Clair's Primary Lesson

Today in Primary Clair's class learned about prayer. The activity was to write and illustrate one thing to "thank" for and one thing to "ask" for. This is what Clair came up with! Seriously, I almost wet my pants right in the hallway at church. I laughed SO hard. Should I be worried my kid wants a limo? :)

Where were you when the world stop turning, that September Day?

I can recall very clearly where I was Sept. 11, 2001. I was in my apartment in Provo, Utah getting ready for work. My mom called to tell me to turn on the news, because one of the World Trade Towers had been hit by a plane. We knew nothing at that time. As I am watching in horror, a plane crashes into the 2nd tower. I didn't want to leave my room. I wanted to stay and watch as the most horrible attack, in my history unfolded. By the time I got to the school the Pentagon was hit and shortly after the plane went down in Penn. What was happening? As I was starting class, my cell phone rang and it was my dad. He asked if I was ok, but there was something in his voice. I knew something wasn't right. Very choked up, he informed me that my cousin Chy had yet to get ahold of her husband Shane, who worked in Manhattan. I started crying. I spent the rest of the morning with a 3rd grade teacher waiting to hear about Shane, as she waited to hear about her daughter at the Pentagon. Lucky for us both, our loved ones were spared, but I can't help but think of the others who didn't make it that fearful day. I believe I cried every day for at least a month as I watched footage and heard stories. I still get emotional today. This day now is a symbol of what America is. We are a country of strong men and women who when the going gets tough they pitch in an help one another. We are surrounded by people who serve and sacrifice for people they don't know. The "first responders" that day and every day, amaze me. Thank you for your service. I loved the time that followed, although sad, it also brought a sense of patriotism, neighborly love, and kindness to our country. People were softer, more helpful, and tried to be better. How could you not, with all the amazing acts of kindness reported from that day.
I love the skyline of NYC, especially this time of year. It reminds me of the time when we, as American's pulled together.

I will never forget my first fall in NYC, as these beams of light towered in the sky, I was reminded of how thankful I am to live in this country and for the men and women who risk their lives for my freedoms, safty. and protect.

You've got to watch this video. It is a great way to remember what we should never forget!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkWc_EKLs4E

Soccer Stars

The kids were all happy to start soccer club this fall. It is great because they go once a week for an hour and work on soccer skills, but there are no Saturday games! It is Bowen's first time and man was he excited! Here he is waiting to get his shirt! Look at those lips...I have to fight the urge to suck them off his cute little face!

Now he has his shirt, so they have to warm up!

Here he is practicing stopping the ball!

Now he is sitting in a large group listening to some instructions!

Bowen's soccer muscles!

Bowen went home with Stephen and the girls had their turn! Kate's group was the oldest. They played a cool game where they had to keep their ball in a certain area. If someone kicked it out, you were out!

It got down to Kate and this kid who looks to be about 5 years older than Kate. Needless to say, Kate's ball got kicked out...

Clair hooked on to this sweet little girl and she could have cared less about the soccer instruction going on around her. But here she and her "buddy" are getting divided into two different groups!

Clair stopping the ball! She's way past this...she informed me she already knew everything they talked about and was the best one in her group!

I have great memories of organized sports...I hope my kids will too!

Big Pre-School Boy

Last week, Bowen started his pre-school group we are doing with some friends from church. He insisted I take some photos like we did of the girls on their first day of school. Here he is showing his Hulk muscles! He was SO excited and wanted to make sure I was going to drop him off and leave him. I hope he isn't to disappointed when it is our turn to host pre-school at our house! :)

Stone Mountain - On top!

I just love spending time with my family! Saturday we boarded a charter bus at GE and headed to the big city - ATL - for a fun packed day at Stone Mountain. My two handsome men waiting for the sky tram!

My family all seated waiting to ride up the mountain!

At the top!

Kate posting on top with the wild flowers!

Clair posing on top with the wild flowers!

Bowen and a tree on top!

Kate and Bowen checking out the rock on top!

Kate on top of the world!

Clair on top of the world!

My two girls!

Family photo on top of stone mountain!

The kids!

The view from the top!

Kate!

It was great on top. It was cool and the wind was blowing slightly. But, we had to come down to enjoy the rest of the park.

Stone Mountain - Historical Houses

Stone Mountain has this whole historical homes area set up. It is so nice and each house is filled with authentic furnishings. They also have folks dressed up in period dress and demonstrations. Here is the plantation house. It is beautiful! The kids loved the double staircase and Kate amazed the worker lady at the top by already knowing that the men and women went up the different sides of the stairs.

The cooking house had a beautiful heirloom flower garden.

Behind the cooking house was a large fruit & veggie garden. The worker was making paper from okra, corn husk, and cotton & helped the girls make bookmarks. Here they are taking the form out of the vat!

Now they are decorating their bookmarks with flower petals, string, and old sheet music!

Now they are using a sponge to get as much water out of the paper as possible!

The whole area had big beautiful trees that would have been great for climbing, but...

This house is over 200 years old.

The girls really loved this part of Stone Mountain. Kate is still talking about the houses and about what she learned.

Stone Mountain - Train and Barn of Fun

After our trip to the top of Stone Mountain we went on a train around the base of the mountain! The conductor picked Bowen to call for "All aboard! over the station speakers" He did a great job and was very proud of himself. Wish I would have thought to taken a video clip of it! Here is a family photo the conductor took.

An old train car.

Stone Mountain from the train!

Close up!

Bowen fell asleep. The clickety-clack must have rocked him to sleep!

Poor sleepy boy!

After our train ride we went to lunch at the Mountain View Restaurant. This was the view from our table!

Our last stop of the day was in the newest attraction at Stone Mountain - The Great Barn. It is this huge play area for kids. It has interactive games, trampoline floors, and slides. This slide was the kids favorite! It was four stories tall!

Do you see little Bowen's orange hat heading down?

Here goes Kate!

It was a great day, but man we were SO tired! At least Stephen didn't have to drive home...the charter bus allowed him to sleep and by the time we got to Greenville, everyone was asleep but me!