Box Trolls

 Grandpa & Grandma Stoker came to visit one weekend and we watched The Box Trolls.

So of course, it made sense to make their own Box Troll hideouts, with the help of Grandpa and a roll of packing tape.

For the next few days the boys would leave their boxes all over and randomly pop out, scaring the you-know-what out of me.

Kamden

Kamden has been hard at work earning a Student of the Month award.

He got his report card today and is above or exceeding expectations in each of the categories. He's been doing such a great job at school and at home, but he is definitely looking forward to Spring Break so he can sleep in!

He also looks stylin' wearing my sunglasses on our way to pick Ethan up from scouts.

Turtle Soup

 The boys got some pretty sweet footie Ninja Turtle jammies for Christmas and for some reason one of their favorite things to do is stuff pillows down them...whatever it takes to keep them entertained, I guess!

Kamden's Baptism

 Kamden was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Saturday, January 3rd 2015

He has been looking forward to this day for quite awhile but wanted to wait until our house was finished so his cousins could come and stay. We had about 40 people come for his baptism followed by a taco/nacho bar at our house afterwords. Dessert was Kamden's favorite: a Brownie Sundae Bar

When I asked him why he wanted to get baptized he said,

"So my sins can be washed away."

I am so thankful for Kamden, for his desire to do what is right, and for his kind heart.

 I know that Kamden's decision will bring him happiness in this life, and that because of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we can be a family forever.

Nose Stuck in a Book

 Kamden received an award at school for reaching a reading goal.

It's been so fun to watch him learn and gain a love for reading.

Kamden's Wig

While decorating Grandma's house for Halloween, Kamden pulled out an old wig from one of the boxes.

"Look! I'm Braxton!"

His cousin has been growing out his hair for awhile and, while Braxton's hair isn't shaggy or ratty, there is some resemblance there between the two!

Kamden's 1st Grade Field Trip

Today Kamden went on a field trip with the 1st graders to the Idaho Botanical Gardens and the MK Nature Center. Owen, Olivia, & I joined them at a park for lunch.

Music Programs

Last week the boys both had music programs.

Ethan's was for Memorial Day and he drew that awesome spoon he is standing next to.

Kamden's was a Bug/Picnic themed program and he played an Army Ant. He had a speaking part which I have on video but I haven't had time to get it on here. 

This is what he said:
"They've spread it right there on the ground,

We don't even have to climb!
Come on, Bugs, let's do our thing.

At last, it's suppertime!"

 My mom and my Great Aunt Dot came to watch.

Soccer 2014 Season

 We had a great time watching the boys play soccer this season and they absolutely loved it. It was nice to see Ethan & Kamden working together since they were on the same team.

This was Owen's first time playing sports and he did such a good job...when he remembered to take his hands out of his pockets!

He even scored some goals, but everyone's favorite part were the after-game snacks!

May The Force Be With You

 The boys really love going to Grandma's house...and it doesn't hurt that there is a closet full of Star Wars toys left behind by Uncle Ryan to play with.

Kamden's Insect Report: The Dragonfly

 Did you know the Dragonfly can reach speeds of up to 35mph?

Or that there are about 5,000 different species of dragonfly?

The 1st graders each chose an insect to do a report on and they spent time researching and becoming experts on their chosen but.

Kamden decided on the Dragonfly and I had a great time following him around as we gathered items for the display he made. I manned the hot glue gun while he placed items and made sure I got them in just the right spots.

Then they invited parents and everyone who wanted to learn more about insects to come and check out the displays, listen to reports, and ask questions. 

Ready for Bed...

After his shower last night Kamden came out dressed like this:

Date Night

Before Olivia was born I took each of the boys on a date. We went during the first week of February and Ethan chose bowling followed by frozen yogurt.

  Then Owen and I spent a morning at Wahooz where he played video games and won prizes. Then we had lunch before going to Kindergarten Orientation. He was a bit confused by this and thought he was starting "real school" right then and hated going to Preschool after that. He has since dropped out of Preschool.

Kamden also chose Wahooz and won some prizes before we went and had frozen yogurt.

I'm one lucky girl to have so many handsome dates, and they even open doors and (mostly) remember their manners. 

Pizza My Heart

Kamden's Primary teacher brought us dinner last week and she had asked him what we liked and he didn't hesitate when he replied,

"PIZZA!"

He insisted that it should be cheese pizza and she was so kind to bring us this huge cheese pizza, breadsticks, and another yummy pizza. Kamden was in HEAVEN and we so appreciate all of the kindness that has been shown to us, especially as we have welcomed Olivia into our home.

Robots & Wacky Hair

 Kamden's class spent some time gathering items that they could build robots out of and I was able to go in and help the morning that they put their robots together.

It was so fun to watch Kamden get excited about building a robot and how he used his imagination to decide what he was going to use. It all came together and he ended up with a pretty amazing robot, as well as about 4 or 5 extra things that he put together for the robot. That was "Read Week" at the school and each day was a different dress up theme, and that day was Wacky Hair Day. Kamden knew just how he wanted his hair that morning, so we made sure it was sticking up all over.

I really love this kid and his enthusiasm for life.

Happenings:

Several weeks ago the boys had a day off from school and Isabelle was in town. Grandma VanLeuven met us for lunch and then we saw Smurfs2 at the movie theater.

We had a hungry gorilla and an adorable bear show up in our Living Room one evening...

And two tough football players tackling each other...

On Halloween I organized Ethan's class breakfast:

  And did a craft and snack with Kamden's class:

 The next weekend we celebrated Jeff's 32nd birthday with Chinese and a special Sunday dinner complete with fruit pizza:

And the weekend after that the boys had their Primary Program and they all did a great job memorizing and saying their parts.

That same day was Kamden's 7th birthday and he chose nachos for dinner and an Oreo ice cream cake. Thanks to everyone who came and helped us celebrate! 

Seven Things We Love About Kamden:

1. He comes up with some of the funniest things and makes us laugh all the time.

2. He is very curious and inquisitive, he asks lots of thoughtful questions and is eager to learn.

3. He has a kind and tender heart and is concerned about others.

4. On Sundays he does the dishes without being asked.

5. He loves music and will walk around the house with the iPod while doing chores, playing the air guitar and head-banging.

6. He has the most beautiful brown eyes, cutest toothless smile, and sweetest giggle.

7. He loves his family and we are so glad to have him in our family. 

Happy Birthday Kamden!

It's Time For School!

 We've survived the first week of school.

I guess I should say the boys survived, because I've quite enjoyed it!

Ethan is in 3rd grade and Kamden is in 1st, which has been an adjustment for him to go the entire day. The bus driver took them to the wrong school on the first morning and they were all late. She managed to get them home that afternoon but then she didn't even show up the next morning which threw Kamden off and he didn't want to go. I managed to get him in the car along with some neighborhood friends and I played bus driver that morning. The rest of the week has gone smoothly so hopefully there won't be anymore issues with the bus!

The house has been so quiet with just Owen and I at home and running errands is much faster now that it's just me and him.

He starts preschool on Tuesday and will go twice a week, I'll be helping in the boys' classrooms once a week and then have an afternoon to myself each week also.

It's going to be a great year!

Sleep Like A Hobo

 The night before my niece's wedding, Kamden & Owen went to stay the night at Grandma & Grandpa Van Leuven's house with cousin Isabelle.

The only thing that could make a sleepover at Grandma's house better is a cousin and being able to sleep in the TV room inside of a cardboard box.

 I have no idea how they came up with this, but they colored their cardboard boxes and I guess they were so proud of their creations they just couldn't part with them for the night.

One thing's for sure, it's always an adventure at Grandma's house!