Christmas magic

Yesterday, we got home from school and it had been snowing all day. I said to the kids as we pulled into the garage "let's shovel the driveway, so daddy doesn't have to do it when he gets home" Van shouts out "Christmas Magic" I asked what Christmas magic was and he went on to tell me it is doing something for someone with out being asked or getting paid for. We cleared out driveway off and Van wanted to do the neighbors, he went over, knocked on the door and asked if he could shovel, then added "it's free". I was so cute, I love watching my boys grow, they surprise me everyday and make me laugh everyday.
Merry Christmas

Sounds of the Sabbath

This past Sunday in sacrament meeting they had different people in the ward come up and tell us a favorite hymn then we would sing a verse of that hymn. It was delightful, we got to sing all the good ones, plus there wasn't a lot of talking that I couldn't listen to because my kids needed attention. I could sing even when I was helping them, they should do that more often.

lovely Finn

Aaron and I have a calling in our church to run the library. Each week as we go up early to get things going Finn likes to stand on a chair or stool and sing. There is a microphone stand that props the door open, so he proceeds to get a book (his singing book) and sing. Aaron told me last week he was singing to each new costomer, here is a picture - so cute.

A shooting we will go

Here is Van and Ridley tagging along with Aaron and Jeff for a regular day of shooting. I love that they are old enough to go spend time with their dads - good bonding. I used the film section of the editing gear to make this picture look like this.

photo editing

As I have said before I got a new camera. Now I am playing around with different editing skills, here is one tecnique my sister has helped me with:

Sleeping beauty

Sometimes I have a hard time sleeping, either I can't stop thinking about stuff or I just am not tired but I know that if I don't sleep the next day will not be successful. So this weekend I saw a sleeping mask at Old Navy for 3 dollars, I bought it.

The last two nights Van has been fighting bed time, he says he is scared of the shadows in his room. After many minutes of fighting I decided maybe he could use my mask - at first that wasn't going to do it, then I suggested he listen to my ipod (kids music) while he fall asleep. Finally he agreed. I could not resist this photo:

Won't this be great in his wedding video.

HALLOWEEN

Halloween week seemed very busy this year. With Van in kindergarten it added a bit more excitement to our calandar. Also the pictures on this post are taken with our new camera, YIPEE! At school we had a halloween parade, then the kindergarten put on a little song program. The camera was not purchased at the time and Van was pretending like he was not sick, when really he was. So naturally I was more concerned about how he was feeling than the program. Later that night Shannon invited us over to the Days annual pumpkin carving fest: I know the picture is fuzzy, but it was the cutest one. Van was so excited to

be able to carve with Shannon.

Later in the evening Aaron took Van over to the Days once again to do the final carving-here is the finished product. Aaron did one too.

The next day was Halloween day, Shelly invited us up to decorate cupcakes, the kids had lots of fun eating the cupcakes and candy involved. The finished products turned out really cute.

And of course trick-or-treating:

Aaron did a pumpkin too, and finally we went to the Silver's for the after party - the kids were tired and ready to be done. It was a fun holiday, and I am glad for the new camera to capture it all!

Day One

Yesterday was the first day of school, it is a different feeling to have a first day of school that includes your child going to actual school. I was excited for Van, and nervous. He now has to wait until next Monday to come to school full time (the rest of this week they do testing). I really like having him at my school, I am excited to see him during assemblies, and in the halls. Finn was excited to go back to see his friends and teachers - I am so glad my kids have been able to go to Viewmont's Daycare!

Two gone

Two of the Silver boys are out of town this week (Aaron and Van). Grandpa Gary took them to the air show in Oshkosh, WI (I think it is in Wisconsin?). While they are away I am trying to find activities to keep my littlest busy body busy. Today we had an eventful day: We did our usual Cherry Hill Monday (met up with Shelly and Olivia), came home for nap time (always fun!), went to run an errand to Salt Lake to find out I did not have what I needed to resolve the errend, when I got home there was a message from Shelly inviting us to get some dinner with her and Olivia (San Fansico Sour dough Pizza -YUM), we then joined Shelly and Olivia for a hike up Muhler Park canyon - the kids had a good time and did really well considering all the distractions.
Thanks Shelly and Livy for the day of fun!

Gary asked Van what his favorite part of Oshkosh was so far, and Van said "resting in the tent.

