MightyJohnsons

My baby girl turned nine this weekend. With it being a busy holiday weekend we didn’t have a party, but instead borrowed the neighbors pool for some family fun and then had cupcakes and presents. She will have a little friend party next week. I surprised Megan with an electric scooter that she has wanted for years. I just couldn’t justify spending that much money but alas I found one at a garage sale for $20 that was in near perfect condition. She loves it! I can’t get her to stay off it except when it needs to be charged. She also scored a soccer bag from my mom, some cash from my dad and his wife, a soccer ball, a new helmet and she is getting a new bike (once it arrives).

We sure love our Megan. She is the hardest working nine year old I know. As a matter of fact, she insisted on making the cupcakes for her OWN birthday! She is a very caring. When she sees I am stressed she jumps right in to help out. If something needs to be done, she is the first to do it. She is my right-hand man in most situations. She is also an all-around athlete. She swims, plays basketball and has recently joined a competitive soccer team. We love her so much and are enjoying watching her as she grows into a beautiful young woman.

Oma Ria made her annual visit this June. We thoroughly enjoyed our time with her. We kept plenty busy going to parks, stores, various places for the kids’ entertainment, and several yummy restaurants. We always look forward to her visits and the kids get excited to be spoiled by their Oma.

I too, can’t deny that it is really nice to have an extra helping hand around here. For two weeks I rarely did any laundry, sweeping or vacuuming. Now to preface, I don’t require or even request that she do this, but it is just part of her nature to be a work-a-holic (that must be where I get it).

Needless to say we were sad when she packed up and headed home. It is unfortunate we only get to see her once a year. I guess that is why we have to make the best of it when she comes to visit. We’re already counting down until next summer. Thanks for a wonderful trip Mom!

FUN AT TRAFALGA


Drew & G’ma miniature golfing

Jake and G’ma waiting for the water boats.

NONI GARDENS

G’ma & KK

Ellie & G’ma

PROVO CANYON PICNIC

All the girls!

G’ma got Krispy Kreme donuts for dessert…gotta love G’ma!

LOTS OF HUGS

G’ma & KK

Mom and I

Drew & G’ma

My firstborn has turned eleven. How in the world did it happen? How do I have an eleven year old? That is what I keep asking myself as I watch my baby grow up. He is nearly as tall as me and his feet are bigger than mine! I am not sure where the time has gone. It seems like yesterday he was learning to walk.

Jacob has turned into a fine young man. I couldn’t be more proud of him. Don’t get me wrong, he is still a typical eleven year-old and most days prefers to play than to do his chores, but overall he is very responsible, kind, tender-hearted, sweet boy. I love you Jake! Happy 11th birthday!

He celebrated with our family on his actual birthday, but then on Tuesday he took a couple close friends and went to Seven Peaks Water Park. We played for hours and then came home for pizza and ice-cream cake. Afterward they played night games till it was too late to walk straight. So much fun!

Jake, Josh and AJ

Adam, AJ, Jake, Josh, Isaac and Eric

Jacob earned his Arrow of Light last week. He has worked so hard the past few years in Cub Scouts and it all came to fruition at the ceremony. He is now officially a Boy Scout. Lucky for him his dad is the Scoutmaster so he will be attending boy scout camp this next week. He already has earned two merit badges (environmental science and first aid) and we assume he’ll get a couple more next week at camp.

For his ceremony the Cub Scout leader dressed up as an Indian and told Jake he needed to get at least one of three arrows into the target in order to advance on to Boy Scouts. Of course he was joking, but Jacob had no problem getting his arrow in the target.

We are so proud of you buddy! I know you worked really hard and did your very best. We love you!!

This year of baseball has been a challenge to say the least. The weather never seemed to cooperate which meant practices never happened. Our coach was a good guy but it was his first year coaching and he was still learning the game. We ended the regular season ranked 7 out of 9. Jacob was more often than not, disappointed after each game and each loss.

Even though the year didn’t get off to a great start, Jacob did very well. He rarely struck out and most of his hits were deep in the field. He also played pitcher for three innings of each game and first base when he wasn’t playing pitcher. Overall, it was a great season for him personally. He was the “top dog” this year and really enjoyed that role.

