Loving every minute

Moab in March

2009-03-30T09:38:00.000-07:00

We made our first trip to Moab however we didn't get to see of the sights in Moab because we were having so much fun in the campground. We went with some of our wonderful neighbors and about 28 kids where there. My girls were in heaven with so many kids to play with. On Friday they went looking for lizards. The group which consisted of about 13 found one lizard but they had a blast trying to catch anything that moved. They would all surround the bush waiting for the lizard to move, they had nets ready for the lizard to run into. It was such a beautiful day and the scenery was breathe taking. We then were led to a river and this is where the girls spent the next two days. Did I think to bring extra clothes for this NO but I let them get as wet as they could. We also went 4 wheelin. Kylee had the time of her life our neighbors were nice enough to invited her to go 4 wheelin in their Jeep. Kylee loves Jeeps and they took her for a ride of a lifetime. She couldn't stop talking about it. Megyn is always up for anything as long as it keeps her busy she was looking for lizards, jumping in the river, trying to catch fish with a net, playing cards, riding the quad and hangin out with all the kids. Makenna is content to hang out I'm not sure what she was doing the whole time because I didn't see much of her. Kloe was constantly in the water. These moments are unforgettable and I cherish being able to take my kids on these kinds of activities. We are so lucky to have the friendships we have in our neighborhood without them it might not have been so successful. Thanks Neighbors

By the way the reason for going to Moab was for the Half Marathon I was running in. There were 7 of us from the neighborhood. It was such a beautiful run and I felt great during the whole thing. I am not the fastest but I did finish. It feels so great to set a goal and achieve something with no regret. I do enjoy running at this point in my life I think it is the company that I run with that keeps me engaged in this activity. I love and cherish the friendship I have created while enjoying this activity. It was a lot of fun to see the girls and Marty at the finish line. I was so emotional that as I turned the corner after I was finished and saw Marty I cried. It was an emotional moment. I do so many things for my family it was fun to see them support me for something I had accomplished. These are the moments when the family is bonded and unified for the purpose of supporting the other family member. Loving every moment is definitely my motto.

Kloe's 6th Birthday

2009-03-30T09:20:00.000-07:00

My baby is 6 yrs old. It is a little sad that all my kids are getting older and making me older as well. We have been telling everyone that she is six for several months now. She always corrected us but now it is true. We had several friends over for her first friend party. Kloe couldn't wait. We had fun playing games and eating cake. Grandma and Grandpa Koopmans and Nana came over later to celebrate with us also. Some of Kloe favorite things are

Color: pink sparkle and blue sparkle

Food: Cafe Rio

Movie: Master of Disguise

Book: Limu

Activity: play barbies and ride her bike

What she wants to be when she grows up: a MOM

She loves Kindergarten because she gets a treat everyday. Kloe loves her candy. For her birthday breakfast she wanted pancakes with chocolate chip face. She is a delight is our family she challenges us and keeps mom on her toes. She is very independent that is the kind of children we are trying to raise right? She thinks she is 13 like her sister and this is the challenge for me. I could say that I am real sad about them growing up but I won't because really I am excited for the next stage in motherhood. I know I am crazy!! I really do like to treasure all these moments with my little one.

Happy Birthday Meg BIg 10!!!!

2009-01-26T10:43:00.001-08:00

Happy Happy Birthday I can't believe she is 10. She is such a light and inspiration to our family she is driven, tender hearted, smart(maybe to smart at least for her mom), beautiful inside and out, and a koopmans(thats a good thing). She definitely lives up to her last name. I can express how much she means to this family. I kept asking her what she wanted for her birthday and she kept telling me nothing but a couple of days before her birthday she told me she would like anything BYU and a tether ball. Tether ball I know but she loves to play at school. She was so excited to get the tether ball she took it to school for a week even though the air was so bad she could play outside. She has the biggest smile it melts your heart. We had a surprise birthday party for her and she was speechless when she walked in to all her friends yelling Surprise. We had fun playing games and eating. IT was memorable. Thanks Megyn for your sweet spirit.

