Harley weekend

Last month we took off on the harley and headed to West Yellowstone, Cody, and Jackson with a few of our friends. The ride up was long. My butt hurt so bad when we finally got there. We decided to all squish into one cute little cabin to help save some money. It had 3 queen beds so that meant one couple was on the floor. Brett and Rachelle were troupers and sacked out on the floor. I was so tired but had a hard time sleeping. Maybe it had something to do with 4 grown men snoring. They would take turns so I swear someone was ALWAYS snoring. The ride through Yellowstone was beautiful. We actually go to see a baby bear!! Well I saw the butt of the bear because I was sleeping on Jon's back. ( no sleep the night before) He hit the breaks and pointed to the bear. I woke up so fast but I only caught the bears butt running into the woods!! President Obama was suppose to be visiting the park that weekend. Luckily we missed the mess by a day.

In the photos: Clint & Amanda, Brett & Rachelle, Jared & Wendy, Jon & Alisha

We had a great time in Cody and Jackson hole. Mostly we would ride all day, then get to the hotel, eat, and sit in the hot tubs!! The ride home from Jackson was freezing. (We have a habit of riding in the worst weather.) It actually hailed on us for about 5 mins. The best part was from Bear Lake to Logan. The canyon was beautiful and the weather was decent. I do have to say that it's always great to get away and spend time with good friends.

FYI Bretts bike broke down in Jackson hole. It was so sad. They had to stay there until family could come get them.

A NEW year... with some NEW things...

The first is a NEW school year. They kids were super excited for the first day of school. Kenyon is in 6th grade and goes to the intermediate school. He has 6 different classes and his own locker. (We practiced many times on the lock!) It's hard to believe I have a child old enough to be out of grade school. I was very excited and and yet very sad @ the same time. I think I had the same emotions the day I took him to Kindergarten. Just Blink and he will be starting high school..

Kamberlyn is in 4th grade. She loves her teacher. This is her first year that she has had a man teacher. At first she was nervous but then I told her that my favorite teacher was a guy. She went to school with a great attitude. When she got home she said "guess what mom, My favorite teacher is MR. Nielson."

This year Kenyon decided @ the last minute to play football. He has always loved baseball so much that it was a very hard choice for him. He was able to get on the team he wanted with all of his friends. His coaches are very encouraging and he has lots of support from friends which makes it fun for him. I was really nervous that he would be disappointed he gave up baseball to try football but he absolutely loves it. He practices everyday and playes games on Saturdays. He is a brand new player but hardly ever sits out. That says a lot about his abilities as an athlete. I think he was really nervous that he wouldn't be as good as his friends that have been playing for years but he sure is hanging in there and learning everyday.

He is #55

GNO @ Bear Lake West

I was able to go for a girls night up to my friends cabin in Bear lake. We had such a good (and too fast) time. Ate dinner @ the BLW. Stayed up way past my bedtime. Got up too early and enjoyed a relaxing day @ the beach. ATE and ATE and ATE!! It was Fabulous..

The gang... Me, Jamie Wood, Tanya Doran, Jeanie Marsh, Rachelle Weaver, Amanda Thomas, and Rachel (Amanda's niece).

How do you do birthdays?

Well @ our house you party for a couple of days. This is what we did for Jon's birthday on the 28th. He had worked graveyard for 5 nights before Sunday and graveyard in this house = little sleep. I woke him up after 4 hours of sleep and we headed off to Layton to meet his mom for lunch @ Red Lobster.

On Monday it was Nucor Day @ Lagoon. Every year Nucor takes us. I was a bit worried we would not be going this year cuz of the economy but to my surprise they took us. It is the best thing ever. They pay for EVERYTHING including tickets, parking, food and even ice cream for your entire family. It rules!! Honestly I don't know how people can afford to take their families there. $42 just to get into the place... Ridiculous!

The kids had a great time as always. We took Klaire half day and she loved it. My mom is awesome and came and got her @ 3:00!! This way we were able to go on the fun rides with Kamberlyn. We hardly saw Kenyon all day. He took a couple of friends with and they roamed the park.

