would trade all of these girls to have our own girls back."
It's going to take a long time to really make this work.
Paul flew to Denver today for an interview for a new project his group is bidding on. Then he had to drive up to Torrington WY to check on a new project he is starting up there. If he gets the new project it looks like we may be moving to Denver for awhile. With all of the upheaval of the ward changes I would actually be okay with it.