At the trunk or treat (Tyler is a Ninja)
Sunday, October 30, 2005
October 30, 2005
October 30, 2005
I never got the newsletter done last Sunday since we ended up in the ER. Then it was such a busy week. But I have time now to hopefully squeeze in our busy few weeks. It has been around 45- 50 degrees and quite cold. I am gearing myself up for the bitter cold weather which I know is sure to come.
Ok, Let’s see....
The kids did a great job in the primary program last Sunday. Marisa even got to conduct the music for one number. She did a great job. Watch out, Grandpa, she may be gunning after your job!
We had a fun weekend last weekend. Bob and Tyler had a blast going with Grandma and Grandpa to Indiana for the BYU/ Notre Dame game. They left Friday afternoon and got back at 12:45 am on Sunday. They said that had a good trip, but too bad BYU didn’t win. Tyler got neat binoculars from Grandma as an early birthday present which made the game extra fun for him. We girls had a girls weekend. We spent Friday night food shopping and went to Subway for dinner. Then we watched 2 episodes of Numbers and made fudge for dessert. On Saturday, the girls had a primary activity and then we spent the day watching cool shows and watched "Anne of Green Gables" which we thought was excellent. So, now the girls are excited to start reading the series.
Bob:
Bob’s finger is doing much better. I think it was hard since the slice was right by the knuckle, but he gets the stitches out tomorrow. He even played his last flag football game with the stitches. They lost again, but I thought they played much better. He is starting on a new project and will be working on the cockpit display for this new plane: http://www.aerospace-technology.com/projects/ba609/ba6095.html
He is excited. And although he will be working overtime, at least this time he is getting paid!
Alayna:
Alayna is really enjoying preschool. I am sure she would go everyday if she could. She started taking gymnastics at the Y and LOVES that class. It is only 30 minutes so it goes by way too fast. We may need to sign her up for more things soon. She loves to be involved in structures activities. If she isn’t, we see unpleasant results... She is learning her letters and numbers and communicating so well.
Tyler:
Well, Tyler turned 7 this week!! We had a very fun party for him Friday night. He had 4 little friends come over for a spaghetti dinner, the movie "Robots" and cake and ice cream. It was such a great group and we had a great time. It was a Star Wars party and I decided to save myself the stress and get the cake at Hyvee. They actually came through for me this time!! On Monday, Bob and I got a hamster as a surprise for Tyler. If any of you know him at all, you know he is a very serious animal lover!! It is a Chinese Dwarf hamster. He was so excited and we named her Willow (from the movie "Willow"). Well, the kids loved her so much, that that night all the kids pooled their money to buy another one. (You can only have 2 in the same cage if they are from the same litter) So, we got another girl named Fluffy (real original huh?) I am so glad we got her too as the hamsters are great friends. We did have to install a security system (child lock doors) as I awoke one morning to Alayna squishing one in her hand!! Anyway, I think this was his best birthday yet. He even got 2 awesome shark posters to start his shark wall and became a member of the Weird and Wild Creatures Club!
Tyler is also doing so great in Tae Kwon Do. He gets to test for his yellow belt this Saturday. I went to see the last few minutes of his class Tuesday night and he had to go down the line and each student would do an offensive move and he would have to do the correct defensive move. He got to do it for his birthday. I was surprised at how far he has come.
Kayla:
Kayla just finished up season 1 of volleyball and starts the second season this week. I can see much more confidence in her now and she has really improved. It was nice to see she has found something that she wants to keep doing. Her team won almost every game.
She is flourishing in school, which most of you know is different from last year. She is reading like crazy and has already moved into division testing. It is such a joy to see her progressing!
This week we also had a "trunk or treat" at the church. Kayla invited two of her friends to go. All 3 were angels which was pretty sweet. We went to her volleyball game then out to dinner. The took everyone to the church for a small carnival and then the trunk or treat. However, it was 40 degrees so we were freezing to death!
Marisa:
Marisa had her first orchestra concert last Tuesday. She is first chair and had the awesome chance to tune the orchestra in front of everyone. She was beaming, so was I for that matter. She practices even more now and is progressing beautifully. Her first choir concert is coming up in November.
