Terrible, Wonderful 2

Happy Birthday Kate!

I can't believe that my baby is 2. Unfortunately I am afraid the fact that Eric and I missed her birthday party will always overshadow the remembrance of the day. It started off in a very normalish birthday way. She woke up and opened her presents with us and then we sent Alec and Chloe off to school. Since Eric had they day off, we decided to go and shop for a new car, since we had some time and had been meaning to do it for a few weeks. Well....looking turned into buying, and buying turned into several hours. We did get the birthday girl home in time and thanks to some wonderful family and a little luck, the party went off without a hitch, minus the birthday parents. We made it back just after cake was served. I am 100% sure that she will never remember that we missed her party, but I am also 100% sure that all that wonderful family won't let her OR us forget. Thanks everyone for helping out and making it a great party for Kate. Kate, you are an amazing little girl and and we can't imagine life without you!

Love you Baby!

Idaho Reunion

The last weekend in July, every other year, Eric's family on his mom's side has a huge family reunion in Idaho. They rent out a large camping/recreation area and we all spend a couple of days camping and hanging out together. Each family is in charge of certain meals and/or games throughout the weekend and on Saturday night the family band sets up and plays for a fun night of singing and dancing. I think one of the best things is that every year there is a humanitarian project that we work on.

This year we even rode the canal. It was the first time that the kids and I had done it. The funny thing is that in Idaho, a canal is more of what I think of as a small river. It was tons of fun and the kids had a blast! I am not sure if they liked jumping off the bridge or riding the rapids more, but they did not take a break for about 4 hours. We always have a great time and love seeing all the extended family. We can't wait for 2011!

Double Digits!

WOW 10!

It amazes me that we have been parents for a whole decade! This year for Alec's birthday, like Chloe, he had two parties. On his actual birthday all his grandma's and grandpa's, great's included, came over for pizza and strawberry shortcake, Alec's favorite dessert! His second party was much more exciting! I had heard an ad on the radio for birthday parties at the Living Planet Aquarium and immediately thought of Alec. He, Eric and Chloe watch the discovery channel all the time and their favorite programs are about the ocean. Alec hadn't had a friend party since he was 5, so we figured that 10 was a great age to get a party like this. He got to invite 10 friends and cousins to come with us. The party was in a sunken ship and then we got to go on a treasure hunt through the aquarium. There are even a couple "hands on" exhibits where you get to feel some of the animals. Everyone really liked the stingray. It was amazing to reach in and touch them as they swam by!

Alec also really liked the shark tank and the anaconda.

Alec, we hope you had a great 10th birthday! You are such a great kid. I can't believe how much you have grown up in the last couple of years. Thanks for all the help you give me at home and with the girls!

We love you bud!!

Vacation, Prettyman Style!

For our bi-annual vacation with Eric's family, instead of the usual trip to Bear Lake, this year we went to Wolf Creek/Pineview. It is an incredible vacation spot. The condo's have a great pool and water slide and tons of room to play. We had a talent show where our family put on a magic act.

Alec did his famous card trick and conjured up a pranks, Chloe helped Eric and I with some thrilling illusions and Kate's pants "mysteriously" disappeared, as they do on a regular basis! Every family participated and there were some very clever and cute acts! We had relay races, morning exercise, a day at the lake and a trip into Ogden to the Treehouse Museum. It was such a fun week and we loved spending time with everyone! Thanks Grandma!!

5 is FABULOUS!

Chloe is so excited to be 5. She asked for a new bike for her birthday. Not just any bike though, a Barbie bike that Barbie can ride on too. Also, it has been more than 6 weeks since she got her ears pierced and she is able to change out her studs, so she also asked for some new earrings. I think she is a very happy girl that both of those birthday wishes came true!

The University of Phoenix zoo night fell on Chloe's birthday this year so she got the have a party at the zoo with Eric's side of the family. It was a lot of fun!

We also celebrated Chloe, Oma and Jordan's birthdays at Banana and Papa's with the first swim party of the summer.

We hope you had a great 5th birthday Chloe! It is so fun to watch you grow....now stop it!!

Bear Hollow field trips and Graduation!

This year I was able to go with Chloe on two field trips.

The first one was at the beginning of the year and we went to Cabellas. We had a great time looking around at all of the animals and the best part was we got to watch them feed the fish. Chloe and Tyson's favorite thing was, of course, the shooting gallery

The second field trip was to the zoo. It was the last field trip of the year and we were excited about it for months! It seemed like forever by the time we FINALLY got to go!

I am really glad I was able to spend those fun days with Chloe and have those memories from preschool with her!

Chloe graduated from her second year at Bear Hollow. They had a really fun program with several songs about all the animals they had learned about all year long! Chloe had been singing them around the house for months and knew all the songs so well for the performance. She won the "Always Happy" award for the second year in a row! Chloe had an amazing year with Miss Molly. She is reading and learned to count to 100! She learned so much and is so ready for kindergarten, although I am not ready for her to be that old! Chloe we are so proud of you and how hard you worked all year! We know that you will be amazing at anything you do because you have such a passion for life and learning and put your heart into everything you try! Don't ever change Chloe Belle!

Nadia??..No, it's Chloe!

This past year, Chloe took gymnastics. We wanted to put her in something that she would really enjoy but also help her with her balance and coordination. Here are a few pictures from her class. One of her favorite things was at the end of every class when they would give a cheer and say "We love gymnastics!"

Chloe got to participate in the spring exhibition. It was AMAZING! They set it up like a real gymnastics meet. They had four rotations and they marched to each one just like real gymnasts do. She did the bars, floor, beam and vault, which in this age bracket is just jumping off the spring board and landing with your hands up, but still way cute!! Anyway, to say the least we were stunned with how much she had improved during the year! She did so good and everyone that came and watched thought she was incredible!

Good Job Chloe!