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I've got music...

Kyle's a music lover. He's loves musicals, has been begging to take piano lessons for over a year, and is always up for a good dance party in the kitchen. So it doesn't surprise me that music is one of his favorite classes, second only to gym. 

However, he was quick to notice that most of his friends didn't share his opinion. In fact, music was their least favorite subject. So even though he kept quiet about his love, he looked forward to music class every week.

 

We were treated to a special show this past week. So we crowded into that music room, along with 24 other students and their parents. And it was...well, it was everything you'd imagine from 25 third-graders playing xylophones! There aren't words...

Marie loved it, though. She's spent quite a bit of time at the school this year, and is counting the days (no longer years!) until she gets to go. And she, quite obviously, loves her brother. And I'm loving those bright yellow tye-dyed shirts they got to wear over and over again towards the end of the year.

And for your viewing enjoyment:

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"I Know When I Am Baptized"

Kyle made the decision months ago that he wanted to be baptized and has been waiting eagerly all year long. We had many discussions and lessons on baptism and he was more than ready. He knew exactly what covenants he was making and was so mature and responsible about it.

This was his night, so we left all of the decisions up to him. What we were going to sing: "The Iron Rod" (not a baptism song? Who cares!) and "The Still Small Voice." Who was going to speak: Grandpa Turner and Grandpa Russell. The prayers: Grandma Turner and Grandma Russell. Kevin even left it up to Kyle as to who would baptize and confirm him, despite my concerns (What?! It has to be his dad! What if he chooses one grandpa over the other!?).

But I shouldn't have worried, because the night was perfect. Of course he asked his dad to baptize him. Why wouldn't he choose his best buddy? And I didn't need to worry that his pants weren't white enough. He was perfectly handsome. And I didn't need to worry that nobody in our new ward would show up, because the few that did were the perfect additions.

The spirit was so strong that night, and I'll never forget it. I couldn't take my eyes off Kyle as I watched him listen carefully to the special words his grandparents spoke to him. He was so proud, so happy, and felt so special. He knew that he was doing the right thing, and he knew that he was loved. All was right in his world.

And once again, I was shown how blessed we are to have this little boy in our lives. He's been through some big adjustments the past few months, and I've seen the growth in him. Not only does he navigate through his new world, but he's done all he can to help us in ours, as well. He tries to please his parents, is a kind and good example to Marie, and tries his best to make good choices. Yes indeed, lucky are we.

On the Wolf Track

Oh, the joys of scouting! The months of jealousy and drooling over his friends' scout uniforms are over because Kyle's day has come!

And he really lucked out, because his first two weeks of scouting were jam-packed with excitement. He experienced his first pack meeting and earned his Bobcat badge. He had about 8 days to earn it and took it very seriously. Anyone who knows Kyle knows that he likes instant gratification. Eight days is about as instant as it gets in the scouting program!

He also participated in his first Raingutter Regata. He had a blast designing and painting his boat with Dad. He also had a blast winning 2 or 3 of his races. What he didn't like was losing the other ones.

Oh, he was mature and had a good attitude about it, but he sure didn't like it. I'm pretty sure that award he's holding up says something along the lines of "Best Effort." Rest assured, there will be some serious research and design that goes into next year's boat!

First Day of School, First Day of School!

Nemo's famous lines were quoted many times in the days leading up to the first day of school. There were mixed feelings all around - excitement, nervousness, fear of the unknown, and anticipation of many new things to come.

Kyle and I usually have a back-to-school date before the school year starts. This typically includes lunch of Kyle's choosing, school supply shopping, clothes shopping (c0mplete with a fashion shoot in the dressing room), and dessert on the way home. It's a tradition we both love. And it didn't happen this year. Well, at least the ideal date didn't happen.

You see, we had to bring little sister along this year. With no evenings free, and no friends to babysit, Kyle allowed Marie to come along. And as we all know, that changes the dynamic of the whole experience! And because he didn't really need any new clothes, that part was eliminated, along with the fashion show.

However, we did still have an awesome lunch at Friendly's, where we enjoyed ice cream for dessert and talked about his goals for the next year. And we did pick up some super awesome school supplies.

And most importantly, we did survive the first day of school. He typically rides the bus, but he wanted me to drive him that first morning. Hans Herr Elementary is top-notch, which is good in many ways. But when they pressured me into leaving him at the front door so they could escort him to class, I may or may not have panicked. And when I saw the VERY nervous look on Kyle's face as he walked away, I may or may not have wanted to run back, scoop him up, and take him back home with me. And I MAY or may not have cried a little as I walked back to my car. In many ways, it was worse than kindergarten.

But we survived. And he loves it. Loves his teacher, loves all of the extra-curricular activities that seem like such a bonus after attending budget-deprived California schools, and loves riding the bus.

Yes, I think it's going to be a great year. Now, we just need to find a home in this school district so we don't have to do it all over again next year!

It's great to be EIGHT!