Principal Pride

2009-01-26T10:28:00.000-08:00

Kloe and Kenna both received the Principal Pride. Kloe had good handwriting and Kenna received the Super Student Award. This is a great acknowledgement the school does for the students. The parents on the other hand it is a little bit of a pain. Luckily my friend called and reminded me ten minutes before we were suppose to be there. I was grateful I didn't have little ones to get ready or cart around. The girls are so proud to come home and show dad their accomplishments. I am for any reason my children can take pride in school work. The girls are having fun in school. Kylee is doing really well in junior high she has many friends, playing basketball and reading the twilight series. It is exciting to see her interested in reading and choosing to read instead of watching TV. Kylee truly blesses our family. Megyn has improved is schooling and we are so excited. She is going crazy having to stay inside because the air is so bad to play outside. She is in futsal and is glad to be back playing with her soccer friends it does give her something to look forward to on the weekends. She is also the assistant coach for Kennas basketball team. She loves to be involved and loves to help me I love that.

Christmas Day Its a boy

2009-01-14T19:20:00.000-08:00

Meet our new boy! BROCK . This is something the whole family wanted (except mom) I was totally out numbered. They have been wanting a lab forever and I told them that the only way a lab was coming to our house is if Santa brings one. Yeah for Santa. Marty was just as excited as the girls to have our new dog. Everyone is having fun playing with Brock even cyndle (our poodle).

Christmas Day

2009-01-14T18:43:00.001-08:00

The little ones had fun getting the things they had asked for from Santa. In our house the girls get to ask for three things from Santa The three gifts represents the three gifts the wise men gave to Jesus. They really need to think hard for what they want. They are so excited when Santa pulls through. They get gifts from mom and dad of course but this year it was definitely downsized. It was awesome.

We had a blue versus red Christmas. It was very nice this year to downsize the presents and really focus on the giving part of Christmas. The girls really had to think about what they wanted the most. For Kylee and Megyn it was BYU or UTAH clothing. It was fun to see them excited about what they got. One special thing about this Christmas was that one of my daughters decided that the only presents she wanted was wishes. She wished for a boy in our neighborhood would not feel any pain during his surgery and the other was for kids at her school to be nice to another little girl in our ward. This is very touching for a mom. I asked her if she would like a letter from the moms telling her if these two children were doing well. She told me that she didn't need a letter she was sure Santa Claus would take care of it. This is the Christmas spirit at work, wanting the best for others. What an example my children are for me!

Mr. And Mrs. Claus

2009-01-06T12:31:00.000-08:00

This time of year everyone talks about traditions. My mom has a few traditions that she started when we were little like giving us ornaments, a decoration or whatever.I have them all since 1985. I like to talk about traditions and think I will do some soon but Have I done any with my kids yet umm NO., Except one (which was started by my mom) anywho. Our Tradition is to have Mr. and Mrs Claus over to my moms house for a story and presents. Santa and the Mrs. have been coming to see us since Kylee was 4. It all started when we were at my moms Best friends house Vicki Cottrells. We were there with all of her kids and grandskids and then my mom and I and Kylee. So we were all there waiting for Santa, waiting and waiting the kids were getting restless as you can imagine when Vicki realized that she had forgotten to tell Santa to come. So we looked up our Santa and gave them a call they didn't have much time because they had other people waiting for them already but they managed to fit us in. It was the Christmas Spirit that everyone talks about. To this day we have had this Santa and Mrs. Claus come to visit us. Vicki was in a terrible car accident and passed away but my mom was determined to continue the tradition and I appreciate her for that. My kids think it is so special because they get a special visit from Santa.

Santa always brings the kids a toy and this year Kloe got a Bratz board game. I could not figure the game out the rules and cards were all mixed up. I turned to my mom and asked where did you get this game? Kloe answered Duh Santa brought it the elves made it! I thought dumb elves.

I had to make up our owm rules to the game and them it was fun. Next time the elves should look more closely at the games they make for Santa.

St. George Soccer Tournament 2008

2009-01-06T11:47:00.000-08:00

We had a lot of fun in St. George over Thanksgiving break. One of the highlights was watching Megyn play in a tournament. Her team did very well they received the silver medal for their effort. Megyn has been playing defense for this season but for the tournament she was played as a mid fielder. She is great in any position but she likes to be up with the action more. In our last game of the tournament we were playing for second place and the score was 0 to 0. With about 1 minute left in the game our team went for the goal the goalie blocked the shot it came back to Megyn at mid field she ran up to the ball and kicked it up in the air as we all watch it head for the goal we were all willing it to go in. There was only about a foot between the goalie and the goal post and by golly the ball dropped down into the goal. It was the most exhilarating moments for a parent and for the team.It is hard to describe the emotions of such a moment. Did we capture it on camera NO but we will never forget.Megyn has never acknowledged a goal in the past but after this one her arm flew up and the whole team was jumping on top of her the coach ran on the field and gave her a big hug it was totally awesome!!!!!!! Moments like that is why we appreciate all the hard work she puts in her practices. It may never happen again but we will never forget!!!

