3 and Thriving

What a year for our little "wild beast" Kanyon and once again time as flown by ever so quickly and the new adventures come in multiples. Some of the highlights over the last year are as follows: * You continue to grow tall but your waist size stays the same. * You conquered potty training. * You are a HUGE mama's boy and constantly attached to my hip. * You still don't sleep through the night most weeks. * You love bikes, 4-wheelers, blocks, books, and playdoh. * You have a little potty mouth (a dad trait) but are getting progressively better at using your "nice" words. * You love to dance, sing, and run circles around the kitchen. * You have impeccable manners that we are always complimented on. * You loved our trip to Kansas and everyone was enthralled with your little "BIG" personality. * You have to walk/run everywhere you go, no more strollers for you. * You rant and rave about hunting (a trait from big brother Kaleb) and go on moose, elk, and deer hunts throughout the house. * You overcame your fear of waves at the wave pool even after taking a good spill off the tube pulling you under. * You are hard headed and persistent, repeating the same phrase over and over typically until you get what you want. * You upgraded from a toddler bed to a twin size (courtesy of Grandma Sandi and Papa Joe). * You have a very boisterous voice and will often scream out of nowhere and then laugh because you think it's funny. * You laugh if everyone else is laughing as if you understand life's humors. * You love Grandma Sandi & Papa Joe's house and to go out for ice cream with Aunt Margaret. * You have a very technical mind and try to figure out how everything is made or works. * You love big animals from afar but they scare you up close. * You love fruit snacks and you only eat the creme part of cookies. Kanyon, you light up my life in so many ways. I look forward to waking you up every morning, even when I have to resort to using "Mr. Bee" when you're grumpy and won't budge. One of the best parts of my day is when you run into my arms at daycare. I love our chats on our way home and most times love that you are attached like a thorn to my side. Saying that you melt my heart is an understatement, you're pure wonderment and drive for life makes my heart burst with bubbles of happiness. I can't wait to see you become a big brother, you are so tender and protective over things that you love, I'm sure it will be the same for your baby sister. Happy Birthday TURBO, may your day and the year to come be blessed beyond measure and full of fun and exciting new adventures in your little world. I love you to the moon and back!

2013 First Day of School

Another summer has come and gone way too fast, so here we are again starting another school year that will pass just as quickly I'm sure. Little Miss Dani is starting the 2nd grade this year and is still attending private school "Blessed Sacrament" in Sandy. She had an adventurous summer with lots of trips to the pool where she learned how to swim and recently moved into a new house closer to her school. Kennedy is venturing into 7th grade, her first year at the junior high. She also spent countless hours at the pool this summer and has survived jr high shots, registration, and oreintation as well as signing up for some extracurricular programs. Kaleb is an 8th grader this year and like most boys his age I would assume has started putting forth more effort into looks than books. He started football a few weeks ago and has been driven toward the archery hunt which is his true passion. Days, nights, weeks, months, and years pass all too quickly as time waits for no man but we are excited for all of the fun things this year will bring for all of the kids.

"A Beautiful Dozen"

It's hard to believe a dozen years have gone by since Kennedy entered our lifes and I'm sure as I blink a dozen more will go by just as quickly. Age 12 is the beginning of a few milestones for Kennedy, the biggest is starting Jr. High in a few short weeks. What once seemed like a big excitement has gradually turned into nervousness and anxiety for her venturing into a new chapter, in a new school, with new faces, not to mention a variety of new teachers. We continue to have the highest of hopes for Kennedy and continue to reassure her that everything will be fine as long as she keeps her head on straight and doesn't get mixed up in the drama. Days, weeks, months, and years have passed so quickly that I will gladly say in the last dozen years Kennedy has blessed me with an abundance of things. Oddly enough I vividly remember every birthday; however, her first birthday seems like it just happened yesterday. Birthday #1 we had a pool party and you fell on the concrete putting a nice rasberry on your forehead the day before your one year photo shoot. You loved playing in the little pool but refused to get into the bigger pool with the other kids. You had no desire to make a mess of your birthday cake (which was a beach ball) and had to be coaxed by your dad to taste it to know it was ok. For gifts you received: a wooden rocking chair, a baby doll and stroller, clothes and shoes, and a table/chair set. That little wooden rocking chair soon became your "time out" chair. Birthday #12, another pool party including some of your close friends. We spent hours at the pool and regardless of the sunscreen, we all walked away with some nice sun scorches. You wanted an ice cream cake which Paul made big enough to feed a foreign country. You made a birthday wish list with a dozen items of different things you wanted. For gifts you received: rollerblades, jewelry, clothes, lip balm maker, make-up, and finger nail polish. Although many years have crept by from one birthday to the next, when I close my eyes I see that first party just as clearly as the last one. Happy Birthday my little blonde beauty, may this year be full of new adventures and enough joy to last an entire lifetime. My love for you multiplies as time coasts by. I treasure all of the years we've spent together and look forward to all of the years ahead.