Family Date Night

We had the opportunity to take the kids to freestyle motor cross last weekend. The kids were so excited to go and watch these guys do crazy tricks on their dirt bikes. It was awesome! We sat on the 4Th row so we felt up close and personal with all the action. As a family we have always enjoyed riding quads and going to the dunes. This falls right into that category of fun for us. It was such a good time to take the kids out and enjoy being together as a family. Most of these pictures are blurry because I don't know how to use my camera, and also all of my targets were moving.

I was not sure if Ty would like it or not but she was totally into it and clapping and cheering up a storm.

Thanks Chad for planning this family outing. The kids and I appreciate all you do for us!

Februarys Student of the Month

She did it again! B continues to impress me. Brooklyn has numerous activities that she participates in weekly. She has had piano every Monday and now softball just started. Not to mention that she is the Student Body President since the other pres. resigned:) She participates in a Character Counts Program that helps out with younger students. The girl has a lot on her plate but she manages to get it all done. Not only does she get it done but she makes it all seem easy. Her teacher decided to surprise her and not let her know she was getting this award. We all showed up without her seeing us which made it even more fun. B loves Mrs. Bernier and is so lucky to have gotten her this year. She is a great teacher and loves B as well. I thought the note she attached to Brooklyn's award was neat so I posted it. I could not be more proud of my hard working, straight A pulling 9 year old.

We are her biggest fans! Tate just thinks that she is the coolest thing.

Tate is 6

I can not believe that my little boy is 6 already. He is growing up so fast and as fun as it is to see him grow and develop his personality, I am sad. It has been a big year for Tate starting school. It was a rough start but he now loves to go to school. He is a social bug and has made some great friends in his class. He does so well and has learned so much. He seems to enjoy learning and being able to do his school work on his own. He lights up every time he realizes that he can sound anything out and read. He is still a million miles a minute but he has lost his mischievous side, thank goodness. I can always count on Tate to be honest and thoughtful. He amazes me because he actually thinks before acting. He is really good at analyizing the outcome of his actions and then making his choices based on what he knows will be. I am so blessed to be his mom! He brings me joy every single day, what more could I ask for in a son. Here are 6 things that describe Tate other than the fact that he is so handsome:)

1. Tate asks more ?s in a day than any 10 kids combined. He does not like to be told " I don't know " and will press the issue until I have given him an answer he can understand.

2. He is very thoughtful of those around him. Especially me:) The other day we went to pick Chea up for a photo shoot. Without me saying anything he jumped out to open the car door for her, and then let her get in and closed it. I was so impressed!

3. Tate is as rough and tough as a kid can come on the outside, but he is sweet and tender on the inside. He is very empathetic towards all and is a sweetheart.

4. He has some issues with being a tad OCD. He is very particular about his clothes and shoes. Not to mention the way his hair is combed. Without fail he washes his hands, brushes teeth, wipes up any drips on the toilet seat etc.. I could go on all day about him being anal. It sure makes things a lot easier on me for the most part.

5. Tate is such a good eater and will try anything. He does eat sweets but is just as happy to have an apple. He brought a ton of candy home from his Vday party and was concerned he would have to eat it all. I had to laugh because I know if it were mine it would have been eaten within the hour.

6. He is very coordinated and picks up on just about everything he tries. If in the beginning its not easy he practices until it gets that way. With his ability to do things well he is very cautious and makes sure to keep within his comfort zone. I appreciate this quality so much. I know as we ride quads or bikes that he is aware of the surroundings and is cautious.

Buddy, I love you so much and have a blast being your mom. I am so excited to see you learn and grow in ways that are so pleasing. You are adored by all and its not hard to see why!

Tates Birthday Party

This year for Tates party he decided to have his buddies come and ride the track with him. It was for the most part our families but he had a few of his little buddies from school also. I assumed he would pick the traditional baseball cake again this year but he switched it up to a hunting cake. He has been really into guns of late and so I guess I shouldn't be to surprised.

We got him a new air soft gun that has rapid fire. He loves his other one and has gotten to be a great shot with it but wanted to not have to re load in between each shot. He also got alot of fun other gifts. The Larson's got him this awesome helmet that changes his voice. It has been a huge hit around our house. He got a couple remote control cars that we have been racing also. He loved all his gifts but more important he enjoys playing with his buddies.

Thanks to everyone who helped make his birthday special for him. It was low key but he thought it was a blast and that is what matters most.

