{ Kindergarden or 1st grade?}

Last week Ayden did his kindergarden testing. I knew that with his 3 years of preschool he would probably be a little bit ahead of the other kids in his class, but I wasn't sure. Logan took him for his testing and his teacher said that he only missed 2 things on the whole test. He was the only one who read the story at the end of the test, and the only one who knew the answer to the subtraction question.

Well a few days before school started I got a phone call from Mrs. Moon, Ayden's teacher. She seemed very concerned because Ayden tested so far ahead of the other kids in his class, she wanted to move him to first grade! She had already talked to the principal about getting the process started.

I voiced my concerns to her about his age and how I didn't want him to be so much younger than all the other kids in his class. I told her that if at all possible, I'd like to keep him in kindergarden. Wether that is the right or wrong choice, I'm not sure.

She said that we will do a trial period for the next few weeks. She is going to send him with different homework than the class and he will take home the 1st grade reading books. She is going to have him help her with the class and hopefully he can be an example to the other kids.

I'm so proud of my little guy. He truly loves learning.

He was a little nervous on his first day of school, since he has gone to the same school for the last 3 years. He was a trooper though, no tears!

{For breakfast he asked for crepes with strawberries}

{holding up a K for Kindergarden}

I can't believe he is so big! And only 1 year until my Sophie is in Kindergarden! I am amazed at how fast they grow!

{ Hammer getaway! }

This year for the Hammer family vacation we went to Flaming Gorge. Now I'm not going to lie, when it was proposed that we go camping, I definitely didn't jump for joy. But once they told me there was a lodge close by where the new moms could stay, I started to feel a little better about things!

We loaded up and headed out on Thursday afternoon. The kids were so excited! We haven't been on that many trips with them, especially not lately.

We got a room and the Flaming Gorge Resort. I think they call it a resort to try and make it sound luxurious. I was prepared for the worst, and it was actually pretty nice! Especially when compared to a tent! (toilets, showers, refrigerator, etc. . .)

We got settled and headed over to the camp site to see the rest of the group and enjoy some delicious smores.

(Sophie, Elsie, Ryan)

The next morning we had breakfast and put on our Hammer T's before heading back over to get ready for a fun filled day of pontooning on Flaming Gorge Reservoir!

{Risky business}

The whole clan!

We spend the day basking in the sun and some people even did some cliff jumping!

{Brandt, Ayden, Braden}

{A very unhappy Sophie with how cold the water was}

{Check out that bod! That's right . . . my baby has lost over 25 lbs!}

(ps yes those are cookies on his nipples)

{I woke up with the flu that morning and wasn't feeling well}

We headed back around dinner time and I went straight to bed. But the rest of the gang had a great evening roasting hot dogs on the fire and playing games!

Saturday we rented rafts and floated down the Green River. Logan's sister Codye and her husband Matt decided to stay behind and they were kind enough to watch Myla for me so I could float the river since I was feeling much better that day!

{Our raft! Logan, Colter, Cami, Hadlee, Me, Sophie, Brandt, and Ayden}

{the kids playing in the mud}

{Two little boys, watching their daddy fish}

{Craig making me touch the fish Brandon caught! Yuck!}

We stayed until around 10 o'clock that night just visiting and dancing around the fire before we headed home.

{enjoying some delicious cream soda}

It was a great vacation with people I truly love.

{ the latest . . .}

These are Ayden's latest tricks. He does them anywhere and everywhere, regardless if there is room or not.

Silly boy.

This is called a tik tok.

And this is a back walkover. Pretty awesome!

{ Soph }

I need to be better about documenting the funny things my kids say. I know I'll never remember them if I don't write them down!

Sophie is in the cutest talking stage. Her little mind is a little farther ahead then her language ability so things come out so funny. As of lately her favorite treat is a

"Rice Christmas Tree".

When we are in the car she always tells me her drink is in her "cup folder".

Ayden has been losing teeth like crazy and according to her we have had a lot of visits from the "Too thary"!

Leaving notes for the tooth fairy!

