Friendship

My brother Matt and I were best friends growing up, we did everything together. Dad had us out chasing cows and doing everything with him so we learned to have fun with each other. Somewhere along the way, however, our friendship became distant, we lived in the same house but weren't very connected in each other's lives. I am so so glad that it didn't last forever and so happy to say that we have a great friendship that continues to grow. I am so glad for the strong influence that Matt has in our daughter's life and for the active role that he plays in it. These are a few pictures of Matt and I growing up. I have been helping him feed in the mornings and have looked forwar to our morning discussions. Matt doesn't love his picture taken but I was able to snap a few. Thanks Matt for the great friend that you are to Darren and I, and for the outstanding example you are to Kennedy.

A Growing Girl

I can't believe how fast time goes by and the moments seem to slip away right before my eyes. Kennedy started girl's activity when she turned 8 and since then it seems she is maturing and learning so fast. This week she made a "job jar" for their activity and she is so excited to do the chores in it. She drew a paper out of the jar and it said she had to clean the toilet, she was so excited; I am learning that responsibility and self-esteem work together. Kennedy also ironed pillowcases for 1/2 an hour (thank you job jar) and had to polish the furniture. I am so proud of her for the things she is learning and her willingness to learn. Kennedy is also turning into such a girl; it's not something I have a lot of experience in but we are learning that together as well. We put curlers in at least 2 days a week and other updos the rest, she also plans out her clothes for every day of school and wanted to go get mannequins to dress so she could just see how the clothes looked together. As much as she likes to get dressed up, she also likes to ride her horse and play in the mud, so I guess everything will balance out. Here are a few pictures of the activities for this week. Kennedy and her best friend Savannha also love to play dress up and make-up dances and perform shows, what great fun! I am so lucky that Kennedy has a friend that lives right next door and that she gets along so well with.

Basketball and More wedding stuff

Kennedy started little league basketball on Saturday, they are split up by grades for a few years to learn skill and then they will start playing games. I have to admit I was not excited that Kennedy wanted to basketball-I'm all about the volleyball; I have to say I was plesently surprised. Crystalyn Hull is their coach and she does a great job. It was fun to see her play and we can't wait for next Saturday. Saturday night we headed down to Kaysville for Nate and Katrina's wedding reception. It was at the Oakridge Country Club and we had a great time. The food was fabulous the company was even better.

Letters to Jeramy

We are so comfortable and safe in our little town of Woodruff that sometimes I think we forget that there are brave men and women fighting for our freedoms. I think it's a shame that The Pledge of Allegiance isn't said every day in schools and kids don't know the National Anthem; I want my daughter to realize the sacrifice that is being made for her. Fred and Raoma Tingey have a grandson, Jeramy Bills, who is serving as a medic on the front lines in Afghanistan. Jeramy's address was in our church bulletin so we decided to make him some cookies and write him a letter to let him know we appreciate him. We started writing to him in September and have continued to send him treats and letters. Jeramy has written back to Kennedy and it has been so neat to see her gain an interest and a little knowledge of what it takes for our freedoms. I have met Jeramy's moms on facebook and learned about him and some of the struggles they are facing over there, I also have gained a greater appreciation for the military and their families; it is such a sacrifice and one that is easy to forget unless we are directly affected. We learned that Jeramy does not get a lot of mail and has a hard time being away; we talked to Kennedy's teacher and thought it would be a neat thing for the 2nd grade class to write letters. I love the way kids are so excited and willing to do things. They each wrote a letter to Jeramy and hopefully learned a little in the process. This is a picture of Kennedy's 2nd grade class and their effort in making one soldier know he is appreciated and not forgotten.

More Wedding

Nate and Kate's Wedding

Today was such a fun day...Katrina and Nathan were married in the Salt Lake Temple, it was a beautiful day for a wedding. They were many friends and family there to celebrate. I LOVE my cousins, they are so much fun and it we don't get to see each other very often. They drive long distances to be supportive of our family. Amy and Kennedy were twinners today, very good taste in coats. The wedding dinner was at Rodizio Grill where there was lots of meat to eat for all. Katrina looked happier today than I have ever seen her. I have an awesome family and awesome extended family and we are so lucky to be able to keep adding people to it.

New Beginings

The starting of a new year is a great opportunity to set some new goals. One of my goals for this year is to blog each week so that at the end of the year I have some history into the life of our little family. My sister-in-law, Brynn, has been very faithful of this and has had the years made into books. I think it is the neatest things, so I am determined to update on Sunday nights. I have said it out loud, so that should make it easier to do. I am going to post a few pictures that are from the past couple of months, because some pretty monumental things have happened and want to remember them always. Thanks Brynn for being my inspiration in this new journey for me. Here I go, my first post of 2011!