Snowboarding

We finally got it together and all went Snowboarding a few weeks ago. It was a ton of fun and was definitely a trip I wont soon forget. We went up on a Monday night and boarded on Tues. When we got to the cabin we found the water had been shut off. Thanks to Randa being very resourceful it didn't slow the toilet flushing or face washing. Although I learned it takes a lot of snow to make a little water. I think this was the last time that sitting down felt OK. I managed to fracture my tail bone about 2:30 and attempted to go down one more run. It was to scary and I called it good for the trip. The girls were a ton of fun and did so well. Most importantly they looked good doing it. Chea and Randa hung out on the deck and fortunately the weather could not have been better. I'm thinking from now on I may be better off sitting on the deck:)

New Years 2010

Where else but Vegas would we like to spend our New Year? Its the only place to be to bring in the new year. We had a blast as usual playing games and stuffing our faces. The perfect host- She cooks for us and provides plenty of entertainment.

Happy New Years and in case you were wondering its apple cider.
And yes our faces are a crack up. Oh the many faces of this game. I took 2ND and had a ton of fun knocking others out:)

We all had a blast and know where we will be next Dec. 31st. The END

Christmas

OK well if I don't hurry up and get this posted it is going to be next Christmas. I am not sure where my love of blogging has gone but lately it just feels like a chore. I know that I should continue to document our life so I am trying to get over this feeling. We had another fabulous Christmas and nothing other than having B home could have made it better. We spent the day as we always do. We had to get our kids up sometime after 8 to open gifts. They are so my children and love to sleep in, even on Christmas Morn. As you can tell by their faces they were so excited to see if Santa came.

He came alright and brought Ty a new bike and Tate an Ipod touch. We gave Ty the cutest doll house with so many cute accessories. I'm not sure who likes it more her or myself:) She finally got the harmonica she had asked for the entire year and many other instruments to go with. Tate got a Red Ryder BB gun as well as some cool helicopters, a pitching machine and a few other little things.Tate had so much fun picking all of us gifts from the Reindeer Lane store at school. I love that they offer that at the school because then the kids are able to pick things out for our family by themselves. I honestly cherish all of the little trinkets that I have gotten over the years. Tate picked out a highlighter for me that smells like vanilla. He said since I love to smell good he knew I would love it. He seriously melts my heart. He gave Chad a measuring tape that says Dad.

At my parents it was organized chaos! Mom and Dad gave all the girls these easels. They were so excited and I know that my girls have used them a ton. With these they also gave them chalk, eraser, markers and paper. They were a huge hit amongst the kids and it has made the school playing that happens on Sun. nights even better.
Look how cute Gma Hiatt is. I love that they make the rounds and still come see their kids on Christmas. For as long as I can remember they have been a part of my Christmas day.

We are also blessed to be able to spend our morning with this cute couple. To me there is nothing more important than family and to be surrounded by loved ones makes Christmas so special to me. My parents also gave each and everyone of us Gma and Gpa Hiatts book that Susan put together. I am so glad that my kids also got one so they can read it and learn more about the amazing people that they are.Then it was on to dinner and more festivities with the Cummard side. We had a fun time visiting and laughing till our tummies ached. The kids all bring their new loot and show each other what they got. Brecken and Tate were playing games on their new Ipods. Tate showed off his skills with his new gun and everyone took turns shooting at the target.
Ty has ridden this bike constantly since Christmas. She sneaks out so she can ride down the road. Look at how happy she is in this picture. Good job Santa this bike will for sure be money well spent!
After all the playing was through we ate a fabulous dinner which mom made and we opened gifts. Mom and Dad were so generous and hooked us kids up with money and the kids all got fun stuff. Mom made all of the little girls matching necklaces that are so cute.

I love this picture. Ty adores her daddy!!

Ty is such a snuggle bug and made her way around snuggling with her favorites. She loves her uncle Jace and is always asking if she can stay the night with them again.

This pic kills me. Look at the height difference:)

I will just end by saying how blessed I am. We have such amazing families and are so fortunate that we can spend Christmas with both sides. As wonderful as Christmas was I would have to say the greatest part was shopping for and giving Christmas to a family that would have otherwise gone without. My kids truly benefited from being willing to give up some of their gifts and get this family gifts instead. I am grateful for the blessing it was for me personally. I appreciate my Chad who works so hard so that we can have the comforts that we do. Most important I am thankful for the birth of my Savior and the life that he lead.