Off Track Moments

2008-11-20T13:49:00.000-08:00

The girls have a lot of fun playing together. They have played the Wii, went swimming, gone to the park but the best is when Megyn uses her imagination. They have love being part of whatever she is planning. Today they took turns jumping, dancing, and racing around the basement. Megyn thought they did such a good job she awarded them trophies.Kloe loves to get dressed and due her hair right when she wakes up Makenna on the other hand could stay in her pajamas all day. I am like Kloe get up get dressed do my chores and then lounge in the afternoon. How about you?

Family Night

2008-11-20T13:32:00.000-08:00

We had a fun family night. We played a fun getting to know you game. Everyone wrote down their five favorites and we took turns guessing what it was. I thought I knew my kids but they surprised me and the girls totally knew their dad. The categories were Movie, Color, Candy, sport, favorite subject in school and food.
Marty
1 Young Guns
2 Blue
3 Chocolate
4 Soccer ( hunting and fishing are not a sport a hobby)
5 Farm and Ranch
6 Mexican food ( I said BBQ and I know I'm right)

Michelle
1 How to lose a guy in 10 days
2 Green
3 Twix for the moment
4 Basketball (because I play but ultimately I love football) If I had a dream Sunday it would be to watch football and rest
5 History
6 any salad with Martys dressing

Kylee
1 Nacho Libre
2 yellow
3 Reeses
4 basketball
5 History
6 Fettecine

Megyn
1 Nacho Libre
2 lime green
3 skittles
4 football (she loves BYU)
5 math
6 strawberries

Makenna
1 Pirates of the Carribean
2 green
3 chocolate
4 soccer
5 math
6 spaghetti

Kloe
1 Snow White
2 pink
3 smarties
4 soccer
5 writing
6 tacos

It was fun to see how surprised we all were to find out what one another likes. We think we know and it was interesting what the kids thought of each other. We love playing games as a family. I remember going camping and playing games with my family there wasn't a night that went by without a game of Rummy. You gotta love Family Night.

Winter's First Snow

2008-11-15T14:45:00.001-08:00

My girls love the snow. Kloe couldn't wait to play in it, ride her bike through it and take the sled down the hill. She is a little heater so the cold weather doesn't bother her at all. Megyn just likes being outside in any kind of weather however she does not like taking pictures. You know we love the snow I hope we will see more!!!!!

We did it! I Did it! Yeah!!!!

2008-11-13T07:58:00.000-08:00

I like checking things off a list and now I can check off the fact that I ran a Half Marathon. It was so exciting. I would have never guessed that I would actually have enjoyed it either. I enjoyed waking up in the mornings to run. It also helps if you have great running partners as I did. We did the Snow Canyon Half and it was a beautiful run. I did have to remind myself where I was and to enjoy the view. It helped take my mind off of the run for a second anyway. There is something about running outside that is rejuvinating. I was dying the whole way but what a rush. It is just an awesome feeling to work towards something and accomplish it. It is like life you have to take little steps conditioning yourself mentally, spiritually and physically so when life give you a hill or a dirt trail that is unstable you know you are prepared. I had to constantly tell myself to keep going when I wanted to stop. I did stop sometimes but you rest gathers yourself and get going again. I did have help along the way as we do in life they shared little snipets of their life with me and then they were gone. It was just enough to distract me from what I was doing and before I knew it I was further along. Just like all the friends that I have had in my life that has helped my along sharing their life with me. I appreciate all the stories, struggles, suggestions, advice, support and above all laughter along the path of life. I struggled at the end but someone was there telling me to keep going and pushing me to accomplish my goal of under 2 hrs. I love people in my life that push me out of my comfort zone and challenge me to keeping going in order to reach my goal. Thanks to all who are there for me love ya.
My time was 1:56:23 OOOHHH YA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will upload pictures later

Busy Day

2008-11-03T13:35:00.000-08:00

It is amazing what you can accomplish when you are in the mind set to actually do it. My storage room was a disaster to say the least you could not even open the freezer. You could barely even open the door. We were at the point of just cracking the door open and throwing things in. I told myself that after halloween I would clean it up. Today was the day. It didn't take very long either and it is awesome I took the time to date all of my food storage throw old things out and now I have my storage room back. Since I had the organizing bug I cleaned my sewing/scrapbooking table, mended some clothes and organized one of my main closets. I feel great now I don't have to do it until next Halloween right?

