***F* L* O* R* I* D* A*,
That's where we are going to, the beaches, the themeparks, the view of the bay... the loved ones, the mouses, the hotels and more. I can't wait to see you all, every day we'll have a ball.
FLORIDA, Here I come... Florida, Here I come.....!
Love you all! Here we go.....
**Sang to the theme of:
"California Here I Come."
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Interesting Process pt. 2..
Kyler before with that beautiful blond hair!
so the color goes on yellow and turnes into...
This color!
and then you get this! Look at that awesome smile!
And then, ON TO THE STAGE and ON WITH THE SHOW!
Interesting process...
I thought it might be interesting for you to see the process that Kyler and Mckenna went through to get into the King and I, 2 years ago. I just downloaded these pictures from my friend's computer after all this time! Here is a before shot of mckenna, look how blond her hair is....
eating the yummiest stuff-- Popcorn!!!
kenna with the dye in...look at that adorable face!
ahh, now for the trim. Look how dark that hair is...
Mckenna, Kyler and two of their fellow sister and brother
Thursday, June 2, 2005
Devin's Pioneer Trek
These pictures were taken right before I dropped Devin off for his Youth Conference Pioneer Trek. The night they left, it rained, with thunder and lightening and so they ended up staying in cabins, and then came home the next morning. Devin and some of his family built a lean-to, because they knew how, but the rest of the family didn't so they had to sleep in the cabin. Some of the other families stayed the next day, and Devin wanted to also, but his family chose to go home and so he had to leave and not do the trek. He was really bummed about that. But they did have a dance, a dinner and a testimony meeting before the rain started and that was fun, or so Devin said. Doesn't he look good in that hat?
Monday, May 30, 2005
Sunday, Sunday...
We went to Zion National Park today to hike and enjoy a picnic lunch. The Park was so busy what with it being Memorial Day weekend.
pretty view of the mountain
It was fun though because we rode the shuttle all the way to the end of the trail (90 min ride,) and ended up walking (not hiking, too many people,) up Riverwalk. Wow, what a fun trail! The boys and Matt walked ahead of Mckenna and I because we found a really friendly squirel and Mckenna wanted to take a picture of it! We also saw a caterpillar and weeping rocks. We felt the moss on the canyon walls from the weeping rocks I told Mckenna about how we would sing when I was little and exploring while she and I were walking up the trail and so she wanted to sing "Give said the Little Stream," it was a fun thing to pass down to her. Maybe she will sing with her kids when they are hiking like we all have. We also skipped along while we were singing.
look how high the Virgin River is and how swift!
The Virgin river is so high and swift that the Narrows are closed indefinitely which is sad, because I wanted to see and try atleast the first part of the hike. We are planning on another hike through the Narrows when they allow hikers in.
On the way back down, I wanted to take some pictures of the boys since I had taken so many of Mckenna on the way up, but they didn't want to. I ended up talking Kyler into walking back down with just me and we had the funnest time. We took great pictures, saw a deer (which the others were so busy just walking down that they missed all the good stuff,) eating in the trees near the pool. Kyler was fascinated with this squirel that we ran into. It was right next to his shoe and then a man gave him a cracker that the squirel was trying to pick up and it ate the cracker with the man holding it for the squirel. Yes, it is against the park rules to feed the animals, but I guess the guy figuared that since the squirel was trying to pick it up himself from some one else dropping it that it was okay. He asked if Kyler wanted to hold the cracker but he said, "No". Kyler could have sat watching that squirel forever. He loves wildlife so much.
Mr. Squirel with his cracker
Kyler sitting in a tree
While we were wandering and eating lunch at the top of the trail, I realized that for the 20 thousandth time that I always want to bring a sketch pad and pastels to the mountains and never do, so I told the kids that we were going to drive back up Zion's sometime this week or next week and spend time drawing, coloring and painting (if I can find my oils or watercolors,) and just melding with nature. Kyler told me that he didn't want to do that because the only ones that would be able to do a great job is Devin and me. I told him that it wasn't about doing a great job it was trying something new and being in a nice quiet spot to try your hand at it. I also think that it would be fun to do alot of stuff like this during the summer because all the kids are getting older and I want them to be able to remember their summers with a smile and a loving feeling in their heart. Devin won't be with me for as long as I have had him so far, and so I especially want to do things that he can look back on with a great feeling. He may not think that he wants to do this now, but he will when he get there and starts drawing. I mean, you can hang out with your buddies, but you also need to do things with your family too. I guess, that is something that i should have known when I was younger and with my own family. But I do have fond memories of the Sunday drives to the mountains, actually to all the fun places that Dad use to drive us too and have a picnic, ride the Heber Creeper and just walk and talk, sing and hold hands with mom.
Enjoy the pictures!
