MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

What a busy and fun weekend. We drove to Island Park to go fishing and camping, went to West Yellowstone to go through the park, and did a little four-wheeling on our new four-wheeler. We set up camp (with a waterproof tarp after our last Memorial Day experience) and took off to go fishing at Henry's Lake. This was the first time in about 10 years that I got my fishing license so I thought I would put it to good use. Mason and Taylor are pretty good little fishermen! Alyssa just liked to help Lance and I fish.


This was our campsite at Island Park. We bought a huge tent this year so we wouldn't be smashed all together and have some room to spread out, but when we woke up in the morning we were all smashed together anyway. We camped by a busy road and that kept us awake all night, especially the ambulance driving by (twice)! Once we finally got to sleep one of the kids would either wake up and be cold, or be sleeping on a rock, or on a hill, or just want to sleep closer to Lance and I. Needless to say we didn't get much sleep.


The boys putting out the fire the way their dad taught them. We didn't camp by any restrooms so I had the opportunity to show Alyssa how to use the "outdoor bathroom". Some things you will never forget teaching!!


We went through Yellowstone Park with some friends, Jeff and Emilee, and their kids. This is us taking a hike around Biscuit Basin, we had to just because of the name!


Waiting for Old Faithful to "blow up" as Alyssa called it. We had some time to spare before it was time for Old Faithful to erupt so we had lunch and the kids went around the parking lot looking at all of the different license plates, they found one from Hawaii.

Abbi, Hannah, Alyssa, Tay, Mace, Conner, and Caleb. They did such a good job hiking and riding in the car!

One of the many Buffalo we saw in Yellowstone Park. There were even three of them running on the road right by us. The kids thought that was the funniest thing ever! I was just glad that they didn't decide to turn and run right into the side of the Tahoe.

We also went fishing at the Ririe Dam. Alyssa and Daddy hanging out on the boat. At first Alyssa was kind of scared that the boat was going to tip over, but she got used to it pretty fast.

Tay and Mace loved being on the boat. They did a lot of fishing this weekend.

When we were driving to Ririe Dam we drove by a cemetery so we took the time to explain to the kids why so many people were there visiting and what Memorial Day was really about. This gave us the chance to tell them a little more about their family history, especially about their grandfather's who fought for our country. Holidays like this are a good time for reflecting about what is really important.

We had such a fun weekend being together as a family. Lance and I were talking and we decided that if everything that we planned went perfect than we wouldn't remember those adventures as much as the rest. When things go wrong, or just not the way you intended, you tend to remember those experiences the most!

ISU

I am so excited that this semester is over! I only have 2 1/2 semesters more to go until I graduate and move on to my Masters program. I took 14 credits this semester, which I have never taken that many before while working part-time and trying to be a good mom. Something has to give somewhere and most of the time it is studying. I am usually up the night before trying to cram or that morning of a test. This semester I got five A's and one B+. I was hoping for straight A's, but my test that I took all drugged up on narcotics (from my tonsillectomy) took my grade down quite a bit!!

Next semester is going to be my hardest one yet. I have to go to Pocatello Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. Alyssa starts kindergarten next year and this makes me stressed out that I won't be there to get her off the bus on those three days. I am glad I have great friends and Lance willing to help me out with this!

I am looking forward to reading a ton of books that I have saved up for the summer and just sun tanning on the deck while the kids play in the pool. I love the summertime!!!

FOR FUN!

Aren't they cute when they are sleeping!


Alyssa never sleeps with the covers on! When she sneaks in bed with us that is all I do all night is cover her up so she won't get cold. She also loves to sleep all sprawled out and kick whoever is close by!


Mason was so tired one evening that he came inside, put his big heavy winter coat on (because he said he was cold) and passed out on Alyssa's floor in her bedroom.


We have a closet in our hallway that we put all of the blankets in and the kids really like to turn it into a fort. One night when I got home from class I walked by it and saw feet sticking out and I looked inside and saw these two sleeping in the hallway closet.



I just got home from softball practice and noticed Alyssa sleeping in her fort under the table. My parents said they used to find me in strange places at night, so I guess Lysa gets this from me!!