Finn and I have been enjoying our time with just the two of us. He is so funny, I am laughing out loud many times aday. This is a picture of Finn talking to Jesus, this is how the conversation went

"Hi, Jesus...gibberish...gibberish...my mad...gibberish..." (my mad means I'm mad)

Aaron and Van get home today and I we can't wait to see them. I am glad they were able to go and spend time together with Grandpa Gary, Thanks grandpa. Here are just a few more pictures of Van enjoying all the planes.

First Timer

Van was so excited to race his first race. He participated in the Bountiful kids K (.62 of a mile) He was so cute while running, I think he was more interested in his surroundings than the act of running, I was nervous he was going to trip.

When the race was complete they gave out medals, and Van is cherishing his race number (he is convinced he won the race) Good job Van!

Newest member of the family

Just wanted to say WELCOME HOME to our new cousin, baby Layla Marie Day. What a journey and adventure Kevin and Shannon have been on. Visit there sites if you have a minute, make sure you have a kleenex.

Here is the sweet picture of the boys and thier cousin Layla, not to be confused with Lila (their other cousin on the other side). I think we have permenantly confused Finn, he now refers to Layla as my cousin.

Documentation

I have decided it will be my pass (or is it past) time to blog - at least for now. I have been trying to get pictures of all the things we do. For awhile I was a bit sad on how when I looked at others blogs how filled with fun they were. I am not sure why I felt sad, WE (the silver's) have fun so here is our fun the past few weeks:

I met up with my cousin Jessica to go to visit the Thanksgiving Point Museum, there was lots for the kids to do: they ran (mostly Finn) around the museum looking at the all the bones, then there was a section where they could play in the sand/water, as you are exiting the museum there is a fossil diggining station the kids had a good time.

One of the many parks in Bountiful, it has not been super hot yet, that makes park days a lot more enjoyable for the adults.

Aaron's parents invited us to see the Utah Symphony perform at Thanksgiving Point, they have an outdoor ampitheater with grass. Seldom do I get in the pictures, and now I know why (look how much of the picture my teeth take up) It was fun to spend time with them and have an evening out with out the kiddies - Thanks Gary and Mary

Late afternoon is when Van will conk out in the car if we go somewhere. We went to run an errand and Finn (who already had his nap) was comforting Van as he dozed off "cmere Zan, is ok" I love hearing Finn talk, he has made HUGE progress in the past 6 months. But this whole scene was one of the sweetest I have seen.

They have been re-doing our road, and starting today we can not park in our driveway for a week. Late last night Aaron and I took our cars down to the school to be safe. As we left the house today for our day of outings my arms were loaded, the kids were slowly fallowing me (lots of tractors to stop and see), I got to the car put ALL the stuff from my arm in the car, go Van in and Finn was nowhere on the walking path to be found. Van says "there he is" I could not see him, as I continue looking I glance up and there he is up in the tractor ready to go help with the road. Even though I was scared the workers were going to yell at me for him touching and pushing every button available to touch and push, I had to get a picture. Anyone who knows Finn knows he gets away at an incredible rate, and thinks he is doing no wrong - I love our monkey harness!

This post looks sort of like one of my sisters - no offense Kris. Perhaps I should post more often, I always tell her she puts so much on one post as I read through her blog I think of comments but by the time I get to the bottom, I forget what I was going to say on each of the pictures or comments. Lastly I am having a fun summer being at home with my kids - organization is key!

Truckin right along

Man, summer is flying by. We have in the past few weeks been going, going, going. Aaron got a new truck, he traded in his commuter car for a manly vehicle - and he does feel more manly. They boys rather enjoy it too.


















I have been doing all that I can to stick to a schedule for my sake and my kids sake, this is a tentative schedule of our daily routine. So far so good, it has been fun to try to come up with activities for my kids to stay busy.





















I bought this puzzle to take to the cabin a few weeks ago and we didn't get around to completing it, so I brought it home and finished. Every once in a while I get into a puzzle funk, I think it is good for the brain?



















Next on the list of summer stuff is to start getting my ideas put together for next years school year - it is difficult because there are so many ideas out there trying to put them into working order can be overwhelming. But I have great confidence this next school year will be a success!

cabin fever

Last weekend we headed up to the family cabin. We were joined by the Wood and Garlick Families. The kids had fun exploring and running around the spacious place. The adults enjoyed good dialog, good food, and fun games while we tried to get the kids to sleep. Every time we go there I remember how much I love it there! This picture is Carolina exploring ways to improve her vision.

