Lake Powell 2013

Last week we went on our 2nd trip of the summer to Lake Powell with Lance's family.  Lance's sister Kirsten drove from Seattle to SLC in one day with her 3 kids and then joined up with Grandpa and Tyler's family to drive to Lake Powell the very next day.   That is a lot of car time- they are troopers!  Her husband Dave flew in to Vegas so he could work a few more days and then made the trip with us.  We decided to not bring our big camera along this year as it's one more thing to store on the boat and protect from the heat and water.  It was nice not to lug it along, but I missed getting to play with it and now I'm missing the beautiful photos I could have gotten.  Back to lugging it around.....

We had a great time and loved being with everyone, soaking in some boat time, getting away for a bit, and keeping up tradition.  The kids were so happy to get in some good cousin time.  Zuri was very spoiled with all the love and attention from all of her big cousins and she loved it.  Kai tried knee boarding for the first time and did great.  Rori loved "surfing" on the tube with the Ella and Kate.  After about 2 minutes of being nervous about the water Zuri got right in and never looked back and even figured out how to balance in her floaty so much better. 

We really missed having Grandma with us on this trip.  The last place the kids and I saw her was at Lake Powell last summer so that was very strong in our thoughts.  How grateful we are that our last time with Grandma was a trip to one of her favorite places with all of us together.  It was strange to not have her on the boat or coordinating all of us this trip, but Lance and I commented that we thought she would be really happy that we were all there and helping her grandchildren make great memories in a place that was so special to her.  Kai told us on the way home that Lake Powell is one of his top favorite places so I think it is working. 
  



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Father's Day 2013

We're so lucky to have such great men in our family.  Our kids are so blessed with the examples they have in their great grandfathers, grandfathers, and their Dad.

First Summer Trip

Just 1 day after school got out we took our first summer trip up to Utah.  Lance had the opportunity to attend a Utah History Association Conference and we got to tag along.  Lance's brothers family was traveling to CA from at the same time we were driving up so we met them on the road for a quick hello and sandwich.  Our kids were thrilled to get in a few cousin minutes even if it was quick.

Lance got up super early the next morning to head to his conference.  The kids and I met up with Amy and the kids for a super fun day.  They invited us to go to a Peter Brienholt concert in the park being put on for an elementary school with them and then go swimming at their grandpa's pool.  We were all in heaven as the concert was tons of fun and  perfect for the kids and then they all had a blast swimming.  I didn't get any pool pictures as I was in the water monitoring the 2 year old's and having too much fun.  That night Grandpa and the kids and I met Lance for some dinner and frozen yogurt in between sessions of his conference.  

On Saturday Lance got up early again and got in a little golf before the rest of us were really up and moving much.  After he got back and we had some breakfast I took the kids to run some errands and let him have a rest.  That night Tyler had given us tickets to go to the Real Salt Lake Soccer Game.  We had never been to a professional soccer game and it was really fun to check it all out with Grandpa. 

On Sunday we stopped by Grandma's park and then went and visited Great Grandma Flynn.  Aunt Wendy was also there which was perfect.  We were sad to leave as it was such a nice but fast trip. 

Summer Splash Pad

We've already been spending a lot of time here this summer:

 

 

Last Day of School

We wrapped up the school year.  The kids were super excited for summer but sad to say goodbye to their friends.  Kai and Rori both had good years with good friends.  And then it was summer.....

* Last day of 1st grade 2013.  Free Dress Day- Hawaii Theme

*Last day of Preschool 2013

*Last day of just the 2 of us until next year.

 

*Last pick up of the year with the little sisters waiting for them to come out.



Rori's Preschool Graduation

Today Rori's class had their preschool end of the year program.  We are going to be so sad when we have to say the actual goodbyes on Wednesday.  Rori started in this class 2 years ago just days after her 3rd birthday.  She has been going to school everyday from 9:30am-1:30pm so it has been a huge part of her life.  The kids in this class love each other so much and have done so much together.  Every morning at school a whole group of them comes running out to greet us as we walk out on to the playground to smother Rori in hugs.  They really are the best of friends.  Rori, Peyton and Jonny were both all just barely 3 when they started school together and have grown up so much since then. 

All the kids in the class (minus the 2 awesome typical hearing peers) have some sort of fairly significant hearing loss.  If you couldn't see their hearing aids/ implants and you walked in to their classroom you might be surprised to learn that at first.  I would even go so far as to say that most people might be fairly amazed to hear these kids chatting away, singing, and loudly counting in a game of hide and seek (which they play everyday after school).  I'd love to scoop up all the brand new parents of a deaf or hearing impaired child and bring them to this class for even just a few minutes.  Most of these kids, including Rori, still have a ways to go in regards to their speech clarity and language comprehension, but they are using their voices in incredible ways.

We are very grateful to Rori's teacher and aids over these last 2 years.  They work very hard and have most importantly loved her.  To leave your 3 or 4 year old with anyone that long everyday is hard, but I know that Rori has gained so much by being there with them.  We have had some exhausting battles and frustration with the school/ district in regards to speech services and higher level program administration, but we are still so grateful for all of the good things.  Rori has loved going to school everyday and that says a lot.  

One of the neat things about this class has been that Rori is just like all the other kids in regards to having hearing challenges.  Most of her school buddies have hearing aids/ implants so they are just the normal thing.  Rori has also been a leader in this class in many ways and has the whole routine down pat.  She has also had the advantage of being with the same teacher for 2 years that knows her and has been specially trained to work with her.  It is time for new challenges, but it is also a bit sad and nerve wracking to leave this safe place.

We love Rori so much and are so proud of all that she is accomplishing.  She is so beautiful and sweet and excited about life.  She is going to miss all of her school buddies so much as they all separate off to their next chapters.  It has been a really great run!            

*They sang 3 funny songs for their program!

*These are the 3 that started school together 2 years ago.  They also happen to be the only 3 kids in the class (including those that have only been in the class this year) that have never turned their behavior cards from green!  Green= Good  Yellow, Red = Bad News

*Those turning 5 before next school year were the graduates.  The 3 year olds will be back for another year.

 

 

 

 

 *Enjoying the party feast after the program.  Note that Zuri is just part of the class.

*Mr. Matt and Ms. Wheeler.  She loves them both!  "Mr. Matt is SO funny".

*Sporting their candy lei's that Peyton's family made.

*Rori has loved having Lily in her class this year.  Lily and Peyton get talked about a lot at our house. :)