So I decided to try and make Cody's Halloween costume this year. I love the fact that my children are still young enough that I can help them decide what they would like to be and I can encourage them to do a pair costume. This year Hallie Jo went as Little Red Riding Hood and Cody was the Big Bad Wolf. I found this great wolf hat and made the rest of his costume. He loved it at first but it did not stay on him very long because he could not move as fast from one door to the other so piece by piece his costume came off. At the end of the day they were extremely exhausted. Cody is my little sugar boy. He loves sugar and would eat it for breakfast lunch and dinner if I let him. Hallie Jo on the other hand doesn't really care for it which is great except for the fact that she will give her candy to Cody.
This year we are enrolling Cody in what they call Itty Bitty Ball at the rec center. Each session focuses on a different ball sport for boys. We are hoping that this will give him a chance to experience a wide variety of sports of see if he takes to one more than the others. At the beginning of October he participated in Football. This was his first experience participating in a disciplined activity (besides gymnastics) with teachers other than his mom. He was really nervous and shy at first but by the end of the session he was participating fully in each of the activities. They did a really good job of exposing the boys to the most basic aspects of football and by the end of the session the 3 and 4 year old boys were kind of playing flag football.
He learned how to kick the football.
He learned how to make a goal and how to play defense.
He learned how to throw the ball (he has actually got an amazing throw).
And at the end they got to meet Leo the Lion. This was the only picture we were able to take with Leo and I think that it turned out GREAT! (Somebody walked right in front of me holding a balloon when I snapped the picture)
September 4th comes pretty fast. It always seems to creep up on us but what a wonderful day. Seven years old this year and every day I wish she could just stay as small and as sweet as she is. We really have been blessed with such a wonderful daughter. She has the sweetest personality and is so helpful and kind to everyone. Her birthday was a good one and like always lots of fun. She was able to have a swim party with her friends this year. It is probably the first year I have let her have a "party," and I forgot my camera. She enjoyed it immensely but it was pretty stressful for me. So grateful for wonderful friends and the wonderful families that they come from.
It definately does not feel like it has been the whole summer since I have blogged. The last three months just flew by. Our summer was filled with laughter, excitement, tears, sweat, lots of water and even some chocolate. It seems as if Hal is working as if it is still busy season and with luck not on our side this summer we were not able to travel much and only took a few trips to the cabin. However, it was still an amazing summer and here are a few highlights of how quickly it went by.
End of Year Gymnastics Recital. . . By the end of each recital each year I have worn myself out to the end of my rope and end up sick the following week, but each year it all comes together nicely and there is even chocolate to eat at the end of the day.
Kindergarten Graduation and Hallie Jo's two best friends.
This is the boy who really liked Hallie Jo.
Down time at the Provo Beach Resort
A trip to Utah Summer Games the first part of June to compete in Gymnastics. Hallie Jo placed third on Vault, Second on Bars, First on Beam and Floor and placed first All Around. This was her last Level 4 meet. She will be competing Level 5 in the Fall. I really enjoy being able to be her coach. She is a hard worker and an amazing gymnast.
Some of my "older" girls with Hallie Jo! They all did great!
Here are clips of her Level 4 Utah Summer Games Routines
Can't have a summer without the Strawberry Days Carnival
Not Complete without Cotton Candy (and strawberries and cream, and chocolate)
Hot Air Balloons with Smokey the Bear (a recent tradition)!
Silly Faces
Funny Places and yes this is a full sized doberman sharing his kennel with Cody - They are best friends!
Backyard Firewoks!
Nights at the Cabin
Hikes to some Waterfalls to fulfill an intense Summer Intensive for Gymnastics!
Splashing around in some extremely fun parks.
More hikes and more high mountains for Cody to wander too close to the edge for comfort.
A birthday surprise for me. My borther and sister-in-law broke into my house while I was at work on my Birthday leaving confetti, streamers and balloons everywhere (wishing I would have cleaned my house better the night before). Thanks for the Surprise Jason and Heather, you guys are great! A birthday complete with a trip to the Cheesecake Factory (my favorite restaurant) and some Hershey's Chocolate Cheesecake, YUM!
Tumbling in a Parade - - no injuries, no blood and no accidents YAY!
Some Very Cute Girls!
Learning New Skills at Gym and a Fun Summer Ballet Intensive
(Video's to Come)
First day of First Grade. I think I was more anxious than her but she has an amazing teacher this year and I know it will be a good year for her. I am really going to miss having her around all the time.
Good Luck Sugar Bug! I know that you will move mountains!
This Summer Brought; lot's of time spent in Grandma and Grandpa's pool, Cody can swim pretty good now and thinks that he is invincible in the water. Hallie Jo learned to dive and they both have great tans (I'm a little jealous). Time spent by Grandpa's bedside (he is still really struggling with pain and a roller coaster ride of being sick and then better). Hopes for a better year and possibly some new and exciting things to come for us (this is not an announcement). Hopefully no more appliances give out or cars break down (knock on wood) and hopefully a brighter tomorrow.
Like I promised here are some pics of the last few months!
They are still BEST FRIENDS!!
My little trouble maker - - this is all in a days work.
This is because he knows he is in trouble!
Over Spring Break I had some time to spend some one on one time with my munchkins and these are a few of the activities we did.
The first day we went to the Provo Beach Resort and played in their indoor jungle gym. I did not get any pics of this but they had a blast. The next day we went to the Dinosaur Museum. They have not been there for a few years so they really enjoyed it.
This was a hit! They could have played in the water for hours!
They were so sad when I told them that it was time to go, but they did get to dig for about an hour.
The next day we hit Kangaroo Zoo with cousins!
I think that I wore them out this day!
Next it was off to Discovery Park in PG. I was not a fan because there were too many people and too many places to hide so we did not stay long.
The last day of Spring Break we went to see the movie HOP! It was an OK movie. Definitely made for the little ones.
Hal finished his busy season and we celebrated with balloons.
This is how happy Cody was that his dad would be home more.
Hallie Jo has started to write pretty good. She writes words the way they sound so it is a little hard to decipher sometimes but I could not resist taking a picture of this.
Easter morning is always fun at our house. The Easter Bunny left little piles of jellybeans all over the house and after seeing the movie HOP Cody thought this was the funniest thing.
Always ends with new Sunday Clothes!
Hallie Jo loves competing, these are some pics of her All American Meet. She has one meet left this year at the Utah Summer Games in Cedar City on June 10th.
One of my Dad's favorite things to do is to launch rockets and see how high they can get them. On a day that he was feeling good we all went out to his Sod Farm to launch a few rockets. It was a fun day being able to have my dad there.
Hallie Jo did an amazing job in her Alice in Wonderland production. It was really a cute production and I was able to watch it three times. She gets so nervous for performances but always does a good job. You are a beautiful dance Hallie Jo.
