Even big kids have fun at the zoo

On Saturday we decided to go to the zoo. I wasn't sure the kids were going to like the idea, but all three were excited and thought it was a great idea. We spent several hours looking at all the animals and having a fun time together. We even got to see the bird show that we have never been able to catch before. Cassidy Bentley, a friend of ours went with us. We all had a fun family day. I have always said that our kids are monkeys. I now have the proof.

Braces!!!!

I thought I would share with everyone Tanner and Kaylee's cute new smiles.

Boating fun

Last Saturday we went boating at Deer Creek Reservoir. It was a nice change to have clear, clean water. We have spent most of the summer boating on Utah lake which is not the clearest water, but still tons of fun. Those of you who have been know what I am talking about. We had a lot of fun. Austin and Tanner both worked on part of thier Watersport and Moterboat merit badges. Austin wakeboarded, Tanner skied and Kaylee kneeboarded and tried to ski. After the
water got choppy they went for a ride in our friends 4 man tube.



Ok, I know the water doesn't look that great in some of these pictures. It was better on the other side of the lake where it is deeper. We were on the more shallow end with less boats around us.

Let's give it a try!

Ok, it seems like everybody theses days are blogging, so I guess we will give it a try. Hopefully this will keep everyone updated on what it happening in our part of the world. We all know how bad I am at keeping in touch ( Christmas cards in July ring a bell). I may even try to take a few pictures to share.

In January we were able to travel with Marko on a business trip to Florida. We did the whole Walt Disney World thing. We had a lot of fun. Disney World is huge. We all decided that we liked Disney Land better because everything is so much closer.

We bought a boat last fall and have spent most of the summer weekends on the lake. It has been a lot of fun. Most of the time we go to Utah Lake because it is the closest. We spent 4 days a Yuba lake in June. The kids are getting really good at all the water toys. All three of them knee board and can do a 180. They have also all gotten up on skis. We had to do a little convincing with Tanner and Kaylee, but they had fun once they tried. Austin was able to get up on the Wakeboard on his first try, and we haven't been able to get him off since. Marko loves to whip them around on the tubes and watch them fly. Marko also does a great job on the wakeboard. I tried and could not get up. I did get up on the ski's though. Both Marko and I enjoy watching the kids have fun. It has been great family time.

April

I am still working for Continental Airlines. I am heading into my 16th year. As long as we can survive the fuel crunch, I think I will be there forever. I am currently working two 10 hour days. The days are long but the 5 days off are worth it.

Last fall I started to build my own business. It has been a slow process. I don't always find the time that I need to work on it more. It is called Inspirations In Vinyl. It is vinyl lettering for home decor, crafts and vehicles. It is a lot of fun. I am hoping to set up a blog with some of my stuff so watch for more on that.

I am the Relief Society President for our ward. This keeps me busy. Luckily I have an amazing Presidency that keeps me in line and helps me out.

Kaylee

It is hard to believe that my baby is 9 years old. Boy, am I getting old. Kay is your typical girl. Loves clothes, Bratz dolls, shopping, Hannah Montana, friends and boys. She is a very good student and loves school. I think it's more the social part than the learning, but whatever works.

Kay has also started piano lessons, and loves to play. She was one of the reasons we got a piano. Every holiday we would ask her what she wanted and the answer was always the same. A piano!

Kay also got braces on today. She has to wear head gear for a year to move her lower jaw forward. I am sure glad we are starting young. Hopefully it won't be too hard. She has to wear it 14 hours a day.

Kay is a spitt fire and does a great job of holding her own against her brothers.

Tanner

Tanner will be 12 in 3 1/2 short months. He is a crazy kid with a brain that never stops. He is always trying to make something new. We always tell him that he is going to be an engineer when he grows up. He loves Lego's, video games and drawing. This spring he played on an indoor football team. He said he liked this better than the regular season because the weather was nicer and he didn't have to play in the cold. He was having fun until the end of the season when the coach put him up on the line and he got hit hard by the other teams very large line. That was the end of that.

Last year in school Tanner started playing the Saxophone. He has really enjoyed it and plans on playing again this coming school year.

Tanner got to go on 2 camping trips this summer. One with school and one with the scouts. He had a lot of fun. He went on a very, very long hike, played in the river, shot guns and earned several merit badges.

Tanner started into braces today. They are trying to be pro-active and make room for a tooth that doesn't have enough space to come down. So far so good. He is actually brushing his teeth. I guess he wants to earn a gift card from the orthodontist office for having clean, healthy teeth. Go Dr Jensen!!!!

Austin

Austin has moved quickly into his teenage years. He is 13 going on 25. He is getting ready to start his second year in Junior High at Bennion. He is not excited to go back to school. He says that he is already counting down the days until next years summer break.

He is patiently (not) waiting for the hockey season to start again. At the start of summer he went to Jeremey Weiss's summer hockey camp, but has not seen much ice time since. This will be his first year as a Bantam. Last season he played on three different teams. Hopefully this year it wont be so crazy because he can not play up a level. I would feel better about him playing if he would just grow a little bit. Most of the boys he plays with and against have already had their growth spurt. He is just hoping that he didn't end up with Aunt Shannon's short gene.

Austin has also started piano lessons and has really enjoyed it. He likes to play by ear like Grandpa, but we are trying to get him to read the music.

Austin received the priesthood in February and is the Deacon quorum President.

This summer Austin has been a Junior life guard at the pool by our house. This is his second year doing this. Hopefully in two years he will be able to get a job as a lifeguard. His favorite part in getting to help with the swimming lessons. He gets to play with all the little kids.

Marko

Marko is working for Sorenson Medical as Director of Quality and Regulatory. He has really enjoyed the challenge of his position. He has traveled a lot recently, back and forth from here to San Diego to work in Tiawana. He is starting to get pretty good with Spanish. He enjoys spending every extra minute he has with the kids. He is an amazing dad.

This past hockey season has been a tuff one for Marko. He has pulled his hamstring twice, resulting in a black and blue leg from knee to waist and a lot of pain. Thoughts have crossed his mind about giving up hockey and playing golf, but I don't think it's going to happen.

He is currently serving as Executive Secretary for the Bishopric in our ward.