She is pulling straight A’s in school and still involved in drama as well. She also bore her testimony today about how much she has enjoyed our family reading the Book of Mormon. We have had some neat experiences and well, those stories are just so cool!! She also finished reading Gerald Lund’s "Fire and the Covenant" and is starting the "Work and the Glory" today. Sometimes, I really need to remind myself that she is just 11!!
Last but not least...me!
Well, I aced my first class . I got a 97 on the final and a 97 for the class. Looks like I am not too rusty after all? I also finished the health lifestyles class and just need to take the final now. I took a break before the last class to read some adult books. I am reading the precursor to the Da Vinci code "Angels and Demons" now. (Which is awesome so far!)
We did find out that the bond for the new school should pass January 24 and then it should take them about 18 months to build which is perfect! That means I can start teaching when Alayna starts kindergarten, as planned. So, now I can take the next class a bit slower and get all my paperwork taken care of in advance. I have already contacted the School District about my interest in teaching so we shall see how it all goes.
Well, I guess that’s all. If you have read all of this...wow! Thanks! We hope everyone is in good spirits and looking forward to this joyous holiday season.
Love-
Kris and Family
PS- My brother Jonathan just released his first childrens book that he illustrated. It is a beautiful book. If anyone is interested, you can order it at Amazon.com -look under the author Jack Saunders. Enjoy!
I never got the newsletter done last Sunday since we ended up in the ER. Then it was such a busy week. But I have time now to hopefully squeeze in our busy few weeks. It has been around 45- 50 degrees and quite cold. I am gearing myself up for the bitter cold weather which I know is sure to come.
Ok, Let’s see....
The kids did a great job in the primary program last Sunday. Marisa even got to conduct the music for one number. She did a great job. Watch out, Grandpa, she may be gunning after your job!
We had a fun weekend last weekend. Bob and Tyler had a blast going with Grandma and Grandpa to Indiana for the BYU/ Notre Dame game. They left Friday afternoon and got back at 12:45 am on Sunday. They said that had a good trip, but too bad BYU didn’t win. Tyler got neat binoculars from Grandma as an early birthday present which made the game extra fun for him. We girls had a girls weekend. We spent Friday night food shopping and went to Subway for dinner. Then we watched 2 episodes of Numbers and made fudge for dessert. On Saturday, the girls had a primary activity and then we spent the day watching cool shows and watched "Anne of Green Gables" which we thought was excellent. So, now the girls are excited to start reading the series.
Bob:
Bob’s finger is doing much better. I think it was hard since the slice was right by the knuckle, but he gets the stitches out tomorrow. He even played his last flag football game with the stitches. They lost again, but I thought they played much better. He is starting on a new project and will be working on the cockpit display for this new plane: http://www.aerospace-technology.com/projects/ba609/ba6095.html
He is excited. And although he will be working overtime, at least this time he is getting paid!
Alayna:
Alayna is really enjoying preschool. I am sure she would go everyday if she could. She started taking gymnastics at the Y and LOVES that class. It is only 30 minutes so it goes by way too fast. We may need to sign her up for more things soon. She loves to be involved in structures activities. If she isn’t, we see unpleasant results... She is learning her letters and numbers and communicating so well.
Tyler:
Well, Tyler turned 7 this week!! We had a very fun party for him Friday night. He had 4 little friends come over for a spaghetti dinner, the movie "Robots" and cake and ice cream. It was such a great group and we had a great time. It was a Star Wars party and I decided to save myself the stress and get the cake at Hyvee. They actually came through for me this time!! On Monday, Bob and I got a hamster as a surprise for Tyler. If any of you know him at all, you know he is a very serious animal lover!! It is a Chinese Dwarf hamster. He was so excited and we named her Willow (from the movie "Willow"). Well, the kids loved her so much, that that night all the kids pooled their money to buy another one. (You can only have 2 in the same cage if they are from the same litter) So, we got another girl named Fluffy (real original huh?) I am so glad we got her too as the hamsters are great friends. We did have to install a security system (child lock doors) as I awoke one morning to Alayna squishing one in her hand!! Anyway, I think this was his best birthday yet. He even got 2 awesome shark posters to start his shark wall and became a member of the Weird and Wild Creatures Club!
