A Day At The Zoo

With the kids back in school, and preschool not in session yet, that leaves lots of "Belle and Mommy" time. We have been having lots of fun playing play-dough, coloring pictures, even doing laundry and housework - isn't it fun when kids are young enough that folding the towels and dusting is a 'fun' thing - and on Thursday we even had a special outing to the zoo.

Belle has a cute little friend named Brady. The two of them became good friends last year when their big brother's played on a couple different basketball teams together, plus they are in the same primary class. They are smitten with each other and even informed us at one point of the wedding plans they were making. So when the two of them got to spend the day at the zoo together they were thrilled.



The weather was perfect and the zoo wasn't too crowded. Brady the Belle, the adventurers, as they called themselves guided us through the zoo with their maps.



They rode the carousel a couple of times and the train.

But the highlight at the zoo today was all the baby animals. I can't remember a time at the zoo when I have seen more babies or more active animals. Other than a few monkeys, all of the animals were up and walking around.







Some of our favorites were the baby giraffe, the tiger cubs, the monkeys, the snakes,and our favorite was the baby and mom snow leopard. We watched the cub jump and play with his mother and his ball.

It was a SuPeR fun day at the zoo. Thanks Sue Ann and Brady for a great day!!!!

Football Fever

As hard as it is for me to say good-bye to summer there are so many things I love about fall. I love school. I love seeing my kids learn, reading with them, and helping them with homework. I love the crisp cool air and changing leaves that symbolize the new season. And as much as I love the freedom of summer, there is something to be said for schedules, even really busy schedules.

My favorite part of fall though is FOOTBALL. Despite my love for the game, my boys have only played flag football (which has been fun), but this year Braxton is playing tackle football. I truly had forgotten a little how much I love this game.







After 3 weeks of practice the first game arrived. I have to admit I was a little nervous, but it was a good nervous. Braxton played great!! He was in on several tackles and made some nice blocks. I was so proud of him.



There was a kid on the other team who was HUGE. It took at least 3 kids to bring him down everytime he carried the ball.


After the draft to make two teams, Braxton and his friend River ended up on the opposite team from most of their friends. here are the two of them on the sideline

Football has been great so far, and I am sure there will be many more posts about it coming up

Hello Blog World ... I'm BACK

Well it is official, I have have totally slacked on the blogging. I could sit here and list all they reasons and excuses, but why. I have debated whether I should try to back track and catch up or just skip ahead to now, but I do have several posts ready (except for the pictures), and this is my blog and I blog for me. I want all the summer memories (with pictures) documented here. It is going to take me a few days, but I am going to cover it all. When I am done I will put a post with all the links to the back-posts I have done (if you are interested). I am going to put the posts in the order they belong.

Blogging is truly such a joy and outlet for me, and I NEED to make time for it.

Back To School

I have a bunch of stuff to blog about, but I wanted to take care of this while it was fresh on my mind.

It is 8:45 and my house seems empty. Belle is just eating her breakfast, but the other kids have left for school. The house seems so quiet after all the hustle and bustle of getting ready this morning. It is a somber quiet. I love having the kids around and it will definitely take me few days to adjust. I do love fall though, and I am excited for the adventures the new school year will bring.



Braxton is starting Jr. High this year. You can almost see the nervousness in his eyes. I can't believe he is really in Jr. High, but he certainly looks like he should be. He stands 5'5" now and we had to get all his school clothes in the men's department (I wasn't ready for that). His biggest concern was finding his classes. He has lots of good fun friends though, so I am sure once he finds his way around he will love Jr. High.



Justice is in 5th grade this year. He was excited for school. Really he was excited to see all his friends at school. His teacher this year is Mrs. Malloy, and he has quite a few of his good friends in his class. He was watching the clock, anxiously waiting to leave for the bus this morning. While he waited he reviewed his double digit times tables to make sure he was prepared to make a good impression and start the school year right. This is going to be a fun year for Justice. JUSTICE LOVES SCHOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




Chloe is in 3rd grade. She has been counting the days until school starts. She loves everything about school. Sure she loves summer and all the fun, but she thrives on a busy schedule, challenges and lots to do. She spent hours deciding on the perfect first day outfit and hair do. She has a bunch of here really good friends in her class this year and she has Ms. Broadhead and Mrs. McGarry this year, who are fantastic, so I am looking forward to lots of fun.



Fall is fun exciting time of year. School, dance, football and more. When school starts it seems like the start of a new year to me. A lot more than in January when everything is already in motion. It always seems like a great time to set goals, organize things, and get some fresh starts. So here's to a great start to a NEW year of adventures, learning and fun.

Pinewood Derby

Of all the Cub Scout events, I have to say that I think the Pinewood Derby is one of the funnest. I couldn't go and watch Justice this time because the girls had dance rehearsal and Brax had basketball, but my heart was there and so were Dave & Justice.




