Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Wisconsin Badgers Take on the Indiana Hoosiers: Braving the Cold

Kourtney was the only brave soul to weather the cold and rain in order to see the Badgers take on the Hoosier football game a couple weeks ago. I'd like to think it was to spend time with her daddy. The big reason or I should say overwhelming factor was that she was born in Indiana therefore making her a native Hoosier.  I hope everone in her section of seats were nice as she rooted for her team. They probably just felt sorry for her because the Hoosiers got creamed. Still, what a trooper!

Dino, Dinosaurs and More Dinos

Keegan is obsessed with dinosaurs these days.  So what better place to take him for a daddy son date than to a dinosaur extravaganza at the Kohl's Center in Madison. Here are some pictures just to document the special occasion.

Ellary's Kindergarten Thanksgiving Performance

Ellary was so excited to play a pilgrim in her kindergarten class Thanksgiving Performance last week. The children dazzled us with songs and recited poems. Then we went back to their classroom and they had a feast. Ellary did such a great job especially when she said her individual part, "We're going on a turkey hunt. You can come too. Let's look for the turkey with its feathers painted blue." I'm looking forward to the many more performances she'll be participating in over the next 12 years.

Fall Orchestra Concert

Alyson and Kourtney are participating in 4th and 5th grade orchestra this year.  Aly plays violin and Kourtney plays cello. They get up extra early once a week and practice at the high school before school and then practice once a week during school. Just last week they had their first performance at the Middleton Performing Arts Center. It was great! They both did very well.  Keep up the good work girls!

Primary Program

The children worked very hard to memorize their parts for the Primary Program at church a couple weeks ago. They did a fantastic job! Alyson also played the prelude and postlude music on her violin, I Am A Child of God, and We'll Bring His the World His Truth. Great job kiddos!

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Daddy Daughter Trip to South Bend

Kris took Alyson, Kourtney and Ellary to South Bend to watch BYU take on the Notre Dame football team. They left Friday afternoon and arrived that evening to stay the night with a friend who lives next to campus. Saturday morning they toured the Notre Dame campus and froze their tails off! Kris took lots of pictures to document their adventure together. Then they watched the football game until halftime and drove home.

Monday, November 11, 2013

O'Ryan's Visit

My nephew O'Ryan came to visit us for a few days this past week. We had such a great time having him here and showing him all the wonderful things about Madison Wisconsin. Some of the highlights included going to the BYU vs Wisconsin football game, showing him around campus, attending the BYU football team devotional, taking him to the Mustard Museum in Middleton, participating in the Girls on the Run 5k and just hanging out talking and playing games together.

O'Ryan has a few other trips planned before he reports to the LDS Mexico City Missionary Training Center on January 1st, 2014. He has so many great experiences ahead of him and we are excited for all he is going to get to do and become over the next 2 years until we see him again.

Here are some of the pictures we took while he stayed with us.

Puff's Birthday

The kids decided they wanted to celebrate Puff's birthday by making him biscuits and a cake. Puff has never felt so spoiled in his three years of life!

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Halloween 2013

Keegan's Birthday

Keegan's birthday was Tuesday.  He took a treat to school (phonology class), chocolate Chex Mix, and came come excited to open his presents and eat his homemade Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle cake. Oh, and eat pizza too. If there's one thing Keegan reminds us of that the Ninja Turtles do is eat pizza "all the time". If it isn't already apparent, Keegan has an obsession with TMNT's.

So we ate pizza, Keegan opened presents (little motorized Buzz Lightyear Power Wheel, shoes, a TMNT shirt,  Curious George book and stuffed anumal characters from it, and money). Thank you, family.  After presents we ate cake and ice cream. If you didn't know it was Keegan's birthday you would have thought it was Joel's based on the way he tore into the cake.  Just take a look at his picture!

Keegan, you are a great blessing in our lives. So rough and tumbly at times, you can be a snuggly affectionate guy too. I love your goodnight whispers in my ear and that we get to spend so much time together right now. I love you. Your daddy loves you, and your sisters and brother love you too. Happy 4th birthday, Keegan!