{ 4 months . . .}

Today my baby is 4 months old. And still the most perfect baby there ever was.

I can't believe how lucky I am.

Myla has a happy disposition. She loves to show off her dimples to anyone who comes within her view.

Myla brings so much joy to my life. As much as I love Ayden and Sophie, it is nice to have one child that I doesn't argue with me. She stays where I put her, she doesn't lose her shoes, and she is always happy to see me.

Myla has the most beautiful big blue eyes. Every single person that looks at her comments on her eyes. I think it's not only because they are so beautiful, but because through her eyes you can see what a sweet and special soul she is.

Myla sleeps like a champ. I put her to bed around 9 or 10 and she only gets up once around 4. Then sleeps until 7 or 8. Not only that . . . but when she wakes up, she doesn't cry. She just gabbers to herself until I come get her. It makes me feel as though she has so much trust in me that she knows I will come eventually. She is so patient.

I'm so grateful to have this special girl in my life. She is an angel sent from above.

Happy four months baby girl.

{ Hey Mom . . . watch this!}

If I had a dollar for every time one of my children said, "Hey Mom. . . watch this!!" I would be a wealthy woman. They are always coming up with new tricks to show me and they are so proud of their accomplishments. It make me happy. Here are just a few of the "watch this" moments . . .

Check out his straight legs and pointed toes! That's what happens when your mom is a dancer.

He loves gymnastics. He can do a backbend kick over on the mat but he's too afraid to do it here because sometimes he hits his head. He's also very close to getting his back handspring!

I can't get enough of his splits! They are so pretty!

Now Sophie isn't quite as graceful yet . . . but she tries. And she loves to try to copy some of the tricks Ayden does.

I'm so proud of these little goof balls.

{ The 4th }

We had a lovely and relaxing weekend with my parents over the 4th of July. The kids got to swim at Riverside (their favorite thing) and we got to go on a lovely double date with my parents to see Eclipse! (I have a sickness . . . I know)

I also got a few cute shots of my kids in their festive attire.

I truly adore these little people.

{ having a big sis }

Myla was sitting on the floor in her bumbo this morning and when I came out to check on her it looked like she had a bruise on her eye. With farther examination I realized that it was not a bruise, but a beautiful makeover!

I guess with a big sister around, she'll have to get used to that, huh?!

{ Eclipse }

Anyone who knows me or has read my blog knows I'm a little nuts about the Twilight Saga.

Join the club, right!

We always go all out for the premere of the latest film and this time was no exception!

We had a group of about 30 of us including friends from my neighborhood

and all of my sister in laws!

These are the girls who rode in my car!

{Kymmy and Tex}

{Addy and Lindsay}

{me and Addy}

{Jessica, Beth, and Nicole}

Then we met up with all the Hammer Girls!

{Linden, Kristen, Cami, Judy, Whitney, Emma, Chelle, me, and Codye}

(Abi wasn't there yet)

The show was incredible! I enjoyed every minute of it! My friend Texie and I read all the books together so we have a special self portrait of us at each premere.

But one viewing of the film on opening night is never enough for me. At midnight I met up with my mom and sister Jenny (who was in town visiting) and her in-laws for a 12:30am show!

{Mom, me, Jen, Kelsey, Janette}

{The Rife girls! (we missed you Laur!)}

I know it's silliness that we do this, but I just think its fun to be a little goo goo over something every once in a while. And what better thing to be goo goo over then this cute love story.

{ Extreme Dance Challenge }

Our studio put on a dance camp where the kids had the opportunity to take class from some great choreographers!

Ayden is getting so good. Sometime I'll have to post some videos of his favorite tricks. This was his favorite teacher. We don't have many male teachers at JDS and this guy was awesome! He did choreography with Bonnie Storie on High School Muiscal!

Sophie was in it more for the social aspect and less for the dancing . . . but she'll get there.

{Sophie and Abrianna}

{At dinner with Cameron}

Here's Ayden doing one of his recent accomplishments. He worked hard for these!