Kim's Rainforest Project

Kimberly recently had a project to do for school. Each of the kids choose a rainforest animal to learn about and work on. They had to build a 3-D model, do a presentation, and be able to answer questions about their animal. Since Kimberly is a very creative person, she decided to make her project out of salt dough. She really enjoys painting and creating things.

Thinking about what her project needs. I love the smear of paint on her forehead.
The finished project: A Keel-Billed Toucan. Great job Kimberly!

A Show

Our kids love to put on "shows." They do it for just about every holiday, or sometimes just because. This is a show they put on in mid-January. This picture is part of a play that they made up.

They always have music and dancing too. It is fun to have so much creativity in the house.

The Nest

It doesn't take much for the kids to get creative. Ryan moved the weight bench 45* and the kids decided to make a nest. Most of the pillows and blankets in the house were involved.

Christmas Day

We had a nice Christmas. It was great to be able to attend Sacrament Meeting on Christmas Day and remember the real Reason for the Season.

An Alaskan Christmas tree is a little sparse, but still beautiful! Our main problem was making the very small trunk stay up in our tree stand.

Kim and Glade excited about Christmas morning.
Glade concentrating on driving his new RC car.

Dad helping Liberty build with her Marble Madness run. Such a fun toy! All the kids have been enjoying it!

Watch out! These boys both got a Nerf Dart Gun!
Kimberly with her long-awaited Polly Pocket Pool! Thanks Grandad and Grammy! Another favorite for all the kids!

Kim's biggest gift! A pink .22! She took it out with Dad, but got a little cold. She loves it and can't wait for summer to go out and shoot it more!
Cute pillowcases for all the kids from Grandma and Grandpa. I love Liberty's cheesy grin in this one! They use these every night.

Christmas Eve

For Christmas Eve we had posole and red and green corn chips. Looks pretty festive, eh?

Then we did the nativity play with the kids (you can still see parts of their costumes in this picture). And the opened the traditional one gift on Christmas Eve. I don't know what that little spot on the lens was. Oops.

Here are the girls opening and enjoying their gifts. See, no spot. Who knows?

Kim's Winter Concert

Kimberly's school puts on a Winter Concert every December. We all got to go this year. Ryan took off work and we enjoyed being together for the afternoon as a family. Here is Kimberly getting ready to sing. She is in the red dress in the front row.

She is being "fancy" by curtsying here.

Glade had fun walking around on the mats until the classes came in to sit on them.

Liberty and Mom enjoying the performance.

Kim's Playdough Creations

Kimberly is very creative and loves to make things. This is a fun mural she made with playdough in early December

A Night at the Opera

Kimberly had an opera company come to her school and perform part of a children's opera they were putting on. She we really excited to go and see the whole thing, so she and I went on a little outing. She got to wear a new dress that she LOVES.

Before the performance.


Kimberly with "Little Red Riding Hood." It was a wonderful presentation of a classic fairytale. If you ever get the opportunity to go, do it! The music was great and got stuck in our heads.

Fun in the Snow

We got our first snowfall in mid-October this winter and the kids have really enjoyed it. (At least until the 40 below temperatures we've been having this week anyway.)

Kimberly's favorite activity, since Fairbanks snow isn't that great for snowmen, is to make snow angels. This is one of her first of the year.

Glade is an all-around happy guy that is pretty much up for anything. Turns out it's hard to push Libby around in the stroller with snow on the ground.

Liberty is finally old enough to enjoy the snow this year. She always says, "Coldy! Coldy! Coldy!" when we go out to the van in the mornings to go to the bus stop. :)

Run, Kim, Run!

Look closely, she's the one in turquoise with both arms in air close to the right.


Kimberly was a member of the running club at school this year. They had practices two days a week after school and then a meet each week for a month. The runs were about 2 kilometers and she had a great time. They gave each finisher a medal at all the races, which she loved. We like it when she is involved in things that make her happy, and we also are glad that she is interested in activities that keep her healthy.

Obligatory First Day of School Pictures

Okay, so this one wasn't the first day of school, but you can tell that she really likes this outfit so far this year, can't you? This was one morning after I braided her hair in little braids. She thought it was so fun to have it all poofy and crimped-looking.

This one, however, really is from the first day of school. I neglected to get a picture in the morning, so we snapped one as she came off of the bus, complete with a pink sticker on her nose.


So far, Kimberly really likes second grade. She likes her teacher and does fine with all of the homework she brings home.

Look Mom, No Wheels!

Training wheels, that is! Kimberly finally learned how to ride a bike without training wheels. It all started when our neighbors gave us a BUNCH of bikes that their kids had outgrown. We got all sizes and kinds! In the bunch was a pink bike with flowers on it. Kimberly loved that bike and REALLY wanted to ride it. Unfortunately, there were no training wheels. She was told that if she learned to ride without training wheels, the bike was hers, but we weren't going to move the training wheels from her other bike. Needless to say, this was sufficient motivation for learning. She just decided she could do it and took off! How exhilarating! We are so proud of her!




Hopefully he'll be next:

Little Fishies

Kimberly and Glade really enjoyed doing swimming lessons this summer. They both did really well. Kimberly advanced to Level 3 and Glade got much more comfortable in the water.

Kim on Fun Friday with the big fish


Glade kicking up a storm


Now a short video of each of them in action:



Glade's the one in the green shirt.

One More Year . . .

'til baptism is here!

We can't believe our sweet Kimberly is 7! She is so busy and always seems to have something going one, whether it's reading, pretending, crafting, or anything else her heart desires! She keeps on her toes and helps us do the same! We sure do love you!


Beautiful Birthday Girl in the apron Grandma made for her

Can't wait to open presents

Checking out her big gift: a camera which has gotten plenty of use since then

She chose a party at the swimming pool this year, since she is a little fish when she can be. We had a great time with all the friends who could make it and missed the ones that weren't there. Fun was had by all!

First Grade Readers

This year I enjoyed going into Kimberly's classroom each week to help with reading time. I would take a group of kids and read their assigned story with them, then direct them in doing worksheets, silent reading, etc. I really loved doing this. I was fortunate that her teacher allowed me to bring Glade and Liberty also. It was so fun being a small part of my daughter's education and specifically to get to know the kids in her class.

Kim helping Flat Stanley (from a cousin) do some homework.


Kim's reading group

Dr. Suess Night

Kimberly's school has a fun party every year for Dr. Suess's birthday. We were in town this year so we were able to go. They did a great job of having crafts, books, stories, and cake.

Kim doing a jar with tissue paper on it.


Glade stuffing his pillow.


The Cat in the Hat

Gingerbread and Candy

How can you lose? The kids had a great time making little gingerbread houses this year. I love to see their creativity coming out. What a delicious way to cultivate creativity!

Kim and Glade showing off their finished products.


Notice Kimberly's chimney and wreath on her door.


Glade just enjoyed putting as much on as he could get. By the way, it's a lot easier to get candy to stay on the roof than the walls.

Christmas Concert

Kimberly's school had a Christmas concert involving three grades. The kids and I attended and got lucky. We sat on the right side and she was right at the end so we could see her really well. We enjoyed her 3 songs and the rest of the program as well. Kim really has an ear for music and only has to hear a song a few times to really remember it. We're so proud of her!