Pre-K Graduation: Part 2

Ceremony #2: Mrs. K's... We told Ashley that her graduation would be at Mrs. K's church. She was sooooo excited and said, "We are having in at the castle by Grammy?!" She thought her ceremony was going to be at the Salt Lake temple. Imagine her disappointment when we pulled into the parking lot to just a regular LDS church building. "Wait... THIS is it? Is this a hotel?"

The ceremony was awesome (as is everything Kamalani does). It felt very personal and sweet and emotional and we were all so proud of our children!

Ashley is saying, "When I grow up, I want to be a Grandma."

Dancing to "Sarasponda" -- her favorite silly preschool song. It was such a fun part because all of the kids were laughing -- such joy!

Saying her lines (she had to memorize them!)

Seriously... how many more pictures, Mom?!

Caden... dreaming... "Someday.... this will be me....."

Pre-K Graduation: Part 1

Pre-K Graduation Ceremony #1... In case you don't already know... Ashley goes to Pre-K at Mrs. K's MWF and to Kody's school on T/TH. Both preschools are TOTALLY different and have positives to each.
My original plan was to just try the T/TH one for a month and see how I liked it. Well, we liked it enough to keep her there all year....


Getting her graduation cap...
I'm ready... I'm ready... I'm ready... (anyone who watches Spongebob will get that reference)...

She looked so cute walking on stage to shake hands with the Director and get her certificate. The boys had more fun goofing off (and giving each other antlers)...

Kody's Awards Assembly

First off, I will acknowledge that these are not the best pictures... :) At least I got a few...

These are from Kody's 2nd Grade Awards Assembly. He received an award for being on First Honor Roll all year. That means he kept his grades above 95% all year. We are EXTREMELY proud of him and how hard he worked this year. Way to go, KodeMan!

Last Day of School!!

Last day of school!! Our babies are getting so big...

Caden Graduates... from ISR swimming!

Well, what a busy week we have had.. Kody's bday party, 2 graduation ceremonies for Ashley, awards assembly for Kody... and Caden's ISR "graduation". To pass he had to swim in summer clothes and be able to roll onto his float and eventually to the steps in the pool. On his last day, he wore socks, shoes, jeans, long sleeves, and a hoody jacket. It was 59 degrees and sprinkling rain (from this weird cold front that moved thru). Some might say that was unnecessarily torturing the poor kid, but that is reality. We wanted him to know how to handle any situation and to have the skills needed to survive in any conditions. Yes, it would have been much more pleasant in the warm weather.... We are so proud of Caden!!! Makenna has another week to go...

ISR Swimming: Makenna

Look, No Hands! This picture shows a big Milestone for us... This is also Makenna's 4th week of ISR Swimming (see Caden's in the previous post). This is the first time that Angelee has not had to totally hold Makenna during the float. She is floating on her own at this moment for this picture. Guess she was hamming it up for the camera!

Makenna also knows how to grab the bar. She mostly "glides" to the bar, but at least she knows she is supposed to grab it and hold on.

This is something the instructor is working on... Makenna has a tendency to put her head too far back (and then swallows too much water). Makenna has a lot to learn still, but I am happy she is picking up her float better this week.

She does a couple of "kicks" to reach for Angelee.

Caden happily waiting his turn. He always wants Makenna to go first. :)

Now, it is HER turn to watch and cheer for Caden!

ISR Swimming: Caden

We have enrolled Caden and Makenna in Infant Resource Swimming. It is a big time commitment but the results are amazing. This is Caden's 4th week. He swims with his head in the water. Then, rolls on his back and floats to take a break and breathe. Eventually, he will learn how to roll OUT of the float and continue swimming to the edge of the pool or the steps. We are proud of the progress he has made! He has learned so much. I wish I would've videoed the first week, because he has progressed so much! The first week, he cried and had no idea how to float AT ALL. He was nervous about swimming without a vest (which BTW our instructor says are not good to use because it teaches kids so many bad swimming habits -- I had no idea, but now I can see exactly what she means, especially when dealing with Ashley who is also so afraid to swim without a vest).

Here he is practicing swimming to the bar. This is his favorite part of the lesson. He thinks it's funny to swim and then touch those toys on the edge there.