Me with my cheezy grin
Kyler, Devin, Matt and Mckenna sitting at the end of River walk near the entrance to the Narrows.
pretty view of the mountain
It was fun though because we rode the shuttle all the way to the end of the trail (90 min ride,) and ended up walking (not hiking, too many people,) up Riverwalk. Wow, what a fun trail! The boys and Matt walked ahead of Mckenna and I because we found a really friendly squirel and Mckenna wanted to take a picture of it! We also saw a caterpillar and weeping rocks. We felt the moss on the canyon walls from the weeping rocks I told Mckenna about how we would sing when I was little and exploring while she and I were walking up the trail and so she wanted to sing "Give said the Little Stream," it was a fun thing to pass down to her. Maybe she will sing with her kids when they are hiking like we all have. We also skipped along while we were singing.
look how high the Virgin River is and how swift!
The Virgin river is so high and swift that the Narrows are closed indefinitely which is sad, because I wanted to see and try atleast the first part of the hike. We are planning on another hike through the Narrows when they allow hikers in.
On the way back down, I wanted to take some pictures of the boys since I had taken so many of Mckenna on the way up, but they didn't want to. I ended up talking Kyler into walking back down with just me and we had the funnest time. We took great pictures, saw a deer (which the others were so busy just walking down that they missed all the good stuff,) eating in the trees near the pool. Kyler was fascinated with this squirel that we ran into. It was right next to his shoe and then a man gave him a cracker that the squirel was trying to pick up and it ate the cracker with the man holding it for the squirel. Yes, it is against the park rules to feed the animals, but I guess the guy figuared that since the squirel was trying to pick it up himself from some one else dropping it that it was okay. He asked if Kyler wanted to hold the cracker but he said, "No". Kyler could have sat watching that squirel forever. He loves wildlife so much.
Mr. Squirel with his cracker
Kyler sitting in a tree
While we were wandering and eating lunch at the top of the trail, I realized that for the 20 thousandth time that I always want to bring a sketch pad and pastels to the mountains and never do, so I told the kids that we were going to drive back up Zion's sometime this week or next week and spend time drawing, coloring and painting (if I can find my oils or watercolors,) and just melding with nature. Kyler told me that he didn't want to do that because the only ones that would be able to do a great job is Devin and me. I told him that it wasn't about doing a great job it was trying something new and being in a nice quiet spot to try your hand at it. I also think that it would be fun to do alot of stuff like this during the summer because all the kids are getting older and I want them to be able to remember their summers with a smile and a loving feeling in their heart. Devin won't be with me for as long as I have had him so far, and so I especially want to do things that he can look back on with a great feeling. He may not think that he wants to do this now, but he will when he get there and starts drawing. I mean, you can hang out with your buddies, but you also need to do things with your family too. I guess, that is something that i should have known when I was younger and with my own family. But I do have fond memories of the Sunday drives to the mountains, actually to all the fun places that Dad use to drive us too and have a picnic, ride the Heber Creeper and just walk and talk, sing and hold hands with mom.
Enjoy the pictures!
Me with my cheezy grin
Kyler, Devin, Matt and Mckenna sitting at the end of River walk near the entrance to the Narrows.
Saturday, May 21, 2005
Fathers and Sons
Last night the boys and Matt went to the 2nd Ward Fathers and Sons activity. They got to eat, play horse shoes and other games. But the big highlight for their day was at Midnight when they ditched Fathers and Sons and went to the midnight showing of Star Wars III! It was such a late night that about two hours ago a very tired Kyler crashed! They thought the movie was awesome! And of course from a previous post so do I!
The Flowers are in bloom!
oh, the pretty roses! These are the new flowers that we planted today!
Beautiful Gardenias. I bought this bush, put it in a pot and put it on our front porch because it reminds me so much of Georgia. The smell that this flower produces is just divine! We had one on our back stoop in Georgia and that is where I always read or wrote in our journal. This is where I plan to do the same but in another southern area.
another beautiful flower. one that is sunny and makes me happy when I look at it. This sits in a grecian urn with an asparagus fern and a fun big hot pink flower, on our front porch. We actually have 2 of these pots flanked on each side of the front door.
The only flower that is original to the house (well, unless you count the primrose that is sitting under it.) These roses, smell great!
Oh what do you do on a Saturday?
Ah, the relaxing Saturdays! Not!!!
Our house, it is beautiful, and yet... it still has some tender loving care needed. Since the day we bought our house we knew that we would have to refinish the front porch and the back deck. We have finally decided that today was the day! Since we already had the paint a colonial red, all we had to do was sand. Matt had talked to Keith prior to today and found out what he needed and we bought the stuff last week. So we have spend all day, moving porch furniture, cleaning the porch, sanding and painting. We also decided that since we were doing the porches, we should fill in the missing bushes with Roses- red of course. I thought that some other color would be good since we were doing red for the porch color, but Matt wanted red and he doesn't really ask for too much when it comes to colors in the house or how I decorate, so it was easy to say yes ( I don't think that me loving red, hurt either!)
Matt applying a second coat to the front porch. It is sure is a change from the worn boards that it was before!
All the furniture from our front porch.