Taylor 2nd Grade

Taylor is in 2nd Grade at Fairview Elementary. His teacher is Mrs. Comish and she is a great teacher. I have been able to help Taylor in his classroom this year (not as much as I would like to). I have really enjoyed watching Taylor interact with all of his classmates. He is friends with everyone and is always willing to help out when someone is feeling sad or hurt. We call him the ladies man because he is always surrounded by girls. Taylor has excelled in school and is reading at a 6th grade level and is in advanced math with 2 other girls in his class. Taylor you are such a blessing to our family!


Taylor - 8-years-old


Taylor has many friends his age around the neighborhood and in the ward that are in his class and they are such good kids. (If you notice the date it says 2007-2008, so they are printing all new pictures with the corrected date).

Mason 4th Grade

Mason is in 4th Grade this year at Fairview Elementary. His teacher is Mrs. Jenkins and she is such a wonderful teacher. This year they have been focusing on Idaho History and they went on many field trips researching this. Mason is so smart at Math and has always been working at least 2-3 grade levels above his own grade level! His teacher says that he is a very good kid that gets along with everyone and is so smart!! (We would have to agree)! I got to go on a field trip with his class to the Titan display at the museum and I loved watching Mason with his friends. He knows how to have fun, but also knows when he needs to listen. We are proud of you Mason and I can't believe you will be in 5th Grade next year.


Mason - 9-years-old


This pictures makes me laugh, half of the kids are looking at something else!

BASEBALL

Mason and Taylor tried out for Cal Ripken this year and they are on the A's! It is so fun watching these two play baseball on the same team (I am just happy they are again on the same team!!) They play twice a week against teams all over Idaho Falls, Rigby, and other surrounding areas. I love their uniforms they are the same color as my softball ones in high school. The kids are just learning to pitch this year so the pitches are all over the place and the batters end up getting hit a lot! Mason is such a great fielder and Taylor is a pretty good pitcher and they are both awesome at batting. We really enjoy watching these two play sports! I am going to be on a co-ed softball league this summer so they will get to come and watch their mom play too.

Look at that concentration!

Taylor hitting the ball!

What a good outfielder!

Happy 10th Birthday Mason!

Mason turned 10-years-old this year! For his birthday Lance and Taylor, along with some other friends, went 4-wheeling and looking for antlers.

On Saturday Grandma and Grandpa Cannon came down and they gave Mason chickens for his birthday present. This is the second time we have had chickens and the kids absolutely love them.

On Sunday all of his cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents came over for a party! We had a barbecue, cake, ice cream and of course presents! Lance and I gave him a video camera and some clothes. Taylor and Alyssa gave him Guitar Hero for his DS, a Math game (he loves math!) for his DS, Action Replay for his DS, and some extra video tapes for his camera.

Mason I can't believe how big you are getting and how smart you are! We are so proud of you!

Alyssa's Dance Recital

Alyssa had her dance recital on May 2, 2009, at the Kirkham Auditorium in Rexburg. I couldn't be prouder of her! Last year was pretty rough because she didn't want to go on stage, but this year she couldn't wait to get out there and dance!


Sierra and Alyssa. They look so cute. Meisha came over and did their hair and make-up. She even stayed back stage with them and got them changed into their different costumes. Thanks Meish, it was so nice to be able to watch them dance without having to worry about if they were getting ready or not for their next numbers!


She is getting to be such a beautiful girl. I wish she would stop growing and just stay home with mommy and not go to Kindergarten next year!

This was from her first number, "I'll Be There."

This was from her second number "Popsicle", all of the music was from Michael Jackson this year.

Alyssa was in the finale this year, so that meant a three hour dance recital and I loved every minute of it!

Alyssa and her boys. They gave her flowers after her recital for doing such a fantastic job!

We are so proud of you Lysa!

More Fishing!

We went to Palisades to go fishing and have a hotdog/marshmallow roast. The kids have so much fun being outdoors and just exploring. We had to climb down some steep rocks to get to where we were and Alyssa did such a good job, she didn't even fall (Lance and I on the other hand were a different story). We just bought a huge tent (Nita it is not as big as your palace!) and a camp chef so I am sure we will be doing a ton of camping this summer and fishing of course.