Kindergarten Fun

 I volunteer in Kate's Kindergarten class once a week and I love what this does for her and for me.

 Here's Kate at the art center during "center time".

I absolutely love Kate's teacher, Mrs. Juarez. She is a lot like Mary Poppins, "practically perfect in every way". Kate is so lucky to have such a great start to her education experience.

Fun at the Dinosaur Museum

We went to the Dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Point this last weekend.

 Kate has hit the age when activities like this are no longer a chore. We have no meltdowns. We have no whining. And she didn't even ask to buy anything in the gift shop - we just walked right passed it - shocking! She is eager to learn, she has the stamina to make it through hours at a museum, and she is just so fun to be with and makes all the activities we do more enjoyable.

 But, since we went just the three of us, somebody had to get in and play with her. Lucky for me, Scott is a big kid at heart. He is always game for some play time.

 This science discovery room was one of my favorite parts of the place. I was really getting into each of the exhibits. I think I even learned a few things. Cool.

 This exhibit is my favorite, though. The picture of the man laying down next to a giant dinosaur bone behind me is my Great Uncle Dinosaur Jim. He was a Renaissance-type man who contributed a lot to paleontology. He named several dinosaurs and he, along with his son, discovered the Supersaurus, one of the largest dinosaurs that ever lived.

 Here we are in front of just a portion of a replica of the Supersaurus. The neck and tail go on and on and fill the entire room. This was super fun to see and know the connection we have to "Dinosaur Jim". I felt close to him as we explored the exhibit.

I still remember one time when my great uncle Jim came to visit us while we were living in California, I was probably only 8, and he gave me a dinosaur bone to keep. And I remember seeing him on the Disney channel and in the National Geographic Magazine and I felt like a celebrity. I felt a lot like that again at this exhibit.

Kate's School Journal

"I am going to be a Dasr."

I am going to be a dancer.

Kate December 13, 2011

Sledding at the Cabin

 Scott's version of sledding (on a snowmobile) - with Kate - January 2nd, 2012

 My version of sledding - Kate and Hailey on the sled with Bosco, Zac, and Jason

 I love how Hailey's face is all covered.

We had an exceptionally fun time visiting with Scott's parents and sister's family. We played card games and Kate and Hailey played in their make-believe world for hours.

Newest Addition...

Kate trying out our new (used) piano - New Year's Day!

My Mom and Dad bought us a pre-Christmas present (yes, they already gave us our Christmas present for 2012! They just couldn't wait.) and it was delivered on New Year's Eve (thanks to my hubby, brother, brother-in-law, and Dad).

Don't think I'm amazing, yet. I have taken only a couple years of piano lessons and never really mastered playing both hands together and can only mostly sight read music. But I LOVE to play and I love the idea of me being a pianist. We can call this my New Year's Resolution - to play the piano well. I am really enjoying it and it's fun to hear Kate plunk away at it. We'll probably start her in piano lessons later this year.

I have such fond memories of waking up Sunday mornings to my mom practicing church hymns that she would later play during Relief Society, Primary, or Sacrament meetings. Most of my growing up years my mom served as a church pianist or organist. I hope that I can bring the gift of music to my family like my mom. I remember the peace I felt as I heard those familiar tunes. I also loved singing as a family around the piano. 

I have a few hymns that are actually recognizable when I play them but when someone starts singing to the music, I freeze up and get lost. We tried on Family Night this week and it was miserably bad. I hope Scott and Kate can be patient with me. I am still quite a beginner.

Christmas Day

 Kate, first thing Christmas morning - 2011

Our morning started at 7:00 a.m. We blocked the living room so Kate came into our room and we said our morning prayer. Then we walked into the living room together. After briefly looking at her present from Santa, Kate went straight to the gifts she had selected for us at the Santa Shop at school. She had kept the contents a secret for a few weeks, I don't know how she did it. But she was so excited for us to open her gifts and didn't even want to open hers until we had each opened ours. She gave Scott a tape measure with fire flames painted on the sides and me a ring with a purple stone (my favorite color).

 Santa only gives one gift and a stocking at our house. She asked him for the pretend dog that walks and Santa delivered. P.S. this dog makes the most realistic doggy noises and movements. I sometimes think he really is real. Scott and I bought her a Barbie Castle Doll house, a bathrobe, and slippers - and the traditional Christmas Eve pajamas.

 We went to church and then to the Grandma and Grandpa Bangerter's house. Here are the grandkids: Suzie, Ashlee, Whitney, Kate, Hailey, Jake, Jessica, and Zac.

Kate and Hailey.

As always on holidays when I go to one family after the other I always forget to pull out my camera and take more pictures. But we had a fun time at the Greenleaf's also. Both our parents tried so hard to make this a memorable Christmas and we felt utterly spoiled, as always. We received the annual promises that next year they wouldn't spoil us so. We'll believe it when we see it.

So Cute!

Kate and Scott - December 20th, 2011