Tyler is also doing so great in Tae Kwon Do. He gets to test for his yellow belt this Saturday. I went to see the last few minutes of his class Tuesday night and he had to go down the line and each student would do an offensive move and he would have to do the correct defensive move. He got to do it for his birthday. I was surprised at how far he has come.
Kayla:
Kayla just finished up season 1 of volleyball and starts the second season this week. I can see much more confidence in her now and she has really improved. It was nice to see she has found something that she wants to keep doing. Her team won almost every game.
She is flourishing in school, which most of you know is different from last year. She is reading like crazy and has already moved into division testing. It is such a joy to see her progressing!
This week we also had a "trunk or treat" at the church. Kayla invited two of her friends to go. All 3 were angels which was pretty sweet. We went to her volleyball game then out to dinner. The took everyone to the church for a small carnival and then the trunk or treat. However, it was 40 degrees so we were freezing to death!
Marisa:
Marisa had her first orchestra concert last Tuesday. She is first chair and had the awesome chance to tune the orchestra in front of everyone. She was beaming, so was I for that matter. She practices even more now and is progressing beautifully. Her first choir concert is coming up in November.
She is pulling straight A’s in school and still involved in drama as well. She also bore her testimony today about how much she has enjoyed our family reading the Book of Mormon. We have had some neat experiences and well, those stories are just so cool!! She also finished reading Gerald Lund’s "Fire and the Covenant" and is starting the "Work and the Glory" today. Sometimes, I really need to remind myself that she is just 11!!
Last but not least...me!
Well, I aced my first class . I got a 97 on the final and a 97 for the class. Looks like I am not too rusty after all? I also finished the health lifestyles class and just need to take the final now. I took a break before the last class to read some adult books. I am reading the precursor to the Da Vinci code "Angels and Demons" now. (Which is awesome so far!)
We did find out that the bond for the new school should pass January 24 and then it should take them about 18 months to build which is perfect! That means I can start teaching when Alayna starts kindergarten, as planned. So, now I can take the next class a bit slower and get all my paperwork taken care of in advance. I have already contacted the School District about my interest in teaching so we shall see how it all goes.
Well, I guess that’s all. If you have read all of this...wow! Thanks! We hope everyone is in good spirits and looking forward to this joyous holiday season.
Love-
Kris and Family
PS- My brother Jonathan just released his first childrens book that he illustrated. It is a beautiful book. If anyone is interested, you can order it at Amazon.com -look under the author Jack Saunders. Enjoy!
Sunday, October 23, 2005
Why Bob won't ever help me in the kitchen again!!
Bob was helping me in the kitchen with dinner and sliced his finger. We just got back from the ER and he ended up with 6 stitches! He is doing fine, but I am sure it hurts and probably will more so tomorrow. Just wanted to let you all know...
Monday, October 17, 2005
October 17, 2005
October 17, 2005
We had an incredibly busy week. While Hal and Corey were here, we completed tons of projects! They painted Tyler’s room white and it looks so much bigger now. We put up his Spiderman posters and even made a dinosaur wall. We also made a reading corner where he loves to sit and read all his informational books about animals. It looks great. They painted Alayna and Kayla’s room the same purple (light) we did our bathroom. (I will try to send pics next week). Then we mounted pictures of horses through the room. It looks so beautiful and the girls love it. Then we changed the Spiderman bathroom into a beautiful white and lavendar bathroom with a gorgeous purple floral trim and a Barbie Fairytopia poster. It looks so cool!!! Poor Bob, his home is slowly becoming purple...
