E L E V E N

Mckinley Reese- HOW ARE YOU 11?!? Another year that just zipped by. You are all things preteen. You love to cook, bake, frost, whip, crack, chop, toast. For your birthday, we got you a cake decorating class  (it's in Nov) and I am sure you are going to LOVE it. You love to draw, color and paint. You have become quite the artist and really amaze us with your comics and stories about far off lands, strange animals and everyday life situations. You love being with your little lady posse. You love squishees and have decided that maybe, just maybe dolls aren't as scary as you once thought. You have decided that sleeping in is now glorious and that Fuller House (Full House sequel) is the best show on TV.

I love that you are confident and strong willed (sometimes I love that). I love that you like what you like and aren't afraid to be yourself. You have found your feet with Math and watching you find success makes my heart happy. You have found a love of shopping and bargain hunting.

It's your last primary program year. Last year for a birthday sign. Lots of lasts that make me sad but SO many firsts that we can't wait for. We love you more than Pickle, more than 10 AM wake up calls, Hershey's, Kimmy Gibler and more than 25 minute showers. WE LOVE YOU!

Another birthday dinner at Thai Land. 

*GUTS*

Since Mc discovered graphic novels, she has been hooked. It changed the way she read. It changed the way she drew. Raina Telgemeier has ALWAYS been a favorite. Mc has all her books. She reads them over and over. Raina also illustrates for other books- we have those too (Babysitter's Club). When I heard she was coming to town around Mc's birthday, a plan ensued. I invited Bree and Brynlee and we made our way to Provo Library. Of course Mc was less than thrilled when we pulled in, ("We are going to the library!?!") but was SO excited once I broke the surprise. We got in line 2 hours early and got FRONT ROW seats. It was SUCH a fun night! Shannon Hale and LeuYen Pham were also there- local graphic novelist and illustrator. They talked about the creative process, where their ideas come from, took questions from the audience and then did portraits of each other while we watched. Mc got a signed, early release copy of Raina's new book and was enthralled with the entire evening.

It was fun to take Mc to see someone she admires so much. I hope that she will always follow what she loves and maybe, someday, I will be there in the audience watching her do the same thing.

Mc finished her book before the evening even started. 

I saw Raina sitting there in her cute Chucks- she reminded me a lot of Mc. 

Rainia's impromptu drawing of Shannon. 

Meet & Greet

Devils & Tiger Sharks

Another successful soccer season in the books! Kingston really excelled this year! He's in an older division this year where they play on the full sized field, have goalies and referees. He really had a strong little team. Cash played on his team and some of his neighbor friends he has played with since we started (Mason Richman, Kyle, Addison Willard, Samantha Huntsman). He hustled this season and scored goals almost every game. He thrives as a Forward and we had so much fun watching him.

We weren't so sure that Enzo would like soccer. I remember putting Kingston in this young and he would just whine, then say his feet would hurt and complain until he got a snack. Enzo was a completely different kid! He scored in his first game- he tasted victory and from then on was all in. 

One of the best soccer Saturdays- Kingston scored 2 goals and Enzo scored 3!!

Hulk fan club. 

Devils. 

Derby Days

Kingston may well be one of the last group of Boy Scouts doing the Pinewood Derby. In January 2020, the scouting program is fading away (yay!). Our ward planned the last derby and Kingston, haing just turned 8 was in the running. Mark and Kingston picked a Hot Wheel that Kingston wanted to pattern his car after and a sweet older gentleman in our ward helped them cut the design. Kingston did all the sanding and helped Mark paint and decorate. The whole night was SO well attended and set up. They hired a company to set up, run, time the races and it worked out well. He won a few heats put ultimately took 10th place overall.

bAck 2 ScHoOL

Back to school 2019- Mckinley is going into 5th grade with Mrs Morrill. Kingston, 3rd grade with Mrs Childs and Enzo a big kindergartener with Mrs Vadebancoeuer (Mrs "V" is just fine). We had our back to school dinner with our theme:

BE THE GOOD

SEE THE GOOD

Mckinley came into 5th grade scared to death of the math that awaited her. It has been such a blessing that her teacher stays after every day until 4:05 to help with unfinished math and answer questions. After one week, I got an email from her teacher saying that she had improved! Mc has also said, "I love adding and subtracting fractions!" (who is this kid?). I have told her how much I loved 5th grade. I had Ms Tierney. I was also in the portables. I also got the privilege of staying with her at her apt. when mom and dad went on a cruise. It was a great year and I KNOW it will be the same for Mc. She has her best friends in her class (Emma, Azia) and is now super aware of her clothes, her hair and what's cool. 

Kingston lucked out and ended up in a class full of his friends and also CASH- how lucky to have your cousin in your class. He has already had to have an email home about talking too much during class. He said, "mom, it's hard not to talk when everyone is my friend". Kingston makes friends easily, is a good example and includes everyone. He thrives in science and math and let's hope this is the year he manages to have more legible handwriting. 

Mc and Azia. 

Porter Moeller and Kingston

On the last day of summer before Enzo started (he started a week after the other kids), he chose to "chillax" in Mimi's pool. We had lunch, sat in the pool and just hung out.  He was SO ready to start Kindergarten. He chose a shark eating a watermelon shirt and waved good bye like he was made for school. 

Afternoon kindergarten is a lot like preschool- except every day. It is nice having a few hours every day to work and sending the kids off early on Wednesday for choir. The kids have excellent teachers and it will be awesome to see how this year goes.