Dave and Justice spent many hours building his car. Justice was a little disappointed that his car wasn't the fastest, but it sure looked cool. He modeled it after a leopard which is fitting for Justice because he loves animals and leopards are his FAVORITE.




Before the boys could rive their derby cars, they had to get a Pinewood Derby Racing license. How fun!! All the boys passed the test with flying colors.

ABC's and 123's

Belle has officially graduated from her first year of preschool. She went to Teacher Sherrie this year and loved every minute of it.

I did the kids' graduation pictures, and I think they turned out really cute.

At graduation Teacher Sherrie read an interview with each of the kids. This is what Belle's said.



"I love to sing and dance everyday at preschool. I am a good friend. I never throw sand. I love to do science. I am an artist. I can spell my name, B E L L E. That spells Belle. I can write it too. I am an artist. I love to draw and read stories. I love preschool."


Belle made lots of fun new friends and can't wait for next fall.

REMEMBERING ... Memorial Day 2009

Every year for as long as I can remember we have celebrated Memorial Day by visiting the cemeteries and putting flowers on the graves. I had someone ask me the other day why we do this every year which really made me stop and think. It isn't the most exciting thing to do. Why
do we?? After some thought I came up with several answers.


First, it is tradition. When I was a little girl we always helped my Grandma Peek gather flowers and fix them in cans to put on the graves. She grew irises and lilacs special for the occasion, and we would go to a couple of friend's houses to get other flowers. Ethel Earl's for her beautiful snowball bushes and Martha Birt's for peonies. The flowers needed to be beautiful to show our respect and love for those who came before us. I learned something new every year as my grandma shared her stories at each grave site.

Second, it is a way to learn about our ancestors. If it were not for the people we honor on Memorial Day we would not be the people we are. That is especially true for me now that all of my grandparents have passed away. I didn't know my Grandpa Peek, but my other grandparents played very special roles in my life. Each one helping mold who I am today.

Next, it is a way to show gratitude for the men and women who serve our country and the many who have lost their lives doing so. It helps bring a little bit of reality to that sacrifice. Looking through the cemeteries with all the flags placed by the graves of those who have served our country is very humbling.

Finally, the most important reason for me, is the REMEMBERING.



Remembering the way my Grandma Peek earned the name of Grandma Cookie, Remembering the fun sleepovers I had at her house. Remembering her cup-o-soup and buttered toast (that was better than anyone else's). Remembering her teaching me how to crochet and quilt. The way she used her hair pins for books marks in the Ensign (which she read from cover to cover every month). The way she lived her life through example, never criticizing or judging, just accepting and understanding. Remembering the love I felt each time I walked through her door.

Remembering my Grandpa Wallace giving me tractor rides. Remembering his love for the grocery store. He could spend hours in the produce section. Remembering his overalls and his fancy dress hats. Remembering how he always reminded me of Fred Astaire.



Remembering his rough but gentle hands. Remembering my Grandma Wallace making clothes for all of my dolls. Remembering her sewing many of my dance costumes. Remembering the hours I spent at her house while my mom taught dance. Remembering the paper dolls she made me. The many games of Pollyana we played (is anyone else familiar with that game). Remembering and loving her handwriting which she hated (my grandma only went to school through the 8th grade, so she had trouble writing things). Remembering her home-made chicken noodle soup that she made for me each time I was sick and for each of my pregnancies. Remembering that I was always welcome.



At the cemetery this year my parents told us some fun facts about their parents. It was neat to see my Mom and Dad light up as they talked about the wonderful people that raised them, the wonderful people they called Mom and Dad. Some of the things we learned were;


According to my Dad



His mother's names was Fern, but she always went by Alberta because her best friend was named Fern. She walked over 2 miles to and from work every day for almost 6 years. She was tolf shw was an old maid because she didn't get married until she was 24 (back then that was considered an Old Maid).



His Dad was raised as an only child. He had two older sisters, but both died before he was 10. He was born and raised in red brick house here in South Weber. He was the first Eagle scout in South Weber and he served as the Scout Master in the South Weber ward before he was a member of the church. His Dad died from hardening of the liver due to drinking.



According to my Mom



Her mother loved to rollerskate around the streets of Ogden at all hours of the night. She lived in several different home as a child due to the death of her mother when she was very young. She taught herself to sew (and she was an amazing seamstress, who even created her own patterns). She taught herself how to play the piano by ear. She could never read music, but she was a beautiful pianist.



Her Dad was a farmer in every sense. He was born and raised in Clinton. He loved to ballroom dance. He loved candy, but one bag would last him a very long time (he had great willpower). He loved the grocery store. He loved shopping. He loved to take my mom and her sister to dance and he would stay and watch the lessons. He trained to fight in WW2, but never went due to a hernia. My grandmother and him were married on Christmas Eve in a courthouse with the janitor as their witness before he shipped out for basic training.



We finished up our Memorial Day with our annual cook-out.






I guess it is our family's special unofficial kick-off to summer. Nothing says summer quite like picnic tables, hotdogs and smores. It was a memorable day the I will REMEMBER