A few things.....

We are THRILLED to be on summer break!  We celebrated the kids being out of school yesterday and we had cupcakes.  We look forward to all of the fun in the sun this summer!

Madison and Makenzie finished their dance classes this week.  Madison is auditioning for a team that is a little harder this next week.  Auditions are next Thursday.  They enjoyed their last competition and they each came home with a trophy.  Makenzie also came home with a tiara as big as her head for getting 2nd place in the dance down.  She had a smile as big as Texas.  On the way home I asked her if she had fun and she exclaimed, "This day was TOTALLY AWESOME mom!" Madison got a diamond ring for participating in the dance down and we had to have a talk about why she didn't get a giant crown!  She did really well in her group of 1st - 3rd graders.  She had 35 girls she was dancing with while Makenzie only had 8.  I was proud of both of them!  Here are some pictures:

Makenzie and Easton had their preschool graduation program.  They were so cute!  Check out this picture of Easton below.  Is that a "Mini Boone" or what?

  

 Here are Kenzie and Easton getting their certificate.

Madison basically played the last week and a half of school.  They went to the zoo, made ice cream, had field day, watched a movie, put on a play, had a singing program, and cleaned out the classroom.  The pictures below are of Madison with grandparents in her 1st grade classroom.  It's hard to see in the picture, but Madison has entered the awkward phase and lost her upper front tooth.  She is about to lose the other one and I can't help but chuckle to myself when I see her smile with "windows" in her mouth.

These are just a few of the things we have been up to!

It's been a while....

We have been busy and having fun!  We are more than ready for summer to be here.  The kids have been busy with school, dance, karate, and playing.  We celebrated two birthday's in the month of March as well.  Makenzie tells us quite often how upset she is that her birthday isn't until August!  She has a list of things that she wants and it gets longer every day!  Madison also had her tonsils and adenoids out this last month. Below are a few pictures of the fun that has been going on around here:

Madison's 7th Birthday!

 Madison had a great birthday and she is so excited to be one year closer to eight. She is excited to be baptized.  She is having a growth spurt lately.  She has outgrown all of her clothes in the last month.  She is sweet and challenging with her spunky personality.  We love her to pieces.

Easton on the morning of his 4th Birthday!

 Easton was so excited to turn 4 and he insisted that he open his presents the minute he got up in the morning. He had a great birthday too.  He tells us all of the time that he is such a big boy.  He is obsessed with sports and any kind of sports jersey lately.  He wants to be just like his big boy cousins and he likes anything they do.

A new bike!

He was thrilled about his new jersey that says ALLEN on the back!

Madison and Makenzie before a performance.

The girls have had some dance performances and a dance competition.  Madison got 1st place on both of her dances and Makenzie got 2nd on both of hers.  They were really excited!  Kenzie and Maddy are the best of friends and Kenzie really looks up to Maddy. She wants to do everything her big sister does.  They are great sisters.

Makenzie on stage.

Makenzie performing "Lollipop"!

Madison performing her jazz dance on stage.

Madison performing her lyrical dance on stage. She is in the middle.

We found out that Madison needed her tonsils and adenoids out.  She was really brave and loved all of the attention she received.  Many people called her and brought her get well cards and gifts. We thank you!  She has recovered and is doing well.

Madison pre-surgery.

 Easton has been going to karate 1 x a week and he LOVES it!  His favorite part so far is wearing the karate uniform and fighting his teacher with the foam swords. He is just like Boone!  He listens so closely to the teacher and does everything just right! He is very serious about it all!  It is fun to watch him!

Hopefully the next time I post on here it will be warm and we will be mowing our lawn. We are tired of all of the snow and cold!

What a busy month...

December was filled with parties left and right and also the Preschool Christmas Program.  We have enjoyed every minute of it even though we were exhausted at times.  Christmas Eve was spent with Boone's family this year.  We had a great time as always at his parents house.  The kids were beyond excited this year for Christmas.  The begging to get up routine started at 2:30 in the morning.  Finally at 6:00 we decided to give in to the begging and get up.
We have had a fun December and have enjoyed spending time with family.  We are so blessed!

 Grandma and Grandpa Allen at the Preschool Christmas Program

 Grandma Hathaway

 Kenzie as Mary

 Easton as a wiseman

 Madison as a shepard

 The kids lined up at the stairs (just like my dad used to do with my family) waiting to see if Santa came!

 The girls standing by their new dollhouse.

 Easton standing by his new train table with his Iron Man mask on.

 The kids

 Madison

 Easton

Makenzie

I hope all of you have a fantastic 2011!!

Never Ending FUN!

What a fun-filled Thanksgiving we had.  The kids had a blast every single minute we were in Utah.  It was so fun to spend it with extended family.  We had Thanksgiving dinner at Little America and it was spectacular!  It was an enormous room filled with every kind of food you could imagine.  The kids liked picking out whatever they wanted.  They even made their own ice cream sundaes for dessert.  I've never seen so much food in my life.
The hotel we stayed at was by far the best for kids.  It had an indoor water park, a game room, and it's own theater.  Across the street was also a Family Fun Center with laser tag, a carousel, and roller-skating.  Who knew the adults in my family are such good skaters?  It was hilarious!  My sister Danette even made up a skating routine for everyone!
We had such a fun time and there was a lot of laughter!  We plan to do it again really soon.

We are counting down the days for Christmas at our house.  The kids are so excited for all of the fun.  We look forward to spending more time with family.  What a wonderful time to be together with family and friends, remember those loved ones that are gone, and remember our Savior Jesus Christ.  We are so blessed!

Halloween

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

I am so thankful for these little people in my life.  They bring so much joy and laughter.  Also tears and headaches, but I wouldn't have it any other way. 

We are looking forward to the upcoming holiday fun with friends and family! Next up, a Thanksgiving getaway to Salt Lake City, Utah with the Hathaway side of the family.  

GOOD TIMES!

We love adoption!

We have been blessed with three beautiful children. Two of our children came to us through adoption.  We are forever grateful for the miracle of adoption in our lives.  We know that Madison & Makenzie are meant to be part of our family.  We thank Heavenly Father every day for this great blessing.  

With that said...we know several couples that are anxiously waiting for that miracle at this very moment.  

Click here to learn more about Kolby & Heather.
Click here to learn more about Gabriel & Heather.

Adoption is a great blessing!

Back to Pre-school!

 My two babies started pre-school.  Easton was a little bit shy, but he got over it quicker than I expected.  This was Makenzie's 2nd year so she felt so important that she could help Easton .  They both had a great time and they enjoy going together.  They are growing up so fast!

Easton

Makenzie

Easton & Makenzie


Look at their GIANT BACKPACKS!  Don't you love it?