More Beach Fun

Cooper's fave part:  swimming in the pool

Jaxton: the beach.  I've Never seen the real ocean before. Building sand castles and rivers.  Crocodile place. Board games at the house.

Kaylee:  sand at the beach, the water at the beach.  I liked to dry myself and relax and eat a snack at the beach (aka Lay out).

Moms favorite part:  getting in the waves with Jaxton and swimming in the pool with the kids.  I felt like a kid again.  

Dads fave part: getting away from work and growing out his beard.  Also spending lots of family time.

Little Swimmers

There was a pool in the backyard that the kids were dying to use!  It had to be heated, so once it was finally heated, the kids had a blast!  Confidence is the key ingredient to learning to swim, and having a pool like that, all to ourselves, helped build the confidence of everyone. Cooper worked on his confidence the most.  He kept pushing himself to swim farther, try harder, go farther, and he amazed me with what he was able to accomplish by the end of our last day.  He started the trip trying to reach for pool toys in the shallow end without dunking under, and he ended the week swimming superman style across the pool longways, taking 1 or 2 breaths along that course across, but not stopping.  But he kept at it.  He kep wanting to do better, and his drive brought him accomplishment.  Way to go Cooer!!

Kaylee also got a confidence boost when she realized she could float around the pool in her floaty without holding on to anyone.  That was exciting for her.  Dawson had no desire to get cold and wet in the pool, and Jaxton just was there to have fun in the water.  Fun fun times 😄

Fudpuckers

Fudpuckers was a fun restaurant that had its own pond in the center that held many many alligators.  They called it Gator Beach.  The kids loved seeing all those alligators.  There were even sea turtles like Harry, Coopers class turtle.  A trainer did a demonstration with a real alligator.  It's mouth, it's most dangerous weapon, was clamped shut.  He had a volunteer hold the alligator.  Crazy!!! The Gator Beach had obstacle courses and things to climb for the kids.  And at the restaurant we all tried tasting alligator tail.  It was chewy and reminded me of steak, not too bad!!  A fun time!!

First Trip to the Ocean

The first full day of our vacation to Florida was wonderful.  We spent some time on the white sandy beach.  The big 3 kids loved the waves.  The boys were far out trying to swim with the waves as they came rolling in, something I remember doing as a kid on those California beaches.  I helped Kaylee jump over the waves as they came up the shore.  She loved that.  I remember my dad doing that with me and my sisters long ago, and he even dislocated my sisters arm as he pulled her up n the air to jump the waves.  Funny memories.  I hope my kids are enjoying these days and the memories for them will be with them forever.  We buried each other's feet in the sand, relaxed on our towels to warm up in the sun, and ate snacks together.  Fun afternoon!!

Nate stayed at our vacation home rental with the little boys.  Dawson wasn't feeling well and Baby Nathan was sleeping.  Our rental home was perfect for our family size, giving us enough space to enjoy each other.  The kids have a room with 2 sets of bunks so all 4 kids slept in there together.  There's a small pool in the backyard.  Fun stay!!

Last Minute Family Vacation

We have been surrounded by people everywhere planning their Florida spring break vacations.  Both Nate and I were getting a little jealous.  So last minute Nate started looking into places to go for Spring Break.  The only places warm are as far as Florida, but driving as far south would be almost unbearable.  So Nate found the very closest beaches that we could possibly drive to, and that was in Destin, Florida, directly south of Fort Wayne on the both western side of Florida on the Gulf coast.  Destin, FL, never heard of it before.  We found a really nice vacation rental home that would accommodate our large family and we took the chances driving down.  Driving for $100 gas 1 way definitely beats an airline ticket price!

The car ride was alright.  We all made it sane.  We left home at 3:30 am and drove all day arriving at 6:00pm.

  

Harry

Cooper got to bring Harry, his class pet turtle home for Spring Break.  We know nothing about turtles, so Cooper was teaching us all about Harry and the things he needs.  He's pretty low maintenance.  He just needs fed everyday and his water changed every 4 days or so. The first time we changed his water we let him hang out on the floor on a towel.  He's fast!!! The kids all have enjoyed watching him.  We saw some sea turtles just like him hanging out with the alligators at Fedmuckers Gator Beach in Florida.  I'm glad we could get to know Harry a little!

Little Picassos

My little ones absolutely love to paint!!! So we changed things up and let them paint on the walls!  With paper of course! We taped big butcher paper to the wall and lots of paint and they both were in heaven creating their masterpieces!  Love you so much kiddos!!