October Fest

2008-11-02T07:44:00.000-08:00

Pumpkin Patch

We decided to go get pumpkins for Family Home Evening and I think all of Riverton decided

to do the same. This little pumpkin patch was busy. It was so cute they had a corn maze for

the girls to run through, trackers to play on and wheelbarrows for all the dads to play with.

Carving Pumpkins

This is another Family night activity. I love it bacause I stand back and let Marty have the

Fun with the girls. He has such patience with them and they each love their personal time they

get with daddy. He takes each girl one at a time and talks to them about what they want on

their pumpkin and then he carves it with them. I get to take pictures and bake cookies.

Happy Halloween

Here are the girls. I finally convinced Kloe not to be Snow White for the third year in a row. I think she is a cute Dorothy. Klow loves her kindergarten teacher Mrs. McDougal she could wait

to get a picture with her.

Makenna liked the dress that she is wearing but she didn't know what she was until she saw a Return to Halloween town and the princess on the show was wearing her dress. At her Halloween party everyone was asking her what she was she would say she was a princess duh. This is Averie one of Makenna's friend they went trick o treating together. She has now advanced to the pillowcase to collect her candy. They grow up to fast.

Magyn had to be something dead. SO why not a dead soccer player she is constantly in

her uniform anyway why should Halloween be any different. She had fun with all her

friends.

Kylee Kylee Kylee

What a Halloween for Kylee. She has a lot of good friends and they have a blast together. They all came over for soup and pizza and then went out trick or treating. Then they came back to have a late night. It is so much fun listening to all these girls giggle, scream, and laugh with one another. These are a great bunch of friends. We love our nieghborhood.

November 1

We can't leave Marty out. He couldn't handle seeing these nice pumpkins being thrown away so he took Megyn, Steve, Jack, and Cody to go shoot them. They had fun shooting up the pumpkins Megyn thought is was so cool to shoot the gun and come home with some bruises. We can't wait to see what the rest of the month brings.

First time for All of Us

2008-10-13T13:35:00.000-07:00

We did it!!! We hiked Timpanoogas for the first time. The girls did awesome it was also the perfect time to go. We were in no hurry so the girls had fun playing games along the way and getting piggy back rides from their dad. I was pleasantly surprised how well we all did. Check that one off my list DONE

This is Megyn water skiing for the first time. Last year she wouldn't even get on the tube. Thanks to our great friend Steve who got into the water with her to help look at her now!

It was so exciting to see her.

Kylee is also water skiing for the first time. She has been boating with friends many times and loves to ride the tube but loves to water ski now. I am hoping to have her on a wake board by next year she says no way lets see who will win.

Our first boat. We are loving being able to spend time with each other. We love tubing, skiing and fishing.

Kylee started middle school a first for her and for me. I will also have my first teenager in about a month. Good thing kylee is so awesome I think having for girls I am numb to all of the wining, crying, moaning, attitude I think my girls have already been teenagers the day they were born.

Kloe started Kindergarten and I am home alone. It is weird to have it so quite for a couple of hours I try to soak it up because when the girls get home it is non-stop talking, fitting and crying.

I love it though. I would not trade it for anything. I love my girls

We went hunting/camping with Marty for the first time. The weather was beautiful along with the scenery. The brown mountains that contrast with the colorful trees and the smell of the green pines. I love this time of year. Marty had a hard time choosing between his two loves, the girls and hunting. He didn't get a deer so that kind of tells you where he spent most of his time. The girls love spending time with their dad.

Marty has been gone for about a week now. He is hunting Elk this time and he is having a lot of fun. We can't wait for him to come home we miss him. I love to hear him talking about the stories when he comes home he has such enthusiasm for hiking in the mountains in the freezing cold waiting for the right Elk to come his way. I don't see the point but I glad it brings him joy he works so hard for us he deserves some time away.