Some of my favorite Summer Pics

This summer we did a lot of playing, but of course I did not get as many pics as I could have and I still have way more than I needed. Here are some of my faves:

Grandma Suzy invited us over for slip-n-slide and kiddie pool fun

































We also went swimming at the pool in Grandma Shauna's neighborhood:




















Seriously. This little girl is such a diva sometimes. She was literally lounging in the sun while daddy pushed her around. Lounging. Like the spoiled little princess she knows she is.












Here we are watching the parade that daddy was in this summer. (Thanks Dad, Suzy, and Jeremy for coming with us to watch!)











Fun at Nana and Papa's house:












Can't have a summer without sidewalk chalk drawing.













A fun day at the park:

Back to School

Jayda is back to school as a 2nd grader this year. How time flies! It feels like yesterday that she was just a little preschooler. This is her second year in the Gifted and Talented Dual Immersion Language program. We were a little nervous starting her in it last year because we weren't sure if it would be too much for her learning Spanish and working a grade ahead, but she was up to the challenge and we are so proud of her! This year is going to be even more challenging because we started her in competitive gymnastics over the summer and she will be working out at the gym 12 hours a week on top of school. She is in love with gymnastics, though, so I cant imagine she will want to give it up anytime soon.

Tai started preschool this week. My little guy is growing up *wiping a tear* . Though I am gonna miss him at home, this kid is in desperate need of a social life--he is going to love playing with the kids in his class (and entertaining them--he is definitely the "class clown" type). We love you, Tai!

End of Year Show!

The dual immersion classes at Jayda's school
did an end of year cultural presentation. Jayda's
class danced the Merengue and sang a song in Spanish.
And they sang a few other songs with the other dual immersion classes. It was so fun to watch! We have been so proud of Jayda's progress in this class. Her teacher thought that Jayda came from a spanish-speaking family because she picked up on the language so
easily. She is also in the accelerated program in her school so she spent most of the year learning 2nd and some 3rd grade curriculum. She is smart, social, and athletic. Congratulations on doing so well in the 1st grade. We love you Jayda!







If you're looking for Jayda in the dance, she is in the back in the bright orange skirt.

A little behind...

Easter morning...




The kids had fun looking for eggs.
Even Jasmyn got the idea pretty
quickly.















































Easter outfits are
so fun! The girls are
so cute, and my guys
are handsome!








Hanging out at the Easter party at Grandma's

Love you little duck

Voltron

I realize this is a really random post, especially after not having blogged for forever but here goes:

Does anyone remember Voltron? Me neither. But Tai is obsessed with the '80s cartoon (viewed on Netflix). Lehi claims he watched it as a child as well. It reminds me a bit of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (for those of you who are more familiar with '90s television) in that the show is centered on several robotic vehicles (controlled by a team of humans) that connect together to make a mega-robot. The mega-robot's name in this series is Voltron (...Defender of the Universe!)

So here is a bit of evidence of Tai's obsession:

Every day I discover some depiction of Voltron in one medium or another. Tai has been known to use anything from blocks, to legos, to crayons, cars, and even refrigerator magnets to create his Voltrons.








































Most recently he has discovered how to turn himself into Voltron. It is sooo cute to hear him declare in his cute 3 year old talk "I'm Bo-tron 'Fender of the Umi-berse!"

Christmas

I lost my camera--not sure how, but here are some pictures my mom took with her camera on Christmas morning:

Jasmyn got lots of clothes and toys and a cute little book she really likes.






Tai got spoiled this Christmas despite my best efforts not to. He is such a boy and loves Buzz Lightyear, Iron Man, and Trains. Needless to say, he was just too easy to shop for.


















The highlight of Christmas morning was the train table. Even though we gave it to Tai, all our kids loved playing with it. Any time we had to go somewhere Tai would say "no mom. Im playin' my trains"























Jasmyn meets Santa for the first time. 'Nuff said.










Tai sat on Santa's lap but wasnt very chatty. However, he was excited for the candy cane after.





Here is a little story about Jayda. When I was a kid I remember pouring through toy catalogs so I could make extensive lists of what I wanted for Christmas. So it surprises me (and makes me a little proud) when every year Jayda only has 2 or 3 things on her mind that she wants for Christmas then she picks one to ask Santa for--and they are usually fairly reasonable items. This year it was a pillow pet. (The other items she had on her list were a zhu-zhu pet, her own vacuum or broom so she can help mommy clean, and a globe). I love that girl.