Little Dare Devil

Valerie took awhile to get brave enough to go down the stairs, but now that she has over come that fear it seems as though she has over come a fear of heights altogether, and is becoming a Little Dare Devil.


I have started finding her on the kitchen table, on the top bunk of the boys bunk beds, and when we go to the park she climbs until she is at the highest point on the playground equipment. Then a few days ago she was in the backyard with the other kids and I watched her climb up the slide and go down it without any hesitation.


The only thing that gives me hope that we will not be making trips to the ER is the fact that she does not climb down from the bunk beds yet. She just calls me to come and get her, but I have a feeling it won't be long before she tries.

Melanie

On Emily's first birthday, we packed up our things and headed to San Diego to begin a new phase of our life called Law School. We did not know anyone in San Diego and were both excited and nervous about our move.

Our first Sunday there, we went to church and were introduced to The Black Family. They had just moved to San Diego too and had a little girl named Melanie. Melanie was only one week older than Emily and as soon as the girls met they were instant friends. I was surprised how quickly and easily these two took to each other.

It was not just me thinking they were getting along either. They truly where kindred spirits. A few weeks after we moved there we were sitting in Sacrament meeting when Emily spotted Melanie across the chapel. She was so excited she started yelling her name, (at least her word for her name.) Then Melanie stood up and yelled back to her. From then on if we did not sit close to the Blacks, we at least had to make sure they saw each other before the meeting started.

For the next five years Melanie and Emily were inseparable. They loved each other and had so much fun together. They went to different schools, but that didn't matter. If you asked Emily who her friends were Melanie was always at the top of the list.

After Kindergarten our family's had to go their separate ways. Melonie's dad got a job with the foreign service and they were off to see the world. Ryan had found a new job in Utah so we were also moving. Luckily for the girls Melanie's grandparents live in the two places we venture in the summer, Utah and Oregon. So about once a year these two friends get together. This year they came just after school started.

It is so fun to see how much the girls have grown, and how much they are still alike. I am grateful for Melanie. It was so great for Emily to have such a good friend at such a young age.

Temple Quarry

It is Tuesday again, so that means another hike with our friends. We went to the Temple Quarry today, which is more like a short walk than a hike,

but tons of fun for the kids. They loved climbing around on the rocks.

The leaves have started to change colors now. I am excited to see how the canyon looks next week.

Pony At The Park

There is a sister in my ward who owns a few horses and a pony. A few times every Spring and Fall she brings her pony and cart to our play group at the park and gives rides to any child who wants one. Her Pony's name is Cocoa.

Sister Madsen-Clayton is always so cute with the kids and she always makes sure that every child gets a ride. It is so fun to watch as little children who are not part of our play group longingly look at the pony and wish for a ride, and the excitement when they are told the rides are for everyone. I am so grateful for the kindness and willingness of Sister Clayton to give my kids this special treat.

Josh loves the pony rides.

This was Valerie's first time. She was not sure at first, but by the time they had made the loop, she was pointing and chatting at Cocoa.

What a fun day at the park.

Getting Bigger

As soon as Emily and Joe started school Josh began asking if it was time for him to start school again too. Everyday before he got dressed he would ask if it was a school day for him.

Today was the big day. The first day of

4 year Old Preschool!

I did not realize just how much Josh had grown up over the past year.

This first day was very different from the one last year. On the first day his teachers ask a parent to stay for the first half hour of class so they can talk to us about what to expect during the year. Last year Josh clung to my leg and was very shy. This year he wanted to give his teachers his paper he found his hook and hung is bag up and he went right out and started playing with the other kids.

When his teachers were done talking to the parents they called the kids in for singing time. They had us sing two songs together and then it was time for the moms and dads to leave. Last year Josh bravely sat, and nervously watched me leave, but this year, as soon as Mrs Val told the parents it was time to go, Josh turned, waved goodbye, and then went and sat with his friend, and didn't give me a second look.

I then realized that somewhere in the last year Josh grew up a little more, and is becoming more and more his own person.

I am so excited for him to be starting school again, and I hope he has a great year learning new things.

Snowbird

Tuesday we went with a mom and tot group from our ward and walked the Snowbird Barrier Free Trail.

It was only 1/2 mile long and not much of an incline, which was perfect for me because I had two little boys that did not want to hike,

until we started hiking. Then they had fun finding sticks and climbing on rocks.

Silver Lake

It is sad to me that we have lived here for almost five years and this is the first Summer I have really taken advantage of the things just outside my backdoor.




Last week my friend Shelby and I took our younger kids on a walk around Silver lake. The weather was perfect and the kids loved the change of scenery.



While I have missed these opportunities in the passed, I am loving them now and am going to take advantage of how blessed we are. I hear it is just as beautiful in the Fall.

If you have any suggestions of hikes we should go on, let me know, and if you would like to join us we would love that too.