10 years
10 years ago
Holiday Traditions
Ethan's 1st piano Recital. He did a great job. He practiced his pieces all month. He even played them from memory when we went to see Santa Clause at the Festival of Trees. He makes playing the piano look easy and I am quite sure that that is not the case.
Holiday Traditions
Katie has taken piano for 4 years now and she had a recital last week. They always do a Christmas Recital and the kids earn a certificate of achievement. Last year we didn't make it because Ethan rolled a rock onto Katie's hand and she couldn't play. She played the most songs of all the students this year (12 in all).
Holiday Traditions
The Nutcracker. This year Katie had 3 dances and Amberli 1. We had someone dancing through the whole show. Grandma and Grandpa Sweetheart came, and so did Grandma Hall. Katie and Amberli invited our new neighbor Judy to come and watch and she did. (Amberli and Katie had 3 cousins dancing in it two that live on our street - each one of them invited Judy as well) Aunt Crystal was kind enough to baby sit the younger two kids so that I could go help Katie with her costume changes. Thanks Crystal!
Holiday Traditions
Every year we get together with My family and go cut down Christmas trees. This year we found a particularly great spot. The Rocks made for great climbing and even Rascal made it up.
Holiday Traditions
Sammi was so good on our excursion. She walked around like a big kid and wanted to do all the big kid things.
Holiday Traditions
My own little critters. Should I be worried that it is Ethan that is leading the way?
Holiday Traditions
Every year we drive out to Tuachan and watch their live nativity. It is a beautiful nativity with live animals, music and scripture quotes. Santa is always there as well. We actually got everyone looking almost happy to be sitting with this odd fellow. The kids really have a good time out there.
Holiday Traditions
The month of December is always a busy one for our family, but it is also full of fun, and family activities. This year I decided to try out a new idea. We bought lots of pumpkins this year for Halloween and Thanksgiving, so this year I baked them up and we tried lots of new foods. This one is Pumpkin Doughnuts that were delicious. The kids decorated the tree the weekend after Thanksgiving while I made the treats. They were quite good and I think we will try it again next year.
Dalton
Friday, November 26, 2010
Dalton is 6 months old, 18 lbs, and 21 inches long. We did fall photo's today and he was a great sport. I love his smile. The other kids lined up for their turn too, except Ethan who is playing video games for his holiday and Katie who is sick.Fall Photos
I was doing Dalton's 6 month photo's today and Sammi wandered in. She immediately asked for her turn. She hoped right up and started poising. Got to love it.
Thanksgiving 2010
Yesterday was Thanksgiving. We gathered at Grandma and Grandpa Sweethearts house. The kids played with their cousins for hours. From 3 almost 8 - they still complained when we told them it was time to go, even if it was a holiday. We consider ourselves very blessed to be able to live so close to family. What a blessing for our kids to play regularly with their cousins, and see both sets of Grandparents when ever they get a hankering to.
mayhem with a sweet little face
Saturday, November 20, 2010
So I have to run an errand up at the elementary school, (its about a block away) there and back is just a few short min. The baby is down for a nap so I leave Kate in charge of Sammi while I go collect Ethan and Amberli (my mom watched them after school got out - I was in St. George - another story) I send Ethan and Amberli home, but mom offers me a ride. I am dog tired - Dalton still doesn't sleep through the night - so I accepted. She gathers her stuff and we head home. When she drops me off I notice that my brothers car is in my driveway, how odd. The seen in my house was extraordinary. My brother has pinned Sammi down and is trying to clean her up - she is potty training. The potty seat is covered in it - and so is the floor. Ethan is playing video games and Katie is hiding in my office so that Darrell doesn't give her the what for too. (that doesn't last) Lets just say my house did not smell spring fresh yesterday.
So I get Darrell on his way. Ethan has to clean the seat, and Katie the floor. It takes an hour or so for these tasks to be accomplished. As Katie is finishing I step into the office to make an on-line purchase. I'm in there for a few min. and when I come out Dalton is crying, poor guy. I pick him up out of his jumper and immediately notice he smells like chocolate (which is better smelling than the other brown stuff we have cleaned up already). I pull him away from me to see what is up and his front (and now mine) is smeared in chocolate bar (min Hershey's). Wonderful! (SAMMI!) So I clean him up and me - then as I take the wipes to the garbage I see that she has filled my kitchen floor with water and emptied my bag of cough drops into it. Lovely! (SAMMI!!!)
dinner was late.
Scounting Makes a Difference - and People Make Scouting
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Angie usually writes these posts, but I (Matt) wanted to post today and talk about my favorite scouter - Angie.
