We got summer passes to Seven Peaks through a sweet deal from City Deals and hope to have a laid back summer at the pool as soon as the sun comes back out!
Happy Summer!
Summer is here!!!...... And it's raining!
Ethan finished first grade with flying colors. Ever since transferring to his new school he has made major improvements in reading and in all areas. His teacher was perfect for him. She is very organized, kind, and structured and that really helped Ethan to excel. We celebrated after he got out of school by going to Jump Around Town. The boys had the place all to themselves....We bought a Groupon to it. It's a new place and they don't have a ton of jumping things, but just enough to have fun for an hour.
We got summer passes to Seven Peaks through a sweet deal from City Deals and hope to have a laid back summer at the pool as soon as the sun comes back out!
Happy Summer!
We got summer passes to Seven Peaks through a sweet deal from City Deals and hope to have a laid back summer at the pool as soon as the sun comes back out!
Happy Summer!
Preschool Graduation
Last Thursday was Austin's preschool graduation and he woke up with the flu. :( I was so sad he couldn't go; they had caps and gowns and Bryan's grandparents from out of town were here and going to come.
I'm glad he had the chance to go to the preschool he did. He had a good year and a good teacher. I can't believe in three months he will be starting kindergarten!
Here's a picture of him holding is preschool diploma, holding his apron they let him take home that has his name on it, and one of the many funny outfits/costumes he created at home.
I'm glad he had the chance to go to the preschool he did. He had a good year and a good teacher. I can't believe in three months he will be starting kindergarten!
Here's a picture of him holding is preschool diploma, holding his apron they let him take home that has his name on it, and one of the many funny outfits/costumes he created at home.
Checking a 'To Do' Off My List
Last week I had a piano recital for my students to finish off the school year. I don't start my summer schedule until the 1st week of June, so that gives me a few weeks off, which means more time to get things done from my list of things to do before I have a baby. :) Our family spent the weekend sick, so today was my first day of really getting anything done. During the school year we have a drawer for each of our boys and we stick everything from school in there until school's over and we can go through and decide what to keep and what to throw away. So today I spent some time going through their stacks and putting the keep items in a binder. For Ethan I already had one for his preschool and Kindergarten, but I added a side label of the year and teacher. I know it's not much, but it always feels good to get a little more organized!
Next on the list, going through the boys' room and all their clutter, stuff, and clothes!! Wish me luck!! One of my kids has a hoarding problem!!!
Austin turns 5!
On Monday Austin turned the big 5! Since we had a party last year we were a little more low key this year. It was also a busy day since I teach piano on Mondays and we also had our baby ultrasound that morning. While I taught he got to play with his cousins, Aunt Jamie, and Grandma Jorgensen at the park. After picking him up we went as a family to Brick Oven and then back to our place for cake and ice cream. I made him a pirate cake earlier that day.
We are so blessed to have Austin in our family. He has such a great imagination, laugh, smile, and tells great stories.
P.S. I am returning to my blogger blog, and am going to slowly be transferring my posts from iWeb back to here, hopefully, so you might see updated posts that are from a while ago!
We are so blessed to have Austin in our family. He has such a great imagination, laugh, smile, and tells great stories.
P.S. I am returning to my blogger blog, and am going to slowly be transferring my posts from iWeb back to here, hopefully, so you might see updated posts that are from a while ago!
Ten Year Anniversary
Wow! Bryan and I just celebrated our 10 year anniversary on May 1st. Our wedding day/reception days were pretty much the best days of my life up until that point. Everything turned out perfectly! It was all very magical! While 10 years seems to have gone very fast, it does seem a long time since the day we got married. It is hard to explain! Now we have an almost 8-year-old who will be getting baptized this summer, a 5-year-old, and a baby girl on the way. Bryan is also back in school finishing a degree.
We went down to Capitol Reef to check out UVU's field station and the park, since he will be teaching a photography excursion class there this fall.
We didn't have a whole lot of time to check out all the cool sites of the park, but we had fun! The field station is about 9 miles away from the visitor center, but you have to take this dirt road and drive real slow, so it takes at least a half hour from the visitor center. The place was pretty neat, all solar powered, makes their own water, etc. Besides the full-time employee that came up while we were there, we were the only two people up there with no phone service and no one around; kind of weird being in what felt like the middle of nowhere all by our lonesomes.
