Spelling Bee!

Each class from 3rd grade through 6th grade held their own spelling bee and sent their 2 winners to the school-wide spelling bee. Sam was one of the winners in his 3rd grade class and was able to compete with all the other winners. He ended up getting 4th place out of the whole school! I thought that was pretty good for my little Super Star Student who was up against big old 6th graders! Congrats Sammy!

REAL life animals holding very still!

Rylie went on a preschool field trip to Cabelas this morning. I didn't go this time but heard all about it from Rylie. Cabelas has tanks filled with fish and real (but now dead) animals that have been stuffed and preserved and now on display throughout the store. I guess they were given a tour by one of the employees. I asked Rylie if she saw all the animals. She excitedly answered saying she had and that they are all REAL and they have to hold very still! She told me she didn't have to worry about the bears eating her because they are supposed to hold real still too! I smiled and decided there's no harm in letting her believe that. Besides, kids only get to believe things like that for a short time before common sense comes along and ruins all the fun!

The Discovery Center

Last weekend we went to the Discovery Center at Gateway Mall in SLC. If you've never been it's kind of like a children's museum where they get to learn about science and technology and real life. The kids got to pretend to be grown-ups in a kid-sized house (including life-like kitchen) grocery store, cars, gas station, etc. They also got to rock climb, build stuff, learn about gravity and magnets, and be on TV. Here are some pictures of our day:

My little reporters:

New Do!

I got my hair cut last week. It wasn't a huge change, about 4 inches came off. I kinda miss the pony tail, which is funny because that's why I got it cut in the first place...pony tail every day! Now I'm forced to actually "do" my hair. Here's what it looks like today...

Look! My bed is made!!! (miracles do happen)

She's got the MOVES!

Here is Sara breakin' out the moves to the HSM3 soundtrack:

Heart Sounds

This afternoon Rylie has her kindergarten physical and vaccinations. I was telling her what the doctor was going to do so she would know what to expect. She asked me why the doctor needed to listen to her heart and I told her it was so he could hear if it was a healthy heart. Then Rylie asked me, "Do you know what the doctor will think if he hears that someone has a tiny heart?" Of course that perked my curiosity! "What?" I asked. He will know that person is a MEAN person! I always love to hear what Rylie thinks. It's so cute and innocent how literal she interprets things. Of course if you know Rylie you won't need a doctor's prognosis to know that she has a BIG HEART! Wish us luck this afternoon!!!

Oh so TALENTED!

Last night during Family Home Evening we were talking about talents. Sam said that my talent is giving birth to children! I laughed so hard! But last night as I was thinking about it I decided that that's a pretty great talent to have. I wouldn't say I am good at being pregnant or good at giving birth, but how grateful I am to have had the ability to birth our 4 amazing children...four of my greatest blessings! Thanks for the compliment Sammy :-)

Ice Skating

We went to the Olympic Oval yesterday to ice skate. I've never seen such a big rink! The kids loved it despite the blisters and sore feet at the end! Sam and Kaeli showed no fear as they jumped out onto the ice. Rylie was timid at first but got used to the ice and soon we couldn't even get her to stop to take a rest...she just kept going around and around. Sara even ice skated! Can you believe they make skates that tiny? We're still all jealous of Aaron's ease on the ice and his infamous hockey stops. Here are some pictures:

Sara and Daddy

Rylie

Itty-bitty ice skates for an itty-bitty girl!

Sara and Mommy

Speed Skaters!

Sam and Kaeli racing around the ice rink!