We have also been waiting for a new kitchen faucet for the last week and it should be here Monday, but we have been without a faucet for so long. The faucet was broken and leaked so bad that it was wasteing 5 gallons of water a day. As things always go for me, I tried to find the perfect faucet. I wanted a brass or white faucet but they don't really have a demand for those colors anymore. A decorative white faucet is rare and usually you will only find pull out spray handle ones and they are not so attractive! I ended up finding a white pull out spray faucet but it has a little bit of a decorative flare to it. I also knew that I wouldn't be able to get anything that looked like my old faucet in the Rainbow House, because it was all chrome or oil rubbed bronze (which, i loved by the way,) but that wouldn't work, because everything in our house is either brass and white or just white- bummer! There is also the point of money that you have to worry about , Matt and I weren't going to spend more than $200.00 for a faucet!
Since we haven't had a kitchen faucet for the last week, we have been washing dishes like pioneers; the sink drain and a rinse bucket. The inconvience of it all is that you have to constantly be changing the water from the rinse to wash and getting new water since it gets cold and dirty faster. Needless, to say, I can't wait until Monday night when we will have a new faucet, can use the dishwasher and wash by hand but constantly renew the warm water without dragging buckets back and forth. I guess, that technology has really spoiled us!
faucets; left to right: old, new and Rainbow House ( a repeat of the old- I guess it is haunting me!)
Our house, it is beautiful, and yet... it still has some tender loving care needed. Since the day we bought our house we knew that we would have to refinish the front porch and the back deck. We have finally decided that today was the day! Since we already had the paint a colonial red, all we had to do was sand. Matt had talked to Keith prior to today and found out what he needed and we bought the stuff last week. So we have spend all day, moving porch furniture, cleaning the porch, sanding and painting. We also decided that since we were doing the porches, we should fill in the missing bushes with Roses- red of course. I thought that some other color would be good since we were doing red for the porch color, but Matt wanted red and he doesn't really ask for too much when it comes to colors in the house or how I decorate, so it was easy to say yes ( I don't think that me loving red, hurt either!)
Matt applying a second coat to the front porch. It is sure is a change from the worn boards that it was before!
All the furniture from our front porch.
We have also been waiting for a new kitchen faucet for the last week and it should be here Monday, but we have been without a faucet for so long. The faucet was broken and leaked so bad that it was wasteing 5 gallons of water a day. As things always go for me, I tried to find the perfect faucet. I wanted a brass or white faucet but they don't really have a demand for those colors anymore. A decorative white faucet is rare and usually you will only find pull out spray handle ones and they are not so attractive! I ended up finding a white pull out spray faucet but it has a little bit of a decorative flare to it. I also knew that I wouldn't be able to get anything that looked like my old faucet in the Rainbow House, because it was all chrome or oil rubbed bronze (which, i loved by the way,) but that wouldn't work, because everything in our house is either brass and white or just white- bummer! There is also the point of money that you have to worry about , Matt and I weren't going to spend more than $200.00 for a faucet!
Since we haven't had a kitchen faucet for the last week, we have been washing dishes like pioneers; the sink drain and a rinse bucket. The inconvience of it all is that you have to constantly be changing the water from the rinse to wash and getting new water since it gets cold and dirty faster. Needless, to say, I can't wait until Monday night when we will have a new faucet, can use the dishwasher and wash by hand but constantly renew the warm water without dragging buckets back and forth. I guess, that technology has really spoiled us!
faucets; left to right: old, new and Rainbow House ( a repeat of the old- I guess it is haunting me!)
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Star Wars!
So, the end of an epic has finally come, or has it? I am not sure....
Wow, did I love episode III! I think that movie caused me to feel every single emotion that a person can have. But most of all it caused me to cry! I know that Anakin turns into Darth Vader, but did he really have to? Could George Lucas have created an alernate ending? Could it all have been very eternal instead of mortal?
I won't talk about what happens in the movie in case anyone has not seen it, but even though the loose ends from the last episode were all tied up, there were still some that were kept blowing in the breeze. Did anyone else notice that? My friend says that George Lucas has said that he is going to create a T.V. series (but not a cartoon,) could these loose ends be the spin off to the new series? What does everybody think about that?
Wow, did I love episode III! I think that movie caused me to feel every single emotion that a person can have. But most of all it caused me to cry! I know that Anakin turns into Darth Vader, but did he really have to? Could George Lucas have created an alernate ending? Could it all have been very eternal instead of mortal?
I won't talk about what happens in the movie in case anyone has not seen it, but even though the loose ends from the last episode were all tied up, there were still some that were kept blowing in the breeze. Did anyone else notice that? My friend says that George Lucas has said that he is going to create a T.V. series (but not a cartoon,) could these loose ends be the spin off to the new series? What does everybody think about that?
Sunday, May 1, 2005
Kyler performing with his choir group " Cougars on stage" They performed at Tuacahn two days before with the other local elementary choir groups. They also performed for the High School and then the High School performed for them! This was quite a committment for Kyler, they met every Tuesday and Thursday and hour before school and then for 2 weeks they practiced every day before their Tuacahn Performance. Hey, he wouldn't be part Field if he didn't like to SING! Great job, Kyler!!!
Friday, April 15, 2005
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
musings...
