The Big Birthday Boy

My little angel of a baby is already a year old! I have absolutely loved every minute of my sweet Michael's first year. He is the most content, happy, good-natured little boy. If you don't believe me, just ask anyone who has ever spent five minutes with this kid. I don't know how I got so lucky to have such an easy going baby, but I won't complain! Michael has been a great baby from day one. From eating well, to sleeping through the night, to not spitting up (really, I can count the times on one hand), to playing happily and not fussing, and on and on. I really am not saying this all to brag, but it's the truth! I thank Heavenly Father every day of my life for blessing me with such a sweet little boy. I am a little sad that his first year has gone by so quickly, but I enjoy this stage of his life where he can interact and laugh at me, and say "ma" "ma" over and over when he wants me, play with his brother and sister and wrestle or laugh together with them. It's so great to watch him grow and develop. I love you Michael James Goar. Happy 1st birthday!!

not really into the opening presents thing yet obviously

It's a Llittle People farm from Carrie and Travis-he was much more excited about it later when we got it out of the box and played with it

Part of the train cake that I made-I'm waiting for my sister to send me a copy of it before it started to get eaten!

Michael entertaining himself with the spoon after he polished off his cake and ice cream-he licked the bowl clean. Did I mention this guy can eat??

Mom helping Michael blow out his candle

Letting Kera blow it out instead

Mmmm, cake and ice cream



All Done

Waterskiiing anyone??

What better way to end the summer than with a little boating trip up to the lake? Our Bear Lake companions,Jeremy and Heidi, called to see if we wanted to go boating on Saturday. Of course! Can't turn down an offer like that. They recently got some new waterskiis and wanted to give them a try. So we took a trip up to East Canyon reservoir, which is up past Morgan, off of I-84 on the east side of the canyon on the way to Snowbird and other ski resorts. The drive there was really pretty. I think Morgan is a quant little town. Very nice open spaces out that way. The water was a bit frigid, but other than that it was a great day for skiing. Heidi went out first to show us how it was done, and then I tried second. I was able to get up the first time, but it took the third or fourth try until I really stayed up for awhile. I have only skied two other times in my life, and the last time was when I was about 16. So it was basically a new experience. I liked it a lot and want to do it again! After I got up, it was Dave's turn to go out. He was able to get up quickly too and his first time up he really ate it because right after he got up our driver Jeremy had to turn and Dave went directly over the wake. Yikes, that was unexpected I'm sure. But he tried once more and stayed up awhile. Then Jeremy was last, and being the driver, Heidi drove the boat for him for the first time. But he was able to stay up as long as the boat speed kept up. Dave drove it once for Jeremy too, and that wasn't much better! Poor boat driver, he had to suffer through the rookies at the wheel. We docked the boat after we all skied some, and the kids were able to swim a little. That didn't last too long since the water temp was not ideal. But we all had a great time and we're glad we got the invite for a day of fun on the boat. Thanks guys!

(The first two ski pics are of Dave and the last three are me)

Kera's First Day of Preschool

Here is my sweet little Kera-bera on her first day of preschool. The preschool didn't start until after the Labor day holiday, and because labor day was later this year, it seemed like Kera had to wait FOREVER to start school, especially when Jacob started school on August 24th, almost 3 weeks earlier than her. Kera is going to the same preschool as Jacob went to when he was 4. Miss Julie and Miss Diane are her teachers. She really really loves going to school. I think it's because she's seen Jacob going to school since he was three (joy school), and she has been waiting ever since then to start school herself. She has been so excited to get ready for school that over the summer we bought a Brain Quest workbook that is geared to preschoolers, and she has probably done half the book already, and it's a pretty thick book!!
It's nice have a few hours three days a week with just Michael and I, but at the same time it's weird to have my little companion away from me. Kera has been by my side all the time that Jacob's been off at school, and now she's starting the process of leaving the nest. I know it's a good thing, and she's more than ready for it, but it's been a little different around here without her sparkling wit and personality. Ever since Kera started school last week, each morning she has school she is up really early and is dressed and ready for school. A few of the days she's even made her own breakfast (poured the cereal and the milk-without spilling I might add). So by the time I get Michael and come downstairs, she's already ready to go and still has about an hour before school starts. Kera even helps me out in the mornings. Because I have a tendency to run late and be in a constant hurry (in case you didn't already know, time management is not one of my strengths), Kera will get the stuff that I need, like the diaper bag if I'm going somewhere after I drop her off, or my keys, or whatever I tell her to get for me, without complaint, because she does not want to be late. What would I do without her?
And before I forget, I have to tell about something she said the other day that I thought was so funny. It was over the weekend and she was wanting to watch a certain movie. I can't remember now which one, but it was an older movie. She asked if we could get it at Redbox, since that's where we get most of our movie rentals, and I told her that I didn't think Redbox had it. So she says "Can we get it at Blackbox then? Too funny.

