Merry Christmas 2010

We hope you enjoy a few pictures (OK a lot!) of our Christmas morning. Stephen got up at 6:30 and I sent him back to bed and finally we all got up around 8:00 a.m. I know you all hate us for it but what can I say? I have good little sleepers! Emma got a play kitchen and has already cooked for us. Stephen scored with everything with wheels - toy cars, toy bikes, you name it he got it. Greg and I exchanged gifts we've needed and have also been painting our bedroom/bathroom in preparation for new flooring to be installed next week. Will the painting ever stop? I hope so. The hard work looks amazing! Merry Christmas to you all. We love you!

Christmastime at the Cassat's

This holiday season has been filled with some fun events. First off was Stephen's piano recital at the Festival of Trees. He played two songs, Hark the Herald Angels Sing and We Three Kings of Orient Are. Of course he did fabulously well. He also performed in his schools choir 2 concerts - a school-wide assembly and an evening performance for the parents. Stephen's been having fun in the choir learning cool Christmas songs. Next up was decorating the gingerbread house, visiting Santa at the mall (waiting for 2+ hours) and playing in the snow (or at least wanting to play in the snow).

Just a Little Off the Top

In anticipation of family photos I took Emma to get her hair trimmed for the first time at a haircut place. Most of the time I've trimmed her bangs, etc. I came heavily armed for squirming, tantrums, stubborness, etc. all that make up Emma but she totally surprised me. She sat in the chair with the drape on like she's done this many times before. After a while she was getting tired of it all but was a trooper.

A few nights later it snowed heavy wet snow. The next morning, opening the front door, we noticed Emma wasn't the only thing that had a little trim...the front yard tree, already weak from a previous limb breakage, split right off the trunk narrowly missing the house!

Halloween 2010

Farmers, Pirates, and Flowers, Oh My! Happy Halloween from the Cassat's! This year Stephen dressed like a Pirate, but refused earrings or mustaches; Emma was the cutest little flower, until she realized she was wearing a head band and then off it came and I dressed like a farmer for the school parade. Our ward had a trunk-or-treat activity the week before so we were all ready for the big candy haul. The kids dressed up for our gym's halloween party the morning of the 30th and out we went that same night. The night was cold and damp so we only went up and down our street.

Emma has figured out how to open candy wrappers but she doesn't eat the candy; rather she hands it off to the nearest person which is usually me. Who am I to discourage fine motor skill development? Let's just say I've eaten waaaay too many chocolate bars in the past hour!

Meet our house guest, Mr. Jack O. Lantern.

Busy October

This has been quite a busy month for us at home. I was released from my position in Primary and Greg & I were given new callings as Sunday School team teachers for the 15-17 year olds. We are excited for this change and chance to teach together and have fun with a bunch of great kids.

Greg & I celebreated our 11th wedding anniversary with dinner and a movie. Greg surprised me with flowers at work. What a guy!

We've been doing some small home improvements and clean out. Stephen has been busy in school and Emma is...well, just busy every moment of every day.

A few days ago we took the kids to Gardner Village, a village of boutique-type stores that decorate all out for Halloween. We went on a Witch Hunt, finding all kinds of witches throughout the village. At the end we enjoyed yummy chocolate chip cookies. It is such a chick place but Greg had fun watching the kids look for witches and pose for the camera.

My Boys

I love this picture. Greg bribed Stephen with dinner out if he came to General Priesthood Session with him. It worked. As Stephen was getting ready, I looked at my 9 year old son and suddenly saw a 12 year old. He has grown so much in such a little time. They both had a nice night together, just the boys. (Emma and I had a bonding night also doing a bit of shopping!) I am so blessed to have these two men in my life and for a husband who honors his priesthood. Life is wonderful with a wonderful man by your side. I love you guys!

Let's Go to the Movies!

We had such a fun time at the movies this afternoon. We took the kids to see "The Socerer's Apprentice", which was really cute, and Emma couldn't stop talking! She was so excited to see the "moobie" and eat "potcorn". She did really well for about an hour into the movie and then started to walk around the back of the theatre. Many times I would hear this little voice "what happened?" which is her new phrase. At one point in the movie she repeated the character's words "I did it!", another one of her new phrases. Muffled chuckles were heard around our seats. I didn't mind her enthusiasm considering for the past few days she has not been feeling well, it was good to see the old Emma back.

Love Your Body!

October 9, 2010

Love Your Body 10k

4 friends, 1 mom

Beautiful Thanksgiving Point

Missing course signs + misdirected runners (me!) = 7+ miles

Time: 1:05

Confidence, endurance, acceptance

Love Your Body!

Gotta love the early morning pre-run photo!
Thanks ladies for a great event!

Fat Lip

Dining out one night at Chick-Fil-A Emma took a nose dive off the playground bench and the result is thus: fat lip and goose egg on the forehead. As you can see it didn't slow her down much, just made for a sillier smile. Sorry baby!

Calvin & Hobbes

This year in school, Stephen is learning about poem structures and styles. The following is his quatrain poem on his favorite subject, Calvin and Hobbes. I was so amazed at the maturity of his poem, as was his 4th grade teacher I just had to publish it for all to enjoy. This is going in his scrapbook.

Calvin and Hobbes like to play football.

They never learn the rules at all.

Hobbes likes to pounce on him all the time.

Then they like to bet a nickel or a dime.

Goal!

This fall we signed Stephen up for soccer again, hoping that this will be the year he finally gets the game and rules. Well, our patience has finally paid off. He has been enjoying playing the game and contributing to the team's efforts, not just following the ball around. This last weekend he not only played well, he SCORED! I regret I didn't catch the moment on digital. I was too busy shouting encouragement, direction and jumping around, totally acting like the typical crazy soccer mom. I was so proud of Stephen that I just about cried and he took it all in stride acting like it was no big deal. Way to play Stephen!

