Cannon's latest

This week was a big one for Cannon. Although he is only three, he was ready for his training wheels to come off. I was waiting for the scary, tottering moment when Clark let go, but that never happened. Once the training wheels were off, ZIP! Off Cannon went and he never looked back and didn't need any help. I was pretty impressed!





























One day later....yep, full on crash. It was pretty bad. Cannon left our circle to find his sisters (without telling me) and didn't slow down on the hill in our subdivision. To be honest, I don't think training wheels would have helped. Thanks to some good friends who saw Cannon fall, we were able to get him to the hospital right away. In spite of multiple gashes in his mouth and A LOT of blood, no teeth were lost or stitches needed. We hope he learns to be a little more careful, and I learned you can't turn your back for minute on these busy guys. Also, a little plug for wearing helmets--Cannon was wearing one. I can't imagine what he would have looked like without it! We are so grateful for our little "Evil Canevil," who is sometimes a little too coordinated for his own good.

Aloha Ashtyn!

Happy Birthday, Bright Eyes! It's hard to believe our baby girl is one already, and yet seems like she has always been a part of our family. I'm so grateful for her sweet and calm spirit, her quick smile, and they way she seems to draw everyone to her. We had a blast celebrating her birthday hawaiian style. Her luau was great--complete with leis, mumus, and other tropical attire. We hope all your birthdays will be this fun. We love you!

Midway and the 4th of July!

Great times with the Bonner family in Midway! How can you not have fun in such a beautiful place with good friends, lots of food, fireworks, a boat, and a several chick-flicks? Stacie and I stayed an extra day and enjoyed an extra long weekend doing fun girly things--like watching the six hour version of Pride and Prejudice. Like I said, great times!

And They're Off to North Carolina

June was a wonderful month--full of great spiritual highs and emotional goodbyes. Clark's parents were called to serve as mission presidents in the Raleigh, North Carolina mission. We had many wonderful experiences. One of the highlights we meeting Elder Perry when my mother and father-in-law were set apart. He was so kind and gracious, taking time to meet each of us. As an added bonus, we were also able to see (not meet) the entire first presidency and the whole quorum of the twelve apostles (minus Elder Oaks and Elder Hales). It was incredible. Very special!

We were busy with lots of "last" family activities-- boat trips, temple trips, movies, BBQ's and swim parties (minus the swimming due to the weather), farewell addresses, FHE's, testimony meetings, etc. We packed a whole summer into a few weeks. All of those activities helped build memories and keep us distracted from the sad goodbyes. But, the day came and we were so proud of our missionaries. There were tears, but lots of excitement to be part of something so wonderful. We are so proud of you, Grandma and Grandpa! You will do a wonderful job! See you soon!

Kamryn and the big 5!!

Happy Birthday Kamerino! We had a great princess birthday party with make up, dress ups, singing, dancing, and everything girly! Kamryn was the star of the show and couldn't be happier. Girls RULE!

Where to start?

Who's a slacker? I AM! It's been a while, so let's start with some big accomplishments:
1. Kamryn graduated from preschool! She is a great reader! We are so proud of our spunky "Little Bit."





2. Rylee and Kamryn did great in their gymnastics competition--1st and 3rd place! Good job girls!

Hope this makes you smile!

Are you smiling right now? We are!

More Birthdays

Our Rylee-Roo is 7 today. Hard to believe! We had a great time celebrating her big day. We took Rylee, Kamryn, and friends (Brynnlee and Savannah) to get GLITTER TOES for Rylee's party. They were a huge hit. Happy birthday big girl!

Birthdays

Today is Rylee's birthday, but I forgot to post pictures of Cannon's birthday party in March. He is very into the BYU "Tigers" (hopefully catch onto the Cougar thing soon). We had a "Tiger" party and he loved it! My favorite moment was when Cannon took a big bite out of his candle (you can see it in my hand with a big chunk missing the same size as Cannon's mouth). I guess it looked appetizing. I don't think he'll do that again. We love our big boy!

Easter Pictures

I just got these pictures back from my friend Jenn  (jenniferkamp photography.blog spot.com).  She did a great job!  Thanks!  Happy Easter.

Crazy Leftover Night!