First, a little background that tells you why I'm writing: My times in scouting as a boy weren't always easy. To not put too fine a point on it, my records kept getting lost as we moved around. You can only hear "We only have record of your First Class rank." so many times before you wonder what is going on with the program as a whole. (I was a Star the first time I heard that, and a Life Scout only a couple of badges from Eagle when I heard it the second time. In two different states. The first time I went ahead and re-earned the badges I needed to get back to Star. The second time, well, I hate to say I gave up. Truthfully, I'm not sure I even had enough time to go from First Class to Eagle at that point unless people waived the waiting periods. I never received my Eagle, and it is one of the few things I look back on and wish something could have been done differently.) I enjoyed the activities, but how can a leader not make sure the boy's hard work is recorded! Later - as a Round Table Trainer, I tried to really help the unit leaders understand the importance of record keeping and the administrative side of Scouting.
Angie and I talked about that experience many years ago. She told me that if she ever had the chance, she would try to make sure that every single boy she could impact had a better experience with the administrative side of scouting than I did. She went on to help me keep the records when we worked together as Webelos leaders, and then for the 11-year old scouts. I always marvelled at how important she saw it as being that the records of any advancements or changes went in immediately. Making sure they went in was important, but she tried to make sure that they went in the next day whenever possible! I know she was trying to make sure none of our boys had an experience like mine.
For the last couple of years, as Primary Second Counselor - under the direction of our COR (2nd Counselor in the Bishopric) - Angie leads up our Ward's Cub Scout program. She has been working really hard to train and help her Cub Scout Pack get with the program and really internalize the importance of every facet of the Scouting program - including the record keeping, planning, and other administrative aspects. She has worked tirelessly with her staff - training them, helping them understand who is supposed to do what, and then filling in the gaps when something falls through the cracks. She has had - and has now - some really great staff, but there have been times that I know she has had to carry several unit positions herself to make sure they got done. My wife is an amazing person - always giving of herself, her time, and anything else she can to help others. She has really thrown herself into her position - both in Primary and Scouting - and I really think she deserves recognition for everything she has done and does every single week to make things move as smoothly as possible in our Cub Scout Pack. She spends HOURS every week helping our local unit and our community - and as frustrating as it can get when people aren't following through, she still goes out and gives of herself. That deserves our thanks.
Thank you, Angie. I love you and appreciate everything you do for our family and others. Thank you for being you.
Katie Wins at the Story Telling Competition
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Katie told the story of the "Golden Arm" she made a the audience jump! It was great! She is a finalist and gets to compete at the district story telling competition next weekZNP Oct 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
We went on a hike on the 16th to the middle emerald pool in Zion. Shawn and Wendy (Smart) and their family went to. Katie took this photo, she wants to enter a National Geographic photo contest. We spent the morning packing up Kendell and Kelli Jo, and we spent the afternoon hiking. We didn't get home until almost 8. It was great!ZNP Oct 2010
Sammi enjoyed the ride. She actually walked up to the middle pool and played there, she rode down.
Feast of the Hunters Moon Oct 2010
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Dalton, Mom Hall, and I spent the first weekend of Oct in Indiana. We Spent the 1st hanging out a visiting (got some shopping in.) Then Saturday we went to the Feast of the Hunters Moon. We spent hours roaming the grounds surrounding Fort Ouiatenon. There were hundreds of venders there. It rained early that morning so the ground was a little muddy, nothing like last year where it rained for a week prior to the event. The umbrella is up but we were just getting residual water off the tree leaves. We were waiting at the river for the reenactment of settlers landing after canoing down the Wabash river. Debbie, Jessi, Eliot, Keiron, and Daelen were with Mom and I. Barry and Xander caught up later. We watched jugglers, heard the artillery fire, and generally had a great time. After the Feast we headed to Gayle's house where she hosted a Birthday Party for all the October Birthdays (there were 5 of us). Sunday we enjoyed a leisurely morning of trying to stuff our bags full of our many purchases (had to leave the sword I got for Kate - I didn't think they would let me carry it on the plane) Then Debbie dropped us at the airport. We are hoping to take the kids next year and spend the week before the feast hitting church historical sights in Illinois and Missouri.Great Food in Cortez Colorado
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
