Last one of the Year!

Andrew feels so hard done by in July when practically everyone else in our family is getting birthday presents and cards in the mail! I keep telling him he is lucky he doesn't have to share his month for a birthday with anyone else and now here we are and he is happy!

Another child turns 8, how fun and exciting!
Andrew is not one that likes a lot of attention diverted towards him unless he pretty much okays it and on his birthday he okays it!

Uncle Kennedy and Andrew

Grandma Allen and Maddy
not sure why we didn't get a picture of Chan or John and Denise!

We had a family dinner the night of his birthday where he chose what he wanted. In a million years I would never have guessed what he picked...Spinach Ravioli from Costco! I also made pork for tortilla's with all the toppings, of beans, cheese, salsa, guacamole, etc. Our cute neighbors John and Denise came over and brought little pepperoni pockets that were very tasty. Mom Allen made Chinese Lettuce Wraps and rice, so you can see we had quite the arrangement of food!

The kids all love reminding Grandpa about birthday spankings...until it is their turn!

Family Picture- always a favorite...!

silly picture...the real favorite for the kids and Jared!


The birthday cake

Andrew for sure wanted a number 8 race track cake- thank goodness for 'google' and creative people that make cute things that can be followed easily for people like me who wish they were naturally creative but are not!

mom and dad with Andrew

Andrew leading everyone in "Happy Birthday"

Andrew is very outgoing and loves to make friends, everywhere we go he has a new 'BFF'! He is very kind to kids younger than him and loves patting baby's softly on the head. He always wants to invite other families over for dinner or take someone a plate of cookies. He enjoys going to wrestling practices, but I am not sure what he likes better, wrestling or the treats they hand out after...well maybe I do know what he likes better...!
His favorite thing at school is recess and playing with friends outside at home!
Andrew likes to tease, but like most, does not take teasing back very well! He is a big jokester and silly head as you can see in most of his pictures he has a silly face. (the nonsilly ones are the ones I have had to put a threat of some sort on him so that I can have one with his nice smile!) Speaking of smiles, Andrew has a very nice one that lights up the room.
He loves to draw and tells me he is an artist and that all his friends tell him he is an artist too.
When Andrew puts his mind to it he can accomplish many things in his school work and at home. He is a level above grade level in math, reading, and spelling. He is one smart cookie. He is loved by his teacher for his great story telling.
Andrew has a special spirit about him and is very tender hearted. At times this may be hard, but I know it will benefit him in his future endeavors.
We are so happy to have Andrew in our family and for all that he helps us learn to be better as well.

Life can be so confusing at times!

Anika had a field trip to the fire station yesterday but she was very admit that it was just for her teachers. Once there and seeing all the kids she realized maybe it was for her! Half way through the presentation the preschool teachers came up to the front to help with the presentation where upon Anika with much confusion, points up to her teachers and yells, "What? There's my teacher! What is she doing here?"
Life can be so confusing at times!

Aubrey loses teeth finally! 2 in 2 days

Aubrey waited all of kindergarten for a loose tooth to come and it never did. Then right before school started again she discovered a wiggle!
Aubrey insisted I pull her tooth out so she wasn't the only one in her class who hadn't lost a tooth in first grade! (it was very loose!) I think it startled her as she didn't want me to do the second one.
The next day she showed me how loose #2 was so as I wiggled it I just "popped" it out. She went to feel it and had a little shocked look on her face as she couldn't find it! I handed her a kleenex in one hand and her tooth in the other! She was very proud to walk around toothless!

Are they that old?!

Aubrey 1st Grade

Alex 4th Grade

Andrew 2nd Grade

Rachel 7th Grade



Anika Preschool

Pinewood Derby

This year Alex and Jared went to Grandpa Allen's to get help cutting and making his pinewood derby car. He wanted to have a "Utes" car. The drivers head/silver helmet was the weight needed for the car! He had a fun time racing with the other boys participating and came in second place for his age group. He was excited to get his ribbon and a little red Hot Wheels car for his winnings!

It's All in Your Perspective

Actually, I am not sure how my kids got this perspective but none the less a conversation they had with my brother while I (by myself with them, Jared at work) was the one that took them to Bear Lake all week.

Andrew and Alex sitting on the park bench with my brother Brad right after I had taken them to play mini-golf, none the less!

Andrew: "Our dad let's us do whatever we want."

Brad: "hmmm, really..."

Andrew:"ya, he takes us to Artic Circle and stuff for lunch."(what? once?! he works!)

Not sure Andrew or Alex: "Can you imagine if it was just mom, all we would do is clean all day!"

There's nothing like feeling appreciated by your children ;)

Anika Preschool

I can't believe my youngest baby is heading to preschool! Where does time fly? She has been so fun to have around, it has just been me and her for a the last year during the day. I am a little sad to see her go as she is so funny, she enjoys being with me and me with her, and yet at the same time she is so good to entertain herself so that I can get things done. It is weird to think I will have a few hours with no kids, I hope to get stuff done this little break two days a week!
She is going to Corner Canyon PreSchool which we love from when Andrew went there.

First Day of School

Another summer comes to an end. This is always bitter sweet as I do enjoy my kids, but I do find it hard to entertain them for three months! One nice thing is I don't have to pick-up kindergarten half days and preschool!
Alex 4th grade

Andrew 2nd grade

Aubrey 1st grade

Anika preschool

Rachel (Jared's cousin) 8th grade

should I really post this?!

This is the goofiest post, and I am sure whoever reads it will think this is the weirdest thing to write and with that here it goes!!!

Is there something you have always thought about buying but put it on hold with the thought of, 'when I can buy that and not care I will know I am at a nicer financial spot then in the past'? What is your item?

Well mine is pretty goofy and perhaps a little embarrassing at it's simplicity....but I finally did it...I feel dumber as it gets closer to writing it!

Mine is buying TIDE and DOWNEY fabric softener to use at the same time to do laundry!!!

Okay, laugh and make fun of me all you want but there it is!!! I have always bought cheaper brands or bought Kirkland brand to substitute, but not this time baby I bought the real thing and I don't even care that it cost a bit more! I have to admit I was even excited to do the laundry today! The clothes smell so good!
So there it is my embarrassing post.

Although I guess I should admit I still used a coupon... :)

hot summer days cool summer nights

decided I needed to take the kids to the park, but forgot it was time for the set up of Draper Days! We went to the little stream for awhile and then ran home to grab food and come back for the free concert in the park. Kid's didn't like sitting around listening to music so much but I enjoyed it and they eventually went to play in the tree, rolled down the hill and visited the tents to get candy! Our new, & good friends John and Denise joined us later in the evening.

Kids Gone Wild...

with the camera!

What's a typewriter?

me: overhearing the dinner conversation:


andrew: saying something about a typewriter
aubrey: What's a typewriter?
andrew: goes on to try and explain what it is, and that dad has one at work in his office
aubrey: looking quite confused says, I still don't know what you are talking about!
alex: it's okay, they are from the 'olden days'
me: olden days? They're not that old!!!! :)