Soccer!!!!

The most wonderful time of the year...The smell of freshly cut grass and sweaty socks. The taste of Gatorade and the feeling of burning lungs and a healthy heart...Truly soccer season is the most wonderful time of the year.

Soccer season is so fun for me and Cami has had a great team this year. She became better friends with some of the girls that go to other schools and that makes it more fun. She has played more defense than offense this year. Someday I hope to see some aggression out of her-I told her I would give her a reward if she got a red card...she told me she is scared of the refs so she keeps all the rules...yup-sounds like Cami! I just wish Taryn was playing and on the other team and I KNOW the aggression would naturally be there. (instead Taryn is living her dream of jazz and ballet and various other girly pursuits that make her totally happy-it is who she is...) 

Just had to throw this in for fun-Creed hanging out watching and being super pleasant.

You want a piece of this? Ya turn and run for the hills....

Just try and get past this....just try....

Time out for a good time

Brent has been up north a lot the past couple months helping out his parents. We are grateful to live close enough that he can help. In the mean time at our house we have tried to do some fun activities so we don't miss him to much and go completely crazy. One of these activities was swimming in Grandma Rice's hot tub. All four kids got a HUGE kick out of this and thankfully this is the right time of year to be in a hot tub in St George.

They didn't really want to stop for a picture once the hot tub was in sight so this is as good as it gets...

Super Citizen...Super child!

Cami is a super. When I say super I mean SUPER DUPER (child). Each year she is given the super scholar award right of the bat-the award for the student doing homework, doing class work, basically just everything it takes to be a great student. Serious She has gotten it at the first awards assembly of every year so far just because she is a SUPER scholar.

Her teacher called me and said even though Cami was a super scholar she would like to give her the super citizen award. She said she is sure Cami gets the super scholar every year because the first thing you see about her as a teacher is that she is super smart and responsible. BUT she said that she has noticed that Cami is a sweet and kind and caring as she is smart.

Her award said "Cami Weight is our class's super citizen this month. Cami is genuine and happy and pleasant to be around at all times. She is friendly to all, and includes others. She follows classroom and school rules, and kindly encourages others to do the same. Cami is also a good student and works quickly so she can have time left over to lend a helping hand.She can often be found helping other students in a patient and loving manner. She is unselfish with her time and with her talents. Cami truly is an asset to our class. We are grateful for all of her service."

I appreciate that Cami is a good student and I have always been very proud of her. But I actually am more proud that she is a good person and a good friend. I wish everyone noticed the needs of others and helped them as quickly as Cami does. Being smart is a good thing but Cami is also kind and I think that is a better thing! Way to go Cam! 

My super child getting her award without a flash. Incidentally her teacher is a kindred spirit with her and she is very kind and gentle. Cami couldn't be in better hands!

do we have another smaller version of Taryn?

Sometimes the resemblance between Taryn and Jocelyn is striking....like when she decides to wear layers of random mismatched clothing or wears 4 or 5 outfits in a day just because she gets board of what she is wearing....The difference between them is that I have learned the hard way with Taryn that   it is futile to fight it-just let her be who she is and hope that people have had a two year old fashioneasta before....So yes, I did let Jocelyn out of the house in this beauty the other day...Wool tights, a leotard, a Dora undershirt on backwards, another tutu leotard of a different color and all kinds of crazy hair action....Hurray for a child who know what makes her feel beautiful!

"that kind of a day"

Doesn't this break your heart? He is usually such a smiley happy baby...but he looks like this for good reason...

It was that kind of a day the other day...by the end of the day I sat down to check facebook unable to will myself to do anything more productive and this is why...I needed to apologize...
First, to the neighbor children who might have been scared of my buck nakieness....I swear the door was dead bolted and Jocelyn was strictly told not to answer the phone or the door while I showered...I opened the bathroom door to see if Jocelyn was still sitting on my floor with her movie to find a lot of little eyes staring...YIKES!!! SORRY!
and to Creed who was s

lathered in tooth paste from head to toe by Jocelyn on the way home from the dentist today...then tried to rub his tired little eyes and got an eye full...SORRY BUDDY!
and again to Creed for the interrupted bath time when the a fore mentioned 2 year old decided to join him after getting her jammies on....SO SORRY BUDDY!
This is just to list a few of the highlights...there was the usual no nap fight and tantrums and deciding not to eat meals....

Good thing Creed is patient and good thing Jocelyn is so cute while she is being so naughty!

I stopped to take a picture for evidence...

It takes a lot of work to be a princess...

Jocelyn thinks she is a big enough girl that she doesn't need a nap anymore. No matter how hard I battle to get her to sleep during nap time she always wins-pretty remarkable since I am kind of serious about naps. This girl plays hard though and it takes a lot of energy to get into that much mischief...SO I frequently find her totally wiped out on the love sac. It really does take a lot of work to be such a cute little (sleeping) princess....