Cooper: Science Fair

Cooper did a project too.  It was optional for first graders but he thought it might be fun.  His project was a whole lot harder.  We tried 2 other experiments that failed before we finally chose a good one.  First he tried growing green bean seeds by watering them with different liquids.  But the seeds never grew.  Then he thought it would be interesting to see what would happen to good if left in different liquids. So we put broccoli in 4 different jars filled with orange juice in one, water, 7up, and milk.  Cooper took notes every day, but then they all just got moldy. So we threw that one out and decided to do something with Coopers favorite thing: candy!  He decided he wanted to see which color M&M melted the slowest.  He picked blue, orange, and red.  He thought they would all melt at the same time.  He chose to melt them in the oven at 356 degrees😄.  And he discovered that................blue M&Ms were the slowest to melt! Who would have thought?  Cooper worked very hard on his project.  When he thought he was done, there was more to do.  He even suggested that since it wasn't required for first graders, he might as well just stop and save the project for next year, and then it would be already almost done for the second grade science fair.  But he did it, and he also was very proud.  I enjoyed the one-on-one I got to spend with him, and teaching him how to create a graph and why.  Those are fun moments learning together.  Great job Cooper!!

Jaxton: Science Fair

We did the science fair this year for the first time.  It was seriously a lot of work!  Jaxton picked a topic about freezing liquids.  He knew that things expand in the freezer, so he wanted to find out which kinds of liquids expand more.  He chose to use milk, water, 7up, orange juice, sugar water and salt water.  He out each liquid in a glass jar at 8 ounces.  24 hours later he checked on his liquids.  He did some before and after observations.  He found that the soda expanded the most-2 more ounces.  We did some research together on what happens as liquids freeze and what happens to the atoms and molecules.  We took it to basic chemistry and talked about how water is made of H2O and carbonation in soda is made of CO2.  Seeing the oxygen in both of these, he made some conclusions based on the idea that oxygen maybe makes things expand...?  It was a fun project for him.  And I really enjoyed the one-on-one time I got to spend with him.  I love to teach my kids new things.  I got to teach him how to create a graph and how to plot his results.  Once he grasped the idea, he took it did the entire thing.  He actually enjoyed it so much that he didn't want to stop working on his project for 2 days straight.  He wouldn't quit!  He really was motivated to learn and study and create his board.  I was very impressed with his responsibility of the project.  And oh my was he proud.  He was so confident in his work.  At the science fair he had to stand by his board and tell people all about it and answer their questions.  Great work Jaxton!

Playing Dress-Up

Playing dress-up never gets old.  Kaylee found this random Old English looking dress with matching hat in our costume bins.  She looked like she came straight out of England in the early 1900s.  Jaxtons friend Erickson came over to play today and the boys had a ball transforming themselves into wild ninjas and "fighting" each other.  It was pretty funny to watch them.  They were having so much fun!

Cub Scouts Blue & Gold

Jaxtons Cub Scouts had their annual Blue & Gold Banquet with a Despicable Me theme.  It was a lot of fun.  They introduced the new BSA scouts program beginning in June.  They had a cake decorating contest and Despicable Me themed games afterward.  I have really enjoyed being a scout leader.  It's been fun getting to know all the boys and help them to learn skills and earn achievements.  Of course I enjoy that I'm with my boys too.  Cooper participates as if he's a scout too, and he loves it.  They are a great group of boys, and great leaders to work with.  

Upward Basketball

Cooper is on an Upward Basketball Team this season and Nate is coaching.  It's been a lot of fun for them both.  They have a great team of first and second grade boys.  Nate has a lot of skills in the game and he is enjoying being able to teach his skills to kids.  It's a lot of fun watching him out on the court too, calling out simple plays and giving the kids instruction.  Cooper is the happiest kid on the court, as well as the smallest.  He is excellent at guarding and defense.  He doesn't take his eyes off his man or the ball.  He's learned how to do both at the same time.  He loves the game and he has passion.  He's never slowing down, but running back and forth in the game.  It is so much fun to watch him play.  

We have been very impressed with the Upward program.  It is a Christian based program revolving around Jesus Christ.  The coaches give a devotional  to their team each practice night about Christ, and it gives Nate an opportunity to share his testimony and stories from the scriptures.  The players also earn stars based on Christian values pertaining to their attitude and behavior at practice and games.  At half time on Saturday games there is a casual speaker who shares their testimony of Jesus Christ and how their testimonies have been strengthened through life experiences.  They all have been inspiring.  We have thoughourly enjoyed this basketball season!! Great job to Cooper & Nate!!

A 3rd Set of Grandparents

What kids wouldn't like to have not just 2 sets of grandparents, but THREE!! These kids are so lucky to have Andrea & Dennis a part of their lives.  They have become our adopted grandparents.  Andy spends time with the Littles almost everyday while I work for Simplx.  And they adore her.  The days she doesn't come, they ask for her.  And Dawson loves Dennis to pieces.  Whenever he sees a tie, he thinks of Dennis, since Dennis is always wearing one.  And since Dennis a big kid himself, the older kids love to rough house with him, wrestle, sled outside and play.  Andrea has become such a good friend for me and we both know that our paths have crossed for a reason.  I'm so grateful for her.  Her kids are grown now, but her family resembled ours so much.   Only now she has "been there & done that."  Now she's my mentor and teaches me every day.  I learn so much from her and I look up to her.  Thank you for being there for us, Andrea.  We love you. 

