Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Be True To Your School...

I don't know if Fynnley was more excited for her first day of Kindergarten or to wear her new outfit! Either way, she was one pretty chipper little girl. She has waited five long years watching her older sibs get to buy new school supplies, go on field trips and ride the big, yellow bus. And, FINALLY, it is her turn!
The week before, we met with her new teacher, Mrs. Park, to run through a few tests to see what Fynn already knows--she passed with flying colors! 'Though she was a little timid to meet her teacher, she was ecstatic over the fun kitchen to play with in her classroom and the presence of a few class pets. And what's not to love about her new rainbow-colored, leopard-print backpack she picked out all by herself (it's about as big as she is!)?
When the big day arrived, we got her properly coiffed, dressed in her adorable, new clothes and her princess, gold shoes. Mom made her contain her enthusiasm long enough to shoot a few pics and we were off to the bus stop! She couldn't wait to climb onto that bus (and barely could stretch her little legs from one step to the next)! I then ran home, jumped in the car and headed over to the school to capture her getting ready to start her first day. She wasn't too sure she was ready for all this hoopla as she watched the other kiddos line up against the wall, but fell in with them after a little nudging from Mom. And before I knew it...she was waving good-bye and disappearing through the glass door. I peeped in the classroom window for a minute to make sure she was going to survive (or maybe, ahem, to make sure I was going to survive), saw her getting comfortable and tore myself away from the building. My heart clenched as I made my way to the car, and a few tears escaped...I am going to miss my little shadow, I can't believe this day has finally come...
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Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Always, Always, To Walk In The Light

Thanks to a dedicated Webelos leader (since I never seem to be able to stay on top of my sons' scouting requirements), Connor received his Arrow of Light recognition. We are really proud of him for completing all the requirements and he thinks that wood plaque is pretty cool! Connor really enjoys scouting and is always eager to do whatever is asked of him. Congrats, my boy!
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Sit Down, You're Rockin' The Boat!

Pressure was on...he had completed several heats, blown his hardest and come out victorious! It was down to him and one other boy. Ready, set, go! Blow, Dane, blow!!! He gave it his all, maybe a titch too much...the boat snagged for half a second on the side of the rain gutter...and it was just enough for the other boy's boat to zoom past! Ohhh...the crowd sighed and cheered all in one voice. Second place. He was pretty disappointed. But, hey, better than last place, right??! And, really, that was a pretty cool boat he and Dad designed. And that's what he can really be proud of! Congrats, my Daney-boy, your boat rocked!
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Sunday, August 28, 2011

'Cause You Gotta Keep Your Head Up...

After our washing machine flood in 2010, and the debacle of restoring our house back to its original condition, I was extremely upset when Shayne informed me this Spring that the balcony on the front of the second story of our house was rotting. Frankly, I didn't care. I rarely walked out on it and, hey, it looked fine to me! But as we stepped out onto it with our neighbors' family to watch July 4th fireworks, I watched the concrete at the front of the balcony begin to buckle and wave as people walked across it. Oh no!! Shayne was right!
So, against what I wanted to do (ignore it), we got a bid from Sevicemaster (the company that had fixed our house after the flood) for a balcony repair. We had no idea how far the water had permeated the wood, but figured it wasn't much past the surface concrete. IF that was the case, Servicemaster handed us a bid of $7,000 to fix the damage. WHOA! I was dying inside. There went any hope of saving money for the next several months! But, Shayne (believing he could fix it) hit up our friend, Darin Juncker (who seems to have magic hands that know how to fix everything!) to help him re-do the balcony themselves. I was pretty skeptical, but they were confident they could do a good job for half the price we had been quoted. I had to just trust them...and keep my mouth shut! (Two very difficult things for me!)
Once they began ripping the concrete off, they realized the water damage was much worse than they had initially thought and said the entire balcony was going to have to come down and be rebuilt. I was not happy. But what choice did we have? I returned from a photo session one Friday night just in time to watch the entire balcony fall off the front of my house as those boys kicked it loose. I cried. I couldn't handle seeing my lovely home so crippled. Shayne reassured me it was all going to be fine and to trust they would be able to repair it.
And they were true to their word! It took a few weeks, but, eventually, my beautiful balcony was reconstructed (and much better than it had been to begin with!). I chose a new gray "giraffe skin" pattern for the concrete stamp on it and I was really pleased with the results. I'm grateful to Darin for his supervision (without which, we couldn't have done this project!) and to Shayne for having the faith that they could conquer it. As for me, I always wish these repairs didn't have to be done. It's way more fun to take a vacation...*sigh*
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After the railing came off

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All the rot.

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The whole front is gone!

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Building a new floor.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Going To The Chapel And We're Gonna Get Married...

I have two favorite callings in the Church--Relief Society instructor and Laurel advisor. I have been both in the last few years, so I have been a content girl in my church responsibilities. And one of my dear girls in my Laurel class is now getting married! She dutifully waited for her missionary to return and I was excited to throw her a shower to get ready for the big day. I love Ali and Janice Fox, they are two of my favorite people in our ward. I had a fun time trying out a new cupcake recipe and crafts I had seen on Pinterest for the shower. I think the results turned out pretty darn cute. Ali seemed really happy and is giddy to be marrying her Prince Charming--Brock Beeson. I wish them so much happiness!!
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She Gave Me Presents...

One of the best things about Fynnley's birthday is that the weather is always beautiful! She arrived on this earth on a gorgeous, sunny day and it's been that way every year since. I love that we can have her party on our patio and I was really excited to decorate for this year. One of the other best things about her birthday? Her party theme somehow always revolves around her favorite color--PINK! This year, I embraced it once again...
And, as you can see from the photos, a common gift theme emerged as well--BARBIES! Fynn was thrilled with each one and Mommy and Daddy added to her stacking dolls collection with a penguin family and a beautiful owl family. You are such a precious, big 5-year-old, my baby girl! Love you forever, XOXO-Mommy
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Red and Yellow and Pink and Green...

One of the things Fynnley loves to do is create with colors! It doesn't matter if it's clay or paint or crayons or play-doh--she just loves to produce some fabulous work of art when she is finished. So, when I suggested we got to Color Me Mine in Provo for her 5th birthday party, she was thrilled! We gathered up her closest friends from our neighborhood, preschool and our own cute cuzzy, Paris and headed off to the ceramics studio. The girls each picked out their own item to paint (yeah, I let Fynn pick out the biggest and most expensive figurine--she IS the birthday girl, after all!), each of the colors they were dying to use and away they went! Fynn's figurine was so big, however, the other girls had to help her finish painting it (which I don't think she was super happy about, but we had presents to get to!). Grammy Su even stopped by the studio and gave Fynn her gift before we headed back home for cake and gifts!
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(Back L. to R.) Portia, Fynnley, Paris, Ragan, Hannah
(Front L. to R.) Hallie, Brienna

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Miss 5-year-old Fynnley

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Such concentration!

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Not so sure she wants their help!

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The finished product before they were fired.

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Opening Paris' gift before she had to go home.

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Yay! More goodies to create with!

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Cutie-pie Cuzzies!