Moab in March

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

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!!!!

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

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

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

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

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.