Bryce Canyon

So a few weeks ago our Ferguson's came to visit and we took a spontaneous trip to Bryce Canyon National Park. It is about 2 1/2 hours away but for some reason we have never gone since moving here. 

Taryn and Cousin Anna had a rock out in the car on the way, listening to Taryn's MP3 player...They can really kill it when they both bust out in "BABY YOU'RE A FIREWORK!" Brent and I were busting up the whole way and I wish I would have gotten it on film. They knew half the words REALLY well-loud and proud. The other half of the song was just silence....So funny. 

When we got to Bryce we stopped for a picnic lunch. Jocelyn who has never really had a juice box had quite the adventure when she accidentally gagged herself with the straw. She totally did a GREAT vomit all over the parking lot and a little on Brent. She was considerate enough to miss her clothing or anything in/on the car. Good girl. 

We hiked to one look out and half way to another one when lightening and thunder kicked in. The rain came down really hard and we could have had wet tee shirt contests.... 

And that was that. We drove home through Zion National Park. It was a super fun, super fast visit. BUT it was enough to peak our interest and we will definitely be going back when we can spend time checking it all out...

On the way we had a good laugh at this...Who wants to go to Fatty's?!?

The rock out...too bad pictures don't have volume...

Jocelyn and Dad taking a walk post vomit...

The arch on the way in with all the cousins and grandma...

Getting ready to hike and lookin' good.

The site we saw....

Cami prettier than the natural scenery...she gets her braces off next week and she is psyched.

Cami and grandma...

Taryn and Anna spreading/sharing the love...

Good-bye swimming

Summer is officially over when swimming lessons are. I tried to prolong it as long as possible, even taking Jocelyn for a few weeks after the older girls started school. BUT all good things come to an end and swimming lessons for Jocelyn were a good thing this summer. 

I knew Jocelyn loved water but I didn't realize she would turn into such a little fish in so short a time. Her ears did bother her a little but not as much as I was fearing which was good-only 2 ear infections. We started using ear plugs and she was good to go (after the first day in which she through a really great 2 year old fit about using them.) Anyway, we are so lucky to have found Miss Kristen. 

First day of school 2012

Now that the kids have been in school about 2 weeks I should probably post some back to school pictures so it doesn't end up being the 100th day of school before I do it. This year both girls seemed really grown up to me. Cami was so excited for school, especially after meeting her new teacher. She and her teacher are kindred spirits. Cam's teacher is gentle and soft spoken and a serious reader. She has an attention for detail and is super organized. On back to school night she  remembered all the little details of her pre-school year home visit and asked specif questions about they things they talked about. I was really impressed with her and I feel like Cami's needs will be met.

Taryn also seems to like her teacher. Grandma Rice knew Taryn's teacher back in the day so Taryn thinks she is cool. Also Taryn's teacher really emphasizes neat hand writing and neat work which are two of Taryn's biggest strengths so I think Taryn will gain confidence this year and feel successful. Taryn all ready is improving her reading and she works really hard. I think her teacher will have high expectations for her class and Taryn thrives with that. 

I think it will be a great year! 

Cami good to go...several hours early....

Taryn good to go and feeling a little sassy...also a few hours early.

The close up-PS Cami gets her braces off in a month and she can't wait! Her braces weren't necessarily to straighten her teeth-she needed a few teeth pulled forward so the gums would form around them properly and she could avoid gum grafts...BUT her teeth did end up being really straight and I love her beautiful smile!

The whole gang-holding mostly still-all ready to get the school show on the road.

Taryn is still small for her age and she nearly didn't make it to her class line with all her supplies...I love my little fancy Nancy ruffly puffely girl!

Dance baby Dance

Ever since last spring's dance recital Jocelyn has been doing pirouettes around the house. She has begged to wear her "ballerinas" several times a week (Taryn's old outfits that now fit her). So it looks like we have another dancer in the family. Sometimes I wonder how a nice girl like me ended up with such girly girls...But then I look at their cute little faces and I feel lucky I did. 

She had her first day of dance class ("too much fun" a combo class for exposure to dance) and she LOVED it. Several little girls were out in the hall crying and she just walked past, didn't look back, and had a blast! At the end of every class they have a tea party with the parents and she got a huge kick out of pouring real water out of the toy tea set and she enjoyed her gold fishes and some of her friends gold fishes....Anyway it was definitely a success and I think dancing will help her pass some time while she misses Cami and Taryn at school. Not having them around is going to be a little rough for her.

THE Fort and anchor memories

So I don't remember if I ever posted the article anywhere on anchor memories but building forts on the bunk bed is one of mine. (as are red licorice and windmills...our back yard...mom always making good food...canyon vista swimming pool...byu football...scavenger hunts for breakfast on the 4th of July...sneaking a peak at the Christmas presents through the Jesus picture in the hallway...weeding the garden...the smell of soccer...to name a few)... 