So last night Matt and I go to his dinner and show night for the Utah City Manager's Association. He set up all the catering with our local catering company (Santa Clara, that is.) He also rented the St. George Musical Theater for their performance of The Scarlet Pimpernel! What a fabulous show! I have never seen the movie but, had heard that it was great,so I was expecting great things because of that and because we know so many of the actor's that were in this play but what I really enjoyed the most were all these manly men, who were our friends that were dressed in "frou, frou," and pastels. I don't think I have laughed that hard for ages!
But the big part of the night for me was the environement. We are standing waiting for dinner and I am in awe with this man that is standing to the left of me. Who is he, where did he come from? He has so much knowledge on all the topics that we are discussing, you can tell by the others that are talking to him that he is respected and looked up to and is in the circle of "Want to knows," and I'm still wondering, where in the world did this man come from? I feel a little out of place but I listen, I smile, I giggle at a few of the really stupid jokes that are told and then, all of a sudden, I really take a good look and low and behold yes, this man is still my husband, but I am in his world now, and I don't even have a clue as to when he changed from Matt to Matthew J. Brower, Santa Clara City Manager (could have been while we were in the parking lot, kind of like Clark Kent turns in to Superman?) Wow! What a transformation! It is such an amazing feeling to know that he is my husband and I am so proud of who he is and what an exceptional person he has become!
I know that I tell Matt this all the time, but I am still amazed that we live the life that we live. Are we the same kids that felt like we were "playing house" when Devin was born? Are we the same kids that were broke for so long that we couldn't see the end of the tunnel where the stress of stuggling and the breaking even while we were going deeper and deeper into a hole each month would disappear? I am so blessed in so many ways and I don't for the life of me know how I deserve it all. And yet, I still feel incomplete, no, not incomplete, that isn't the word that I am looking for but... maybe not so informed and up to the same level that Matt is (or should I say, Matthew J. Brower,) Some times I feel as if that side of his life, I don't fit into and it pains me. What can I do to climb to that heighth? Where do I begin! I just don't know. I guess that I am realizing that my kids are getting older, they will soonerthan later be leaving our house and I am not sure what I am going to do with myself as an "empty nester."
Matt will always have his high powered meetings, hit the door running sort of job and where will that leave me? I guess this is one of those things that probably all women who love men with jobs like Matt's wonder about when the kids are raised and gone,(I wonder if my mom ever thought like that? Since my dad was in a job like Matt's too,) but I guess last night really hit it home for me.
Yes, I coudl be like some of the wives I met last night,whose kids are all gone and married, who spend the day shopping, golfing or doing frivolous things and also not so frivolous things like charity work and committees,and yet, I don't think that I would be satisified with the frivoulous part of that life for very long, I would want more than being a "princess." Hey, don't get me wrong, I would love to be a princess for a year or too and not do anything but shop and be pampered, but it would get ikesome after awhile. So, I guess this is one of those things that gets prayed about, studied out and when it hits me than I will run with it!
But the big part of the night for me was the environement. We are standing waiting for dinner and I am in awe with this man that is standing to the left of me. Who is he, where did he come from? He has so much knowledge on all the topics that we are discussing, you can tell by the others that are talking to him that he is respected and looked up to and is in the circle of "Want to knows," and I'm still wondering, where in the world did this man come from? I feel a little out of place but I listen, I smile, I giggle at a few of the really stupid jokes that are told and then, all of a sudden, I really take a good look and low and behold yes, this man is still my husband, but I am in his world now, and I don't even have a clue as to when he changed from Matt to Matthew J. Brower, Santa Clara City Manager (could have been while we were in the parking lot, kind of like Clark Kent turns in to Superman?) Wow! What a transformation! It is such an amazing feeling to know that he is my husband and I am so proud of who he is and what an exceptional person he has become!
I know that I tell Matt this all the time, but I am still amazed that we live the life that we live. Are we the same kids that felt like we were "playing house" when Devin was born? Are we the same kids that were broke for so long that we couldn't see the end of the tunnel where the stress of stuggling and the breaking even while we were going deeper and deeper into a hole each month would disappear? I am so blessed in so many ways and I don't for the life of me know how I deserve it all. And yet, I still feel incomplete, no, not incomplete, that isn't the word that I am looking for but... maybe not so informed and up to the same level that Matt is (or should I say, Matthew J. Brower,) Some times I feel as if that side of his life, I don't fit into and it pains me. What can I do to climb to that heighth? Where do I begin! I just don't know. I guess that I am realizing that my kids are getting older, they will soonerthan later be leaving our house and I am not sure what I am going to do with myself as an "empty nester."
Matt will always have his high powered meetings, hit the door running sort of job and where will that leave me? I guess this is one of those things that probably all women who love men with jobs like Matt's wonder about when the kids are raised and gone,(I wonder if my mom ever thought like that? Since my dad was in a job like Matt's too,) but I guess last night really hit it home for me.
Yes, I coudl be like some of the wives I met last night,whose kids are all gone and married, who spend the day shopping, golfing or doing frivolous things and also not so frivolous things like charity work and committees,and yet, I don't think that I would be satisified with the frivoulous part of that life for very long, I would want more than being a "princess." Hey, don't get me wrong, I would love to be a princess for a year or too and not do anything but shop and be pampered, but it would get ikesome after awhile. So, I guess this is one of those things that gets prayed about, studied out and when it hits me than I will run with it!
