First Adventure with Sailboat - August 27, 2011

We were very excited about our first adventure with our new Catalina 22 Sailboat, which we are still deliberating on the name... In fact, Daddy got up on a Saturday around 5:00 a.m. to go fetch the boat from storage. The first place that we traveled to was not an ideal place to launch a sailboat and it broke many rules such as there was a power line over the boat ramp; the ramp was very narrow; there was no dock next to the ramp, and the waters looked too marshy. We drove 30 minutes to Lake Harris and spent an hour setting up the mast and backing the boat into the lake! It was then that Daddy decided the post-hurricane winds were a little too strong for our first outing on the boat! We stayed and had a picnic before taking down the mast and returning home! The kids were slightly disappointed, until they were promised ice cream cones. It was good practice setting up the boat, and we are excited to have another adventure soon with the boat, but maybe in the water this time!

Belt Promotion Day - August 26, 2011

Kyle, Krisee, and Kamren participated in their first belt promotion all together. Kyle has been to two prior belt promotions before Kamren and Krisee joined karate, but now the three of them were able to attend together. Kyle earned his fourth belt, his camo belt, while Krisee and Kamren earned their second belt - their orange belt. They were so cute punching and yelling and kicking and board breaking and .... Now, Kyle will be in a different class in karate with the higher belts!

The First Day of School - August 22, 2011

Kyle, Krisee, and Kamren were very excited for their first day of the 2011-12 school year! Kyle started fourth grade. Krisee started 2nd grade, and Kamren had his first full-day of school, entering kindergarten! He was much more enthusiastic about his first day of school than his mom and dad who stood waving sadly goodbye at the door! Where does the time go? And Karter? He had a hard day at home adjusting to being the only child for six hours a day!

The Kids' Artwork from the 2010-11 School Year

Since it is impossible to possibly save every art project that comes home, we have a tradition of hanging all of the kids' artwork on their bedroom doors throughout the school year, so that by the end of the year, their doors are completely covered by their masterpieces. We then take a picture of them, so we can remember the projects they poured their sweat and love into. In August, before the new year starts, we take the artwork down and get ready for the new school year to start! Some of the artwork is selected to go in their binders. The rest we say goodbye to, which is always hard! We are glad we have our pictures!

Kyle's Tenth Birthday

Where does the time go? On August 3rd, Kyle turned double-digits! It seemed like yesterday he was a baby! We celebrated with six friends, playing lazer tag! Mom has never experienced such a loud car ride to the lazer tag place and was glad to reach the destination! We returned back to the house, where we opened presents and ate icecream cake! Later, we watched a slideshow of Kyle's previous year with just the family! What a fun day!

Utah Trip - June 25th - July 12th, 2011

There is no place like home! We went to Utah from June 25th - July 12th without Daddy (who had to work) to visit the Loveless Family! We had many adventures during the trip, including Karter's 2nd birthday, a trip to the zoo, Fourth of July parade and fireworks, two trips to urgent care, a campfire, an extended family get together, and canoeing in mantua, to name a few! Krisee burned her hand badly on the monkey bars at the park and had to have her hand wrapped, which sent us to the doctor's, not once but twice to assure the healing was going well! The kids had a blast on their one-on-one dates with Grandma. Krisee chose to get her finger and toenails painted, while Kyle chose to challenge Grandma at bowling. Kamren wanted to see the dinosaurs at the dinosaur park with Grandma! All had a wonderful time! We enjoyed going to see "Cars 2" with grandpa and Michelle, and enjoyed a cookout in the canyon and eating out at Beijing's Buffet! We spent lots of hours in Bryan and Joni's backyard during the trip! We had a wonderful time!