Reflections 2009

Caleb has wanted to enter reflections every year. He loves drawing and painting. He can sit for hours on end concentrating on one thing. (He certainly doesn't get this from me.) This year Bailey informed us that 5th graders were required to enter. Of course we kept meaning to take a night out to work on their projects but alas, found ourselves the night before they were due staying up late to finish them. Bailey and Caleb both worked very hard on their paintings. Caleb was especially excited to show his amazingly talented, Grandma Wilson his painting. Easton tried to make a boat out of bamboo with Mat that didn't quite work out. At 10:30 at night Mat took Easton outside to snap some photos so that Easton would have an entry also. We were a bit surprised on Monday night when we got a call saying that of all 3 kids, Easton won 1st place for his photo of a lizard he'd caught. Of course our hearts were heavy knowing we'd have to break the news to Caleb and Bailey. This is Caleb's bird. He draws it over and over. He wanted to paint a tarantula and web but Mat encouraged him to paint his signature bird. When he found out he didn't win there were MANY tears and he was quite angry that we hadn't let him paint the tarantula. Hopefully he will still enter again. He really is talented.
This is Easton's winning photo. The comments left on the judging sheet were very nice and all mentioned the contrast between the red and the lizard. Who knew a lizard in a bucket could look good? :)

This is Easton accepting his award. He didn't know he had won until his name was called out. He was BEAMING! We're so happy for him!

Cheer :)

Bailey had her first cheer performance on Friday. Her team performed most of their routine at Desert Hills high school. It was so fun to break out the uniform and get her all sparkled up. Even funner was watching the routine. She got a new "base" and is the only "flyer" minus a "front spot" but unless you were her fanatical mother you wouldn't have noticed the extra caution she took in her stunts. Overall she did great! We're so excited for competition season to begin. Love it!

Love her!
I taught her that. Haha!

To add icing to the cake. We took Bailey to the park on Monday for FHE and she shocked us all with the confidence to do a round-off, back handspring, back tuck, completely unassisted! I love that a few months ago we were working on the back handspring. She has really come a long way in a short time! Love you Bailey!

11 Years and Counting...

So it's our 11th anniversary today!!! Wohoo!!! I'm pretty sure I married the best guy around. I still can't believe we actually tied the knot. I have nightmares every so often that he hasn't asked me yet, we still have four kids and all, we just "live in sin" apparently in my dreams.

I can't seem to find my absolute favorite wedding pic but here's a few to enjoy.

Arriving at the temple in Manti. My parents thought we had plenty of time to get there so my makeup isn't quite finished. In fact it isn't even rubbed in! Haha!

Little smooching...

These were delivered yesterday as we are heading to Vegas in a few hours. We're going to tear it up with Lance Burton and some roller coasters. Heehee.

Mat checks every year to see what the appropriate gift is for each anniversary. This year was steel. It took me a minute to get why on earth he would buy me "Still" by Jennifer Lopez. Included in my gift was a DVD of "Steel Magnolias", steel weights, etc. The best was the "filler". Of course he had all of my gifts arranged cute and wrapped in tin foil, but instead of plain ol' shredded paper he used steel wool! I LOVE that guy!

Autumn Leaves

We wanted to check out the fall leaves with the kiddos last week. We figured if we were going to be up there we mine as well snap some photos with the autumn background. Here's some of the favorites that we took.

Bailey looked so grown-up in all her shots. :(
One of our favorites of the kids.

Another favorite

Mat and I had Bailey snap a few of us. 11 years!!!

My guy Easton.

Caleb was so good about smiling. Of course there's not many teeth to smile with. :)

Darling.

This is the best shot we got from an uncooperative Peyton. She's still cute.

Fashionable.

The boys.

:)

A young couple dating saw that we were taking pictures and turned around to offer their help. I was so happy to get a great shot of my cute family!

The best looking guys around!