HELP!

My Camera is broken! Being without a camera is not a good feeling, you never know what moment you're going to miss. I'm looking to replace my point and shoot, it was a Cannon power shot, I really liked it- but am wondering if there is something better. So if anyone reads this and likes their camera tell me what kind it is -or if you've heard of a good compact P&S let me know. THANKS

Wasatch Back

We are so proud of Dave. He injured himself 2 weeks before the race but still made it out alive. 188 miles and 31 hours.

Bear Lake

Last week I took the kids to Bear Lake, Dave stayed behind to work and run his race. My parents are remodeling one of their cabins, so we roughed it (so to speak). We had bedrooms and bathrooms but that was about it. It is so nice to get away without TV, Internet, video games, and the constantly ringing phone. The kids were so helpful and didn't whine about the less than fabulous weather. We did puzzles, played lots of games, and Bree and Saydi both finished their "Work and the Glory" books.

Croquet anyone?

Saydi would do crafts all day.

The water is closer than last year -which leaves us a smaller beach this early in the year.

Saydi

It seems like my kids take turns going through phases. Some good phases, some not so good. I just have to say that Saydi has had a good year. She has been so helpful through all the craziness.

This kid has always been the quiet one, and unlike her siblings, stays out of the spotlight. She is so talented- but not all those talents are easily noticed. This year she has been playing the piano and working on her gymnastics skills. She also draws very well and has been fixing her own hair all year.(I think she just got tired of me not knowing how to do hair) I love that she naturally thinks of others first and can see a need usually before anyone else.

She definitely makes our house run smoother and we love her for that!!

This is the place

Last weekend we took our kids to This is the Place Heritage Park.

There was a lot more to do there than I thought. I was pleasantly surprised. My kids enjoyed it and so did Dave and I.The kids made Candles and Snakes

The Baby farm animals were a hit.






The kids got to do laundry the old fashion way
The mini train was another a hit!10 children lived in this one room cabin- my kids couldn't believe itMy kids came home with a greater appreciation for what they have.
I highly recommend this Park!

90 degrees and loving it!

Even though I hear that being pregnant in the summer is not fun--

I LOVE SUMMER!!!!

It was so nice to feel Hot!!

Bree's Sabbatical

I am one of those people who tried violin and piano lessons but didn't take it very seriously. And yes not a day goes by that I don't wish that I had stuck with it longer. So- I am a mother who has a hard time letting my kids quit things. I know that everyone has different gifts, but being able to conquer something that is hard is something that can build self-esteem. Now, along with that I also feel it's important to find something for each child that they feel good at-- to counter-act the frustration of the hard thing they are trying to conquer.

So, when Bree decided to take a sabbatical from violin lessons I had very mixed feelings about it. She has been showing signs of burn out in all areas and we knew she needed something different. So trying to put aside everything we have invested in this particular hobby, we let her make the decision. Ugh. I think she's enjoying the break. She has started taking piano lessons for fun. And she's also started doing quite a bit of babysitting. (She has never been one to just do nothing.) We just hope that we are making the right decision as parents.

It's not that she's given the violin up completely. She still plays with a trio once a week. They call themselves the "Classical Chicks" and recently performed at a music festival at WSU. (It's been so fun for her to play her violin with others her own age.)

She also tried out for the city's Talent Show. She made the finalist list, but the actual talent show is part of the "Concert Series" at the amphitheater and isn't until June.

We abosolutly love being the parents of this girl but, It's so hard to know when to push and when to back-off. Maybe by the time #5 is at this stage we"ll be better at this. (But probably not, they are all so different.)