High School Musical, 3rd Grade Style

She has caught the dancing bug. That's right! Alyssa boogied her way through a Saturday morning learning a new dance for a football half time show. She and her good friend Ashley, participated in a dance clinic, put on by the local High school dance team. Alyssa loved every minute of it.

There is nothing Alyssa loves more then flouncing around on a dance floor, wiggling her hips and waving her finger. The song they danced to was appropriately titled "Tell me something I don't know", which seems to be a constant phrase used in our home as of late. Because 8 year old girls do know everything, and they are absolutely never wrong.

This coming Thursday, the kids get to perform their dance at the Century High School football game half time show. We have hit the big time now. What fun to see such joy race across Alyssa's face as she completed the dance and had the praise of 15 high school girls. It was definitely worth the 25 bucks. Each girl had their picture taken with the Century dance team, and received a T-shirt honoring the event. I'm sure the shirt will be worn for many weeks to come.

Humpty Dumpty needs his Horsemen

Today was Peyton's Humpty Dumpty drop for Kindergarten. All of the children in his class, and the other Kinder class, were given the assignment to create a container to house a raw egg. It had to be strong yet light weight and soft enough to provide cushioning for the egg. This was definitely a homework assignment that screamed "Dad, gets to help". Peyton's teacher, Mrs.Herzog, loved how involved the fathers became. Each dad beamed with pride at his creation. I have to admit there was some pretty extraordinary homes for these tender eggs.

We witnessed parachuting loaves of bread, spring enhanced footballs, jello stuffed Tupperware, and foam blown tennis shoes. Peyton's creation came from moms stock pile of preschool materials. He used a plastic bucket that once contained a pile of buttons, and stuffed it with Pillow batting and feathers. The outside was decorated with a picture of Humpty about to take the plunge. So cute!

Our always adventurous and theatrical principle, Mr. Noesen, then dressed up like a king and climbed to the roof of the school with the help of several dads. The children anxiously waited down below, and chanted the Humpty Dumpty Nursery Rhyme. This was the cue for the launch. As you will see in the following pictures, Peyton's egg was not so lucky. But man what a fun day they had!

The egg safely nestled in the can

Peyton awaits the inevitable

King Principle Noesen

Peyton's egg is about to make the plunge

The kids looking upward and onward

Oh! our poor little egg. Sorry Humpty!

Fall Favorites

My good, good friend Rose and I went for a walk this morning to take in the beautiful Fall colors. Autumn is absolutely my favorite season. Everything looks brilliant and majestic. Along the way we passed my favorite tree. We pass this tree everyday on the way to taking the kids to school. I love it because it turns every imaginable color. All of this looking at fall colors had me thinking about all the other things I enjoy about the season.

Thick, soft, and comfy blankets. I love being able to pull out those heavy linens and pile them high on my bed.


Hot Chocolate. This is one of the few ways I actually enjoy chocolate. It feels so smooth as it trickles down your throat. Yum!

Pumpkin pie. The sheer texture of grainy pumpkin, so mush like and slimy should turn you off. But it tastes so darn good you forget all about the texture.

Sweaters! I love me my sweaters. I love to rap myself up in a sea of thick and sometimes itchy browns, greens, and burnt oranges.

Yummy Stew! I could eat a different kind of stew everyday and be perfectly happy. At least I'm getting my vegetables.

Persimmons! They are this fabulous fruit. Many people say it is an acquired taste. They are kind of a mix between a pumpkin and a peach. Very fallish, and I love them.

The Little Red Head that Could

I think I can, I think I can, I think I DID. Sewing has always been a terrifying and unpleasant experience for me. I'm pretty sure I gave my mom a few gray hairs back in the day. She tried to teach me how to sew several times, unsuccessfully. I reasoned it away saying, "most of the time it is cheaper to just buy products anyway." However, this past week made it necessary to catch the sewing bug.

Alyssa will be participating in two talent shows in the next couple of weeks. One of the numbers she is involved in requires her to wear a Poodle Skirt. I do not own one. I desperately tried to find someone who would let me borrow theirs. I even went on the hunt at local Good Will Stores and costume shops. I mean it's Halloween right? There has to be something. NO! The one I did find cost $30 and I refuse to pay that for a talent show, I am far too cheap. I finally told myself, you can do this Nancy, a poodle skirt has to be one of the easiest things to sew. I headed over to Joanne's for the 99 cent pattern sale, found the easy version of a poodle skirt pattern, picked up the essential materials(felt, elastic, iron on poodle,thread) $ 6.79 later I headed home and went to work. Much to my surprise I enjoyed myself. I even understood the pattern and instructions. Maybe my moms teachings rubbed off on me after all. Needless to say, Alyssa now has a poodle skirt and a proud mom. I can, do it, I can do it, I DID !

