Moosehorn!!

We really really love Moosehorn and fishing!!  This year we went two times - one of which Kyle broke his thumb.  But the second time was just wonderful!  Kyle and Carson both caught fish and Cole had several "almosts".  We also hiked up to the  beautiful meadow that I love and feel like I have been going to all my life probably because I have.  So many great memories there as a child and now for my children to remember.  I love tradition and being together as a family!

Track 09

This was a great year for track and field!  Kyle was absolutely amazing in every way!  He did well at everything he competed in and ended the year with 12 ribbons spread over 4 different meets.  He usually competed in the 1/2 mile, shot put, discus, long jump and 4x1 relay.  It was a proud parent summer for us - what a talented kid!

Broken Thumb

We were up at Moosehorn and Kyle slammed his own thumb in the door jamb of our tent trailer.  Major pain and suffering until the next morning when we could get it xray'd and set.  Life is  never boring around our house!!!

Cub Scout Camp 09

I am now the cub scout leader for the Bobcat/Wolf Pack.  I have been doing it with the Personal Progress and YW Music for the past 6 months.  It is a lot of fun learning all about cub scouts with Carson in my pack.  We went to day camp a few weeks ago and the boys had so much fun!  It is a blessing to have the opportunity to serve and have my "boy time" and "girl time" each week.  Keeps me really busy, though and sometimes I think it is too much, but the blessings keep coming, so I keep working hard to please my Heavenly Father.  Life is good!

Ryan....Hell On Wheels

Now these are the cutest pictures of my little terror child.  I am so grateful for this darling little person but he has got a stubborn streak a mile wide.  And, just in case you are wondering, he is STILL not talking.  His speech therapist thinks we should just teach him to sign everything - that is not a good thing when she can't even get anything from him!  Grandma asked him for a hug the other day and he, can you believe it, KICKED Her!!!  It is time for me to read Love and Logic again.  You know you are in trouble when you wear your Ipod in the car and turn it up so loud you can't hear your child crying.  I honestly don't know what is wrong most of the time - it is such a guessing game.  I would do anything to make this little guy talk - anything, truly!  Let's hope things get better and be grateful he is such a cutie in the meantime!  I love these pics - truly precious. I love him so much despite our trials together!

Fun Run 2009!!

Okay, major proud parent moment last Friday when my child, Kyle Koch, in the 5th grade actually blew away the ENTIRE SCHOOL in the Fun Run this year!!!  I cannot tell you how absolutely amazed I am at this amazingly fast runner I have born!  The 6th graders got to start first and then the 5th graders about 2 minutes later and so we were all at the finish line waiting for the first 6th grader to come in when, low and behold, there was MY 5th grader leading the pack with his teacher's husband by A LOT!!!  Can you even see anyone else in the background?  I could hardly believe it!!  AND, just to add to my amazement, he was SICK!!  He woke up with a horrible cough, sore throat, headache, and stuffed up nose.  He asked me if he could walk the Fun Run since he felt so bad.  My very sympathetic self said "NO WAY, BUDDY, You Run and Do Your Best!"  And he did - even better than his best.  I did drug him up with Ibuprofen and nasal spray.  I wonder what he would have done if he was feeling well?  As he passed the 6th graders, they yelled at him, "Hey, what grade you in?"  I am surprised someone didn't trip him - how annoying to be beat by a 5th grader!  I am so proud of my son - he is amazing.  I pray this talent will pay for his college someday.  If not, what a great skill to have all his life!  

I Hate Guns!

Ok, I have resigned myself to the fact that there are 5 boys in my family and sometimes I will be forced to do things that only boys find fun and exciting.  This is obviously one of those times.  How did we spend Memorial Day?  Learning to shoot guns - YUCK!  But the "boys" had a blast!!!

Cole's Birthday Blues

It was Cole's birthday yesterday.  He had a preschool program in the morning, McDonald's for lunch, shopping for the giant remote control buggy he has wanted for 2 months, to Nicelcade with his brothers and his dad, shopping for a giant bean bag for gaming on, and then pizza and  a video with the family that night.  It was a very fun day except the giant buggy had to be charged overnight.  So, up first thing (6AM) to play with the very fun buggy that is now all charged up.  Mean mom made him wait until 7AM to go outside and play with it.  Play play play with a big grin on his face for 10 minutes until the neighbor's daughter backs out of her driveway and right over the giant toy. My poor little newly 5 year old sits down on the driveway and sobs and sobs.  It was the saddest thing you have ever seen!  It made me cry, too.  $50 in 10 minutes - that has to be a first for even our family!

And, because I remember when my dad bought me an ice cream cone which I promptly licked too hard and fell onto the parking lot and he immediately took me back in and bought me another one without one mean word, I took Cole to Toys R Us and he bought another one and a cool Iron Man guy.  What is money when my little boy is happy - right?!

Carson's Baptism

Wow!  What an amazing day! It was raining cats and dogs, but it was the most beautiful day to us and little Carson.  We gave him a set of scriptures with his name on them and he reads them every day. The baptism was at 9:00, so it was early, but at least we were first and the font water was warm!  I got to set up the night before which was awesome.  Grandma Koch and Christensen spoke, I made a special video of Carson while they changed, and everything went perfectly.  We all went to our house for yummy breakfast casserole, cinnamon rolls, muffins, and lots of fruit.  The day couldn't have been more wonderful.  I am so proud of Carson's decision!

Easter '09

We had a great Easter last weekend and I am finally getting around to writing about it!  I have to say that I love love love tradition!!!  It is what makes holidays so wonderful!  We had our annual Egg Dying Party at my mom and dad's house for the big annual Easter Egg Hunt at their house on Saturday.  Then we had egg hunts at our house and then at Grandma & Grandpa Koch's with a yummy dinner on Sunday.  The boys wore their new Easter outfits - a first for matching.  They will also wear them at Aunt Rachel's wedding in a few weeks. Don't they look cute?  Carson was sure to put holes in his brand new pants that day to make sure I didn't forget that he is all boy.  It was so much fun and a true celebration of Christ's Resurrection.  We love to Party!!!!