Me Time

So tonight I was pampered. Paul Mitchell the school (that's what its called!) is offering services for military personnel and/or spouses. I took advantage of their generosity and got my haircut and nails done...all by myself! Usually I run to the local mega haircut place with kids in tow, get a quick cut and return home to style it myself. Not the case tonight. I felt like the princess I am as the students pampered me. It was really nice to be reminded of the goodness of people. Thank you!

School's In!

We arrived home just days before school started back up again. Not much time to recover but we made it through. Stephen began his 4th grade year all excited to be among the upperclassmen. This year he will get to experience being a lunchworker, attending assemblies with the older kids and learning about Utah history. Let the good times begin!

Even Emma wanted to go to school! Notice the red book in her hands. She was very disappointed she couldn't go too.

European Vacation

No, not like the Griswold's vacation although we did have some mishaps, but what's a family vacation without some trials? This August Stephen, Emma & I went to visit Uncle Dave and Aunt Kris and kids with Grandma & Grandpa Cassat. Greg was "vacationing" in Washington and couldn't make it. For 3 fun-filled weeks we traveled around Northern England and spent some days in France. Through all the planes, trains and automobiles, the kids were troopers. I couldn't have asked for better traveling companions. We did experience some minor injuries, fevers and exhaustion but endured to the end. Our beautiful hosts did a fantastic job playing travel guides, hotel and drivers as we explored some of the most beautiful countryside in England. My favorite was a small town known for the birthplace of the Magna Carta, Bury St. Edmunds. It's beautiful combining old world (roman ruins) and the modern - shopping malls and eateries.

I snuck away with my in-laws to visit London for a few days. We saw "Wicked", took bus and river tours of the city and enjoyed sitting in Westmister Abbey for Evensong. Thanks Don & Jeanne for letting me tag along!

We spent 6 amazing days in France visiting Mickey Mouse and gang at EuroDisney. Did you know that Mickey speaks French? How about Buzz Lightyear? Oui! Moving 11 people around was a challenge all in itself so one day in Paris was plenty. We saw the Mona Lisa at the Louvre, fed birds at Notre Dame, walked and walked & then finally found a bus to the Eiffel Tower. The view from the top was worth the walking and then we enjoyed icecream afterwards. We ate at a sidewalk cafe and enjoyed crepes for dessert. Very french!

At the end of it all, Stephen and Emma's favorite memories will be playing with their cousins. At any given time I would see one or both out playing on the trampoline or slaying imaginary dragons with their swords.

Thanks and love to the Dave Cassat family for being wonderful hosts! We love you!

Pioneer Day

In Utah, we celebrate the 24th of July as Pioneer Day, the day the mormon pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley to stay. I took the kids to preview the holiday parade floats upclose and personal. It was so much fun walking around these huge floats, all colorful and different but all had the same theme "Then and Now". Stephen loved the floats with temples on them, Emma loved the fairy float and I just loved watching my kids smile at everything. To finish off our Family Home Evening, we headed for icecream and playtime at a fast-food joint. Good times...then and now.

Incredible!

So I took the kids to this new place in Draper, UT aptly named Incredible Pizza Company. Talk about incredible...prices but the smiles on their faces made it worth the money. Actually, the place is pretty great with tons of arcade games, go karts, mini golf, and even a toddler area (Emma loved it!) and the food is pretty decent. As destination places go, this was, well, incredible. Stephen loved anything he could drive and Emma loved the tiny carousel.

Happy 4th of July!

This Fourth of July means more to me than most years for obvious reasons. Decked out in our Old Navy flag shirts, the kids and I attended our ward's annual 4th of July flag ceremony and breakfast. Seeing the flag being raised brought a special warmth to my heart with a true knowledge that we are blessed to live in a beautiful country created from a loving Heavenly Father. Later in the day I took the kids to see a movie and then shopping for some bigger clothes for my ever-growing kids! We ended the day with a picnic and a park and lighting fireworks in the street in front of our house. The best way to end the day was a phone call from my honey. God Bless America!

Our Daddy, Our Hero

I think the pictures speak for themselves. We are very proud of our daddy and his service to our country.

Our Cute Kids

Just indulge me for a moment while I post cute pictures of Stephen and Emma. They are getting so grown up. Emma is talking a mile a minute, loving her "Ste Ste" (Stephen), mimcing his every move, while Stephen is trying to figure out how to be a big boy in a big body. I love my kids!

Best Birthday Ever!

Stephen turned 9 years old on May 24. That in itself is a big day, starting off with birthday cake for breakfast! (Yes, for breakfast but only on your birthday!) Not only did Stephen celebrate his birthday but he won the 3rd grade Spelling Bee! and played the piano for the 3rd grade talent show all on his birthday! WOW! Parent's weren't allowed for the spelling bee and even though I work at the school, I stayed away. As I was walking in the halls, his teacher's aide grabbed me and told me to hurry to the gym because Stephen had just won the Bee! I began to get choked up as I watched him stand with his "trophy" and receive congratulations from his classmates. Later he played the piano, Cat Walk, for his talent and did an amazing job. I couldn't believe what an awesome and eventful day he had. Happy 9th buddy!

Mini-Me

Watching Emma grow up is so fun to see myself reflected in her expressions and actions. I know that my mom had a hand in her creation. I can almost hear my mom say "you have a daughter just like you". It's true. I used to get into my mom's make-up and shoes and bags and jewlery and now Emma is paying me back. She is so cute, how could I stay mad for long? Emma may look like her dad or brother, but she is all me! Sundays are her "get into mommy's things" as we get all dressed up for church. Don't you just love the shoes and mascara?