Out to dinner

To finish off our marathon day today we went out to dinner with Matt's parents, his brother and his kids.  We missed Aunt Abigail who already had a prior commitment. The kids love playing with their cousins, Alex, Brett and Laila.  By the end of dinner the kids were stir crazy so I took them outside and let them play.  Alex was trying to help convince Kai he wanted to dance.  Kai DOES NOT dance, never has.

A visit to the great grandparents

After Kai's game today we went to visit Matt's Grandma and Grandpa Niemeyer (the kids' great grandparents).  Grandma Niemeyer's hobby is collecting and learning to play musical instruments.  The kids enjoyed the time they spent over there playing the different instruments.  Matt's parents were also there today and Bill's always happy to pick up a guitar and sing to the kids.

Kai the catcher

Today Kai's team had a practice game in preparation for opening day next Saturday.  He had to play catcher first and was not so thrilled about it.  He kept telling me, "mom, I'm hot", "mom, this mask keeps moving on my face", "mom, why do I have to do this?" and then when I moved away from the fence to get away from the whining he would yell, "coach Joe, I don't want to do this".  Thankfully he had to do it only one inning.  We spent 2 1/2 hours at the ball park today.  We don't give the kids pop, but out of desperation Matt drove to McDonalds and got Kaden one.  He was a much happier camper after that.

Awards Ceremony

Today at school was the awards ceremony for student of the month (that's the principal next to him).  Kai got to get up and introduce himself,  say who his teacher is and tell why he was student of the month.  He said his favorite thing about kindergarten is art.  He set the precedent, every other kindergarten student who came after him said they liked art the best.  :)

Cutting the cheese

So I come around the corner to Kaden standing at the counter with two knives in his hand, butter knife in one, steak knife in the other (he was supposed to be eating lunch) and he said "I cutting the cheese".  Sure enough, he was trying to cut cheese slices for himself.  He is very independent, wanting to do everything himself ("I do it") but a lot of times it's things that put him in danger.  He told me the other day he's a "kid" not a baby.

You wonder why I drop from exhaustion every evening.

September-Student of the Month

Kai was chosen as student of the month from his class.  My neighbor says one of the things it's based on  is "character", how well the kids treat other people.  So way to go Kai!! We have an awards ceremony this week, more pictures to follow.

I didn't realize in this picture Kai's teacher had snuck up behind us, that is who Kaden is pointing at.  :) If you look above Kai's head there is a picture of him and it says, Kai, "Kind, Awesome, Inspiring".

Halloween Fun

Halloween is almost my very favorite holiday, it runs a close second to Christmas.  I have already decorated and bought stuff to bake with.  The kids have been bugging me about making cupcakes so I decided to delve into the project this afternoon.  Kaden and I were shopping at Target last week wandering up and down the Halloween aisle and I heard him say, "santa", so I looked up and sure enough they were unpacking the Christmas stuff.  He started singing, "jingle bells, jingle bells, this is Halloween, this is Halloween".  It was pretty funny.  We have a Halloween CD in the car that plays over and over and over.  "This is Halloween" is a song from the Nightmare before Christmas, it's a pretty catchy tune actually.  

Helping Dad

Matt picked up a computer desk from Ikea this week while in Orlando and the kids were determined to "help" him put it together.  I am sure this project took much longer than it should have but Matt was patient with them and let them join in on the "fun".

Kai running the bases

We are trying to work with Kai on running "fast" around the bases.  He's in it for the ride and would prefer to enjoy the scenery as he cruises from base to base.  :)  

Kaden at the ball park

Kaden doesn't miss a beat.  He wants to do everything his big brother is doing.  He gets lots of attention from the other kids when he shows up with his ball and glove ready to play.

T Ball practice

Here are some pics from the ball park this morning.  Kai is really enjoying playing and was really hoping they were going to learn how to slide today.

Matt's toy

These pictures date back about 8 months.  Matt got a new "toy" for Christmas last year and he was so excited to use it that it flew all the way across the country with us.  He, Lance, and Jim went up in the mountains to shoot over the holidays.  He has been to shooting school twice since we've lived here, he's so good he creamed us all on the buzz lightyear ride at Disney last time we went.  :) Kind of a funny story, the other day Kai had to come up with and draw a picture of something that rhymes with "fun" so naturally for a kindergarten child you would think the answer would be "sun".  Oh no, Kai said, "gun" and wanted to draw a picture of a gun on his paper.  I didn't think that would be such a great idea, I didn't want child protective services knocking on my door so we agreed on "sun".  Matt's job out here is to design duty gear, holsters, etc. for police officers/military that's why all the gun talk.

Gotta wear those shades!

We went swimming with some friends this morning and if Kaden sees me with  my sunglasses on he has to run and grab his.  These are actually Kai's, Kaden ripped the arm off the ones he got for Christmas.  I think he looks pretty "cool".  :)

Student of the Day

The minute Kai stepped out the front doors of his school he was excited to tell me he was "studient" of the day.  The other kids get to ask him questions about himself which he was happy to answer.  He also got to be the line leader.  The teacher picks a "studient" of the day every day.  Friday is school spirit day, thus the school shirt.  I think it's a fun idea.

Kicking Back

Kai isn't feeling well today but went to school anyway, so after the homework was done I let the kids get in bed together and watch Star Wars in their room.  He has a long night ahead, this is the first night of t ball practice and it lasts until 8:30 which I think is way too late!

This is not what it seems!

There is more to this picture than me passing on my compulsion for a clean house to my children.

Part of Florida living is dealing with the insects that find their way into your home.  I don't know that one ever made it into my home back west.  Some of you will be repulsed by this, (Kerry, Andrea, Gina) others of you will laugh (Les, Sharon, Jenni) as you know how this freaks me out.. What is it then Kaden is doing?  He's sucking up a cockroach with the vacuum.  The kids fight over who gets to suck the cockroaches up.  No, we must not squish them, they would "crunch".

Trust me, it doesn't matter if your house is spotless, they still find their way in.

At the baseball field

Kaden loves Hunter's older sister, Suzie. When you ask him who his best friend is he always replies, "Suzie" with a smile.

T Ball evaluations

Kai wanted to play "baseball" this year as did his best friend, Hunter, so we sign them up expecting them to be in like a beginner level. Little did we know when we got to try outs this morning these kids/parents are SERIOUS! Our kids have never played before. You would think some of these folks were there for the major leagues! Ought to be an interesting season... We are totally there to have fun.

Our little swimmer

This child has absolutely no fear of the water. He tries to race me to the deep end and jump before I can get there. He's pretty funny though, he keeps his eyes open underwater and when you look at him he gives you the biggest smile. I know, you all don't believe me when I tell you his terrible 2 year old stories. He looks so innocent...

Our happy little school boy!

This is Kai's first year in school. He goes to all day Kindergarten. We love his teacher and really like the school he attends. We look forward to a great school year.

In Memory of Jill

I am sad to report that Jill, Nate and Matt's beloved doggie, passed away last night. Those of you who knew Jill loved her and knew what a sweet dog she was. She was born in 1991 and lived through most of 2008. She will be missed!

Utahan's perspective of Florida

This says it all...

Our Homes

It has been a tumultuous last 6 years, we've moved from UT to CO to FL.  We miss fall weather, the snow and the mountains but being near the beach has its advantages too.  For those of you who'd like to see where we've been take a trip down memory lane.  The home surrounded by snow, was our first home in Providence!! We LOVED it there.  Our second was in CO Springs and the third is in Jacksonville where we live now.