School Starts Again

Last summer, we enrolled Brayden in swim lessons (level 1) and he cried in the car on the way to class each week because he didn't want to swim. He did not pass level 1 because he refused to put his face in the water. So, it was with much hesitation that I accepted an invitation from a friend to take my kids swimming. Luckily, Haylee was still off work until after New Years, so she went with me to help make sure that neither of my children drown. We ended up having a really great time and Brayden even swam around with some "noodles" as long as there was an adult near by. After swimming, my friend told her kids they could have a cookie, so naturally, we also needed a cookie. On the way home, Brayden said he couldn't wait to go to swimming lessons again. . .but could we get a cookie next time? I told him yes. Who knew that all it would take to make swimming fun was a little Otis Spunkmeyer?

For New Year's we celebrated by going out to dinner with friends (our very kind neighbor stayed with the kids) and then we joined friends for games and fun (we put our kids to bed at their house). Our friends, the Hawkins, have recently acquired several exciting Playstation games such as Guitar Hero, Sing Star, and Dance Dance revolution. Taylor's favorite is Guitar Hero and mine is Dance Dance. But, you have never laughed until you see the second counselor in the bishopric sing an 80's rock song with the game declaring everything from "cool" to "terrible!" Talk about guts.

Later in the week, we found ourselves at “Pump It Up” with some friends. By Thursday, I was so happy for school to start again!

Kylee had her first day in nursery at church. She was great for the first hour. A few minutes into the second hour, she decided she had had enough and the nursery leader brought her to me screaming (Kylee screaming, not the nursery leader). It was particularly interesting because I was conducting Relief Society right at that moment. Oh well, now everyone knows exactly how nursery is going for Kylee!

Brayden during one of his "brave" moments.

Haylee and Kylee bobbing along.

I told Taylor he should rename his band "guitar hog."

He didn't think I was funny.

The New Year's party (Jodi, Jacque, Josh, Ty, Taylor)

Kylee going down the slide all by herself.

She became quite vocal about asserting her independence on this outing.

Pump it up happened to have some extra toys for the little kids.

Kylee discovered her favorite back yard toy and spent a good deal of time driving around.

Taylor taught Brayden how to build forts out of blankets.

We had FHE on Tuesday due to all the festivities on Monday.

This is the family singing the closing song:

Jesus wants me for a Sunbeam,

A Sunbeam,

I'll be a Sunbeam for Him!

Just for fun.

Kylee wants to do all the things that Brayden does. Here she is playing video games with him. Luckily she doesn't realize that the cord wrapped around the control means she really isn't doing anything :)