Getting ready to cut!

cutting success

See mom! your old sewing machine is still being used.

Finished product! Isn't it pretty?

Primary Program 08'

Yesterday was the Quatama Ward Primary Sacrament meeting program. This is absolutely without a doubt the best Sunday of the year. There is something magical about seeing 80 children valiantly sitting up on the stand, that makes your heart flutter with pride and love. Primary Children songs have the most tender and influential messages. When they are sung by sweet , innocent voices the message is heard 100 fold.

This year I was told that when the program was being written, the wonderful primary presidency sisters included little snippets of comments that the children had actually said throughout the year. I guess that is why when I saw Peyton's speaking part, it looked like something he would actually say. Well at least the last sentence did.

When Peyton took to the microphone he proudly claimed:

" Families can go to the temple together. I can prepare now to go. I can obey the word of wisdom and eat healthy food like watermelon."

Alyssa was for the 4th year in a row assigned a talk. She always does such a terrific job. This year she spoke on Family History. These were her words:

"Sometimes I like to hear stories about when my grandma’s and mom were little girls. And sometimes I dream about how many grand kids I will have one day and what they will like to do. All of these ancestors and future generations are linked together like this chain.

In the spirit world, the gospel is taught to those who died before receiving it. But they don’t have a body to perform the baptismal and temple ordinances. We are the center link in this chain. By doing our family history, and performing temple ordinances for those who have died ,we can keep our family bound together.

Someday, one of these future generations will discover , that I was the first person on both sides of my family to be born in the United States. And my dad is the only member of the church on his side so there’s lots of work to do there. I know that doing our family history is a way of showing love for our Heavenly Father and our families. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen."

Alyssa also had the added pleasure of singing a little solo. She was able to sing the 2nd verse of "I am a Child of God." What fun to hear that sweet voice carrying out over the congregation.

I am grateful for all the time and effort wonderful, dedicated primary leaders put into sharing their talents. They are helping to raise confident, spiritual children.

Grrrrrrr, tweet,Roar

This week was parent / teacher conferences, NO SCHOOL, so we thought it would be a good time to make use of our zoo pass. Wednesday ended up being a perfect day to go. It was bright and sunny but a brisk 59 degrees. So we bundled up and went for a nice stroll around the Oregon Zoo. All the animals were out in full force. Seeing as we were one of the few families taking advantage of the day, the kids loved being able to walk around and have the exhibits to themselves.

Camden all snugly and warm

The kids always stand and observe the geyser for at least 5 min

Alyssa on a make shift swing, while waiting for Peyton to finish looking at the geyser.

rrrribit! anything is a playground at the zoo

Wow! A life size "beary". Peyton recently read a book about a Polar Bear that climbs into a little girls bedroom window and snuggles with her to keep her warm. I think he wishes this bear would do the same. His "beary" ( a plush polar bear he adores ) has been hibernating in moms closet for several months now.

Mmmmm Food! / 5 Months

Do you think this boy is almost ready for starter foods?

Camden you are 5 months old now and here are some of the things we have been noticing about you lately:

* You will reach for anything that smells good. Even if you have just eaten and are full to the brim, you will strain every muscle in your body to try and get the food that someone else is eating.

*You hate to be on your belly and will scream until we help you turn over. You have turned over on your own twice now, but you were not happy about it.

* You love to laugh. Any moving object is absolutely hilarious. You have also discovered that laughing makes people notice you, and you will give a giggle just to make someone look in your direction.

* You are extremely ticklish. Under your chin, on your sides, the ends of your feet, it doesn't seem to matter where, all of them make you squirm and laugh.

* You love to sit up and stand up. In fact we have a feeling you may skip the crawling stage all together.

* Your favorites books are :

The going to bed book - by Sandra Boynton

Babies Counting 1 2 3

Clifford's noisy Day

*You love it when we sing:

Five little monkey's swinging in a tree

I have a Tiny Turtle

Rubber Ducky

*You love to play with your:

Multi colored chain link rings

Plush, shaking lion

We sure love you Camden. You have brought new life, hope and joy into our family. We can't wait to see what the next five months brings.