We had stopped in Cortez after our trip to Mesa Verde. (I made Matt go get me some - I carried 30lb Sammi strapped to my back all day and now I am going to pay for it - Meds, at the Walmart there.) We were trying to decide where to eat. The Denny's looked good - but we can eat at Denny's anytime - we went in search of a good restaurant. We were looking for a burger joint that we found on our phones (google places?) and we drove past this place. We turned around and went back to give it a try. They had a sign proclaiming that they were family friendly - and with 5 kids that is a plus! We wandered in the back door -oops, but they got us a place set up really fast (7 seats in under 5min) Jack and Janelle took care of us themselves and they were so cute with the kids. Jack made sure that Sammi's lid was just right so that when she tipped it - it wouldn't spill. The food was great - Jack slipped the kids some dessert (got a wink and a nod from us first). Matt and I got the BBQ buffet - oh my! They were very friendly and Matt and I not only got a chance to eat, but to relax, not a common occurrence when I take the kids out on the town. Any way I would recommend this place to anyone (and their bathrooms are so cute!Amberli 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Well, I may have to take back all those complaints that I said in an earlier posting. After watching Amberli interact with the kindergarteners for a month they have decided that she is not only smart enough but emotionally ready enough to be a first grader! Yup Amberli's kindergarten career was only a month long. She will be starting 1st grade on Monday. (they would have started her this week only we were out of town having fun.) I was very surprised but Mr. Wilstead met with her K teacher, her going to be 1st grade teacher, (We love Mrs. Haddox, she has been great with all of our kids, and we are excited to have Amberli in her class) the councilor, and even Mrs. Hall who has known her a very long time, and they all agreed she was ready for 1st grade so he went to bat for her at the district and they agreed! Thanks to all of you guys for helping Amberli get where she should be despite deficits in the system.Mesa Verde NP
Katie volunteered to be a helper and followed the Ranger around for the whole interp. section. It was cute. Katie got to use a grinding stone to show that when the ancestral Puebloens used the tool they would get sand in their food. Katie got awarded Jr. Ranger status and a badge. She loved that one. The one she had to earn she thought was too easy - this one was cool. She couldn't wait to share the story with her Grandma and Grandpa Sweetheart (they both retired from the NPS).
Fun on the Mountian
The kids love going to blue Mt. every year to spend a weekend with their great grandparents. There is space to run. 4 wheelers to ride. tree teeter-totters, late nights and early mornings, cereal with grandma and grandpa sweethearts, and cousins to play with. When we told the kids that we couldn't go to the reunion this year because of Matt's work they were really sad, the first thing they ask when we get in the van to drive away every year is when we can come back. It is the one activity of the year that they really look forward to. We arranged to go over labor day weekend and they were so excited. We sure are grateful to everyone who helped us go. Mom and Dad Excell who came with us, Grandpa and Gran who let us take over their cabin, and the people at Matt's work who covered for him so he could be out of phone service. A big thanks to everyone from us and especially our kids!
Or Trip
We went to south eastern Utah over the holiday weekend. We stayed with Gran and Grandpa Hawkins at their cabin on blue mt. We also spent a day in Colorado at Mesa Verde. The kids had a blast. This is them literally running to the next ruin. Sammi tried her best to keep up. She ended up being carried through the rest of the park. But she stayed awake and enjoyed the trip. We all had a great time.
Sammi
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
She reminds me of a character on Fruits Basket in this picture.So at her last well child her Dr. called her advanced, Last night I realized that she has the same name for her grandma as Sheldon has for his (AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH)
hahaha (Big Bang Theory, and thanks to Debbie who told me to watch it - we love it)
Amberli
Spoiler warning, if you don't want to hear me rant - turn away now! This is a "the system sucks!" moment, but your more than welcome to tell me to get over it and deal.
Amberli missed the cut off for kindergarten bu about 8 weeks. So she didn't get to got to kindergarten last year with the rest of the kids her age (so dumb) Utah has a no early registration law, which I understand otherwise the system would be turned into "Wow! Free Babysitting" more than it already is, but they don't make exceptions. Amberli (who will be 6 in 6 weeks) taught herself to read at 3 yrs old (And as a mother I would love to stand up and take some kind of credit for this wonderful achievement - but I can't she did it all by herself, the most I can do is tell everyone she got half her genes from me) Anyway, I started giving her worksheets of math and stuff to do so that her brain wouldn't starve while she waits for the state approved age to begin formalized learning. "Easy Breezy Lemon Squeezy" she is like a sponge anything put in front of her she gets. Matt and I met with the principle (great guy) anyway he had the sad responsibility to tell us that the school district in which we live does not accelerate students. She is on a mid 1st grade reading level in reading, and a beginning/mid 1st grade level in math (she does subtraction in her head - I have seen students in the third grade class that I volunteer in, not be able to do that). I told him to get used to me asking, cause I would keep asking until they move her.