I still haven't successfully mastered the art of taking great pictures, great video, AND actually enjoying all of those special moments in life. Therefore, Kyle has some great video of his birthday, but not a whole lot of pictures. However, don't let the lack of pictures fool you - he had an AWESOME 8th birthday.

The birthday boy (or girl) rules the roost in our house, and that day becomes all about HIM (or her). And because Kyle's birthday fell on a Sunday this year, he got a 2-day celebration (because who can properly celebrate without activities and dinner out, which we don't typically do on a Sunday).

Therefore, Saturday was miniature golf and dinner at Texas Roadhouse. The miniature golf course was lush, green, and gorgeous - we had a blast! But let me tell you, it was HOT. The humidity out here killed us during the month of August. By the time we got to the 18th hole, we were DONE - literally and figuratively. As an extra birthday gift of sorts, we all gave him our ball to attempt a hole in one. And wouldn't you know it, out of the six balls, he won two free rounds of golf. The birthday celebration that keeps on giving...

Because we're suckers, Saturday was also birthday presents. Mario Sluggers, hockey equipment, and a pocketknife...what more could a boy want?

That left Sunday as a more relaxing birthday celebration. Meals of his choice (orange rolls, and fettucine alfredo), balloons, decorations, and birthday cake. And most importantly, snuggles with Grandpa & Grandma. This is three years running for birthday celebrations with grandparents - I think Kyle has a new tradition!

Happy 8th Birthday, Kyle! I think EIGHT is going to be a GREAT year!

3 Days of Disneyland? Oh my!

Once upon a time, I bribed my sister and her husband that if they would come visit, we'd take them to Disneyland. I wasn't sure they'd take me up on it, but luckily for us, they did! And because of the great military deal going on, we got three days of Disney for the price of one!

We had a blast. The only way to do Disney is during the off-season. And while it's not technically the off-season right now, we knew that the first week of May would be pretty great timing (spring breaks are over, but end-of-year-school-groups haven't hit it yet).


The other secret to a great Disney trip is ensuring that the number of adults exceeds (or at least ties) the number of children. Kristen & Bryce were such awesome help, and totally great sports.

Kyle turned out to be a pretty big chicken on this trip, which was completely frustrating, but we tried to get over it. I'm pretty sure that he's cheering for some super awesome ride in this picture. Probably "It's a Small World." Just kidding...kind of.
(By the way, Tower of Terror...best ride EVER! Just sayin'...)

It was pretty hot that week, with temperatures in the 90's. I'm pretty sure we polished off at least 3 or 4 cases of water between the 6 of us. And plenty of frozen lemonades and pineapple floats.

Marie had a ball. She was such a trooper about missing naps, having dinner at 9 p.m., and surviving mostly on licorice and starbursts.

We didn't wait in line to see most of the characters - we were fine to admire them from afar. Why waste time when you could be on a ride??? For some reason, this fella wasn't very popular, so we snapped our paparazzi shot. :)

This little girl is full of sass. I can't count the number of times she'd shrug her shoulders and stomp off with a little huff. It would always last about 2 seconds before we had her giggling at herself.

The surprising hit of the entire trip, though, was the pool (did I mention the high temps?). Every afternoon at about 3:00, the heat and sweat and stickiness would start to get the best of us, and patience would start to wear thin. But instead of "sticking it out to get our money's worth," we'd high-tail it across the street to the hotel, change into our swimming suits, and cool off for awhile.

It was so nice to relax and not feel as though we had to "go, go, go" every second of the day. One day we ordered pizza and had a poolside dinner.

Marie and Bryce had a super fun activity at the pool everyday. She would fill that bucket, never letting Bryce leave her side. And when it was full, she'd dump it over his head. Like I said, they were SUCH good sports.

Yup, that pooltime was our saving grace. After swimming, there would be showers, a little Disney Channel on TV, and by 6:00 we'd be on our way back to the park to finish off the night with a bang. We're missing it already...

Huntington Beach at Sunset

With my mom and sister's visits overlapping by only one day, the decision to head to the beach was a pretty easy one. The problem? Kyle couldn't afford to miss another day of school. The solution? We hopped in the car the moment he walked in the door after school, and booked it down to the coast. After all, a few hours at the beach is better than none at all.

It's only the first of May, so the water was FREEZING! Then again, it's always freezing, even in August. So the kids did what they do best - dodge the waves and dig giant ditches. Luckily, they had some big boys (ie: Bryce & daddy) to help them.

Meanwhile, the ladies did what we do best: lounged on the sand in the breeze (and avoided being thrown in the water).

After a quick change of clothes (maybe the kids aren't so good at dodging waves???), we strolled down the pier to the awesome "Ruby's Diner."

Holy cow, yummy food! The burgers, the shakes...it's all delicious. And the fact that it's at the end of the pier and you can watch a gorgeous sunset is just icing on the cake.

Afterwards, we took our time strolling down the pier, watching the surfers, listening to the boardwalk musicians, and enjoying the sunset.

Love these ladies. A lot.

We stayed until dark, and I think we could've stayed all night. We love the beach!