Normally, we don't get in the water with them. Friday was a special "Fun Day" where he got to show Daddy all he has learned. It was also a time for us to learn the cues to help him roll over from his swim. It really is an interesting process... too much to type here but I will tell anyone who asks.

Can you see him smiling?! Last week, while floating, he would lay there and hum songs. We asked him what he was doing and he had no idea... but at least we know he was relaxed!



A seriously proud Daddy and Boy! Caden really thrives on the one on one time he gets with the teacher and he LOVED being alone in the water with Kevin.

Caden's confidence has grown hugely since the first week. He no longer cries, but instead asks "More! More!"

Mother's Day Treat from Ashley

Mrs. K planned a sweet Mother's Day celebration at preschool. When we walked in, we had to pick which drawing OUR child did. Each child drew a picture of their mom. It was so cute. I searched for one with rainbows (almost everything Ashley colors has rainbow colors). Even though there weren't any with rainbow colors, I did pick the right picture!

Here she is singing a song to us about mothers. Her favorite part of the song says, "...and we never let them rest!"

The kids played a game where they had to guess our answers... When asked what I would like most for Mother's Day, she answered, "A new telephone." She is actually pretty close! My cell phone battery keeps popping off because it has been dropped so many times! Good job, Ash!

She thought my favorite restaurant was Serrano's... it is actually HER favorite place! :)

... and my favorite color? rainbow.... :) Actually her favorite, but I DO love rainbows!

I am so PROUD to be Ashley's mom! I am so lucky!!!!!!

My Cousin's Wedding in CA

So after Disneyland, we headed to my cousin's wedding. These were the only 2 pictures I got! Erin looked absolutely amazing!! Scott is a lucky man! When did our little "Scooter" turn into a man who is old enough to be MARRIED?! But seriously... Congratulations Scott and Erin. Welcome to our crazy family!

The reception was outdoors and it was a perfect location. They had lots of things for the kids to do: a lake with fish, a waterfall and little bridge (AND NO ONE FELL IN EITHER!), a hammock, a trampoline, a skateboard ramp (which Kody went down on his butt in his brand new pants!), and just tons of grass for running and playing. This house was beautiful. We are so thankful that it was such a great spot for all of our kids!

Kody and Caden had a blast playing with my cousin's boys. It was great to have some buddies to chase!

The food was great! They had PB&J for the kids, but Makenna REALLY liked the steak better! They had grapes on the centerpieces, which Caden mostly ate for dinner. I am not sure if they were meant to be eaten, but most of the kids enjoyed them!

Makenna and Grandpa...





Ashley looking sweet... she mostly just followed my aunt around! She was like a little puppy at times, always right on my aunt's heels or in her lap. She LOVES Aunt Susie!!

Disneyland May 2008

After a yucky drive over to CA, we made it to Disneyland for 1 day.

We were so glad to have jackets! Now, most of you would not think it was cold at 69 degrees, but we Zonies were COLD!
The kids enjoyed watching the Jedi Training show but they were very disappointed because they weren't picked to train during the first show... so... yes, I sent Kevin and the kids away to ride the cars while Makenna and I held a front row spot for the next show. When the next show began, I hoped and hoped and prayed and begged in my head that they would be chosen (they were so sad last time). I was so relieved when they were chosen! The looks on their faces made my day!!!

Kody listening very carefully and taking it very seriously! "DO you think they will tell us more about the Council?" he asked me before the training. I love how he thought is was real even though he had just seen the EXACT same show 30 minutes prior!

Ashley, waving to Mommy! She was so proud of her Jedi clothes.

Is this real?... how does it turn on?

Using her new Jedi skills to fight VADER! When she first saw him, she had the hugest smile -- a teeny bit apprehensive, but still cute!

Kody, being very serious again. This is like every kid's dream!

Using the 'duck' move they just learned.

Waiting for Kody and Daddy at Thunder Mnt... Caden LOVED watching all the trains. he told me today he was sad we didn't ride the big train that goes around Disneyland. Poor guy...





Makenna mostly just went along for the ride. She did like the Pooh ride. Ashley had us go on it 3 times in a row.

Kody picking up Disneyland chicks... "want a ride, Babe?"

Done for the day... daddy went on Splash Mountain and was totally soaked... we were all cold and tired and ready to head home.... after all... we had a wedding to go to the next day...