Cameron

Guess who is now a teenager!?!?!?  I thought I would share some thoughts I have about Cam on his Birthday.

This past year on one of our camp trips I woke up a little early to see the sun rise over the lake.  Very quiet-no not just quiet, but peaceful.  Cameron came out of his tent and sat for a few minutes with me and then had to go down to the waters edge to look at this picnic table.  When I see these pictures all those feelings of peace come back to mind.  In looking at Cam's mannerisms in these pictures, it says a lot about his character.  Cameron has always been very curious.   He is very imaginative and creative in all that he does.  He has always worried about those around him.  His curiosity will guide him well.

This picture makes me think about how Cameron is at peace with who he is.  He is not afraid to try new things and does not need to "follow the crowd" to feel of worth.   He is who he is.

Cameron is one that is excited about his future.  He sets his own goals to achieve to be better.  He thinks of others before himself.  He has always been one to enjoy the peaceful beauty this world offers.  I know he will go far.

I love you Cameron-Happy Birthday!

Thanksgiving Tree

The 1st week of November Jim and Katie did a FHE for the family.  They did a lesson on being thankful.  They put a big tree on the wall and at the end of each night (throughout the month of November) we each wrote down 2 things that we were thankful for. 

It was fun to see the different things that people put on the tree.  We were thankful to things ranging from family and Jesus Christ to rocks and air.

You never know what they will bring home from school!

I picked Cameron up after school one day and I just smiled and shook my head.  (Luckily I had my camera in the van)  BYU's line backer #41, Coleby Clawson did an assembly during school and signed autographs.  Cameron just said "What? I forgot my football!"

pumkin carving

 

 

 

Dad's job-cut the tops off pumpkins.

Kid's job-clean out and carve pumpkin.

Mom's job- take pictures and make toasted pumpkin seeds.

Everyone is happy!

Halloween

Just when you thought Halloween was over! (Like a few friends of mine I am trying to get caught up so that I can print off a scrapbook of my blog at the end of the year)  Thought I would post a few "Remember when moments".

Cameron dressed up in 2 different costumes this year.  Jim's school always has a nice family party at his school every year.  I think everyone in the town goes to it.  This is Cameron and his buddy Mckay.

Megan is a striking Cleopatra. Katie wanted to be a cat (like Megan last year) Her cat collar says"Princess".  Cameron and two other friends from school were bodyguards.

 

Father son get away

I know- I know how many golf pictures can I post!  I was hoping when cold weather came I would see Brady and Jim a little bit more.  They seem to find ways to get time on the course.  This is from a parent/child tournament in St. George last week.  They had a good time and even took 1st place in their division.  (The prize---MORE GOLF for free at thanksgiving point.)

Question?

Do you ever feel like raising your arms and shouting to everyone in the world  "I love my husband!!!!!!" Or is that just me?

Sundays

Sunday is one of our favorite days of the week.  It is nice to be able to relax and just "be a family".  Most Sunday nights we watch an old Disney.  I have tried for many years to get them to watch my Anne of Green Gables series with no luck.  The girls had never seen it but I convinced them to convince their dad. (After all they do pretty much have dad wrapped around their fingers!)  Everyone reluctantly agreed.  We are on the 3rd Sunday and the 3rd movie of the series.  Thought I would share a few comments from the kids.

Katie-always asking  "What happens next?" 
Braden- always commenting  "She is sooooo weird!
Cameron- "This movie just goes on and on!"
Megan- "I hope this movie never ends!"  (spoken like a true girl!)

food storage

I found a great food storage site at
http://letusprepare.blogspot.com/2009/01/wendy-dewitt-food-storage-seminar.html
It is a series of food storage seminar clips by Wendy Dewitt.  It has gotten me motivated to take a look at how and what more I need to store!  Check it out. 

Zoo

Megan went to the zoo with Jim and I (birthday outing).  It was a nice fall day!

She had heard how cute the new little baby elephant was and wanted to see for herself.

It was in such a playful mood.  We stayed for quite a while!  It was so small!

It is always nice to spend one on one time with the kids.  They grow toooooo fast!

More Golf

Just wanted to post a few pictures of our little annual golf, B&B get away that we have with some friends each year.  We played Hobble creek the first day and Wasatch the next day!

We really did have a great time.  The mountains were so full of colors  and it is always fun being around our friends.

One (well maybe more than one!) of my shots went into the woods.  I walked in maybe one foot to get it and three deer just stood up and looked at me!