***FYI... Nucor has a drawing for lots of money and a cruise every year. Jon has never won in the 12 years he has worked there. We always joke that they don't put his name in. WELL this year he actually won $100. Then after you can play bingo for more money. Jon won twice..$30 the first time and $20 the second. I guess he had some luck. Maybe he was giving off the birthday vibes!!

Hope of America

Today was the awards assembly @ the kids school. I got a phone call from the principal last Friday saying Kenyon was getting one of the four top 5th grade awards. Kenyon had no idea about it. The Hope of America award is the top award. The teachers and Kiwanis club vote on it. They give it to one boy and one girl each year. It is given to someone who is an all around good student. This year Kenyon was awarded it. I am so extremely proud of him. He is a great student and an all around amazing kid. Graduations to a fantastic young man. I know this is just the beginning of many good things to come from him.

Elise Dotty was the girl that received it.

Kenyon's friend Nate Dahle won the outstanding boy award.

This is his best friend Triston. He missed a swimming party to come and support Kenyon! We love you T!!

Kamberlyn also received an award. Each year every 3rd and 5th grader takes a Iowa test. This is a national test. She scored in the top 10% in social studies. Kenyon also got it in Math. (This is in the whole nation, so its a pretty big thing!)

I am so proud of my kids. They are both great students and always strive to do their best.

**Side note a couple of months ago Kenyon asked me if I would give him $100 if he gets one of the top 5th grade awards. I laughed and told him I would if he got the Hope of America. Guess Kenyon is $100 richer!!

Getting older!!

Yes it is true. Today is my Birthday. I really don't think I am 32. I fell like I should still be in my twenties but then I look @ my almost 12 year old and think Yes you are that old!! My kids were awesome this morning. They woke me up and sang to me, then they gave me a beautiful heart necklace (Thanks to my good friend Jerian for taking Kenyon shopping last night). They brought me breakfast in bed and took care of Klaire while I slept tell 11! I am so blessed to have such fantastic kids that care so much. I LOVE YOU GUYS TO HEAVEN AND BACK!!

My kids and I

Some Randomness

We have started baseball again WHOOT WHOOT!! My favorite time of year.

The kids Clogging

Kenyon and his partner Aubrie Woodward

I am way too cool to be doing this!Oops! Aubrie is like what the??

The guys!!

Kamberlyn and Kenner Mecham

Wicked

On Sunday April 26th my friends and I went to see Wicked. We made it a whole day event. Thanks hunny for watching the kids all day. LOVE YA

Katie Harris, Natalie Doutre, me, Jerian Merritt, and Jamie Mecham.

Vacation part 2

Day 4 we spent @ Six Flags. If you like big coasters then this is the place to go. If you don't like to pay a lot of money, wait in hour and a half lines, and only ride 4 rides all day then I suggest you go somewhere else. YES this is what we did. The older kids loved the place but the younger ones not so much. I would go back again for one reason, just to ride Tatsu again. It was the best coaster I have ever been on. So worth the hour wait!! Now Superman on the other hand was not worth the hour and a half we waited. N-E-WAY we can mark Six Flags off our list of places to go!! FYI (Jamie was the only one with a camera and she has not given me pictures yet).

Day 5

was spent @ the Angels-Red Sox game. This was pretty much why we went on vacation. As you know we are big baseball fans. Klaire did really good. She even took a little snooze during the game. I enjoyed the 75 degree heat!! It was family fun day so Kamberlyn was happy playing games and the boys well they were happy as can be with their junk food and beer! Well Kenyon with his junk food and Jon with his beer HA HA. Beckett pitched and tried to hit the batter. The benches cleared. It was pretty exciting!!

The kids got to run the bases after the game. It was really neat to be on the field!

The girls playing games

Jerian and Triston

Triston, Kenyon, and Keetch

(AKA the three amigos!)

The brawl on the field. Naughty Beckett #19

Kenyon and I

Kamber posing (imagine that!!)

Miss Klaire

After the game we drove back to Primm and stayed for yes $5 bucks!! Got up Monday and drove 9 hours home YUCK!! We stopped in Orem and got to visit with grandma Sylvia. It was really good to see her. It was a busy week but we had a fantastic time with our friends. Fun times and good memories what more could you ask for!!