Sunday, March 27, 2005
Easter Eve and the snooze that it brought!
Easter Eve and Mckenna and Kyler are as anxious as if it is Christmas Eve. Where have I gone wrong?!
They don't care about what Easter is suppose to remind them of~The Savior and the Resurrection and the wonderful gift that He has given to us.
No, all they care about of course is the Easter bunny coming to our neck of town. Mckenna had the hardest time going to sleep. Matt and I were out before 10 p.m. and she was still awake!
Matt wakes up and notices her wandering around and tells her to go back to sleep. I guess she tried but was so excited that she came down again. Matt finally woke me up told me to get the trail and the baskets done before she came down again and that he would put her to bed and lay down with her for awhile.
By the time she fell asleep it was 3 a.m. and I was exhausted. We have a great family tradition of a jelly bean trail that sends each kid to their basket (like a treasure trail, but with candy!) It took me a few hours to get everything set, since I was trying to do these trails quietly and have them each end up outside on different parts of the front and back porches! Then because I was quite awake by then, I ended up cleaning up our bathroom, folding some laundry and ironing church clothes, finally, I guess I wore myself out and went to sleep, I think it was 5:30 a.m.
Matt came down after that and returned to bed, but low and behold around 6:30 a.m. here comes Mckenna Marie ready for the fun of the trail! YES, the Bunny had come and she wanted to get going! We told her to go back to bed especially, since I was exhausted. She had to wait until 7:30 and then we were ready for the kids to find their baskets.
Sadly for us, Church is at 9:00 a.m. so we didn't even get to go back to sleep. Church was awesome, we sang all my favorite songs, (mostly all Easter or related to the resurrection, "I know that my Redeemer lives," etc...) We had a great lesson in Gospel Doctrine and then I had the great smiling husband waiting for me in the hallway after his Young Men class was over. (no, he is only an assistant for Devin's scout group, dad, he is not teaching the class.)
Then we had a nap after a quick bite to eat. I sleep forever (until 5:30 p.m.) and had to be woken up so that we could have a nice dinner of the unordinary Easter Dinner: Beef, Broccoli and Rice. I guess it was an appropriate meal for one of our family; Mckenna's Easter dress was a pink, white and red Japanese dress. She was adorable. The boys got new shirts, and ties. They looked very handsome.
WE did end up talking about the real reason for Easter, and they did understand. Could it be because we had just watched the afternoon before the "Greatest Story Ever Told?" Maybe, or maybe it was because I had good back up in Church on what it was really all about. After it was all over Matt and I talked about doing the fun stuff on Saturday and leave the spiritual stuff for Sunday.
So here is to have a sleepless night next year on Friday instead!
They don't care about what Easter is suppose to remind them of~The Savior and the Resurrection and the wonderful gift that He has given to us.
No, all they care about of course is the Easter bunny coming to our neck of town. Mckenna had the hardest time going to sleep. Matt and I were out before 10 p.m. and she was still awake!
Matt wakes up and notices her wandering around and tells her to go back to sleep. I guess she tried but was so excited that she came down again. Matt finally woke me up told me to get the trail and the baskets done before she came down again and that he would put her to bed and lay down with her for awhile.
By the time she fell asleep it was 3 a.m. and I was exhausted. We have a great family tradition of a jelly bean trail that sends each kid to their basket (like a treasure trail, but with candy!) It took me a few hours to get everything set, since I was trying to do these trails quietly and have them each end up outside on different parts of the front and back porches! Then because I was quite awake by then, I ended up cleaning up our bathroom, folding some laundry and ironing church clothes, finally, I guess I wore myself out and went to sleep, I think it was 5:30 a.m.
Matt came down after that and returned to bed, but low and behold around 6:30 a.m. here comes Mckenna Marie ready for the fun of the trail! YES, the Bunny had come and she wanted to get going! We told her to go back to bed especially, since I was exhausted. She had to wait until 7:30 and then we were ready for the kids to find their baskets.
Sadly for us, Church is at 9:00 a.m. so we didn't even get to go back to sleep. Church was awesome, we sang all my favorite songs, (mostly all Easter or related to the resurrection, "I know that my Redeemer lives," etc...) We had a great lesson in Gospel Doctrine and then I had the great smiling husband waiting for me in the hallway after his Young Men class was over. (no, he is only an assistant for Devin's scout group, dad, he is not teaching the class.)
Then we had a nap after a quick bite to eat. I sleep forever (until 5:30 p.m.) and had to be woken up so that we could have a nice dinner of the unordinary Easter Dinner: Beef, Broccoli and Rice. I guess it was an appropriate meal for one of our family; Mckenna's Easter dress was a pink, white and red Japanese dress. She was adorable. The boys got new shirts, and ties. They looked very handsome.