One Way to Potty Train...

One way to potty train in this house is to put the little princess in charge.  Dawson won't sit and try for me, but he will listen to her!  Kaylee sits with her little brother and sings potty songs to him.  It was too cute to not snap a picture.  He didn't do anything in the potty, but at least she got him to try.  She's like a little mother for her two little brothers.  Cute kids!

Kaylee is Reading

Kaylee is reading!  It is one of my most favorite things to do with my kids, teach them to read.  She is ready, focused, and catching on fast.  It is so exciting!! We use the famous book: Teach Your Child To Read," and it works magic with every child!  She will be going to Oak Farm next school year for PreK and is very excited for that!!

We Love Daddy

Daddy is being smothered!  They were all watching a cartoon on our big bed and I couldn't help but add Baby Nathan to the pile and snap a photo.  These days when our kids are young will pass all to quickly.  I love Nate and every last one of our crew. 

Sweet Kaylee

Yesterday, Kaylee and I got to spend some time together since she had a friend's birthday party to go to.  We had about a 25 minute drive to get there, and during our drive she just started asking me questions, the sweetest questions.  She asked where Jesus was and why he didn't come down.  She knew that he and Heavenly Fatger wanted to help her, but was confused as to how, since they couldn't come down.  I tried to explain that He helps our feelings.  When we pray, He can help us feel better inside, or feel happy.  She mentioned that Jesus couldn't come down, and even if he could he couldn't help everyone at the same time.  Wow!  So I explained who the Holy Ghost is, that he is Heavenly Father and Jesus' helper.  That he can be in lots of places at once and help a lot of people at the same time.  I also explained that sometimes if we need something, Jesus hands can't come down to help, but sometimes He will use another persons hands, to act like Jesus hands, to help us.  We talked about daddy's hands when Daddy gives a blessing on someone's head, that Jesus is using Daddy's hands to bless, since Jesus can't be here to do that.  It was so very sweet.  About 3 or 4 times as she let our conversation set in her mind, she spoke up, saying, "Mom can you talk more about Jesus?"  She wanted to keep learning and hearing about her Savior.  I felt the spirit so strongly in the car, and there is no doubt that she felt something strongly too.  And she didn't want those good feelings to go away.  She wanted more and more.  And as I spoke at a four year old level, I felt inspired how to answer those sweet questions.  The ideas on how to teach her came to my mind.  I love my girl dearly.  I cherish sweet moments like these.

Brian Regan Live

For Valentines Day, Nate got us tickets to see Brian Regan live in Wabash at the Honeywell Center.  We went with the Coudrons and the Keplingers kept our kids for us, all 5 of them!!  So it was a true date night!

Downtown Wabash was super crowded and most restaurants had a very long wait.    We ended up at a small Mexican restaurant that was crowded to the max but had just 2 very busy waitresses trying to run the whole place.  We felt bad for our waitress who was running a million directions at once.  We only had time to scarf down chips and salsa, quest, and bean dip before our show was to start.

The show was awesome.  Brian Regan is just so fun.  He makes the simple occurrances in life seem so hilarious and funny.  Towards the end he started doing some of his classic jokes that we remember from when we were at BYU.  It was real funny to watch him do these live in person since in college we only ever listened to his CDs.  

Afterwards we got some desserts and drove back to our kiddos.  What a fun night out with my love.  I'm so grateful for our date nights, which are so necessary in our crazy hectic and stressful lives.  Thank you so much, Hun 😍.

The season for love

Valentines Day is always a fun holiday season.  The kids got a package from Grandma in Utah full of hearts, goodies, and gifts.  Opening Grandmas packages is like Christmas every time!  It is so much fun for everyone!!

Kaylee made some tissue paper roses with Andrea and made a vase by stamping hearts.  She was so thrilled to give it to me when I came upstairs after work.  I love my girl!!  

The kids made Valentine cookies with Andrea with cookie cutters and frosting!  Yummmmm!

Our Family Tree

Jaxton studied our family tree at school. He gathered names and birthdates in relation to himself. He created a tree out of magazine rippings, and placed each name strategicly on the tree. This is very special for him to learn. Recently when getting on family search.org, I began searching around on the website for individuals within my family tree. The famous orphan on my dad's line has always intrigued me and sparked my curiosity as to how we could find that lost name. Apparently in family search.org many names have been recorded by others.  I was actually able to do a search with dates to determine the father of the orphan.  A little more research is required to finalize that we have the correct name,  however it was pretty amazing to see the names and the dates match perfectly with the story that has been told by word of mouth and passed down through the generations.  I sure hope that if I can find some free time sometime in the near future I can search with my kids and together we can seek out our family line! It is a very exciting work!