We had some neat accomplishments this week. Tyler has earned 3 of his 4 yellow stripes in Tae kwon do. We are so proud. Then Marisa was chosen to be the section leader of the 6th grade orchestra and she gets to tune the orchestra each day. That made her so happy. They keep asking her to take private lessons, they said she is really good. It's just too expensive right now. She has her first performance tomorrow night. Marisa also did a great job in their last dance team performance during half time at the football game. Kayla started her volleyball games and is doing so wonderful! Her team won 5 out of the 6 games they played and she scored several of the points. She was pretty shy at first, but it starting to get the hang of it. Alayna got to go to the pumpkin farm with her preschool class this week. She was so excited and tol us how she got to ride in a wagon and everything. She also brought home a mini pumpkin.
I had teacher conferences with Tyler and Kayla’s teachers and they could not be doing any better. I was so proud of their reports and how much they are accomplishing in class. Marisa has hers this coming week.
Bob is still playing football and basketball. They still haven’t won, but are holding their own. He rolled his ankle last week though- it always makes me worry. I only have 3 lessons left to complete the second course and I take the final for the first course this week. It will be so nice to get these out of the way.
I spoke in church yesterday on how we don’t have to be Superwoman all the time or ever for that matter. Anyway, if anyone wants a copy of the talk or the funny poem that went with it, let me know. It went really well, I think, except for the severe dry mouth which caused me to have one of my most embarrassing moments ever!!
Well, I am off to clean, as always. However, Alayna took a nap for some reason and it has been a very pleasant afternoon!! Our love to everyone and a special thanks to Marisa for all your fun and sweet comments on the weblog!!
We had an incredibly busy week. While Hal and Corey were here, we completed tons of projects! They painted Tyler’s room white and it looks so much bigger now. We put up his Spiderman posters and even made a dinosaur wall. We also made a reading corner where he loves to sit and read all his informational books about animals. It looks great. They painted Alayna and Kayla’s room the same purple (light) we did our bathroom. (I will try to send pics next week). Then we mounted pictures of horses through the room. It looks so beautiful and the girls love it. Then we changed the Spiderman bathroom into a beautiful white and lavendar bathroom with a gorgeous purple floral trim and a Barbie Fairytopia poster. It looks so cool!!! Poor Bob, his home is slowly becoming purple...
We had some neat accomplishments this week. Tyler has earned 3 of his 4 yellow stripes in Tae kwon do. We are so proud. Then Marisa was chosen to be the section leader of the 6th grade orchestra and she gets to tune the orchestra each day. That made her so happy. They keep asking her to take private lessons, they said she is really good. It's just too expensive right now. She has her first performance tomorrow night. Marisa also did a great job in their last dance team performance during half time at the football game. Kayla started her volleyball games and is doing so wonderful! Her team won 5 out of the 6 games they played and she scored several of the points. She was pretty shy at first, but it starting to get the hang of it. Alayna got to go to the pumpkin farm with her preschool class this week. She was so excited and tol us how she got to ride in a wagon and everything. She also brought home a mini pumpkin.
I had teacher conferences with Tyler and Kayla’s teachers and they could not be doing any better. I was so proud of their reports and how much they are accomplishing in class. Marisa has hers this coming week.
Bob is still playing football and basketball. They still haven’t won, but are holding their own. He rolled his ankle last week though- it always makes me worry. I only have 3 lessons left to complete the second course and I take the final for the first course this week. It will be so nice to get these out of the way.
I spoke in church yesterday on how we don’t have to be Superwoman all the time or ever for that matter. Anyway, if anyone wants a copy of the talk or the funny poem that went with it, let me know. It went really well, I think, except for the severe dry mouth which caused me to have one of my most embarrassing moments ever!!
Well, I am off to clean, as always. However, Alayna took a nap for some reason and it has been a very pleasant afternoon!! Our love to everyone and a special thanks to Marisa for all your fun and sweet comments on the weblog!!
Cousin's death
We received some very tragic news on Saturday. My cousin, Justin, went into a river to save his puppy and ended up flying over a 100 foot waterfall and was killed. He was only 21. It has been such a tragic loss. Our hearts are prayers go out to our family and his parents.
http://kutv.com/topstories/local_story_288232413.html
http://kutv.com/topstories/local_story_288232413.html
Sunday, October 16, 2005
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Sunday, October 09, 2005
October 9, 2005
October 9, 2005
Ok, this Iowa weather has got to go. I ran the AC on Monday because it was 86 degrees. The next day I had to run the heater because it was 53 degrees!!! It has even hit freezing several nights. What happened to those beautiful days where you could open your windows and get a lovely breeze? Sheesh!