WE did end up talking about the real reason for Easter, and they did understand. Could it be because we had just watched the afternoon before the "Greatest Story Ever Told?" Maybe, or maybe it was because I had good back up in Church on what it was really all about. After it was all over Matt and I talked about doing the fun stuff on Saturday and leave the spiritual stuff for Sunday.
So here is to have a sleepless night next year on Friday instead!
And it is off to the races....The Easter Egg hunt that is!
Every year during this time, the Santa Clara Kwanis hold annual Easter Egg hunt with wrapped malted eggs as the treat. This year Matt and I weren't planning on taking the kids, but little did we know that Mckenna would have other plans for us! She woke us up bright and early and informed us that the egg hunt was today and that she had to go because it was her last year to participate! Since Matt and I were going to have a great Egg hunt of our own with all the bells and whistles since we have a great big backyard and the fun porches, Mckenna really had to twist our arm for me to agree to go. Could it have been the Please, please, Mommy, you always got to go to the fun stuff when you were little, Plea? Yep, that was it. Darn, I'm thinking that I shouldn't tell too many childhood memories to my kids anymore.
So, we got dressed, packed her dance stuff since she had solo practice and headed off for the Santa Clara Park where the hunt was being held.
Mckenna was so excited for the hunt to start and shared the anticipation with Chloe and Garrett who are school chums.
Mckenna and her friend Chloe waiting for the Santa Clara Kwanas Easter Egg hunt to begin.
Then it was was time and off she ran to find one of the glorious, precious "plastic eggs," ( it's like being Charlie and finding the golden ticket.) This rare and precious egg if found is turned into the D.J. (our former Bishop, Jim Sevy,) and then the bearer is given a chance to pick a really great old fashion prize! Mckenna always picks jacks or bubbles, this year the bubbles were gone and so she snatched a great package of jacks!
And she is off! Funny thing is, none of my kids like them! We leave them in a jar and the friends eat them all...
Wow, how many did I get?
Before she redeemed her plastic egg, she ran into a classmate who had arrived too late and didn't get a single malted egg. Being the sweet kid that she is and looking at Connor's frown and tears, Mckenna decided to give him half of her malted eggs, (it wasn't that big of a sacrifice, since she doesn't even like them, but hey, it's the thought that counts, right?) and then Garret gave Connor one of the cherised plastic eggs that he had (according to the rules, he had one too many, since you are only allowed one prize per person, but again, it's the thought that counts.) After that it was fun to see the smile on Connor's face, the happiness, that Mckenna and Garret had on their faces over the good choices that they made and the loaded baskets full of yucky malted eggs. Actually, I love the malted eggs and yet, dislike them because they are candy which I shouldn't be eating!
Mckenna and her classmate Conner.
It really was a fun time. Hopefully everyone else has a fun Easter Egg hunt too!
So, we got dressed, packed her dance stuff since she had solo practice and headed off for the Santa Clara Park where the hunt was being held.
Mckenna was so excited for the hunt to start and shared the anticipation with Chloe and Garrett who are school chums.
Mckenna and her friend Chloe waiting for the Santa Clara Kwanas Easter Egg hunt to begin.
Then it was was time and off she ran to find one of the glorious, precious "plastic eggs," ( it's like being Charlie and finding the golden ticket.) This rare and precious egg if found is turned into the D.J. (our former Bishop, Jim Sevy,) and then the bearer is given a chance to pick a really great old fashion prize! Mckenna always picks jacks or bubbles, this year the bubbles were gone and so she snatched a great package of jacks!
And she is off! Funny thing is, none of my kids like them! We leave them in a jar and the friends eat them all...
Wow, how many did I get?
Before she redeemed her plastic egg, she ran into a classmate who had arrived too late and didn't get a single malted egg. Being the sweet kid that she is and looking at Connor's frown and tears, Mckenna decided to give him half of her malted eggs, (it wasn't that big of a sacrifice, since she doesn't even like them, but hey, it's the thought that counts, right?) and then Garret gave Connor one of the cherised plastic eggs that he had (according to the rules, he had one too many, since you are only allowed one prize per person, but again, it's the thought that counts.) After that it was fun to see the smile on Connor's face, the happiness, that Mckenna and Garret had on their faces over the good choices that they made and the loaded baskets full of yucky malted eggs. Actually, I love the malted eggs and yet, dislike them because they are candy which I shouldn't be eating!
Mckenna and her classmate Conner.
It really was a fun time. Hopefully everyone else has a fun Easter Egg hunt too!
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
Kid day at the Brower's
Have you ever had days where the kids just don't get along, they yell at each other, they are rude, fighting and you just wonder why in the world you had them in the first place?
Well, when we get that way at our house, like today, we end up having a Brower Kid day, that is the day, when the kids can't play with anyone but their own siblings. I notice that when the kids have had days upon days of friend playing, they tend to need down time and spend time with each other. The first day of Brower Kid Day makes me want to tear my hair out sometimes. I always wonder why in the world am I punishing myself by keeping them at our house, when they definately don't want to be here. Well, the 2nd day makes me love Brower Kid Day! Usually it ends up being Kyler and Mckenna who need these days the most (maybe it is because Devin is at the age where he is learning that to do the things he wants he is just more pleasant around everyone so that his mother will let him go to the High School games or whatever he want to do with out having to deal with Brower Kid Day,) but Kyler and Mckenna after that initial day become the best of friends all over again. Some times they play army or animal toys. Other times, they relive their favorite video. Or sometimes they talk their mother into video taping them during a rendition of a great song and then want a music video.