Here are some pictures of Bryan and I 10 years ago, and some pictures from Capitol Reef.
We went down to Capitol Reef to check out UVU's field station and the park, since he will be teaching a photography excursion class there this fall.
We didn't have a whole lot of time to check out all the cool sites of the park, but we had fun! The field station is about 9 miles away from the visitor center, but you have to take this dirt road and drive real slow, so it takes at least a half hour from the visitor center. The place was pretty neat, all solar powered, makes their own water, etc. Besides the full-time employee that came up while we were there, we were the only two people up there with no phone service and no one around; kind of weird being in what felt like the middle of nowhere all by our lonesomes.
Here are some pictures of Bryan and I 10 years ago, and some pictures from Capitol Reef.
Fall is Here
Fall is definitely my favorite season, followed closely by Spring. I LOVE all the colors, especially the bright reds. Here are some pictures from our hike up in the canyon Saturday with my parents.
Kids Sing the Darndest Things
Ethan had his picture day at school already. He looked so handsome I decided to take a picture of him and Austin in front of our house. I picked out a new shirt for Ethan for picture day at Target the other day. Ethan was at school, but Austin was with me. Austin was so funny. He wanted to get out of the cart and he went over where I had just picked Ethan’s shirt and picked out a really cute one for himself. I couldn’t resist. :) So now they both have a new shirt.
I also have to post this cute video of Austin singing. He loves singing. He will sit and hum real loudly and also make up his own songs. I think it’s funny, though, that if you try to sing along he gets mad at you. He also gets really upset sometimes when I turn the radio on. He would rather have it quiet --probably so it won’t stifle his creativity and so that he can be the center of attention. On this particular video, Austin has been singing for a long time before I started recording, and finally at the end of this clip, Ethan has had enough and says in an annoyed and silly voice, “Good song......PLEASE STOP!”
I also have to post this cute video of Austin singing. He loves singing. He will sit and hum real loudly and also make up his own songs. I think it’s funny, though, that if you try to sing along he gets mad at you. He also gets really upset sometimes when I turn the radio on. He would rather have it quiet --probably so it won’t stifle his creativity and so that he can be the center of attention. On this particular video, Austin has been singing for a long time before I started recording, and finally at the end of this clip, Ethan has had enough and says in an annoyed and silly voice, “Good song......PLEASE STOP!”
Taking it Easy.
On Saturday, September 11, we decided to take it easy after I got my work done in the morning. Bryan had one of his Reality Shoots all day long with Real Soccer Team’s goalie, Nick Rimando, and his family. First I took the boys to Discovery Park in Pleasant Grove. I hadn’t been there for a long time, probably even before Ethan was born. It seems way cooler than I remember it, so maybe they’ve added to it. There are so many things to do there, it’s really fun for kids.
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| Little Mozarts playing a huge xylophone |
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| Earthquake effect board |
After running around the park, Austin was worn out and fell asleep on the way home. When he got up from his nap, we decided to go feed the ducks, but first we stopped by the old house I lived in with my friend Kim, her sister, and three of her cousins, while we were going to BYU. This house was nicknamed the Lookout House -- I am guessing because of all the windows on each side of the home. I was living at the Lookout House when 9/11 happened. I had just gotten out of the shower and all my roommates were gathered around the t.v. It seemed really odd to me at first, because it looked like they were watching some crazy movie about something you would never imagine really happening, and it was early in the morning. When I found out it was the news and it was really happening, I can’t explain the sick feeling I had, but I probably don’t need to because we all experienced it. I wasn’t sure if I should go to class or what. Being a studious person I went to class just in case, and I believe my first class was cancelled. My next class wasn’t, but we had a moment of silence in our classroom that was pretty emotional. I can’t believe it’s already been nine years.
After a quick drive by picture of the Lookout House, we fed ducks by the pond on 8th North and then we drove through a neighborhood by BYU where every single home had a flag in the yard, (and I may or may not have driven by the home of NieNie, from NieNie’s Dialogue). I’m not a stalker, just wanted to see if her home was where I thought it was. :) Then I got the boys ice cream with M&M’s at the BYU Creamery.