We enjoy this little tradition and are looking forward to next year!

Golf

I am a little behind on some of the things that went on this summer.  I know that dad will appreciate this post.  Brady made the comment once that if Papa lived near us, that he would probably play a lot of golf with him. (And Cameron jumped in and said yeah-and me and Mema could share all the books we want!)

Brady had a great year playing golf.  He loves the game!  It was fun to see a few of his matches.  He and a buddy had a goal to do well and they did just that.  His friend placed first in Region and Brady placed second. 

Braden and his friend L. were asked to carry out the school flag before a football game (because of doing so well in region).  Brady said it was cool to be standing in the middle of the huddle. 

State is highly anticipated every year for Braden.  This is his first shot off on the second day.   It was a cold two days.  Jim took off a few days from work so we could walk and watch. 

Although Braden didn't think he played well the first day, he did qualify to play again the second day.  In fact he was the only individual that did qualify out of over 100 boys. (the rest qualified as a team to return the second day.)  He shot an 80 the first day and a 74 the next day.  This put him in the top ten at state again this year!  We enjoyed being there with Braden and look forward to next year. Jim has taken it upon himself to play a lot of golf with Brady( to help him get ready for next year).  It is a real sacrifice I'm sure!

The kids had a few days off of school.  Every year we let them choose an activity that the family can do during this break.  We went to the movies for Katie's day.  Megan chose bowling.  Brady always seems to choose golf.  Cameron picked a place called Jump On It!  This is the only day I remembered my camera!  It was a lot of fun.  We just about had the whole place to ourselves. 

The girls counted over 60 trampolines all connected together.  Braden, Cameron and I took turns jumping over  obstacles.  I made it over but did not look as graceful as the boys.

The girls made their own little jumps.  We found it was easier to run off the big platform make one huge high jump in the middle of the tramp and it would project you over the barrier and you would land in the middle of the next tramp.  (first time was a little scary!) 

If only he could get this much air without the tramp!  The boys had fun playing B-ball!

Cameron impressed us with his flips.  Needless to say he got a little dizzy doing so many!

I took a lot of shots of Cameron trying to get him flipping in mid air.  When we got home and looked at all of the pictures we realized that Megan and Brady had been wrestling and trying to get a ball from each other in the background.   It was funny to see the different shots of them.   Megan can dish out the teasing just as well as her big brother!  Cameron picked a fun place to go, we all had fun!

Fun on the mountain!

This summer we went on another 4-wheeling trip as a family. (Minus Brady who had to work) Jim and I had done this same route the previous year but we did not get to finish it because of the cold, snow, hail, mud etc.
We rode up to a small lake and had lunch. Cameron was a great driver. I love to just sit back and enjoy the view. The ride took us along the ridge line of a mountain as well as down into the wooded area, past streams, and over little bridges.
This was the first ATV trip for the girls. As I mentioned earlier Megan had some hesitation but all and all she had fun. Katie is ready to go again. She even got to drive a little.
The views were great! It is sure a beautiful world we live in.

Boating

In August Larry and Laureen came for a quick trip to buy a fishing boat! We took it out on the lake for a test run.
Brady helped guide grandpa around the lake.
The rest of us just sat back and enjoyed the ride.
Well most of us. Katie had a hard time. The boat was louder than Uncle John's, so she was afraid it would brake!
After dropping us girls off at the dock- Brady and Grandpa were able to go a lot faster!
It will be a great fishing boat. We hope you get lots of use out of it Grandpa!

Birthday Girl

Time to jump for joy!!!!!
It is Megan's Birthday! She has hit the double digit years. She truly is a blessing in our house!
Here she is in a tissue paper dress made at a 'modest fashion show' mother daughter activity! (Flowers and all!)
First place in a science fair. Project-Which cookie sheet makes the best cookies?
She has become a great little pianist!
The veggie she always picks to plant in the garden!
She seldom gets bored. She is always thinking of things to do. Who needs a swimming pool!
Her first 4-H blue ribbon. She sewed a pillow case in her favorite color!
Enjoys doing things with the family-even if she is scared at first. (She was afraid to fall off the mountain on a recent four wheeling trip, then she was afraid of going fast, and then afraid that we were going to get lost!)
Loves family movie nights with popcorn. This was an outdoor movie night before the fireworks show in July!

Happy Birthday Megan-We love you!!!!!!