The school sent home a book on Monday. I told her to sit down and read it. She did - way to easy for her. I sat down to write a note to tell them to bump her up a few levels (I have to do it with all my kids at the start of each year) Thats when I saw the note that said - don't worry these books are not for your kids to read to you - but for you to read to your kids so they can get a feel for reading and start to be familiar with the process.
We had told Amberli's teacher that she was trying to read Harry Potter - she did not believe us. Can you bang your head against a wall and spin your wheels at the same time. This is the sensation I'm getting. She can hack 1st grade - she is only a few weeks younger that some of the other kids who are already there, and she can do the work - she is already, I gave her a workbook over the summer like the other kids have - she did it.
I think the principle thinks that I'm pushing her so that I can have a special child. I don't think I'm pushing - I provide any opportunity I can for her to sponge up learning, (I'm teaching her to sign), but wouldn't denying her brain the chance to learn when she's ready and willing be the wrong thing to do.
Yup I need a support group - guess I'll go find one.
Probably not the last rant on here though.
Amberli missed the cut off for kindergarten bu about 8 weeks. So she didn't get to got to kindergarten last year with the rest of the kids her age (so dumb) Utah has a no early registration law, which I understand otherwise the system would be turned into "Wow! Free Babysitting" more than it already is, but they don't make exceptions. Amberli (who will be 6 in 6 weeks) taught herself to read at 3 yrs old (And as a mother I would love to stand up and take some kind of credit for this wonderful achievement - but I can't she did it all by herself, the most I can do is tell everyone she got half her genes from me) Anyway, I started giving her worksheets of math and stuff to do so that her brain wouldn't starve while she waits for the state approved age to begin formalized learning. "Easy Breezy Lemon Squeezy" she is like a sponge anything put in front of her she gets. Matt and I met with the principle (great guy) anyway he had the sad responsibility to tell us that the school district in which we live does not accelerate students. She is on a mid 1st grade reading level in reading, and a beginning/mid 1st grade level in math (she does subtraction in her head - I have seen students in the third grade class that I volunteer in, not be able to do that). I told him to get used to me asking, cause I would keep asking until they move her.
The school sent home a book on Monday. I told her to sit down and read it. She did - way to easy for her. I sat down to write a note to tell them to bump her up a few levels (I have to do it with all my kids at the start of each year) Thats when I saw the note that said - don't worry these books are not for your kids to read to you - but for you to read to your kids so they can get a feel for reading and start to be familiar with the process.
We had told Amberli's teacher that she was trying to read Harry Potter - she did not believe us. Can you bang your head against a wall and spin your wheels at the same time. This is the sensation I'm getting. She can hack 1st grade - she is only a few weeks younger that some of the other kids who are already there, and she can do the work - she is already, I gave her a workbook over the summer like the other kids have - she did it.
I think the principle thinks that I'm pushing her so that I can have a special child. I don't think I'm pushing - I provide any opportunity I can for her to sponge up learning, (I'm teaching her to sign), but wouldn't denying her brain the chance to learn when she's ready and willing be the wrong thing to do.
Yup I need a support group - guess I'll go find one.
Probably not the last rant on here though.
Ready for a Hike
My mom and I took the kids to ZNP the other day, this is how I got Dalton and Sami around. I got a lot of double takes.
ZNP
Monday, August 2, 2010
We went to ZNP the other day. My mom is finally past the birthday you have to get to in order to get a great price on a pass. When she found out she ran right up to the park to get hers. We went on into weeping rock where we were the bane of exasperated parents who didn't want their kids wet and muddy.Amberli is on top next to Ethan. Wes (Mckay and Christy's son) is in the red. Katie is in the hat and Sammi has the pigtails.
pollywogs
Ethan and Katie put their heads together and went to work trying to catch pollywogs as soon as they had finished their lunch.
You have got to be kidding me!
He looks like he's banging his head but he's asleep. I put him in the front pack and Sammi in this back pack to get here. He fell asleep once before and I put him down on a blanket I had brought but the ground was sloped and he rolled away. Ethan caught him.
The Many Faces of Ethan
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
One of the fun things about living in a small town and the same one you grew up in is that you interact with the same people at different stages of your life. I see my third grade teacher at church every week. I see my high school biology teacher too. In fact he is a primary teacher (asked for the job actually - i'd question his sanity but Great Halls taught primary until Grandmas memory went, its just where they liked to be) Any way Brother and Sister Quilter teach the kids turning 8 and Sister Quilter is a photographer. She invites the kids to come over and she takes pictures of them ( a kind of birthday/baptism gift) The pictures are phenomenal - any way these are some of the pictures she took.She didn't have a hard time coming up with goofy faces to put on this one. I think Mr. Goofball gave her plenty to work with...
