I Flop ... At the District Pentathlon

For the past few weeks Kennedy has come home from school reporting on how she has been doing on the Pentathlon events. She was pretty excited because she was the second highest at the high jump. She told us she thought she might get to go to District. Well, I hate to admit that we didn't think too much about it. When all was said and done Kennedy placed 2nd Overall in the Girls' Senior Division at the school level.

Thursday I got to spend the day watching Kennedy participate in the Pentathlon events at the District level. She did a great job! No awards here ... but I she has bragging rights. Adri is pretty jealous. The only time she got to go to the Pentathlon was as a record keeper for my dad. If I'm guessing he probably gave her $50 to do it, too.

I didn't have my camera on the right settings so I don't have any pictures of Kennedy doing the High Jump, but her height was 3'6".

1/4 Mile Run -- Time: 1.31

Long Jump -- Distance: 9'2"

Shot Put -- Distance: 15 ft.

40 Meter Dash -- 6.6 sec.

Way to go Kennedy! We think you're a ROCK STAR!!

Dancing Drama

If you were to ask Kennedy she would tell you that I forced her to take dancing this year. I guess to a degree that might be true. Last year when she signed up for dancing I told her it had to be a two year commitment so we could get our money's worth out of the costumes. So this year there was whining every Wednesday night when it was time for dance class.

Well, we made it to the end and she had the dance revue this past Tuesday. For a girl who complains alot, she sure is a good little dancer. I love to watch her do ballet because she is very graceful. She's not one who has a really "cheesey" smile, as a matter of fact she is a pretty intense dancer. I occasionally have to tell her to put a bit more "umph" into her jazz and hip-hop.

At the end of the dance revue she informed me that she would do dancing again next year. That remains to be seen because I for sure will not deal with the whining for another year.

$MILE

We knew it was coming. It was inevitable. He was born with the Roberts jaw. As soon as he lost a few more teeth the braces would go on. The day finally arrived on April 7th. Only the top teeth for now, but eventually the bottom ones too. He's looking more and more like a teenager.

Kennedy Bliss

After a very long morning of teaching fifth grade, I called CJ at lunch and expressed to him how I was definitely ready to have this baby! She was only a couple of days late, but I was over it. CJ just happened to be in Logan working so he stopped by my doctor's office and asked if there was any way he would consider starting me. The doctor said that he would if a delivery room was available at the hospital. I was called to the office for a phone call at about 2:00 and it was my doctor asking me if I could be in Logan by 3:00. I told him I'd give it my best shot. I immediately called CJ and told him to hurry home and get my stuff ready because as soon as school was out we were headed to the hospital. I practically skipped back to my classroom and told the kids I wouldn't be back for six more weeks because I was having a baby that afternoon.

What joy Kennedy has brought to our family from the minute she was born. Life is never boring with Kennedy. She has such a fun personality; just a touch of attitude, a smidge of stubborness, and a heap of humor.

Kennedy is a great playmate for her brothers and little sister. I love that she is always willing to play dolls with Olivia and is usually up for a bike ride, basketball, or football with her brothers.

Kennedy has a lot of natural talent. She is a very good student, a great dancer, quite an athlete, and a natural at playing the piano.

She is a great friend, sister and daughter. We love you, Kennedy!

The Big Guy Turns 37

Yes, today we celebrate our dear husband/dad's birthday. It's always an exciting day for me because now CJ is only one year younger than me , rather than two. It was a pretty uneventful birthday, but I think that kind of happens with each passing year. Instead of a cake he wanted cinnamon rolls so I spent my afternoon doing that. Birthday dinner consisted of hamburgers on the grill and a shrimp salad.
Later we met with some friends and the missionaries for a discussion. Kim (not me) brought a chocolate cream pie and the missionaries brought balloons. CJ really appreciated their thoughtfulness.
CJ and I started dating when he was sixteen, so WOW, that's quite a few birthdays together.
I hope he had a great day because we think he is a pretty great DAD!
CJ has always been really good to pick up the pieces when I can't. When I was teaching school he always went on the field trips with the kids, he took the birthday treats to their classes, and one year he even sighed up with the PTA as a Room Father. He was really great to help with laundry and cleaning the house. Our first year married he even packed me a lunch every day!
He is a very hard worker and expects the same from those around him, whether it's his employees, his kids, or his wife. I would love to sleep in on Saturday mornings, but he's always up early doing something and out of guilt I get up, too. He loves to work outside, whether is mowing the lawn, fixing sprinklers, shoveling snow for us and all the neighbors. . . whatever, he would rather be out than in. He's done a great job with his electrical contracting business. I appreciate all he's done so that I am now able to be home with the kids.
CJ pretty much embraces everything whole-heartedly! Whenever he does anything he goes all the way. He not a man of just talk -- He's a man of ACTION! Because of him we have GREAT food storage, a cabin at Bear lake, water at his dad's farm, two cows and "some" chickens in the backyard.
CJ is definitely dedicated to his family and the church. He loved his mission to the Philippines and loves missionary work, in general. He would do anything for his family! He thinks his kids are the best around (which they are) and likes to see them excel. CJ loves to watch Keaton play football. Kennedy has him wrapped around her little finger. I think he's thrilled that Klayson is his "cowboy" and that Keaton has taken quite an interest in "farm animals", too. Of course, in his eyes, Olivia can do no wrong.
As anyone can see, I've got the best guy around and my kids have the greatest dad!
We love you CJ! Thanks for all you do!!

Happy Birthday CJ

It's All Fun & Games Until Someone Gets Hurt

When CJ put his hand in the air I knew the race was on. As soon as his arm dropped we sped across a field as fast as we could. The next thing I knew I was lying on my back wondering what the heck just happened. Come to find out, the ski of my snowmobile hit a wheel of something that was buried in the snow. Luckily I hit the wheel with just one ski and not head on or I probably would have killed myself. (Well, not really, but I would have had a few bruises.) Putting his scout skills to the test, CJ tied the ski back on and we rode back to the cabin.We loaded that sled into the trailer and got out the spare we brought. After riding for about three hours CJ offered to trade me so I could ride a more comfortable, faster snowmobile. I was perfectly content on our little Phazer, but we traded anyway. I headed off down the trail, but soon noticed we wasn't right behind me. I stopped to trade back (his goes way too fast for me). When he got to me he said that he had no idea how I had ridden for so long because there was no steering.

After checking things out and finding there was a missing bolt, we towed the Phazer out, about 30 miles, and took it to the nearest Yamaha dealer. Because of the busy weekend they didn't have time to fix it so we rented one for the next couple of days.

Darn our bad luck! Two snowmobiles down on the first day of our trip!

In spite of the trouble we had the first day, we had such a great time in Island Park. Our Group -- Ryan, Jordy, Mandi, Lee, Sherri, Eli, CJ, Kim, Craig, and Brady

We couldn't have asked for better conditions. The days were beautiful and we got new snow every night!This is one of my favorite spots -- Big Springs -- It reminds me of one of the Three Little Pigs' houses.

CJ and I at Mesa Falls

Brady -- Just Chillin' (Yes! That definitely is where Brady should park!)

Craig -- Ready to Ride

Eli & Sherri -- Lovin' it up!

Ryan & Jordan -- Takin' a Break