Party Presidency

We had always planned to go to Park City to celebrate our one year as a Primary Presidency. Sadly, right before we had solidified a date, Candace (our faithful secretary) was snatched to head the YW. It seemed like perfect timing to go with our new Secretary, Allie and to have one weekend before school started. We found an adorable Air BnB, had Shabu Shabu, Rocky Mt Chocolate Factory apples, stayed up passed midnight, Eating Establishment for breakfast and outlet shopping. It was a perfect weekend.

I sure love these ladies. It almost seems like I can make it one more day with them in my corner. There have been many times I could just throw in the towel but these ladies kept me going. I once again remember praying for "lasting relationships" with women in my new ward- and then these ladies came along. They all bring something I can't live without and I am truly blessed to call them sisters and friends.

Allie McFarland, Kristie Lucking, Lisa Michaelis, me, Candace Belcher, Kathie Gwilliam

S U M M E R 2019

Summer 2019 came and went just as it always does- June: the month where we are excited for no schedule, lazy days, late nights and friends. July: swimming lessons, more late nights, fireworks and friends. August: laziness sets in, panic about back to school schedules, attempting earlier bedtimes, annoyance at 100%, kid crazy full speed ahead.

Getting sick set it back a bit but I was thankful I had scheduled a few things in advance for the kids. Kingston had a basketball camp that a boy in our ward put on for 8-9 year olds, swimming lessons with Mrs Kim, an art class for Mc, lots of swimming at Mom's and Thanksgiving Point. We ate lots of ice cream, watched lots of movies, did the slip and slide, rode bikes, went to Maverick, slept in, bought a new car, made Perler beads and BBQ'ed.

Due to the plague, I had to push Kingston's friend party into July. I begged and pleaded for him to just take the money but he wanted a party. He picked Classic Fun Center- let me remind everyone that this place STILL looks and smells just like it did when I went there in 1992. We invited 9 friends and scooter, laser tagged and bounced to their hearts content. He really does have a good group of little friends. He got lots of presents, they downed loads of pizza and Root beer and reminded me yet again, how much I "love" birthday parties (not).

Left to right: Cash, Mason Richman, Hudson Alexander, Greyson Burnett, Emmitt Mero, King Man, Trevin. Not pictured- Porter Moeller (who was looking for his scooter) and Cole Blackhurst.  

A lemonade stand always starts with Noah Bigler. On this day the Riverton Police Dept stopped by for a drink too (they happened to be in the area) and had newly started patrolling as Riverton PD. 

Mc attended her last year of Jeremiah Johnson activity day camp. I can't believe that next year she goes to Girls' Camp. She says she "hates camping" but I can almost guarantee that camp will be right up her alley.

Mc back row center in the hat. 

Speaking of camping, Mc got the pleasure of going to Flaming Gorge with the Lawrences and Thomases this year! Mimi had asked her if she wanted to and it was a good thing too or Brynlee would have had no one to play with. She camped, pooped in the trailer (not her favorite thing), fished AND ate the fish she caught, and had a blast. She was gone Wednesday-Saturday and we sure missed her. 

 We went to the Chalk Art Festival downtown- we went a little earlier this year and a lot of the pieces weren't finish and there was also a Beer Festival which had the fountains closed off. We did get free Hostess Cupcakes for Hostess's birthday.

Cowabunga Bay was the hit this year. Alex had taken the kids YEARS ago (when they were both still little) and I am pretty sure Kingston cried the whole time. This was the year we ventured back. I had bought passes in May when they couldn't open over Memorial Day and I got 40% off. Jessica Mero had passes so we waited for a day they were going and joined them. We were there for FIVE hours- the kids were fried and tired but loved it. Jessica asked a few weeks later if K could go again so I sent him. They didn't scan his ticket so, he got to go one more time with them. He braved all the slides and really enjoyed himself. 

Enzo and Carter

Mc and Lolo (Thank heaven she had a pass and could go with us)

K and Emmitt

 We always love Lego day at the Library. They got to build cars and race them. The Mero's just happened to be there the day we went too.

We spend LOADS of time at Mimi and Papa's swimming. I am extra grateful that they put up a pool every year so that we have a free, secluded, air conditioned place to swim and play. The kids love it. I also appreciate that we can go in the evening and swim until it's dark.

"Look Mom! I am a demogorgon!"

 The Days of 47 float preview is always a fun summer venture. Dad didn't get to come with us this year because he was working on the flip house. It was a little more crowded than I had anticipated but the air conditioning and "free" face painting is always worth it. We ran into the Maples- friends from our old ward and Chrissy Ursenbach- my childhood friend. It was fun to introduce Mc to someone I played with when I was her age. Her mom & dad were there too and are exactly like I remember.

The boys had their birthday check ups and surprisingly, Kingston is growing! The gap between their weight is widening but Kingston is still barely on the charts for height. They both were scared  (like always) that they would be getting shots.

More summer concerts with Lindsy- while I wished it was Erasure like last year, Mumford and Sons put on a good show. Usana has allowed low height lawn chairs so we had seats and that was awesome. Also, the people right in front of us left in a hurry and never came back so we didn't have anyone sitting directly in front of us. Win. It's always great spending time with Linds.

And our last day of summer was spent at the pool with the Meros. I am sure glad the boys have such good friends that live so close.

This year summer didn't seem to drag on like all the other summers up to this point.  The kids are a little more independent and after two years I feel like they have lots of friends to choose from and things to do. Mc has started to sleep in (YES!) and the boys are content being outside. Mark sold another flip house this summer, the basement is back on track and we have Mc's 10 year old trip to look forward to. I still struggle at the very end, right when the kids have about had all they can take of each other- but then the first day of school comes. I do find myself missing the pool and missing the later nights where the kids can play until it's dark but I also always look forward to fall. So long summer, it's been real.