Jacob's 1st Day of 2nd Grade

Here is Jacob on his first day of 2nd grade. He has two teachers this year, Mrs. A and Mrs. G. (no last names for safety reasons). Mrs. A teaches the language arts, reading and spelling, etc. , while Mrs. G teaches math and science. Jacob said he likes when Mrs. G teaches because she teaches in the afternoon and he knows that means school is half done and he will be going home soon. But he really does like school, I promise. I guess he's at that age now where he wants to be playing and not sitting at a desk all day. Okay, that's any age, right?
So my first born is now 7 and will be 8 before I know it. Wow, where does the time go??

Our Oregon Trip August 2009
I was trying to do a slide show of our trip to Oregon this summer, but I got frustrated and gave up. I couldn't figure out a way to upload all the pictures at the same time, and since there's 93 pictures here, I didn't want to do it one by one. I started to, then it lost the pictures I saved and yada yada yada, this is what I ended up with. Just thumbnail pictures. Maybe if I get more time I'll try to do a slideshow again so it will be easier to see these pictures. Our trip to Oregon was so much fun. My brother and his family live there, and the kids got to visit with their cousins for a week. My brother has kids pretty close in age to Jacob and Kera, so they really liked hanging out with them and getting to spend time with their Oregon cousins.
I would go into more details about our trip, but now I'm tired and just want to post and go to bed. But basically these pictures are of a watergun fight the kids had outside the day we got there, then a hike to Munson Falls, near the Tillamook Factory (which we went to), then the Tillamook beach, trip to the local swimming pool, the Portland Children's Museum, and then Multnomah Falls. It was an action packed week with lots of fun things to do. We loved all of the trips we took this summer. I don't think we could've fit any more activities into one summer.

Do you like green beans??

Bear Lake 2009

Last summer we went to Bear Lake with our friends Jeremy and Heidi. We had so much fun there and thought the lake was awesome. It's as close to a beach as you can get without actually visiting the coast. So this year we decided to continue with our July 24th tradition that was started last year and visit Bear Lake again. Jeremy and Heidi recently got a great deal on a ski boat, so we got to have lots of fun riding around on that. We did some tubing; Dave started us out, Jacob was brave enough to give it a try with dad, then Heidi and I took a turn together on the tube. Dave and I even did some kneeboarding later. I should say that Dave made the attempt, and I succeeded at getting up on the kneeboard. We didn't take any pictures as proof, but you'll have to take my word for it. The waves were really choppy, so it was extremely hard to stay holding on wihout severely tearing up my arms. But it was fun nonetheless. Hopefully we'll be invited back on the boat for some more fun times!! Thanks Jer and Heidi!

This stop at La Beau's is a must! Especially for their onion rings and raspberry shakes- yummy!

The color is very washed out, but this is a closeup of mom and daughter

I lost these sunglasses I had on shortly after this picture was taken. I jumped in the water with them on my head! They were my favorite glasses too.

Mikey on the "beach"

hanging on!

Mr. Cool


Dad and son havin fun!

Here's Dave giving Jacob some swimming lessons. Jacob really wanted dad to show him how to swim in the deep water. He did a pretty good job, although it wasn't too deep!