Let's dance!

I think maybe I should just put his whole album on my blog - I'll figure it out later. I am a HUGE fan of the R&B singer "Akon". This guy keeps coming up with the best dance beats...which I love! Shake your bootie!

My smart Sierra

 

Well, if any of you talk with me on a regular basis you probably know that I have been less than impressed by Sierra's kindergarten year, thus far. They just finished learning their letters about 3 weeks ago, which astonishes me, and she hardly gets any homework. The issues I have are not geared toward Sierra, but the teacher. Chandler had such a different kindergarten experience, but that is mainly due to the fact that he was attending an A+ school in Tucson.
So, I decided to put both Chandler and Sierra's names on the enrollment list for the charter school, American Leadership Academy....and they were both accepted! I thought this would be the right move, especially for Sierra. Maybe she would receive the needed skills that would help her to be more successful. I was a tad disappointed by my advanced research into the charter school.
David decided we needed a tour of the charter school before we register them, so we did just that. And after visiting with the Superintendent and having some questions answered in a very confusing way, David was still in limbo. He went home and decided to compare test scores from both the charter and public school, and our findings were not what we expected.
Riverside Elementary (current public school) scored 10-15 percent higher than the charter school overall. The public school is only in it's 2nd year and the charter school is in it's 6th year. I was speechless! So after some himming and hawing, I chose to keep them enrolled in the public school.
Since having made that decision, I have needed to really put things into perspective in regards to Sierra's education.

First off, she is not even as old as Chandler was when he started kindergarten. Her birthday is in the summer, so she is a young one.
Second, I cannot compare Sierra to Chandler....that is not fair. Each one of my kids will learn differently and at different times.
Third, as I work with her one on one, I am seeing so much success, and am excited to see that she is building confidence in what she is learning. That helps me know that she will be just fine.
And finally, you better believe that I am requesting the BEST 1st grade teacher for next year!!

Alright, I'm done whining :)

Lockin' em in

Yay for a fence! Yesterday the fence company came in and finished installing everything and here is the finished product. Eli and Indi now have a controlled place to play -- and with that comes sanity to me!

 

 

 

Happy St. Patty's Day!

 

This is a holiday, that over the last few years I have started to really get into. It requires no presents or candy. When cooking, my kids are in AWE over the ability to turn food green and I absolutely love listening to the Irish (Celtic) music. However, thanks to Chandler bringing home another idea for celebrating the Irish holiday, I now have "holiday responsibilities".
He came home from school about 3 weeks ago and said that if he leaves a bowl by the bed on the eve of St. Patrick's Day, then a leprechan will come and leave him a goodie. Good grief, this kid will use any strategy to weasel more crap out of a holiday. I responded by saying...."why don't you leave him a note instead, and see what happens".
The kids forgot to write him a note, but on the eve of St. Patrick's Day a leprechan left each of the kids a picture of a leprechan that they needed to color and at the bottom was a message that said, "Color me picture and maybe today, I'll leave you a treat the old Irish way.". So this morning the kids anxiously colored the pictures and put them by their beds. I'll keep you posted on what he brings!
Thanks to Pillsbury clover cookies and my Shephard's pie recipe, it looks like it's going to be a very yummy Irish holiday!

Draper Temple

 

So me and the kids, with mom, Cameron and his girlfriend Courtney got tickets to the open house of the newest temple in Utah, located in Draper (north of UT county). It is the 12th temple in Utah and sits against the mountains. It was so beautiful inside and out! We had Eli on a leash, which kept him controlled and he did very well following the crowd. After our little trip, we headed back to mom's for homemade lasagna.

 

 

I'm still a blogger...I promise!

I apologize to everyone who has looked at my blog in the last few weeks and seen nothing new, however not much has happened lately, so........here is a picture of Eli looking somber. He's really just tired of me running him around while I do errands. Sorry buddy!

 

I'm still shaking!

 

At 11 p.m. last night Chandler and I drove to Orem to be there to see Cameron open his mission call. He is going to Hiroshima, Japan and he leaves May 6th. When he read his call I began shaking and everyone in the room started saying "Holy Crap" or "No Way". I'm so glad I was there to witness the SHOCK & AHH, and big grin that appeared on Cameron's face. He is so excited to start this new adventure in his life, and all of his family know's that he will be a wonderful missionary. I love you Cameron and am so proud of you!

LV "The Finale"

 

On our last night in Las Vegas we attended the "Tournament of Kings" dinner show, which was GREAT! We ate a rustic dinner and enjoyed the sword fighting and dancing...even Eli was completely glued to the spectacular performance!

 

 

LV Part 2

 

We visited the M&M store that was on the strip. Talk about overpriced chocolate.

 

 

 

Our entire family LOVES Spongebob Squarepants and we were so excited to see him at our hotel :)

Viva Las Vegas!

So...our neighbors/friends invited us to take a little trip to Las Vegas to stay at the Excalibur and go to the dinner show they do, as well as, some other fun stuff, and of course we said YES!

 

Our hotel "Excalibur"

 

My 3 little monkey's.

 

This crocidile caught the eye of Chandler who thought it was "Way Cool".

 

David's attempt to fly, tee hee!

Akon Rocks!

Every man should dedicate this song to the woman in their life -- for Valentine's Day maybe? Enjoy.

Phew!

 

O.k., so I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm glad the month of January is over! I don't know what it is, but after the nostalgia of the holiday's and the dreary reality of my post-holiday checkbook, I go into a slight depression and the fact that through out the whole month it was like 25 degrees outside...YUCK!
Well, now I can smile a little more, for now it is February!! It's been a tad warmer--not that it will last long, it's officially tax season...REFUNDS, and we are heading out-of-town with some friends this coming weekend, which David and I are anxiously waiting for! Oh and good grief, we can't forget about the lovey dovey holiday that is around the corner :)
I am officially excited to start this new year now, and maybe start exercising too (well, maybe when it's warmer).
HAPPY NEW YEAR to ALL my friends & family!

I have a brother who's 30

Last Saturday (January 31st) was Brandon's 30th birthday! I hope you had a good day and got everything you wanted :) Here are a few pictures from back in the day.....love you bud, Enjoy!

 

Brooke(3)& Brandon(20 mon.)

 

Beach Bum #1 & Beach Bum #2

 

Brandon (12??) - Being a nerd!

 

Wow, look how brown we are!

My newest favorite

Christina Milian - "Us Against The World"

Bed Head