Way to go Anna!



Anna was named one of the September students of the month for Provost Elementary for the 1st grade. She was also the September student of the month when she was in kindergarten. We are so glad that Anna is a good student and respects her teachers. Hopefully, some of this obedience will rub off on Andrew.



Speaking of Andrew, it is fun to watch him grow up and develop his own character. It looks like he may be left handed just like Danny and Anna (who knew I would be the minority with my right hand). He has developed an unusual hobby within the last month which is shown through pictures.

1. Print picture from computer



2. Color Picture



3. Cut out picture



4. Glue or tape if needed



5. Fun paper toy's to play with



So, there it is Andrew's last obsession. This is seriously all he does all day and hence what I do too. I try not to think about all the paper and computer ink we go through (on a positive note his coloring has greatly improved). A couple of weeks ago it was just veggie tales and larry boy pictures. Now we have moved on to transformers. He does not just color them either, they have to be the exact color. I am so thankful for wikipedia so I can look up all the different transformers and be informed of their exact image.

In closing, here is a sample shot of 2 days worth of his creations (taken during his veggie tale phase).

I saw this fun quiz on some of my friends blogs and thought it would be fun to try with Anna (6) and Andrew (3):

1. What is something that mom always says to you?
Andrew: I don't know
Anna: Anna
2. What makes mom happy?
Andrew: When I clean up
Anna: When I give you hugs
3. What makes mom sad?
Andrew: When I don't listen
Anna: When I get a red card (the form of discipline in Anna's class at school - I would be shocked if she actually ever did get one as she is such a rule follower)
4. How does your mom make you laugh?
Andrew: When you do funny things
Anna: When you tickle me
5. What was your mom like as a child?
Andrew: She liked toys
Anna: Nice
6. How old is your mom?
Andrew: I don't know
Anna: 29
7. How tall is your mom?
Andrew: He just raised his hand in the air and said taller than my hand
Anna: 10 inches
8. What is her favorite thing to do?
Andrew: Play

Anna: Do stuff with me and Andrew
9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
Andrew: Cry
Anna: Takes care of Andrew
10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
Andrew: Food
Anna: Reading the hugest book in the whole wide world
11. What is your mom really good at?
Andrew: Making dinner
Anna: Reading
12. What is your mom not so good at?
Andrew: I don't know
Anna: Fixing stuff
13. What does your mom do for her job?
Andrew: I don't know
Anna: Taking care of me and Andrew
14. What is your mom's favorite food?
Andrew: Salad and grapes
Anna: Vegetables and fruit
15. What makes your mom proud?
Andrew: When daddy wins his football game (I have no idea where that answer came from as Danny does not play football)
Anna: That I am Anna's mom (Let's just say she has no self-esteem problems)
16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Andrew: Dora's mom
Anna: I don't know (she thought this was a weird question)
17. What do you and your mom do together?
Andrew: Dance
Anna: Go to the store
18.How are you and your mom the same?
Andrew: WE ARE NOT THE SAME (He was very adamant that we were not the same)
Anna: Brown eyes and we are girls
19. How are you and your mom different?
Andrew: WE ARE DIFFERENT (He was a little confused I asked this after he just told me we are not the same)
Anna: You are bigger than me and have a different color of hair
20. How do you know your mom loves you?
Andrew: Kisses and hugs
Anna: Because that is what moms do (they love their kids)

Here are some pictures my brother Brandon took at my brother Craig's wedding the end of August.

Anna had a birthday party with some girls from her school and primary class on Friday. We had a lot of fun making crowns, playing games, and of course eating ice cream cake cupcakes.

As I mentioned before, while we were in WY we traveled on a helicopter from Sheridan to Casper. Cary Brus, a Despain family friend, was the one who set the whole thing up and he sent us some pictures he took with his cell phone. It was a fun ride, but next time I think I will see if they can turn off Andrew's sound on his microphone - he was having a little too much fun talking to us all.

First Day of School

Andrew and Anna both started school on Monday, August 18th. Andrew is going to WizKidz preschool (hence the shirt) and Anna started the 1st grade. They both love school and have great teachers.

Anna is also excited to be finally playing soccer with just girls. The last 2 years she had to play on coed teams, but once you are in 1st grade they have a league just for girls.



Anna turned 6 on August 25th! We had a family birthday party for her since everyone was here for my brother Craig's wedding.





Finally, Andrew's latest obsession has been Larry Boy from Veggie Tales. Anna had some friends over and they were playing dress up and Andrew wanted to dress up too. This is the best I could do for a Larry Boy costume on the spur of the moment.

Whenever we are in San Diego, we make sure and go to the dentist - Dr. D.Max (Danny's brother). Anna had a tooth that was not doing good, so it had to be pulled. Anna was so good even though she was scared. She was excited to loose her first tooth and get a visit from the tooth fairy.

Another highlight from the summer is swimming lessons. Anna and Andrew both love the water, so swimming lessons is very fun for them. They both did a great job in their classes.





We also just got back from a fun 2 week trip to Wyoming. We went up to Sheridan to see where my dad has been working the last year. He has a pond full of fishes right out his backyard, so Anna and Andrew loved to go fishing.





The highlight of the trip was being able to fly back to Casper in a helicopter. Of course, we did not have a camera with us, but there were a lot of other people taking pictures, so maybe I can get a hold of them and post them later. It was a blast to ride in the helicopter, I wouldn't mind using that form of transportation more often.

One of the highlights of our summer is our trip to San Diego July 4th through the 12th. It was so much fun to see family and friends, play at the beach, go to Legoland for free, and enjoy the beautiful San Diego weather. Here are some pictures that highlight our trip.

Anna playing with her good friend Victoria Hunt. We also got to be there for the blessing of Tyler Hunt. We had so much seeing the Hunt's and playing with them.



Poor Andrew can't keep a pair of swim shorts on.

Anna and Andrew love the beach. I think the beach might be the thing I miss most about San Diego. They always have so much fun, it is so relaxing for me, and it is free!



Andrew and Danny on a ride at Legoland.



Anna showing her driving skills on the road. Andrew still needs to work on his driving skills. Luckily they have a worker that will set you back on course which service Andrew used quite extensively. He was cute, every time he couldn't move he would say, "I have a flat tire!" and the helper would quickly come and set him back on the road.



This picture cracks me up. I love Anna's pose in the back!





I am always amazed at the things they can create out of Lego's. There are some very talented and creative people out there.

Here are some of the things we have been up to since my last post.

Anna at her end of the year party at school. Anna loved her first year of school. She loved her teacher, Mrs. Willcocks. Here she is with two of her friends from class (Ashley and Maritza).



Andrew and Anna getting ready for the children's 4th of July parade. They marched with the library again and wore their summer reading program shirts. We love the Provo Library, it is a beautiful building and has by far the best children's program around.

Danny walked with kids this year since the parade was on a Saturday. He was even able to get a

free t-shirt and 2 popsicles out of it. Anna and Andrew loved being in the parade!











As part of Provo's Freedom Festival around the 4th of July, they have alot of fun activities including colonial days. They have people dressed up from that time period and have booths and activities. Anna and Andrew liked playing with the toys children played with during that time period. Anna liked watching them make candles and Andrew loved pretending that he was steering a ship.