December Update

The older Kara gets, the less I video and post. I think the opposite should be true, considering how busy she's getting in her old age. Anyway, here's a wrap-up of December ("wrap," get it?).

Our new dog, Molly. Kara never puts the poor dog down.

Our neighbor paid for snow for all the kids on the street!

Yes, that's Kara being dragged behind the sled.

Click here to see video of Kara's December dance recital!

When Santa asked what she wanted for Christmas, Kara pulled out her list and handed it to him.

Grandma and Papa's gift? A cruise! Oh, and she liked her giant pony, too.

Sledding during our family cabin trip!

Kara still doesn't realize that snow on face turns into freezing cold water on face.

Kara Turns 5

On November 30 Kara turned FIVE!  I can not believe how quickly it has gone.  The day started with Gramma and Papa surprising her before preschool with a balloon, singing and a bouncy pink rubber ball.  I dropped her off at preschool with strawberry cupcakes and apparently her friends sang to her twice.  She was quite happy about that.  For the rest of the day she knew she could pick whatever she wanted to do.  We drove through Del Taco for 2 crunchy tacos with only meat and cheese.  She couldn't wait for Aaron to get home so I allowed her to open one present from us (the Lego Friends treehouse) and spend the next few hours putting it together.  We went out to dinner with Gramma and Papa at Love Sushi.  Kara loves to celebrate there because they turn off all the lights, play a birthday song really loudly, bring ice cream, and squirt the birthday girl/boy with spray bottles from behind the sushi bar. 

After dinner she opened another present, a new Hello Kitty helmet.  She chose to play Just Dance Kids 2 for awhile and then we played Chutes and Ladders.  Aaron and Kara played on the upside down trampoline and bounced the ball back and forth for a really long time.  Bedtime routine as usual since the next day was a VERY large and fun birthday party....   More to come...

First Day of 4-year-old Preschool

This morning was Kara's first day of preschool again at Grandma K's house.  Kara was excited to see all of her friends from last year and meet a new girl.  It starts earlier now--8:30--so it was quite a shock to both of us when our alarms went off at 7:10.  I allowed extra time this morning in case there were any first day "bumps" to deal with.  We were ready EARLY!  It was so sad when I told Kara when we got in the car that we were early.  She looked at me with a very confused expression on her face.  We are RARELY early anywhere.  We are either on time or I talk about having to hurry so we aren't late.  I got SO much done around the house while she was gone.  We are re-doing her play room, making a guest room and pretty much doing an overhaul on the whole house.

Kara was happy running out the front door of Grandma's house with her friends at noon.  I am excited to have a little more time to get stuff done but it was strange being at home without her on my heels.  Here's to a great new school year!

Trip to the Beach

When Jamie was here with her kids from Utah we all went to the beach.   Our family, Marci's family, Jamie's family, Grandma K, and Krishawn + girls.  It was SO hot at home.  I think it got up to 111.  At the beach it was 82...much nicer.  The kids had a very good time.  Everybody brought yummy snacks to share and the adults had some time to visit and catch up. 

Aaron started school last week and Kara starts 4-year-old preschool on Monday.  Lots of fun things coming up! 

St. George 2012 Music Video

From St. George 2012 Music Video

Summer Vacations Begin

On Monday, June 18 we drove 10 hours to Aaron's sisters house in Sandy, Utah.  We were all so excited to arrive.  We unpacked our very full car, ate a tasty dinner and due to the hour time difference tried to go to bed early.  The next day Aaron went on a run, I went on Jamie's awesome treadmill, and we all slowly got around for Katelyn and Taylor's swim class at noon.  Kara and Aaron swam too.  The weather was so nice. I actually allowed myself to sit, relax and read a mystery book on my Kindle that I have been "reading" for months.  In the evening when Chad got home from work we took the four kids to Snowbird.  What a cool place,  We went on the Alpine Slide, bounce house area and had pizza.  It is a beautiful area and has tons to do.  We left at closing, 8:00, went home and got the kids ready for bed.  Kara and Taylor are together constantly and don't ever argue.  (Yes, it has only been two full days so we will see how it goes.)  They love playing pretend, talking, playing trains, puzzles, chasing the poor cats and just plain laughing.  They are only 3 months apart and we sure wish we lived closer.  Today we are planning on visiting Hayley and Byron's new house.  Tomorrow will probably be visiting Seven Peaks--an awesome, huge water park.  Taylor has a dance recital, Cinderella, on Thurs. evening.  Lots of fun!

Busy Weekend!

UGH!

I am in sick and in bed.  I feebly tried to put 6 pictures on my blog just for a pathetic little update.  It didn't work and now I will have to go find them all again.  I feel like just staring at a wall.  :(

Preschool Pictures

Kara had preschool pictures taken a couple of weeks ago.  These are just two I took that day.  My dad wanted to stop by on his way to work to see Kara that morning so I got a few cute pics of them.  Aaron's mom is Kara's teacher so of course I got some great ones of them together too.  I know I am a total blog slacker and it haunts me daily.  Kara is growing so fast and learning so much I can barely keep up with it all "real time" let alone taking time to get it all on here.  Lately she LOVES to play pretend.  Unfortunately for Aaron and I we aren't really sure from one minute to the next which character she is playing and which one we are supposed to be.  She gets so frustrated with our clear stupidity. And corrects us often. :)  She is either Princess Zelda, Scarlett (a horse), Ursula (when she is being really naughty and doesn't want to take responsibility), Kara Grace (when she is being sweet), a cat, dog, dolphin (in the tub), The Mommy (while I am supposed to be Kara), or a dancer (whom must be loudly introduced every time she waltzes herself into the room for a new dance and loudly applauded every time the song/dance ends.)  This is tiring stuff over here!  Loving every second...usually.  :)

Binky Celebration

Kara has finally given up the pacifier! Her reward was to put her last binky inside of a Build-A-Bear. The problem is, she now wants her binky taken out. Poor "Kitty" might need surgery soon.

2010 Video

Aaron, Kim, Kara, and Ellie Annual Video 2010

Happy New Year!

Christmas morning

Quilts made from Dad's clothes

Aaron's new running shoes

Kara's Christmas present from Nicole

Kara's big birthday gift. Santa gave her the dining room set.

After a wonderful Christmas filled with family and friends we are off to a new year!  2011 was a hard year for a lot of people and I am quite happy to end it and start a new one.  So far, so good.