Elsie's 4th grade Program

This is the Riverton Utah 4th grade play that was a huge success!!!!!!!!

I was first to speak. We learned about the explores, trappers, dances, songs, pioneers, Leland Stamford, the transcontinental railroad, Indians, and of people who come to Utah have big dreams.

                               We all had fun at my program. It was great success!

I had to say "It seems that people who come to Utah have big dreams. Even the first settlers saw the possibilities and beauty of the place."

Hear is our program. My name is first! I would like to thank all those who have helped me. Katelynn Barton who helped me memorize my part, my parents, brothers,  and grandpa who came to my school to watch, Cathy Warner who lent me a costume so I could look like a pioneer, Mrs.Graves, Mrs . Allen, Mrs. Anderson, Ms. Trost, and Mr . Morrison who helped me learn our songs, dances, and make this program a great success. 

Thank-you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Memorial day

Come Memorial day we had big plans. Well, not really big but to get some things done and those things were put on the back burner. Mike has been looking forward to a day off since Christmas and it finally came. But he woke up with a stomach ache and things only got worse from there. Mike headed to his parents place to help out on their house. He took the two older boys and some bikes to keep them busy.  I planned on meeting up with them later in the morning to go to the graves. When I got to my in-laws everyone told me Mike was at the hospital with Rylan and asked if Mike had talked to me. I don't use my cell in the car so I returned his many calls to find out that Rylan had split his arm open. He had been walking around the rebar in grandpa's whole and tripped. He cut himself deep enough to need 5 stitches. Mike, who was sick carried him out of the whole and took him to the hospital down the street where they spent almost 2 hours waiting to get stitched up.

Mike was able to meet up with the family at the graves later. The kids had fun putting flowers on the graves and remembering their grandparents and ancestors. 

Here is grandma and grandpa Wertz's graves. Camden had lots of questions about the graves and the boys had many reminders that the cemetery was not a park.

It was a hot day and the shade was very welcoming. After the graves we went out to eat and hung out for a little bit before getting Mike home to rest. 

Here is grandma and grandpa Wilcox. The kids never knew them but have heard some great stories about them.

Mike said Rylan did great at the hospital. They said he was lucky he didn't hit an artery. He thought the whole experience was awesome. Mike said Rylan watched everything the doctor did thought the stitches were cool. We are suppose to wash it twice a day and Rylan decided it was cool to touch his stitches and clean it all by himself. Me on the other hand was happy to let him do all the work.

Camden is free!

We have been noticing Camden on his bike for a little while now. He has had his training wheels on and rides like a pro. He stands up while riding and is quite brave. Last week Mike got out his tools and told Camden he was going to work on his bike. Mike took off the first training wheel and had Camden ride down the driveway with that. Camden thought it was a piece of cake. Mike then continued to take off the other training wheel. Camden was actually excited until he couldn't balance. This clip is of him trying to figure things out.
  I tried to convince Mike that he needed to hold on to Camden's bike and run with him. He wasn't convinced. Instead he started him off and pushed him. Cam ran into a bush and got a little scratch. But he continued to try. He was really good at riding on the bike while pushing with his feet. The next day we walked over to the church where he could go everywhere and boy did he. The whole way he was still a little scared and walking with his bike. After I held on and pushed a few times he got it. It was awesome. He figured out how to start and balance so fast. We still have problems with stopping. He tends to use his feet instead of the petals but in less than a day he is a pro now. Check it out. Camden is free! He loves to be like the big kids and ride everywhere now. He is my first to ride so early. There are some good things about having older siblings. It's a great motivation.  Way to go Camden!

Rylan turns 7!

Rylan has been waiting a LONG time for his birthday to come around. His is far away from the rest of the kids. I think he scored really big on his day. Since his birthday fell on a Sunday we couldn't go out to eat but had the extended family over. I think he was really excited that a lot of the family came. 

This cake was Rylan's request. He wanted to help make it and frost it. He did a great job. He volunteered to put the sprinkles on the cake by himself. When I checked on him one time he had barely sprinkled any on the cake and was eating the rest for himself. I made him share more sprinkles.

