The Monster Mash!

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Yellow Belt & Fire Station

Friday Hannah earned her yellow belt in Tae Kwon Do. She has been taking lessons since the beginning of the school year. It was all her idea. I tried to talk her into taking dance or gymnastics but she was dead set on Tae Kwon Do. She is a fast learner and has really caught on. She took her test Friday and completed it perfectly! She even had to break a board by kicking it with her foot! We are so proud of you Hannah! Way to go! Hannah and her fabulous teacher Master Rhee.

The proud yellow belt!

Nick's preschool class went on a field trip to the fire station last week too! It was really fun. He got to squirt the hose! (his favorite part)What a cute class!

Nick and his best preschool buddy Brooklyn! Future firefighters!

Poor baby Jack got carted around to everywhere and was such a good sport!

It was a big week for our little family. Fun & busy....just how we like it!

The Grand Canyon

This weekend we went to the Grand Canyon. We have never been there before and have wanted to go ever since we moved to Vegas. Seeing it for the first time was a little overwhelming. It is gianourmous! I had anxiety about one of my kids or husband falling over the edge. It truly was beautiful and amazing. Something you need to see at least once in a lifetime. We had a lot of fun eating out, driving around the park, buying souvenirs, swimming at the hotel and spending time together as a family!

Our one family picture! Thanks to the stranger who very patiently took it!

Hannah & Nick became Jr. Rangers!

Okay that's a little too close to the edge! Step back!

The very cool watchtower! Hannah thought it was a princess castle!

What a gorgeous sight! (of the canyon I mean!)

Rub a dub dub...

3 kids in the tub! Jack is officially 4 months old! How do the days seem so long but time still flies? Here is a pic of his first bath......he sure has chunked up!

He has given up his binky (darn it!) and started sucking his thumb occasionally. Whoops!

He is such a sweet baby and getting big so fast!

Hannah & Nick absolutely love him! (Mommy & Daddy do too!)

Keep up the good work Jack! We sure love having you as part of our family!

First Day Hooray-Part II

So after 2 1/2 weeks of patiently waiting Nick finally started preschool! (I thought I was going to go mad with him following me around like a little lost puppy while Hannah was in Kindergarten!) He loves it! We know all about the kid in the brown shirt who already had to sit in the "time out" chair. He had pretzels and a fruit he didn't like for snack. And he (and I) cannot wait to go back again on Friday!

He worked hard potty training for a super cool Spiderman backpack! A very well earned bribe!

Nick's little friend Brooklyn is the same class and will be carpooling with us!

It is so hard to get all 3 smiling and looking at the camera!

Now me and Jack have a little alone time together and he couldn't be happier about that!

First Day Hooray!

Today Hannah went to her 1st day of Kindergarten! She absolutely loved it and can't wait to go back tomorrow! We dropped her off and she begged to ride the bus home! She said her favorite part was the "worksheet" they did in class followed by recess. She's already made a little friend too! I am so proud of her for being so big! It's going to be a great year! Nick was a little lost this morning without her but luckily he starts preschool after Labor Day! Hip hip hooray for Hannah's first day!

Our 2009 Family Cabin Trip

Over the past weekend we went up to my family's cabin. It is such a beautiful place. It is right on the Weber River just outside of Oakley Utah. We love it up there! It was so green and cool. A great break from the Vegas heat! My kids love playing with their cousins and it's fun to catch up with my parents and all my siblings. We played games, went hiking, did a little fishing, played in the river and ate lots of yummy food! We always have a great time and we can't wait to go again next summer!

Our little family hiking to the waterfalls!
Everyone was there! 2 parents, 6 sisters, 1 brother, 1 sister in law, 6 brothers in law and 17 cousins! Plus my sister annouced one more on the way! That's a lot of people sharing 3 bathrooms! :)
Me, 2 of my sisters and my sister in law all had babies this year! From left to right; Melanie & Jameson, Christine & Alex, Me & Jack and Emily & Maren! The fabulous foursome!

Keith paintballing with the guys!

Hannah jumping on the tramp with her cousins! She had such a blast....we hardly saw her except for mealtime and bedtime!

Hannah "sharing" Isaac's big catch!

Nicholas fishing for the first time! What a stud!

These Boots are Made For Walking???

Last weekend I went on a hiking trip with with brothers Cam and Dave, and their brothers James, LeeJay, and Stephen/Toby/Alma. We had planned a 3 day hike up King's Peak and were very excited for the adventure. The first day was roughly 7.5 to 8 miles to the base of the peak, and we would hike the peak on the 2nd day. As we were hiking on the first day I started to notice that the soles of my boots were slowly breaking away, and with all the hope I had I thought it was no big deal. As we got most of the way to base camp I had given up all hope because the sole of both boots had long since left me, and the thin layer of leather between me and the ground was beginning to split. I made a command decision that I needed to hike out and spent the next 4 hours hiking out in basically my socks. Here are some picture of the mountain and my ill fated shoes. I am currently looking for some new shoes.

Happy Birthday Nicholas!

Sunday Nicholas turned 3! We celebrated Saturday by swimming with family and then having everyone over for pizza, cake & ice cream and fireworks!

When I asked Nick what he wanted on his cake he said "Frosting!" Then added he'd also like Thomas the Tank.

The whole family swimming! Baby Jack loved the water!

Nick with his new big boy birthday bike!

3 things I love about Nick are.......

1. He is such a sweet boy! He loves his new baby brother and is so gentle and patient with him! He is also a good little brother to Hannah and plays with her really well! They are the best of friends!

2. He makes the best faces. He has the cutest smile but can give really good crusties too!

3. He says the funniest things. He has a great sense of humor and a good temperment!

We love you Nick! Happy Birthday!

We also blessed baby Jack this weekend! He is getting so big so fast! He is a sweet baby and we are so glad he is part of our family!

Ballerina Girl

Hananh had her summer recital last Saturday, and she did a fantastic job. If you listen carefully you can hear Nick talking in the background of the video. Great job Hannah! We are so proud of you!






Also, here are some recent pictures of The Jackster.