On Friday, Corey and Hal came up again. We are so blessed to have them close. We went to play tennis at the high school where they had several courts as well as a huge castle playground for the kids to play on. We had a great time even though we were freezing to death! Then we went to some Halloween stores so I could get the kids costumes (I am so slow this year) Tyler is going to be a Ninja, Kayla is going to be a snow angel (to match her friend) and Alayna will be sleeping beauty. Marisa says she will just be a doctor. I will send pics at Halloween. Then we got Chinese take out for dinner.
On Saturday, Corey and I had the unique opportunity to attend a Quad Stake RS symposium in Iowa City. First there was a training meeting at 8am with Sister Pingree from the Relief Society General Board. What a privilege it was to have her come all the way to Iowa just to speak to us. Then we had a meeting where she and Sister Tanner (The YW General Board President) spoke to us which was wonderful. Then we also had several other speakers. It was a very enjoyable conference! Then we came home and all went for a bike ride around the neighborhood. (Except Marisa who chose to fold 7 loads of laundry instead!!) Then they all watched "Ella Enchanted" while I worked on the talk I am giving in church next week.
Nothing really new is going on. Hal and Corey are helping to paint the kids rooms tomorrow and I have several other projects going on. I have finished 5 lessons already in my next class and can hopefully take the final for the other one very soon. I have had such a tough time getting a proctor for it! Hopefully I can get some pictures today to post. I haven’t been very good at that lately!
Ok, this Iowa weather has got to go. I ran the AC on Monday because it was 86 degrees. The next day I had to run the heater because it was 53 degrees!!! It has even hit freezing several nights. What happened to those beautiful days where you could open your windows and get a lovely breeze? Sheesh!
On Friday, Corey and Hal came up again. We are so blessed to have them close. We went to play tennis at the high school where they had several courts as well as a huge castle playground for the kids to play on. We had a great time even though we were freezing to death! Then we went to some Halloween stores so I could get the kids costumes (I am so slow this year) Tyler is going to be a Ninja, Kayla is going to be a snow angel (to match her friend) and Alayna will be sleeping beauty. Marisa says she will just be a doctor. I will send pics at Halloween. Then we got Chinese take out for dinner.
On Saturday, Corey and I had the unique opportunity to attend a Quad Stake RS symposium in Iowa City. First there was a training meeting at 8am with Sister Pingree from the Relief Society General Board. What a privilege it was to have her come all the way to Iowa just to speak to us. Then we had a meeting where she and Sister Tanner (The YW General Board President) spoke to us which was wonderful. Then we also had several other speakers. It was a very enjoyable conference! Then we came home and all went for a bike ride around the neighborhood. (Except Marisa who chose to fold 7 loads of laundry instead!!) Then they all watched "Ella Enchanted" while I worked on the talk I am giving in church next week.
Nothing really new is going on. Hal and Corey are helping to paint the kids rooms tomorrow and I have several other projects going on. I have finished 5 lessons already in my next class and can hopefully take the final for the other one very soon. I have had such a tough time getting a proctor for it! Hopefully I can get some pictures today to post. I haven’t been very good at that lately!
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Oct 5, 2005
October 5, 2005
I had WONDERFUL weekend!! Bob took the kids to Grandma and Grandpa Harts house for the weekend. The kids had a great time. They made an adorable movie about a giant rubber band Bob had brought home for work. They love going there! I, on the other hand, needed a break. I have been so overwhelmed with everything. So, I was able to watch ALL 4 sessions of conference while I caught up on ALL my scrap-booking through September 2005! Then I actually did Alayna’s baby book (which sadly had never even been opened!) I got my desk rearranged, and even finished my first college course!! (Cheer for me!) I still have to take the final, but that will hopefully be ok and done in 2 weeks. I have started the second course and just finished Lesson #3 today. I guess I feel the "need for speed" since they may be building the new school THIS year instead of next. We are trying to decide if that happens, what would be the best thing for me to do? We are weighing our options and only time will tell. (Now that I look back at that paragraph it dosen’t look like much of a break huh?) Anyway, when Bob came back with the kids on Sunday, he took one look at me and said " You look...relaxed." And that I did. I think all moms deserve a break like that once in a while, just to refuel you know? Thanks a million to Bob and the Harts!!