Last week, they all had Brower Kid Day (they call it being grounded to each other- maybe, because I called it that once and they think it sounds meaner when they tell their friends that they are grounded) and Devin, Kyler and Mckenna played hours upon hours on the tramp and in the gully racing cars, building dirt cities, tracks for the cars. It was a blast to watch. After that 2nd day they are free to go back to the friend time, and usually, they are much nicer, more considerate and loving towards each other. But sometimes, when I am enjoying them being together and so loving and creative, I tell them they have another day of Brower Kid Day, mainly it is because I miss the relaxation of them just being little kids and playing like when they were in Georgia and they only had each other because the kids lived too far away.
I just love Brower Kid Day!!!!!
Well, when we get that way at our house, like today, we end up having a Brower Kid day, that is the day, when the kids can't play with anyone but their own siblings. I notice that when the kids have had days upon days of friend playing, they tend to need down time and spend time with each other. The first day of Brower Kid Day makes me want to tear my hair out sometimes. I always wonder why in the world am I punishing myself by keeping them at our house, when they definately don't want to be here. Well, the 2nd day makes me love Brower Kid Day! Usually it ends up being Kyler and Mckenna who need these days the most (maybe it is because Devin is at the age where he is learning that to do the things he wants he is just more pleasant around everyone so that his mother will let him go to the High School games or whatever he want to do with out having to deal with Brower Kid Day,) but Kyler and Mckenna after that initial day become the best of friends all over again. Some times they play army or animal toys. Other times, they relive their favorite video. Or sometimes they talk their mother into video taping them during a rendition of a great song and then want a music video.
Last week, they all had Brower Kid Day (they call it being grounded to each other- maybe, because I called it that once and they think it sounds meaner when they tell their friends that they are grounded
I just love Brower Kid Day!!!!!
Wondering?...
I bet you are wondering where the boys or Matt are during all this time of Mckenna's dance competition and all the previous blogs? Well, being the troopers that they are the boys know that the world revolves around Mckenna and not them especially when there are no exciting events for them and there is if her. No, seriously, the boys really have been troopers. They sat for 2 days eating the snacks that I packed for Mckenna and me (cheese slices, bolognia triangles, celery, carrots, red peppers, wheat thins, bagel crisps and bottles of water, yum!) They watch Mckenna and her team mates, and then 4 hours worth of other dancers that they didn't even know for a payoff of going to Golden Corral with the Wittwers and Jackee (whom, Devin knows.) Then they spent the next day watching for 4 hours, and then waiting for 2 hours for the award ceremony where the girls just received a stupid medallion; whom everyone that participated, recieved; and then no fun dinner. As Kyler put it," We waited all this time for this?"
I think another reason that they sat watching and waiting with out a single whine (ok, until the last few minutes after the awards ceremony,) because they know that Mckenna sits through hours of their baseball games with out whining too!
Baseball is coming this weekend, so their will be more news of them! Just watch!
I think another reason that they sat watching and waiting with out a single whine (ok, until the last few minutes after the awards ceremony,) because they know that Mckenna sits through hours of their baseball games with out whining too!
Baseball is coming this weekend, so their will be more news of them! Just watch!
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
Okay, Here We Go.....Solo!
So, we got Mckenna's hair done and went to her 2 hour practice for her solo and team. That in it self could be a grueling time. But as it always goes with Mckenna she goes, she dances and she conquers!
Interestingly, this competition is like nothing that she has ever done before, either you came in first or you came in second. The queen position was something that you paid for. You paid $24 extra dollars for a trophy and a sash and a picture. Really dumb! Mckenna of course came in first place! We didn't care about the first place position though because really there was no one else that danced as well as she did for her age and category and it was just like SUPAF were you are judged on your own ability. But it was good for her to have the floor time and the audience to work on her presence and facial expressions (smiling, silent vowel sounds etc..) We just considered it a great practice time (even though we paid for it.)
Below are a few pictures that Devin took while I was running the camcorder. She sure was good! Hope you enjoy.
Oh, yeah, we got her judging sheets today from her dance teacher and she go a 9.9 (a 10 is a perfect score,) from all three judges! They suggested that she be moved up to the intermediate level. Her teacher and I discussed that tonight, but we have decided to leave her in the beginner since she is only 8 and if we moved her up and she won Queen she would have to go to the Advanced level and she is just too little for that level (those are usually 14 years and up.)
I was looking at the judging sheets and I was wondering where in the world this little girl came from. Where would she have gotten the love of dance? I mean, I was a girly tomboy and I didn't like taking those few tap classes that Lail Lomax mother taught in her garage. I guess Mckenna just has that competitive spirit that all of the rest of our family has and since the boys are so athletic, of course, Mckenna is too. I love that she loves to dance because she really is fun to watch. Her teacher (who is 20 years old, ) says that Mckenna will be a force to be recond with when she is in middle school and has really figuared out what makes it all click. Sortof like what she was doing in her mind during her hair appointment.
