Summer Stuff

Derrick and KayDee love to catch lizards and they found the smallest lizard they had caught so far. It is pretty tiny!
The kids collected caterpillars and kept them in containers. Samantha kept hers alive the longest and we left for the weekend and she found it in a cocoon. After a while she had a buckeye butterfly!

KayDee and I made a dancing dress for Activity Days this summer. It was made out of toilet paper but she was able to walk and could possibly even dance in it!

The kids sang songs for the 24th of July for our community program. Samantha read a pioneer story too.

Family Reunions

The Erickson's went up to East Canyon again and we played at the beach and did all the activities we could at the resort. We did start a new Tennis Tournament called the Hit and Miss which turned out to be a fun addition!

The Laub reunion was extra special this year because we had it where Kevin's uncle purchased the "Old Laub Ranch" where their grandpa used to live. We were able to enjoy the scenery and the old stories about his family history. This is a photo of Kevin's Dad with his siblings. They were so brave to stand above the pond!

Braces

The girls got braces this summer!

The Grand Canyon South Rim

KayDee's 9th Birthday

KayDee has turned 9 and she is getting so big! She wanted me to make her a dress so badly and I finally got it finished just in time for her birthday. We have had the fabric for years and she loves wearing it! We spent her birthday camping at the Grand Canyon this year.
We are so pleased with KayDee and all she is doing. She is a great helper at home and has learned how to cut up vegetables, make toast and other food she enjoys. She is always willing to do her assigned jobs to clean the bathroom sinks, wipe off the counters and mop the floor.
She absolutely loves carrots, bananas and dried fruit. She and Derrick have enjoyed playing and creating with legos, and she has been enthralled with Pokeman cards.  She was so happy she got her own deck for her birthday. She really enjoys playing video games on her DS, especially the Pokemon game. KayDee still plays the piano and is excellent at planting vegetable in the garden. She has a delicate eye for details and also loves to read books. She is very good at playing board games and often wins, especially Monopoly. She started wearing glasses this year and has really liked them. She is an excellent whistler, and she still loves to draw and create things with paper. She loves going on adventures around the farm with Derrick to pick up bullet shells or other sought after items like lizards. She also loves to jump on the trampoline and ride her bike.
KayDee is very thoughtful when we read scriptures and have family night. She listens and wants to understand. She loves bringing her scriptures to church and everyone loves hearing her sing the hymns and primary songs because she has such a strong voice. She is very good at being accountable for her actions and accepts responsibility for the role she plays in our family.
We love our KayDee and are so glad she is part of our family. She makes us happy with her devoted hugs and unconditional love. Her sweet humming and whistles that fill our day makes us smile.

End of Year Activites

 I went with KayDee on her 3rd grade field trip to Bryce Canyon.

 Samantha had her end of year band concert. It was the best they have played. Their new band teacher has done a great job!

 Derrick graduated from the DARE program!

 I went with Derrick on the 5th and 6th grade bike ride to the Gap and Dino Tracks.

I have been hiking with my fun friend Janet. We have tried several trails nearby.

Payson Temple Open House

Spring Dance Recital

 Samantha was on the senior team this year which is 7th and 8th graders.

 Samantha is the one being lifted

 KayDee's lyrical.

 KayDee's jazz dance. She is super flexible and has great leg lifts and splits!

Sam in the Hip Hop. It was difficult for her at first because she was used to lyrical and jazz. Once she got her groove, she enjoyed it!

Honey Bees

So we had a super busy weekend. It finally rained and we got baby lambs and the honey bees came. We couldn't put them in the hive until the weather was better but we had to get it done. Kevin heated up one of the outbuildings on the farm and he and Travis went to work placing the queen, spraying sugar water on them and shaking them into the boxes. We were watching and of course some of the bees flew out and naturally one flew directly into my eye. I'm sure my reaction of blinking and then flicking it off my eye was not good for this scenario. I did get stung on my eyelid. It hurt but not too bad, and Bree was able to use a credit card to flick the stinger out. Now my eye is swollen but not shut. It could have been worse. The transfer of bees to boxes went well and they will be checked in a couple weeks. Hopefully they liked their queen and the hive.

Baby Lambs

Look at our baby lambs! They are so cute! These little lambs' mothers couldn't feed them so we were asked to take them. We started with four but one was not eating and did not thrive and she died the morning after we got her. But the other 3 are doing so good. They are eating, healthy, active and thriving. They love to follow us around and they baa at us whenever we come out of the house. This is such a fun experience for our kids! Pictures were taken by my mom. I always seem to have my hands full when we are with them.