Also kudos to Bob on the great pick for a date lunch this week. He took me to the COOLEST Japanese grill called Osaka. They grilled the dinner right in front of us flames and all. Alayna was with us, and she was so mesmerized by the cooking and then excited to eat what he cooked. I have never seen her eat so well. It was like lunch and a show! The food was fabulous!
Tyler made a cute comment I wanted to share. He used his little baby voice one day to tell Alayna "You are as smart as a Bee". Bob said " A bee is smart?" To which Tyler replied, "Yeah, dad, bees are the only ones on the earth that know how to make honey...duh!" Enough said! I just died laughing.
Marisa had her first dance team performance at the JV football game Tuesday night. She did a great job. She has another one next Tuesday.
Well, we had our regular week full of activities: Tae kwon do, swimming, weight lifting, volleyball, drama club, dance team, pre school, football, etc. (Can you guess who does what?) We are all running around here like crazy, but are all happy and healthy. We have a full weekend ahead of us with the huge Quad stake women’s symposium coming up. So, we should have lots to share this weekend. Well, Bob is off to basketball, the kids are asleep, and I am back to studying. Oh, the joys of being in school again. I want to get it done quick- like ripping off a bandaid! Hugs and Kisses!
I had WONDERFUL weekend!! Bob took the kids to Grandma and Grandpa Harts house for the weekend. The kids had a great time. They made an adorable movie about a giant rubber band Bob had brought home for work. They love going there! I, on the other hand, needed a break. I have been so overwhelmed with everything. So, I was able to watch ALL 4 sessions of conference while I caught up on ALL my scrap-booking through September 2005! Then I actually did Alayna’s baby book (which sadly had never even been opened!) I got my desk rearranged, and even finished my first college course!! (Cheer for me!) I still have to take the final, but that will hopefully be ok and done in 2 weeks. I have started the second course and just finished Lesson #3 today. I guess I feel the "need for speed" since they may be building the new school THIS year instead of next. We are trying to decide if that happens, what would be the best thing for me to do? We are weighing our options and only time will tell. (Now that I look back at that paragraph it dosen’t look like much of a break huh?) Anyway, when Bob came back with the kids on Sunday, he took one look at me and said " You look...relaxed." And that I did. I think all moms deserve a break like that once in a while, just to refuel you know? Thanks a million to Bob and the Harts!!
Also kudos to Bob on the great pick for a date lunch this week. He took me to the COOLEST Japanese grill called Osaka. They grilled the dinner right in front of us flames and all. Alayna was with us, and she was so mesmerized by the cooking and then excited to eat what he cooked. I have never seen her eat so well. It was like lunch and a show! The food was fabulous!
Tyler made a cute comment I wanted to share. He used his little baby voice one day to tell Alayna "You are as smart as a Bee". Bob said " A bee is smart?" To which Tyler replied, "Yeah, dad, bees are the only ones on the earth that know how to make honey...duh!" Enough said! I just died laughing.
Marisa had her first dance team performance at the JV football game Tuesday night. She did a great job. She has another one next Tuesday.
Well, we had our regular week full of activities: Tae kwon do, swimming, weight lifting, volleyball, drama club, dance team, pre school, football, etc. (Can you guess who does what?) We are all running around here like crazy, but are all happy and healthy. We have a full weekend ahead of us with the huge Quad stake women’s symposium coming up. So, we should have lots to share this weekend. Well, Bob is off to basketball, the kids are asleep, and I am back to studying. Oh, the joys of being in school again. I want to get it done quick- like ripping off a bandaid! Hugs and Kisses!
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