Anchor memories are the memories that you make as a child when the whole world is right and life doesn't get any better. They are the kind of memories that you look back on and say wow I had a pretty cool childhood and wow my family kicked bum. They are the kind of memory that you can look back on when your life seriously stinks and nothing is going you way and it helps you get off the pity party train and back on the it's all good train. Anyway that is the basic idea. I realized that this is the time for my kids to be forming memories like that and I want them to have plenty to call on when the going gets rough for them.

Rebekah and I spent hours pinning blankets to our ceiling creating awesome forts. I don't ever remember my mom getting annoyed with the mess. I remember lots of planning and building and fun. Rebekah and I liked each other more inside a fort. Now looking back the idea makes me cringe just a little...the thought of the mess you can't get rid of for a few days because they worked so hard to build it and you know they had so much fun that they will beg to do it again soon. It is the kind of thing I normally say no way to because once you give in you can't go back-they will always remember it and always want to do it again. And tacks and pins in the ceiling? Wow my mom was really patient!

A few weeks ago Cami came to me and wanted to build a fort in her room. I had an inward groan but tried to put on a nice face and said," Cami I promise before school starts you can build one in your room for a few days." I half hoped she would forget but last week she asked for it again and remembering my promise and my  anchor memory I said OK and I even helped by suggesting a good way to secure the sheet without pinning it to the ceiling.

 It was so exciting that all three girls got to sleep in it the first night and Cami and Taryn got to sleep in it two more nights before it came down. They also spent every waking hour reading, chatting, planning, and giggling inside. I was really glad I allowed them the memory and I really hope next time I am flexible enough to allow it again-I mean they are only kids once and the opportunity to be so free is very fleeting... 

This is the fort of memories-I helped them later make the roof tighter so no one asphyxiated in their sleep...

Three girls who I hope remember their sleep over in the fort for a long time...I love these girls more than I love a clean house for sure!

Game Night...keeping the tradition alive...

Last week for family game night the girls wanted face painting BAD and Creed was in the mood to tolerate it...They each chose their favorite thing out of a book we have-it has step by step instructions so I can try to do things beyond my creative scope. So here's to face painting and cookies. Hopefully despite all the normal wear and tear a family has they will remember that every Thursday night we had fun.

Sitting...sharing the love

Creed started sitting about a month ago and he is getting really steady now. At first when we tried to help him practice he just kept getting distracted by all the attention and then falling towards whoever was making the loudest cheering section OR whoever hugged/loved on him the most.... Now he can stay up for much longer even with distractions so I think he is probably one of my more coordinated babies...(There are always plenty of distractions that could unbalance him.)

And just as a side note-yes he really is this smiley like 95% of the time...He is a good good boy.

One of his practice sessions...like I said he's pretty coordinated to stay up with all this going on...

Rice family reunion-posted a month late...

The Rice family had an awesome reunion this year. It was definitely action packed. I think Jocelyn and Creed were ready to disown us because of lack of naps/sleep by the end of the week but they really were good sports. 

On the fourth of July we had the annual tradition of a scavenger hunt breakfast thanks to Rebekah, Pez, and the presidents of the united states who were featured as pez dispensers/clues. We then went to the park for the local carnival. The kids LOVED the ginormo slide and I was nervous Jocelyn was going to break her neck. We ate lunch at our house (cafe rio salads) then hung out and did slip n slides and crafts thanks to Sarah and her mad skills. The rice family bingo and personalized kid cups were a BIG hit with my kids. For dinner we roasted hot dogs over the Thompson cousins fire pit and then did our own family games thanks to the Joneses. By the time fireworks started it had been a super action packed day. Luckily Cami survived the LOUDness.

The next day we spent on the lake boating and playing in the sand. When we got home we went to jumping jacks and then had a family talent show. The kids sang the same song my mom made Rebekah and I sing at a ward talent show when we were little. Grandma Rice was crying by the end of the first line so it was a success. 

Friday we took family pictures and went hiking at Kannara Falls. It was an awesome hike and I was really impressed with how good the younger hikers did. We also went to Tuacahn to see Aladdin which was awesome.

Saturday we got to spend the day in Pine Valley for a Jennings family reunion which of course was a blast as well. We rode horses, played games, chased chickens, had a watermelon eating contest, and skits. The food was great and it is always so pleasant up in the mountains with trees...It also was super fun to see all of my cousins and their kids and catch up with those that we haven't seen in years in some cases. Basically it was just a really busy, really great week. We did miss my brother Matthew and his family but it was great that all of the other siblings were able to make it. Hopefully we'll do it again before 8 more years pass...

Here are some pictures in random order of random things...and right now I am too lazy to rearrange.