September 2016 Happenings

Of course Steven's birthday started off the month (it deserves its own entry! :-)).  Kailyn attended a cheer camp with two of her friends the following weekend (Sept 9th). She seemed a little shy out on the track, but has no problems chanting the cheers with confidence at home.  All these experiences are for our benefit, right?!?!  Even when they are scary.  

Kailyn, Joelle Hadaad and Presley Wood

Cute girls!

The next day was Hunter's Pinewood Derby race.  

Alton's 7th Birthday!!!- 8/20/16

It's hard to believe our Altonator boy is 7 years old. He is so smart, athletic and full of energy.  He sees life as a game and loves competition.  He wanted to go to Legoland adventure sooooo bad for his birthday, so we allowed him to incite two other friends (as well as his brother Hunter) to go with him.  They spent several hours exploring Legoland and the Sealife Aquarium next door.  He has some great friends and I am glad they got to share his birthday fun with him.

All the excitement before going inside.

This was one of Alton's favorite parts. He couldn't stop telling me about this cool Lego city when he got home.

Silly time on the Lego farm.

Outside of the aquarium. Not sure what Alton was doing! Silly boy.

Wesley Holt, Ryder, and Altee

Touching sea urchins and starfish 

Awesome. Sharks!!!

Awesome Alton!!!

Getting a yummy treat after all of their hard work (I mean play)!

Texas Summer Trip 2016

We starting heading to Texas for my niece, Brook's, wedding on June 23rd.  The kids did pretty great the first day, but the second we were all pretty car crazy! Seems like we stopped every hour to relieve small bladders. 

These two crazies have more fun together.

Breakfast on the road.   

Shortly sfter crossing over the Texas boarder, we pulled over to let th explore Cadillac Ranch. If we had planned it out a little more, I would have bought a spray can for them to mark with. They encourage people to "make their mark". It's art! The kids still had fun exploring the car and found an orange spray can that had a few sprays left in it. Perfect!

Cars from a far in the middle of the corn fields.

Kailyn and Hunter trying to paint away.

Four silly kiddos!

Kinley spraying her orange spot.

Picture with Grandpa Mullin. We sure love him!

The kids founds Dad's initials on this rite and just had to get a picture with it.

Alton looking for the perfect spot to spray.

Hunter and Kinley

Silly kids. The boys are really in to putting bunny ears on people.

We finally pulled up to my parents house around 6pm. Thought we would never get there!

Kailyn Heard Thru Voices

At the beginning of May, Kailyn was honored thru the Mesa School District for a poem she write about oxygen, titled "How I Get Oxygen".  She received 1st place amongst all second graders in the school district in her essay.  

What an honor for her! She has a great imagination and loves art and writing.

Proud girl.

Her 2nd grade teacher, Ms. Eaton, sat with us.

Nervous energy waiting for her name to be called.

Getting the award

The Mesa Assistant Superintendent 

Way to go Kailyn!!!

They also give an award to the child's teacher. Pretty cool!

Kailyn's teacher from 1st grade was also there. So fun!!!

Schools Almost Out!!! - May 2016

The end of the school year was filled with concerts and graduations.  Hunter and Kailyn both took Suzuki classes at school and so the last week of school they got to show off what they had learned over the year. 

Hunter really enjoys the violin and has also been taking private lessons. He did an awesome job. 

Hunter and his class playing with their teacher.

The following night, Kailyn had her recital.

Kailyn has been taking private piano lessons, but has also really enjoyed the violin thru school.

Good ole Arizona Girl Kailyn.

All of the second graders also performed in an end if the year "Goin' Buggy" performance.  Kailyn's class were really ants. They marched all around the stage singing about ants. So fun!  Last year Hunter was a bee. :)

Kailyn is in black (front row, second from the end).

Steven getting his ant eyes on! Awesome!!!

Several days later, Alton graduated from Kindergarten. He had a great year with an amazing teacher, Alexandria Wienke.

The treat table.

Here they come in for their graduation march.

Alton received his diploma from his teacher and assistant.

Awesome Alton is on to 1st Grade!!!!

Then Kinley had a little end of the year celebration on her last day of school.  She was SO excited to show me some things she has learned.

My sister, Kim, is going to be her preschool teacher next year. They are both pretty excited!

Saying the Pledge of Allegiance.

Kinley with her teachers, Janae and Shasta.

She is such a ham!

She loved Janae.

Here were a few projects the kids had worked hard on at the end of the year.

Hunter's pueblo house.

Kailyn's pioneer project. She got to learn about her own ancestors who crossed the plains which was pretty cool.

Hunter created this bottle guy. Can't remember his name right now (Samuel ?).

Kailyn also learned how to hook tie.

She ended up giving to get teacher from last year, Ms. Brown (because she loved owls).

She did an amazing job for her first go around.

After Kailyn did one Alton began to beg me for one. I was super nervous and not confident her could stick to it, but he has. I Love It! It gives him something to focus on and he is doing great!!!

This was my creation that I worked on.  As a little girl I remember taking gardenias to my teachers.  I have always loved their sweet smell.

The quail have also been busy laying eggs in places they are not allowed.

Little stinkers! I fixed that and gave them the new home, but she didn't go for it.  She never came back. Sad! :(

Finally, the flowers in our yard have been busy blooming and Kailyn has been sure to take their pictures.

I was pretty impressed with her pictures. She wanted me to send them to national geographic. Love her!!!