Camping and hiking in ZION

We went camping in Zions in late June and could not have asked for better weather. We got there early Friday morning to get a campsite, and then went hiking. I can't believe how close Zions really is to us. We have lived here for three and half years and this is our first time going. Pretty crazy I know. Our kids love hiking and camping, it is one of our favorite things to do as a family. It was pretty funny at times. There were a lot of people from out of state or from different countries, and I don't think they had ever seen so many backpacks with kids in them. So every once in awhile someone would make a comment about the number of kids. There were four kids in backpacks and five on foot-9 Total. It was great fun! I wore Macey on the front pack

and the backpack with food, drinks etc. on my back. It actually worked better, because it made me more balanced. All the kids are troopers Steve has them all going on long hikes. In fact Friday they hiked 2.5 miles to hidden canyon, which says strenuous hike on the map. What an accomplishment.So far we have hiked, watchman, weeping rock,emerald pools, and outlook. More adventures to come now that we know how close Zions really is.

Maceys Blessing Day

Macey was blessed on June 7th 2009. It was a special day for us. We are so blessed to have this sweet little girl. She is very alert for her age, and is growing too fast. We are so grateful both grandparents, Aunt Heidi & Uncle Ned were able to come from California and be with us on this special day.

Macey Jean Woollley

Oh this will be a blessing day we will never forget. The reason I say that is because during sacrament meeting all our children decided to bear their testimony.
It all started when Madison went up to bear her testimony, and cousin Ella joined her. Our families took up three benches so most of the time our kids were moving rows, visiting with cousins. Not reverent I know. Well as Madison and Ella went up there Marissa went running after Ella. I told Steve to go up and get her and before I knew it Makenzie and Ryan were up there as well. Poor Steve. Everyone knows how he trys to avoid public speaking, so he was extremely embarrassed. He helped all three of our older children bear their testimony and bore his. We all enjoyed each of their testimony's, but I will never forget how nervous I was when Marissa went running up there. She is our fire cracker there is no telling what that girl will do. The kids adore their new sister, and love her to death.

Marissa,Makenzie,Macey,Madison and Ella

It is always fun when family comes into town. This means going out to eat to our favorite restaurants. Here are some of the kids at Pizza Factory. Thanks everyone for coming to Macey's blessing. We know its hard to take off work and its a long drive. We love it when family comes to visit.

Lets play BALL!!

Ryan loves baseball. This year he got to play on the same team as his two cousins,Tyler and Luke. Not only that his Dad and two Uncles were the coaches. They had a blast. Out of all the teams in the entire league ares had the most kids. So three coaches was a must. Auntie Katie helped with the batting line up, other wise it became a bit chaotic. What a fun season, and the best part was the weather was great up until the last game. It was not HOT in June like it can be. Thank goodness.
Best buds!

Ryan slugging the ball to center field.
He always waits to see how far it went before he starts running.

He loves sliding home. I caught him one day at a game putting red dirt all over his knees. I asked him what in the world are you doing, and he said he forgot to slide home, so this made it look like he had. What a silly boy!

The End of a School year

This was are first school year and it flew by. We had so much fun teaching these kids this year.I can't believe how fast these kids learn. When we finished the alphabet, at the end of April we still had alot more to learn before the school year was over. All of the four year old class was reading sight words on graduation day. What a accomplishment. It was so exciting as a teacher watching all the kids slowly, but surely begin to read. Our goal was to have all the kids know the alphabet, the sounds each letter makes, shapes, numbers and have them reading at least fifteen sight words by the end of the year. Many exceeded our expectations. Some of the fun things we did the last month of school included: watermelon day, Pirate day,Chickens- we had an incubator and hatched chickens in the classroom it took twenty-one days and both classes got to see a chick hatch, we also planted seeds and watched our watermelon and sunflowers grow. That

last month went by super fast, but was filled with lots of fun. We had eight students graduate from our four year old class on May 22nd, 2009.We will miss you guys next year, but all of them are ready for kindergarten. I can't wait for a new school year.

Ryan on pirate day. Each student made a treasure map. At fifteen different areas on their maps they had to gather their sight words. At the end of the treasure hunt, they had to read all fifteen sight words to a teacher, and then were able to pick a BIG prize from the tresure box. We told them earlier in the year that they were going to be having a treasure hunt and a prize would be involved, if they read their sight words. It was great motivation, and all of them couldn't wait for PIRATE DAY.

Our Graduating Class

The treasure hunt. Looking for those sight words.

Having fun in the classroom during music time.

Soccer TIme

Makenzie and Madison decided this year to play soccer instead of dance. Boy

did they have a blast.They were so serious about it. Makenzie would practice

playing in the backyard. She scored alot of goals through out the season, and was excited each time she did. There team ended up being undefeated. Way to go girls!!!It was fun watching them play, we would get so into the game it was hilarious. I think Katie, Heidi,Mallory, Madison and I were screaming and cheering a little to loud at times. Oh well it was fun. Mike Lawes ended up being the coach of the team. We know the Lawes from California. They lived in Chino Hills and then in Fontana when we did. So it was fun having their daughter on the team as well. Abby is a crack up. She had us laughing all the time. Too bad you guys are moving back to California.

The girls in ACTION

Makenzie and Madison walking up field, after Makenzie had just
scored a goal. The smile says it all.

A little pep talk from coach Mike. With bunny ears on his head.
I wonder who that was? That has to be Marren MacLellan.

Makenzie just scored another goal. You GO GIRL!
GOOD SEASON GIRLS!!!!

Makenzies Baptism

We are so proud of Makenzie and her decision to be baptized. Makenzie has such a sweet

spirit, and can be very shy when it comes to sharing her feelings. On her baptism day she was

so excited to be baptized and to receive the Holy Ghost. She shared with us the feelings she felt that day. She said, "she was excited, had a warm feeling and felt safe." She wrote these words in her book of remembrance from her baptism day. We love you Makenzie. You are such a good helper and example to your younger siblings. Ryan was very proud of his big sister on this special day.

Great Granny was able to come to Makenzies Baptism and visit with us for
a couple days. Makenzie adores her great Granny and loves every opportunity we get to
visit her. She is always making her a special card, or picture telling her how much she loves and
misses her. She lives to far away.

Steve and Makenzie on a very special day

Makenzies 8th Birthday party

Happy 8th Birthday Makenzie!!
We had a Birthday party for Makenzie this year and she was super excited.
She hasn't had a Birthday party with her friends since we have lived here. We had a blast. Auntie Katie helped with the party. We played games, ate pizza, painted finger nails, and jumped in the bounce house .


All her little girl friends having fun, and laughing a ton. When you get a bunch
of eight and seven year old girls together there is lots of noise.

Where do I start?

So there are several important milestones that have happened in our family over the last several months, and I have been soo... crazy busy that I have not been able to post them. Now that life is a little more calm I am going to do several posts that are from a few months ago. I am doing this for our own documentation because I would like to turn my blog into a book every year.Does anyone know how to do that, or has done it?If so PLEASE leave a comment. So bare with me as I catch up.