So I thought I'd share my dinner success from last night.  I wasn't in the mood to cook a big meal, and why should I since I had lots of leftovers in the fridge ( I wish I could say I'm this creative, but I got this idea from Shelley Wille's book, Great Kids are Home Grown--it has great fun family ideas).  Since I had leftovers from a few different meals, I had the kids draw numbers to see who got to pick their dinner first.  Instead of eating with plates, utensils, and glasses, I wrote down different kitchen items that could be substituted for "normal" dinner ware, and had the kids draw them from a jar.  They were so excited to be eating on cookie sheets and muffin tins with ice cream scoops and tongs and drinking from measuring cups and dessert bowls.  Anyway, the kids loved it, and we will definitely do this again.  I love getting great, easy ideas.  I was hoping for other creative brains to give me their tips.  Please reply!

Big News!

I'm pregnant!!!  Ha! Ha!  That was a joke (I should have saved that one for April 1st!)  No really, I have great news.  Clark's parents met this week with President Uchtdorf and were called as Mission Presidents in the Raleigh, North Carolina Mission.  They will report July 1st to the mission home.  We will miss them dearly, but are so excited for this new adventure.  We are so proud of you!

Our Gymnast

We just got these pictures back from Rylee's gymnastics class.  I thought they were pretty neat.  We found out she must have the Michael Jordan gene (tongue out when she gets air).  We are so proud of you, Rylee!

The Joys of Potty Training!

So this is my third time doing this... still not fun!  I've decided potty training is a right of passage for parents.  All parents do it, no one looks forward to it, yet with the lack of teenagers in diapers, you figure it has to be done.  Well, today was the day for Cannon.  He actually did really well.  I'm a huge advocate of "Toilet Training in Less Than a Day" by Azrin and Foxx.  It worked with the girls and so far, it has with Cannon too.  It was not all smooth sailing.  As you can tell from the happy face, Cannon enjoyed sitting on the potty.  In fact, he sat for over an hour and a half just drinking his soda, eating chips and candy, reading books, singing songs, etc.  Two Sprites later, he still hadn't gone potty (the kids must have a bladder of steal).  Anyway, he got up for just a minute, and wouldn't you know--pee all over my floor.  It was the first of many accidents, but by 1:00 he had the hang of it.  We did lots of celebratory dances, high fives, and hugs for "Pee-pee in the Potty."  I'm nervous to see what tomorrow will bring, but for now I'm enjoying the success of the day and hope for dry days and nights to come!

Who loves solids?

Even with child #4, I still get a kick seeing babies eat rice cereal for the first time.  Ashtyn acted like we were feeding her lemons.  Don't worry, she still ate a ton, she just gave some entertaining faces while she choked it down.  One spoonful in, half a spoonful out!

Funny Kids

Love these pictures!  I asked them for their silliest faces and this is what I got.  Crazy kids. 

Vacation in Paradise!

Clark and I had the opportunity to go on a cruise this month to the Caribbean--just the two of us!  WOW!  It was just what we needed.  The islands were beautiful, the beaches relaxing, and plenty of time for each other.  We had lots of fun with the friends we travelled with.  We sure missed our kids.  Paradise is fun to visit, but we are glad to be back!

Christmas

What a wonderful time of year!  This Christmas season we enjoyed all the fun things that make the holidays special--gingerbread houses, Christmas lights, Santa, family, and presents.  But more than anything else, I loved celebrating the life of the Savior, feeling his love for us, and resolving to be more like Him.

Disney-mania!

So this post is a few months late, but I had to share!  In November, Clark and I surprised the kids with a trip to Disneyland.  They bought our "staying at a hotel far away" excuse the whole drive there.  We told them right as we pulled up to the the happiest place on earth.  The squeals of excitement made they whole trip worth it--inspite troubles with the stomach flu and one little boy falling in the hotel fountain.  In all, we had a wonderful time!  

Bad, Bad Blogger!

WOW!  Where did the last two months go?  It is all such a blur.  I absolutely love Christmas, but there doesn't seem to be any time for extra anything!  Clark's new calling in church has also added to our craziness.  Our ward was split at the end of November and he was called as our new bishop.  Along with all our "Christmasing" was tithing settlement, interviews, staffing a brand new ward, etc.  It has been an adjustment, but a real blessing to our little family.  In spite of everything, I guess I shouldn't be too hard on myself for being such a bad blogger!