Utah Jazz Dunk Team

Last Monday Connor got to participate in the 4th grade tin can cookout. We cut out a can and sent it, a Sterno, and all the supplies he would need to cook himself a delicious breakfast.  I met him there and watched as he and Chet cooked pancakes, eggs, hash browns, and sausage.  It took awhile, but they were eventually able to cook and eat everything they had brought to eat.  They had a great time and Connor is super excited because they are doing another tin can cookout at Pack meeting so he gets to try it again.

Saturday we went to Kiwanis Kids Day at the park.  Everything was absolutely free so the kids had a blast.  They got free lunch then jumped on the bouncers and did some other activities.  Matthew even won a $50 Wal-Mart gift card.  Rory sat in the dunk tank and the kids made rockets to blast off, it was fun but super exhausting. 









Saturday night was our Jazz Dunk Team Event.  Rory has been planning this for months, so we were super excited and stressed that it was finally here.  Matt Griff (Taylor's dad) is on the dunk team so several months ago we contacted him about doing an event at the high school.  He and his team were super excited and so the planning began.  We invited several dance groups to perform as well and had dinner for the dunk team and the Jeff Wood for Sheriff Committee.  It was such a fun event, they got the crowd involved and did some amazing dunks.  The stands were full and we have received so much positive feedback that we've decided to make this an annual event.  All of our hard work paid off and the kids loved meeting the dunk team (Kadee even got their autographs).   

Americorps

I began my job at Wellington Elementary as an Americorps mentor.  I'm still working at Price River Water Users, so I'm a little overwhelmed right now, but super excited to start working with the kids.  I'm going to be working with kids who are frequently absent and with kids that have behavior issues they may need to work through.  I'm also going to be working in the leveled library and doing attendance.  I attended the Americorps 20th Anniversary in Salt Lake this past weekend.  Rory and the kids came with me and stayed at the hotel while I went to the Capitol to listen to speakers.  They fed us yummy food and we were able to watch a live broadcast of President Clinton and President Obama about the Americorps program.  I met some amazing ladies that work in my area and we were able to tour the Capitol building.  It was breathtaking.  I was amazed by the architecture and attention to detail in everything.  It was a quick visit up north, but well worth it.  I am so excited to make a difference in the life of a child and I pray that I can be a positive influence in my own children's lives. 

So right now I feel like I'm at a life changing place in my life.  I've been reading a book about success and am obsessed with Maya Angelou and the impact she made on the world.  I feel myself shifting from who I used to be and I hope I'm turning into a greater version of myself.

It's beginning to look a lot like...Fall

We have had an exciting week.  We moved out of our house, the kids had mixed emotions about it (as did I).  They are excited to live across the street from grandma Debbie, but sad to leave the only home they've ever known.  Luckily they have adjusted quickly and seem to be enjoying the rental.  We have our plans and the purchase on our land will be completed soon, so we are hoping to start excavating on our new home within the next couple of weeks.  Rory took the kids up to the house one day before school last week and let them take a picture in the house one last time.  Connor said he is sad because that house is where he learned to ride his bike and got his first Xbox, but he is excited to live in the rental because it's small and will bring our family closer together. 

 

We were going to go to the lake on Labor day, but our plans fell through so Rory and I took the kids swimming to the Wellness center.  Matty is a fearless fish.  He would just jump in wherever and had no concerns whether or not there was someone there to catch him.  The whole time I kept thinking about the first time we took him there.  He was so scared and sat on the side of the pool the whole time.  What a difference a year makes.    

Kinlee had her preschool open house last week and her first day of preschool today.  She also got to be the first one to bring snack and was so excited to take cheese and crackers and raisins.  She ran right into her classroom and was so excited to be back in school.  Matthew came with us and did not want to leave.  Hopefully he will start in November when he turns 3. Kinlee has gotten so smart and has grown so much this summer.  We have practiced writing her name, counting, the alphabet, and shapes.  She is ready to learn more and show her teachers all she's learned so far.  Her favorite part of school is singing and her favorite song is Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.  Matthew loves to sing Bringing home my baby bumblebee  and is starting to talk more and more.