It was a nice day. I am thankful for life and for my boys. Now for some personal thoughts and feelings. Stop now if you don’t want to hear them. :) Sometimes when we read blogs, it’s easy to think that someone’s life is perfect. It’s easy to think that way because most of us don’t blog about negative things. I personally choose to blog about the good things because I feel there is enough negative in the world, and if we want to be more positive we should focus on the positive. (Although, I can’t say ‘never’, because I’m sure once in a while I will probably have one of those posts.) So although life is hard and there’s plenty to complain about, there’s also plenty of things to be thankful for, and I hope those things are expressed in my blog.
Today for church we had Regional Conference. Julie Beck was one of the speakers -- I love her. She speaks so well and just listening to her makes you want to be a better person. I will end this long entry with the theme of her talk. It was this: “You are doing better than you think you are doing, but you can do better than what you are doing.” I love this. I tend to get down on myself for not being the best parent and for all of my weaknesses, which makes me feel worse. Sister Beck knows just how to say things to encourage us to do better. I love listening to her speak and often listen to her talks from conference on my iPhone while I’m on the treadmill. It always makes the day go better and re-energizes me. Click here to read a great talk by her given in April.
After a quick drive by picture of the Lookout House, we fed ducks by the pond on 8th North and then we drove through a neighborhood by BYU where every single home had a flag in the yard, (and I may or may not have driven by the home of NieNie, from NieNie’s Dialogue). I’m not a stalker, just wanted to see if her home was where I thought it was. :) Then I got the boys ice cream with M&M’s at the BYU Creamery.
It was a nice day. I am thankful for life and for my boys. Now for some personal thoughts and feelings. Stop now if you don’t want to hear them. :) Sometimes when we read blogs, it’s easy to think that someone’s life is perfect. It’s easy to think that way because most of us don’t blog about negative things. I personally choose to blog about the good things because I feel there is enough negative in the world, and if we want to be more positive we should focus on the positive. (Although, I can’t say ‘never’, because I’m sure once in a while I will probably have one of those posts.) So although life is hard and there’s plenty to complain about, there’s also plenty of things to be thankful for, and I hope those things are expressed in my blog.
Today for church we had Regional Conference. Julie Beck was one of the speakers -- I love her. She speaks so well and just listening to her makes you want to be a better person. I will end this long entry with the theme of her talk. It was this: “You are doing better than you think you are doing, but you can do better than what you are doing.” I love this. I tend to get down on myself for not being the best parent and for all of my weaknesses, which makes me feel worse. Sister Beck knows just how to say things to encourage us to do better. I love listening to her speak and often listen to her talks from conference on my iPhone while I’m on the treadmill. It always makes the day go better and re-energizes me. Click here to read a great talk by her given in April.
Still Feels like Summer!
Over the last week or two the hot weather took a slight break, and it actually has been quite pleasant, but yesterday it was back over 90 degrees, so the boys wanted to play in our little pool. They have a fun time jumping in and throwing the soccer balls in.
Back to School
It was hard to get back to reality after a long vacation, but Ethan started school on Monday, August 31st, so we were kind of forced back into a routine. Ethan went to kindergarten last year in Camarillo at a charter school that we absolutely loved and were sad to leave. When we moved back to Utah in March, we stayed in Alpine for a few months before moving into our townhome in Provo. He finished off the year at a public elementary, which seemed like a great school, but Ethan didn’t have the same sweet and gentle teacher like he had in Camarillo. It was hard for him to adjust and be on the same page as the other students that had already spent six months in the class. He is also one of the youngest in his grades because of when his birthday falls. So, for those reasons and a few others, we decided to have him start fresh with kindergarten at his new school. He is in another charter school and we are hoping it will be a good fit for him. They are a hands-on school that use the Montessori Method. They also have smaller class sizes than regular schools. His class has 24 students; the one in Camarillo only had 20.