Enjoy the pictures!
Well, there she goes: this is her walk on before the music starts and she starts dancing!
What a perfect Backbend! (In the right hand corner is her teacher Mckel looking on.) She took first in this competition.
Interestingly, this competition is like nothing that she has ever done before, either you came in first or you came in second. The queen position was something that you paid for. You paid $24 extra dollars for a trophy and a sash and a picture. Really dumb! Mckenna of course came in first place! We didn't care about the first place position though because really there was no one else that danced as well as she did for her age and category and it was just like SUPAF were you are judged on your own ability. But it was good for her to have the floor time and the audience to work on her presence and facial expressions (smiling, silent vowel sounds etc..) We just considered it a great practice time (even though we paid for it.)
Below are a few pictures that Devin took while I was running the camcorder. She sure was good! Hope you enjoy.
Oh, yeah, we got her judging sheets today from her dance teacher and she go a 9.9 (a 10 is a perfect score,) from all three judges! They suggested that she be moved up to the intermediate level. Her teacher and I discussed that tonight, but we have decided to leave her in the beginner since she is only 8 and if we moved her up and she won Queen she would have to go to the Advanced level and she is just too little for that level (those are usually 14 years and up.)
I was looking at the judging sheets and I was wondering where in the world this little girl came from. Where would she have gotten the love of dance? I mean, I was a girly tomboy and I didn't like taking those few tap classes that Lail Lomax mother taught in her garage. I guess Mckenna just has that competitive spirit that all of the rest of our family has and since the boys are so athletic, of course, Mckenna is too. I love that she loves to dance because she really is fun to watch. Her teacher (who is 20 years old, ) says that Mckenna will be a force to be recond with when she is in middle school and has really figuared out what makes it all click. Sortof like what she was doing in her mind during her hair appointment.
Enjoy the pictures!
Well, there she goes: this is her walk on before the music starts and she starts dancing!
What a perfect Backbend! (In the right hand corner is her teacher Mckel looking on.) She took first in this competition.
Sunday, March 20, 2005
All the Frills that go with the day!
Have you ever met a little girl who got to go to the Salon 4 times a year to get her hair styled? Well that is what Mckenna is waiting to do. She has a big competition today and so we are getting her hair done.
Finally, she gets to sit in the big chair and have Carie do her hair. Mckenna loves having the Diva treatment. Since I am not into the styles of dancing and Carie is, we have her do Mckenna's hair, plus, it takes some of the stress away from me so that I know it turns out just right! As Mckenna is sitting in her chair and Carie is doing her hair you would see Mckenna making faces and moving her hands in certain rhythms. I asked Mckenna what she was doing and she said that she was going through her routine because she was afraid that she had forgotten part of her dance. I thought that was awesome! To me it means that she has realized that it takes more than just going through the motions of what her body knows to do, but to think about what she is doing so that she can take what she learns and make it the best it can be. What a great lesson to learn when you are 8 years old! I also know that she was worried about her performance and she just didn't realized it at the time when I asked her if she was nervous! I love that girl!
Aren't her curls perfect? I tried to do these again the next day and they did not work out! It could be because my curling Iron is too big or she had too much product in her hair from the day before. Either way, it still didn't work out so well for me.
My friend Andrea did Mckenna's make-up. Which was required by her dance studio. Funny thing is that we didn't know that Andrea was in the picture until I downloaded it on to the computer (she's in the background.)
Well, here she is in her whole outfit. The shirt is actually longer than it looks, but we had it tied too tight in the back so it bunched up. Isn't she cute?
Finally, she gets to sit in the big chair and have Carie do her hair. Mckenna loves having the Diva treatment. Since I am not into the styles of dancing and Carie is, we have her do Mckenna's hair, plus, it takes some of the stress away from me so that I know it turns out just right! As Mckenna is sitting in her chair and Carie is doing her hair you would see Mckenna making faces and moving her hands in certain rhythms. I asked Mckenna what she was doing and she said that she was going through her routine because she was afraid that she had forgotten part of her dance. I thought that was awesome! To me it means that she has realized that it takes more than just going through the motions of what her body knows to do, but to think about what she is doing so that she can take what she learns and make it the best it can be. What a great lesson to learn when you are 8 years old! I also know that she was worried about her performance and she just didn't realized it at the time when I asked her if she was nervous! I love that girl!
Aren't her curls perfect? I tried to do these again the next day and they did not work out! It could be because my curling Iron is too big or she had too much product in her hair from the day before. Either way, it still didn't work out so well for me.
My friend Andrea did Mckenna's make-up. Which was required by her dance studio. Funny thing is that we didn't know that Andrea was in the picture until I downloaded it on to the computer (she's in the background.)
Well, here she is in her whole outfit. The shirt is actually longer than it looks, but we had it tied too tight in the back so it bunched up. Isn't she cute?
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