Fall Fun!

 Royce's school program was so funny.  They had this bit where the kids lip synced to La Donna e Mobile, and Royce was so freaking funny people were laughing out loud at his antics.  He received many compliments after.   That's my funny man!

HALLOWEEN 2011!

Happy Halloween ya'll!

 We have had so much fun at Lagoon this year, especially at Frightmares!  Royce especially LOVES halloween and looks forward to this every year.  He has so many ideas about how he would design a haunted house.  I love how creative he can be.

 Grandpa Buggy & Grandma came up for some math SOS & the kids got to swim with their cousin.

 We spent a day up Green Canyon just enjoying one of the last nice fall days.

Royce & Syd competing for Top Shot.

Royce has his business face on and Syd is playing around with the sling.

 And of course Tyler needs to put in a showing, but unfortunately he has fired his last shot.
(There is not a picture of me because I was too busy kicking everyone else's trash.)

 Syd taking a moment to find a comfy reading spot, she is hardly ever without a book.

 Carving pumpkins the Grandpa Buggy way includes a jigsaw!

 The cousins made a swing on the tree with rope and wood that they found, it's handy to have another helper to make sure they don't crack their heads on the tree.

 Pumpkin designed by Miss Syd.

Pumpkin designed by Mr. Royce.

End of Summer

Get ready for many pics (though not in any order), there is a lot of stuff to catch up on...

 Mykaela and Sydney walking hand in hand next to Yellowstone Lake (aka My Lake).  It is nice when family can also be friends.

 A gorgeous day for the falls at Yellowstone!

 We had a fantabulous time with Tyler's family in Yellowstone for the 1st annual Vance Family Vacation (t-shirts to come in 2012).  Thanks for such a great time!

 The kids hanging out by the falls.  The water was still high and amazing to just sit and watch.

 Royce's 8th birthday party with his buddies.  Happy 8th Roycie!!

 Royce requested a LEGO party, here they are playing with their mini-kits and passing them along.  The kids had so much fun with this activity that Ty came up with (it must be a guy thing because it didn't sound that great to me), they were laughing the entire time and could have done it again.

 Hite Family Vacation 2011, Rexburg Idaho.  Hanging out in the pool, chillin with cousins.

 Most of the cousins, we missed the 2 that couldn't be there.

 Royce and Hailey- HAPPY BIRTHDAY! They are 2 weeks and 2 days apart.

 We took a drive to Mesa falls which was incredible!

 Uncle Richie taking pics of the kids, check out all that water!

 Royston was baptised by Grandpa Hite, it was such a beautiful day, it couldn't have gone any better.  We are very blessed with such great friends and family who drove up to be with him on his special day.

CHEERS!  Taking a minute to appreciate the finer things in life on one of our weekly Saturday AM bike rides to the farmers market.

Fishing, lots and lots of fishing.  Although the season got started late we have been taking advantage of every opportunity to go fishing, and now that the kids have waders we can do all kinds of stuff we could not do before.

They chose to be twinners on their 1st day of school, they even have the same green Nike's on.  It is crazy that my Sydney is in 5th grade and my baby in 3rd!

After fishin' we love to go have a fire and just chill.

Sunday's are game days and lately have turned into serious chess competitions- Syd is my biggest opponent yet, that girl is good!

Always ready to get on the bike and get going.  I think the kids just might wear their bikes out before they outgrow them for once.

Catching Up

We have definitely been keeping busy. Here are some of the highlights.

Tyler had his own booth at the 2011 Summerfest and did a great job! He worked so hard to get everything done in time, I was so proud. (Grandpa Buggy and Grandma Lucie helped us out getting everything ready and taking care of the kids- I can't say thank you enough. )

For our 11th anniversary we hiked up to the wind caves amidst poor jokes and memories of uncomfortable sitcom moments. Happy Anniversary!!

The kids on one of our many bike rides. We go as often as we can, and on Saturdays we are out all day. I am surprised at how far the kids want to keep going, but at least they will wear their bikes out as they out grow them.

The kids got to ride in the Murray City CIS vehicle in the July 4th parade. They were excited to get to throw out candy this time. =)

Thanks for letting us come and join you and your fam Mandy!

So glad we were able to spend time with the Berthie!

