Riding my bike to school

We moved in with Oma and Opa. Their home is just over 2 miles from my school and the bus won't pick me up. Mom drives me every day and we thought it might be fun to ride bikes to school. We did it twice. Thursday, Sept 24 and again on Wed, Oct. 7th for National Walk to School Day. It took over a half and hour each time. I especially liked riding home from school because Mom would bring a snack and we would stop for a picnic break.

Last Swim day of the year

Opa got an above the ground pool this summer. It has been a lot of fun coming over to cool off in. Friday, September 25th was the last day that we got to swim in it before it had to be put away for the winter.
Sometimes we get a little cold in the bigger pool and have to warm up in the kiddy pool.
McKayla, Emma, Hannah, Carter, Aspen

Family Pictures

Sunday, September 20th. Ellie's 1st birthday was yesterday and Mom wanted new family pictures for her "family book."

Carter (5),McKayla (7), Bree (2), Ellie (1)

Backpacking to Hidden Lake

August 22 & 23, 2009 - Aunt Jessi and Uncle James invited me to go backpacking with them to Hidden lake (near Cascade, Idaho). We left Oma and Opa's house Saturday morning and on the drive up I saw a lot of beautiful scenery. I loved looking out the window at the trees, mountains and the river. When we got to the trail head we had lunch and then got ready to hike in.

We started hiking and I was so excited because it was my very first backpacking trip. I learned one very important rule, "You go as fast as the slowest hiker!" Uncle James started out as the slowest hiker, then I was, and then it was Aunt Jessi.

After hiking for a while it became very shady from a grove of very tall trees. I saw a little tiny stream and had fun walking down and exploring it. I thought it was really pretty. Then we ran into Uncle Jed, Tucker, Hannah, Hallie, and Stella. They were hiking out and Tucker gave me a flashlight.
Once we had hiked a bit farther Uncle James decide he wanted to hike up the mountain a ways to see where we were at. Aunt Jessi and I went up the mountain too. We saw Lost Lake from there, which was pretty close to Hidden Lake. It was a beautiful view.


We stopped to rest on a rock when we noticed a fork in the path that had three different directions to choose from. We weren't sure which way to go but in the end we decided on the path that went furthest left. We found some clues as we were going that reassured us that we had chosen the correct path.

When we got to the lake I saw Carter and Tyler hunting for tadpoles and I decided to join in. There were a few times that I even caught some frogs that still had tails.
I found a spot where a whole bunch of tadpoles where resting. Whenever I put my foot in the water they all swam away. Sometimes I was able to catch a few.
SO I wouldn't scare the tadpoles away, I learned to jump from rock to rock. Uncle Neil saw my reflection in the water and took this picture. I just love it.
This is a picture of the frog that Tyler caught but I caught one too. Whenever I put the frog in the bucket it just jumped right back out.
It was nice and warm outside and I enjoyed getting my feet wet to help cool me off. But swimming in the lake was a completely different story. The water was freezing cold!
Uncle Neil was kind enough to let me ride on his back. It helped me be brave enough to dunk my whole body under water.

1st day of school - 2nd grade

Tues, Aug. 11th. The day before school started we went to the Discovery Center. I had so much fun with the hands-on exhibits.

My friend Kenedee was there too.

We have a tradition of getting father's blessings the night before school starts. It was really spiritual and I cried a little bit.

I am so excited to go to school. My teacher is Mr. Botimer. I've never had a guy for a teacher before but I met him and he seems really nice.

My friend Kenedee is in my class. We had Kindergarten together at Star Elementary and I'm excited to go to school with her again. I also know Alexis (from church), Jessica, Morgan, and Sevriana from previous classes.

New Clothes

While grandma was here to visit she bought Mom some fabric to make clothes for Bree, Ellie and I. I got a new headband, shirt and pants. Bree got a dress and diaper cover to share with Ellie.

We also got matching skirts, with all three of us having different under skirts.

Carter and I were sharing a room when he decided that he would rather share with Bree. We moved his bed which gave me a lot more room for my stuff. It was a lot fun until Mom and Dad moved Ellie in with me. She kept waking up at night which would wake me up - I'd have to yell, "MOMMMM" so she would hear and come get her.

Oma's Surgery

On July 27th, Oma had surgery to mark the end of her colon cancer. We got to visit her in her hospital room each day until she could come home. We each gave her a big hug.


Carter, Bree and I got to take her on her first long walk around her floor of the hospital. It took a while because Oma was week and had take breaks.


The helicopter pad was right outside Oma's room. We got to watch the Life Flight helicopter land and take off a few different times.

Oma came home after 6 days and we were so happy. She felt good enough to paint our faces. I chose to be a tiger

McKayla, Christy, Oma, Bree, Carter, Ellie

Family Night at the lake

Monday, July 27, 2009 - Sometime we have family night with our friends - the Coopers and they take us boating at Black Canyon Reservoir.
Daddy takes me surfing.
I love to put my hand in the surf and feel the water hit my hand.
I finally got to go out by myself.
The water splashed me in the face the entire time but it was still a lot of fun.

Grandma, Grandpa, and Uncle Camden came to visit

I love it when Grandma and Grandpa come to visit. We went to the Hill Road Park to play and celebrate the July birthdays (Grandma, Mommy, and me)

Bree and I discovered a some huge puddles in the grass field. It was a lot of fun splashing around.




It was VERY hot outside and Grandpa bought us some snowcones to help cool us off. He even let us choose what flavor we wanted. I got watermelon.

Goodbye Ipo

My friend Ipo moved;we went to the park.

Now that I am Seven

Now that I am Seven years old...
My favorite color is GREEN.
I want to be a KINDERGARTEN TEACHER when I grow up.
My favorite meal is CHICKEN PARMESAN.
My favorite subject in school is READING.
In my spare time I like to CRAFT.
My favorite sport is SOCCER.
My best friend is my FAMILY.
I really like BROWNIES WITH FROSTING, ICECREAM, and a CHERRY.
I can't wait until I can BE BAPTISED.
I am really happy that I can GO TO SCHOOL.
My favorite place is COSTA VIDA.
My favorite book is THE SCRIPTURES.
My favorite movie is TRANSFORMERS.
I am saving up my money to buy AN AMERICAN GIRL DOLL ($110.00)
My best feature is EVERYTHING.
I have a goal to READ THE BOOK OF MORMON BEFORE I TURN 8.