Madison Graduates!

On Wed, May 20, 2009, Madi Mae graduated from Peak-A-Boo Preschool. After 2 1/2 years, she is finally old enough to go to Kindergarten. On our way to Kindergarten Round-up she informed me "I sink I dus stay at da Peak wif you mom!" I asked her why she thought that and she continued to tell me "You need me to help you - duh!" During graduation, she was given the award of "Most Contageous Smile". That is so true - she just makes you want to smile everytime you see her. I love you my big five year old!





This is a picture of Madi Mae with her teachers - Miss Michelle Vance and Miss Cris Loll. She loved her teachers. Right after Madison turned 3 she started preschool at The Peak. Her teachers were Miss Tammy Andersen and Miss Ashlie Jessop. The following year she had Miss Ashlie again and Miss Cris. We loved all of her teachers and she will never forget them.

These are some of Madi Mae's best friends from school this year. Tylie Coburn, Madi Mae, Laney Zito, Chloe Jeppsen and Vanessa Garza. She will truly miss them (especially Vanessa because she is the only one not going to Kindergarten at Willard Elementary)

Cousins vs. Cousin

Last weekend, Lauren's soccer team played against Holli & Kenzie's team. I missed the perfect candid shot with Lauren and Kenzie running right into each other.

Lauren up against Holli. It was fun to watch Lauren and Holli play against each other. I didn't think Lauren had an aggresive bone in her body. Guess I was wrong. Holli and Kenzie's team won but Denise said it was the first win for quite some time. Both teams played very well. In fact, Lauren played so hard she got winded at the end of the game. Better luck next time Lor!

Sunday Afternoons

I love Sunday afternoons in the summer. It has been a tradition with our family to go feed the ducks after church. Today was the first time back this year. We drove up to Logan (First Dam) but was disappointed that it was so crowded so we decided to go to North Ogden. It was a beautiful day. I needed the break from the hustle and bustle of the past week - reviving me for another week.

I wanted to get out and take some pictures of the kids. It has been such a long time since they have all been together and Avery's debut in family pictures.

Kayli was completely thrilled. I guess being fifteen and banded from her cell phone on Sunday's doesn't bring out her best side. Or maybe because she set her bread down on a rock and a beaver came up and stole it - taking all the fun out of feeding the ducks. It really was quite funny because she couldn't figure out what kind of defective duck just grabbed her bread - not thinking it wasn't a duck at all. Mom, I promise her roots are not BLONDE! I must have damaged some of her brain cells with all the Pepsi I drank while I was pregnant with her.

Lauren takes a break from feed the ducks to pose for a quick picture. I love to see her smile - what a beautiful girl. I love you Lor Lor.

Madison loves to feed the ducks. This time there were four baby ducks that simply amazed her. She is a happy little girl all of the time (well most of the time). I love to hear her giggle - she always makes me smile.

Baby Tate is almost 3 months old. It is so much fun having a baby in the house again. She is a happy baby - the only times you hear her cry is when she is sleepy or poopy. Can you blame her?

The Ultimate Christmas Gift

Uncle Matt had our family's name for Christmas. He went way overboard - not only giving us Christmas gifts - he took the girls on a RIDE OF A LIFETIME!





Kayli was the first to go - It seemed like they were gone forever - making it harder and harder on Lauren.




Lauren was so freaked out before she even got in the plane. When Kayli got back she said that Matt did a bunch of tricks - loops, rolls and something called "splitting ice". Holy cow, does he not know I didn't sign them up for a test ride on a new type of roller coaster. (It is a good thing they are nothing like their mom - completely SCARED of anything that might make me motion sick.) Kayli loved it and Lauren enjoyed the experience once but would rather stop there.





Then there is Madison - she is the youngest and is tough as nails (in front of her sisters). Matt took her on a ride which included a couple of rolls (Matt, I hope that is all). She later told me that she had to hold onto Uncle Matt's jacket the whole time cause it kinda scared her. What a day - they will never forget it. Thanks Matt you are the best!


This picture is after the trilling rides. (Candie, Lauren, Madison, Kayli and Matt.)

The Last Day at Chamberland Lake

Lauren and Nathan discussing the hike back. Eric contemplate jumping down to the truck or actually hiking back down. Hmmm - where is the illustrious man in black?

Whose fish is bigger? Eric's or Lauren's? OK so grandpa caught Lauren's fish - but who needs to know that. They ate fish at nearly every meal. I was worried about how Lauren would eat because her dad packed a bunch of dry-packed food (Lauren said it was gross - except for the eggs.) Jeff's dad brought some instant oatmeal that Lauren said was very good (I wonder if they ran out of the dry-packed eggs?)

Hiking to Chamberland Lake

On day two, they stopped for a candid shot of all of the guys and Lauren. The scenery was breath-taking.