We spent a wonderful 4th of July weekend with family. After fabulous bbq chicken, beaning unsuspecting folks in the head with taffy, and yard work in the rain we saw the best fireworks I have seen in a long time.

And last but not least here is Royce getting his crazy hair on again!

Crazy Hair Day 2011

This is what the kids wanted for crazy hair day last Friday.

Syd wanted little mini buns of all different colors all around her head, check.

Royce wanted horizontal black mohawks across his head with a red-tipped horn in the front, check.

We always have so much fun getting ready in the morning!

Today is their last day of school. This year has gone by so fast. Perhaps it is the mucky weather we have had so much of, but it doesn't feel like it is time for summer yet.

Class of 2011

It is official, I am class of 2011.

(Well, the diploma cover that I received had a very long disclaimer that this does not technically mean I have completed all of the requirements to graduate...blah,blah, blah. Really, people?)

Graduation was awesome! The weather was fantastic, I didn't trip in my 4" heels (although, why I gave in to peer pressure and nixed wearing my Chaco's instead is beyond me), I looked super hot in my black muumuu, and I was surrounded by the best friends and family anyone could ever have.

My more-than-fabulous-in-laws who hosted a wonderful graduation lunch before the ceremony. The food was fantabulous, we absolutely devoured all of the extras by the next morning and can't wait to eat that BBQ pork and homemade potato salad again!

Family (or close enough, anyway).

Where am I...?

Super cute kiddies with their candy leis I made for them to help entertain them during the graduation ceremony.

And, last but not least...

what graduation could possibly be complete...

without a bike ride.....

on my new bike!!!

I know I have said and written it a million times, but I am truly grateful for all of the love and encouragement of my family and friends, most of all from my talented husband and hilarious kids!! Thank you, I love you almost as much as I love my new bike.

Shanell's Graduation!

I am so excited to finally be graduating! I have such an amazing support system that has totally made this possible. Family and friends (you know who you are!) have watched my kids, offered rides, made dinners for an entire semester, tutored me any time of the day or night, made me treats, encouraged me through emails and phone calls, done birthday lunches entirely around my schedule, paid their daughter to take my kids on vacation during finals week, have taken my kids during finals week, spent countless hours studying with me, put up with my tears and emotions, made fun of me for being upset about a B+ on an exam, understood and supported my hectic schedule, understood I only have friends between semesters, and most of all shown an incredible amount of love and patience. My husband and kids have been nothing short of amazing and giving- truly the driving force of my continuing education.

Thank you, all of you!

Hopefully this is just the first graduation and the first degree, I am excited for what is to come.

This announcement personalized with Smilebox

Easter and Such

The library here sponsored a panel discussion with several authors, hosted at a middle school. Afterwards, they had a book signing with 4-hour lines; luckily, we were about halfway by the time the signing started.

Sydney read a lot of "The Princess Academy" before, but decided to start again to keep it fresh. Here she is with the author, Shannon Hale. Syd was really excited.

She also signed "Goose Girl," which Syd hasn't read yet, and "Austenland" for Shanell.

Meanwhile, Shanell and Royce were in the much longer line for Brandon Mull, author of the much loved "Fablehaven" Series. Royce hasn't officially read the first book yet, but we all used to listen to the series in the car together a few years ago. Here's an example of their hijinks while waiting the 2+ hours:

And here he is with the author. I had the opportunity to give the book to one of my students who was a lot further up in line, but Royce really wanted to meet him. I'm glad he did; the guy was really nice and talked to Royce about legos, origami and building things with dad. I couldn't imagine being at all friendly after several hours smiling and signing books, but Mr. Mull was upstanding.

Easter Saturday was something else. There was an Easter egg hunt at one of the North Logan parks, which lasted all of 60 seconds, and consisted of hoards of ravenous kids who who left nothing in the wake of their full-run devastation. After this event was the real fun, playing on the playground and hanging out with neighbors and other folks we haven't seen in a while.

Royce was happy his best friend showed up, and their siblings also had a ball in the decent weather.

Dyeing eggs was a real treat. We got the oldschool Paas brand, and spent a good part of the day on our multi-colored designs.

And here they are on Easter sunday, showing off their acquired treasures and donning some new clothes.