My twin and I
When my Dad and Mom were thinking of possible names for my twin sister and I, they wanted names that didn't rhyme, but that started with the same letter. I became Tami and my twin sister Tara. Both of our initials were T.J. Neither of us have a middle name. Tara got married quickly out of high school and became T.P. (he! he!), for a while. When I got married in 2002, I became T.N. She was divorced about 4 years ago, and just two weeks ago remarried. The funny thing is she is married to a friend's brother. That friend is married to my husband's best friend growing up! And now we once again share the same initials -- T.N. (Tami Niven and Tara Nicosia)
Here's a sneak peek of the wedding pics below. They were married on a yacht at Newport Beach Harbor.
If you would like to see more pictures of the wedding, click here.
Niven Reunion 2010
This year's Niven reunion was held in Syracuse, Utah, where Bryan's grandparents (dad's side), now live. It was a pioneer theme, with pioneer activities and games, pioneer food, old-fashioned pioneer bartering, and more. We experienced both extremes in temperature that day -- really, really hot, to TONS of rain. Bryan's Aunt Lisa did a great job planning and directing the reunion, but I felt bad the weather didn't fully cooperate!
This is a buffalo chip game where one person was a wheelbarrow and the other person had to "push" the wheelbarrow and pick up the buffalo chips.
Kate was the winner!
My boys were a little shy and didn't want to play the games. I wish I had pictures of the pioneer relay game we played, but I was participating. The boys were on one team and had to put on a pioneer girl outfit and run across, take it off, and then the next person would go, and the girls on the other team dressed up in a pioneer boy outfit. The girls won! :) If anyone has pictures of that game, I would love to have a copy. We also all made potato babies and wrapped them in a baby-sized blanket and put them in a cradle. On one of the games we had to save the babies and pass them over and under to get to safety because their wagon was on "fire". My boys finally participated in the potato baby game, I think because the entire time they kept asking if they could keep them and were excited to get them after the game. Austin was happy just riding on this horse.
Talking and trying to stay cool in the shade.
Bryan throwing grapes in the air and catching them in his mouth.
Austin eating some lunch with Bryan's cousin, Jared, (I think). He and his brothers all look alike. :) Bryan's family has the oldest grandkids. Grandpa and Grandma Niven have 7 kids. Bryan's dad, Jeff, is the oldest child in the family and the two youngest are closer in age to their nephews (Brent, Bryan, and Jason), than their brother Jeff. So Aunt Stacey has two kids the same age as Ethan and Austin.
Each family has a family flag where they have their family motto and then they add an ornament from each reunion. The person in charge of the reunion makes something that represents that year's reunion for each family to add to their flag. Lisa made cute pioneer handcart ornaments for this year. I'm not sure whose flag this is? Do you know Aunt Lisa?
Here's a close-up of part of the flag with a picture of Grandpa & Grandma Niven. Cute. :) I'm such a slacker, I still don't have a flag. I have all the ornaments from the years we've gone, but I still need to make a flag. My problem is I have no sewing skills. That will be one of my goals this year to make a flag!
The boys made a homemade water slide. You're probably thinking, "What does this have to do with pioneers?" This actually wasn't planned as part of the reunion. During the middle of the day we could choose to go to The Pioneer Museum, This Is The Place Heritage Park, or the LDS Church History Museum. Some of the family went to the LDS Church Museum, but the kids were so hot we decided to stay there and cool off with water.
Cooling off! Grandpa & Grandma Niven had this cool earth that sprayed water. Ethan, Austin, Kate, Amanda, Maggie, had fun with this for hours.
The kids drying off on the warm patio.
Jessica and Kate.
Getting the air out. Surprisingly, it didn't pop!
Jessica and Kate showing off their hula hoop skills!
Here's another relay game we played. We had to wash and ring out the pioneer clothes and hang them out to dry. It was funny, Uncle Greg and his son Michael were swinging the clothes line like a jump rope, making it quite difficult to hang up the clothes.
After our potato baby game, it started to lightly rain at first and we did our bartering underneath the canopies, but pretty soon it was poring rain and we had to run for it to get inside. We had dinner inside and visited some more. It was fun seeing everyone and catching up! Thanks Aunt Lisa for all your hard work!