As for birthday gifts Rylan loved everything. He got lots of legos, which he specifically asked for.

He got a great surprised from Dave and Becki. It couldn't have been better.

A whole stash of his own goodies! He had the food gone within days of getting it. Becki picked out all the things he liked. I was pleasantly surprised to see Rylan share his treats with the kids many time.

Boring old mom and dad gave him a new bike helmet. He wasn't too excited about it but really needed one.

After the all the cake and presents Rylan requested the candy cannon. Here is everyone getting pelted with taffy. 

To finish the evening off I just had to add the little present Rylan gave Kaden on his birthday. If you can't tell, Rylan is farting on Kaden. He has made it a signature move. I got some for mother's day a few weeks ago. He was concentrating really hard.

Having Rylan in our family has blessed us so much. I am learning and growing so much from this young man. He never ceases to amaze me. So the 7 reasons I love Rylan are:

7 He plays with his brothers. He loves to play with them. It's never the same when you're by your self. 

6 I love watching Rylan create. His mind is going so fast. He works so hard outside in the dirt. He has everything where he wants it and no one is to touch it.

5 I love how Rylan keeps on trying. Some times he cries, complains, and pouts but he gets his work done. I love how well Rylan's teacher disciplines the children. She gives double homework if it's not done the night before. Rylan has learned the hard way and has come a long way.

4 I love how concerned Rylan is for others. He is very mindful of others and tries to make friends or help others when they need it.

3 I love Rylan's smile. He has all kinds of different faces. Mostly funny ones but I love to see him truly smile. 

2 The way he knows how to help dad. Mike was building some shelves once and it amazed me that Mike didn't have to say a word to Rylan about what he needed. Rylan just knew.

1 The kind things Rylan does for others. He gets me things when I need them, reads books to his brothers, and cleans up things really good when he is determined.

HAPPPY BIRTHDAY RYLAN!

We love you and hope you have a wonderful year full of much joy and learning.

Candy Cannon

Mike and the boys have been busy the last month or so making a candy cannon. At the boys camp out they would get to do something like this. Mike found something similiar to this on youtube but according to him his is way better. He still has to finish some things on it but wanted to try it out. If you don't know what a candy cannon is this thing is hooked up to an air compressor and you fill this black tube up with candy.

Mike tested out the pressure gauge and shot off a lot of rounds full of candy. Surprisingly the kids were happy to test out the cannon and loved picking up the candy and refilling.

The kids got to have a turn with the cannon but had a hard time doing it on their own.

Here you see the smoke coming out of the black pipe but really it's all of the candy. There was a lot of pressure. 

Does this guy look happy or what? Mike was having a great time. It was definitely a man and his toys moment.

Raining candy!

The kids were allowed to have a few pieces of candy but this little guy was only interested in eating whatever he could get his hands on.

Can you believe these boys happily put the candy back time and time again!

The kids are looking forward to some fun summer activities with this cannon.

School

This school year has been a fun year for the kids.  Kaden loves his teacher Mrs. Bianucci. And Rylan is thriving in Miss Warwood's class. Elsie enjoys all the projects in Mrs. Graves class. Before the kids went off track for Easter the boys came home with papers saying they were student of the week. Usually once a year the kids get picked for this. I was very happy the boys got it the same week.

Rylan was a little shy.

A little update.

Mike surprised me with a tablet for my birthday. I was very surprised and told him I didn't need it. He claimed he would keep it then. I have to say although it is not a nessessity I have found it very helpful in the evenings when all I want to do is lay down and it is at my fingertips. The kids have enjoyed watching movies on it too. Here they are all crowded around not caring there is a big tv in the other room.

This is me and Rylan on Easter. I was 30 weeks in this picture. If you notice the bookshelf behind us, it is filled with books. There are maybe 2 cubbies not filled. One has games and the other is waiting to be stocked. Mike has made it a hobby of his to collect books. Thankfully they are not expensive and when he gets them they are practically brand new.  I love to walk into the room and see the kids reading. Now the house is getting messy with books.