In the tournament at the end of the season we played the number two seed team and ended up beating them 13-2. That put us into the next round where we beat the Phillies. That brought us to the championship game (of the NL bracket) where we played the Nationals, the number one ranked team. We ended up beating them. The kids were thrilled. It was a sweet victory. All the parents, kids and coaches were cheering, screaming and hugging. It was an awesome finish to the bracket. The following day we played the champions of the American League and ended up losing to them by two runs. At that point the kids didn’t really care. They were so thrilled to have done as well as they had, and even more so to have beaten the Nationals.

Jacob and Coach Diaz

I couldn’t have been happier about the way the season ended. The boys needed a good finish. Way to go Padres! Jacob and two of his other teammates were chosen for All-Stars so the season doesn’t actually end for us just yet. We’ll be playing ball through most of July. Gotta love baseball!

Jacob, Jordan and Chance

The sun was shining and good friends were visiting so we decided to make the trek to the Utah Hogle Zoo. It was pretty busy and parking was scarce, but once we made it through the gate we had a blast.

Little Drew was so fun to watch. He especially loved all the animated dinosaurs they had throughout the zoo. It is part of a new exhibit they are doing called “Zoorassic Park”. They have 13 different dinosaurs moving and making noises (one even squirted out water). I am pretty sure if you asked Drew what animals he saw at the zoo, he will only remember the dinosaurs, which he insists were real.

Drew with the T-Rex. This dinosaur did scare him a little, but mostly he was just mesmerized.

We also enjoyed seeing all the animals. Ellie loved watching all the animals as they moved about their cages. She especially liked the elephants. We were fortunate enough to see most of the animals up eating and moving around, even the Tigers!

Ellie and the elephants.

Jacob’s best buddy from Colorado was in town so they joined us and our friends, the Wynns, came along too. We had a big group of us which made for a really great time. We finished off the day by riding the train through the zoo. I always love that part…nothing like sitting down and getting a little break after walking around for hours. We had such a good time that I think we may even go back again later this summer.

All the kiddos in our group…we probably could have been an exhibit!

Jacob, Drew & Landon on the train

Lastly we let the kids cool off by pushing around the big boulder in water.

This past week, Drew and I met up with Rachel, Spencer and Wyatt and went to visit Thomas the Tank Engine up in Heber. Thankfully the weather cooperated and we had a great time.

We got there in the nick of time and hopped on the train for a short ride through town and back. Drew seemed to enjoy the view of the other trains and especially the animals along the way.

Drew and I on the train.

Our view from the train.

Upon returning there were several stations set up where the kids could play with trains, blow bubbles, put on tattoos, and color pictures. We worked our way through the stations and finished up by taking a few pics of the kids by Thomas. Although it wasn’t quite as exciting as I remembered it being back when I took Jacob years ago, it was still a fun little outing for Drew and I.

Drew and Wyatt

Drew & Wyatt

Drew and I with Sir Topham Hat

Thomas!

My cute Claire graduated from Little Friend’s Preschool today. Miss Barbara once again did a wonderful job as her teacher. Claire has thoroughly enjoyed this preschool. She has loved singing, learning, and participating in all the activities and field trips. She has grown so much this year. She is especially kind, thoughtful and has learned to read even the hardest books.

She is very excited to move on to kindergarten, but with a heartfelt sigh, she said to me, “Mom, I am not as happy as I thought I would be after graduating.” I asked, “Why is that Claire?” She said, “Well, I am really gonna miss Miss Barbara.” Well said, Claire. I am gonna miss her too. (She is no longer teaching preschool so I am forced to find a new teacher for my two younger ones.)

Congratulations big girl! I love you!

The graduating class.

Claire going over the various dinosaurs they learned during the month of April.

The happy graduate!

Claire and Miss Megan (Miss Barbara’s daughter who helped assist in the class)

Megan played soccer for North Utah County Soccer (NUCS) this year. She has really enjoyed her time on the team. She has excelled as a player and really showed her stuff when she wanted to. She amazes me every time I watch her. She has speedy legs that can dribble around any player in her way.

She decided to tryout for a competitive team (Plymouth FC) for next season and made the team so she will get even more experience and practice. I have a feeling we got a mighty good soccer player on our hands (and that’s not just a biased mother’s opinion!)