Ethan and Kieron
Kieron went with Ethan to the photo shoot. I admired the Quilters for doing this service since I found out they did it last year, but when they invited Kieron and at the same time as Ethan I knew they were saints....
Filmstrip
This is just about how the whole shoot went. These two are just crazy together (and not always in a good way). There were some days I didn't know if they would survive the summer. We couldn't let them ride in the same car this year. Their antics were enough to drive the driver to distraction.
Ethan
I think they may have put this in black and white because I didn't clean his nails... Just kidding - I love this one
Future Missionary
Ethan is wearing Brother Quilters shirt and the tag says Future Missionary. Sister Quilter takes great pictures.
Dalton 4 weeks old
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Dalton at 4 weeks old. We spent Saturday doing nothing "important" instead we did everything important - played video games, played with cousins, took naps, and played with moms camera. Everyone needs a playday - guess it will be back to housecleaning and laundry next week.Ethan gets his bobcat
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Ethan got his bobcat at the May Pack Night. He was so excited. He loves scouts.Life with a new baby is going quite well considering. Dalton has thrush - but thats not to big of a deal. I ended up with my own infection - but the dr. said today its looking good.
Ethan had 8 teeth pulled yesterday. We went in early in the morning, they sedated him and pulled them - we were home before 10am and by 2pm he was running around like nothing had happened. (I do envy the young... sometimes) His mouth is to small to hold all of his adult teeth so they pulled 6 of them to make room for 4 adult teeth to come in quicker so they can pull them in a year or so. As if that wasn't enough he had an extra adult tooth they had to pull an extra baby tooth to get to that one so they could pull it. Someone did ask if he had any teeth left and I am happy to report yes...he can still eat apples and steak.
More pictures later I have some great ones of horse riding today.
Dalton's Birth Day
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Dalton arrived May 16th 6:54am 8lb 1oz 20 inches long. All is well (he as all his pieces and parts - we have the pictures to prove it too) but he is crying now so I'll go get him...Family Picture
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Our Family as of Saturday. Dalton isn't due for 3 more weeks, we'll keep you updated.Ethans Big Day!
Ethan was so excited about being baptized he practically hovered whenever he thought about it. He was a good sport about sharing his big day with the cows and the girls dance. We had a lot of family there to share his big day with him. A big thank you to all who could be there, and all who's best wishes were with him that day.
Spring Recital '10
The Girls had their spring recital on Sat (after the Baptism) They did great. Katie has received many compliments on her pois, talent and smile. She did give me ah OH MOM! look when I asked her to promise me she would smile with her teeth when she was on stage. She remembered and danced beautifully. Amberli did a great job too - she loves getting the flower after the show.
BS Saturday '10
Took the cows off the hill on Sat. No real excitement this year. It was a nice day though. Sunny and in the 80's They started about 6am and finished about 3pm. Ethan's Baptism was scheduled for 3 - we were late.
Awards Day
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Katie took first in the Science Fair and is going to district this week. She also won a third place in Cougar creations for a necklace she made and a second place for the picture she took of Sammy and I. Ethan won a first place in Cougar Creations for a plaster hand he made and a third place in the science fair. It was a great daySamantha and Mom
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Katie took these pictures then put them together (double exposure style) for her art contest submission. Don't know how it did. We'll find out next week. I thought it turned out cool though.Ethan wins Best of Show at the Pinewood Derby
Ethan had his first Pinewood Derby last night. No he isn't 8 yet but he is the last boy to turn 8 (in 5 weeks) in our primary. Everyone else has turned 8 and would be racing, and since he would be there anyways (Mom had to go) they let him make a car and compete. He won best of show (People's choice). He gets to take it to the Scout Expo in April and have it displayed and judged there. (Hope it's not DQed I didn't worry to much about the rules because in the meeting where they said he could race I explicitly told them not to give him a golden ticket - He's NOT 8!.... guess we'll see)He was so excited he can't wait to go to scouts.
Dalton Mac Excell
Friday, January 22, 2010
He was quite a pill at the ultrasound yesterday. He kept putting his hands in front of his face (if we wanted a picture of that) or his chest (if we wanted to look at his heart) What a wiggler. Here he is in a 3D image with his pinky in his mouth. Probably another thumb sucker like Samantha.The kids said he looked like an elf in this one. His ear does look a little pointy. He is 1 1/4 lbs and on schedule for a June arrival.