Summer time, livin is easy

We just got back from a trip to Oregon. It was fun to stay with my sister and spend time with her family. Aaron got to do a little shooting, and golfing. I don't know if we have ever really hung out with Kristi and Spencer besides holiday get togethers - it was fun for Aaron to get to know Spencer a little better (only after 9 years). We went to parks, let the kids play, and watched some serious Wipe Out action (the TV show). Here are a few pictures from the park.

Aaron was not going to come on this trip but decided to a week before we left - Thank goodness, I didn't realize how LONG of a drive it was. I can't believe how often Kristi and Spencer come to Utah knowing the duration of travel. BUT, the time spent there made up for the longness of the drive. Thanks Kristi and Spencer for your hospitality!

Shooting time

Aaron took Van shooting this weekend. They had a good time and Van was so excited to go spend the day with Aaron doing grown up things.

Our last Hurah's

Van finished his soccer season on Saturday. He has shown much improvement from the fall. His coach put lots of time into showing them soccer tecniques, and different moves - it is so fun to watch them use the tricks. Thanks Jill for a job well done.

Thirty Something

I have decided birthdays as you get older are more fun because it seems you celebrate for a longer period of time. Last Friday my mom and Steve cooked a delicious birthday dinner for me and my family, last night Melissa and Sarah took me out for dinner and some shopping, today is the actual day - cake and ice cream, and Aaron has arranged something for the weekend. So a week of people celebrating your birth is awesome - or I am just surrounded by awesome people who like to make me feel loved. Thanks everyone.

PLUS - Look how cute my students are, they have been giving me gifts all day. One student, Mason, had his mom bring in a cake - I've never had that before. I am so lucky!

Mother's Day

This is the first mother's day that feels like a true mother's day. Up until now it has been more of a husband treat your wife nice day. Van came into my bedroom at 7:00am to give me the gift that was prepared at school. He was so excited for me to open it, when I was done opening he said "I want to bring you breakfast in bed" I told him I didn't want to get cereal and milk all over the bed, and I would like to have all of us sit down at the table together. As I was getting up and getting cereal taken care of Van came in to tell me he had prepared a menu for tonights dinner, and that it was a surprise. He was just so sincere and cute in all his mother's day tactics, I really did feel appreciated. When it came time for dinner, I selected some items from the menu, and he served me dinner.
He is very excited to do the same for father's day.
Thanks Van for making mother's day so special, I love you.

20 days and counting

Any of you who have kids in school that get out June 5, there are TWENTY more days of school. I don't know if that is a good thing or not, but I am pretty excited!

The past few months

I think I haven't blogged in a while because it seems like we don't do anything. When I look at other peoples blogs, especially my sisters, we are boring - maybe I am a little jealous.

Here are a few pictures from some of the stuff we have done:

We went to Hurricane for spring break. Grandpa rented a rhino four wheeler for our family. It was so much fun. The kids loved being buckled in the back riding with their helmets on.

Grandma and Steve did an easter egg hunt for the kids, Kristi was in town - so all the kids were there. Van is going threw a stage of needing to have exactly what his cousin Spencer has, even if he really wants something else - I HATE IT!

Here is Finn cruisin to the finish line, I guess.

Van showing off his scooter stunts, he's so brave.

While Kristi was in town it was lil' Spencer's birthday. He invited Van to Chuck E. Cheese to celebrate - I thougth this was so cute (Kristi might have already put it on her blog?)

Ok, Ok, Ok

I think I am feeling like I want to blog again. I have many pictures to add, but they are from the last time I was on. So tomorrow I will post them all, they may or may not have comments.
Hope you all are having a great day.

Throwing up is stupid

Van was sick today. I think this is the first time he realizes what it means to be sick. He has been up since 5:00am with a bucket by his side. After about the 4th time he finished cleaning up and said "throwing up is stupid". I feel bad for him, but that was probably the cutest thing I have heard in a while.
Get better, Van.

Happy Holidays

Did that go way to fast or what? It was fun being home with the kids for the break, we hung out and cleaned and enjoyed time with family.

This was the first big storm, I think it started on the 19th - that was the day school got out. It was a nice way to start the holiday fun.

Shelly invited us up to decorate gingerbread cookies. She made all those, isn't she amazing. It was fun to see the kids creativity, and mingle with new friends.

The finished product. I was proud of the outcome.

This is my favorite part about have two kids. Watching them interact with each other and the sweet moments of Van playing the big brother role.