So a week after school started for Jarren we decided to go with my parents to NV to see old friends and the beginnings of Hot August Nights Classic Car Show. We stayed up at Lake Tahoe, one of my most favorite place to be. When we first got there I did not realize how much I have missed living there. It was crazy to see how much has changed from the new freeway to new developments. The only thing that has not change is the best color of brown you have ever seen. John got to go out with his buddies and I got to spend time with my girlfriends that I have not seen a long time. The boys got to do their favorite thing and that is play in the pool and be spoiled by grandma and grandpa.
John's favorite paint job.
Stock 64'...John wishes he had one!
My dad's 68' Firebird.
"We're done and want to go swimming!!"
The Best view of the car show with Lake Tahoe in the background.
John and the boys with my parents in the back taking one last look of the Lake before leaving.
Wishing we could have stayed longer.
After leaving Lake Tahoe we stopped and stayed with my friend Amber and her family. We was a night of flashbacks when Vanessa came over and shared a footage from my sister's sweet 16 surprise birthday party. WOW!!! we were dorks. I think all of our kids enjoyed seeing us act all crazy in front of the camera. But then we were kids ourselves.
Jarren with Cameron and Kyra playing the DS of course.
Jarren, Cameron, Joseph, and Jacob just before saying good bye at Amber's.
This was a very enjoyable trip and a long over due one. Thanks mom and dad for having us come and Amber thank you letting us crash at your house and making one of the best breakfasts I have ever had.
For pioneer day we gathered as a friends and neighbors for a BBQ and fireworks.. We had a great time. Not to sure who had more fun with the fireworks the kids or the dads. It was nice to be out and visit with everyone till midnight. Good times.
Joseph as you know does not like fireworks. So he choose to sit in the back and keep his ears covered.
Jarren and Jacob with sparklers.
John getting ready to light the next wave of fireworks for display.
Our Friends. As you can tell I was playing with the setting on the camera which resulted in a poor picture.
Tally thinking it is a great idea to put lighter fluid on the fire. That was lots of fun to watch.
I have to say that these are some of my most favorite moments being about to be out with good people and watching the kids play and grow lasting friendships.
At the end of June my child hood friend Amber came to visit us from Nevada with her two kids Kyra and Cameron. It has been a lllooonnnggg time since we have spent time together. We filled our week with lots of things to do and had a blast doing it.
Thanks Amber for coming out here to visit. It was so good to see you and the kids.
We first went out to my sister's place to ride her bikes and four wheelers. At first the kids were unsure but after an hour they started to warm up to idea. After riding we went to dinner at this little Mexican place. It is always yummy!!! Thanks Heather and Layne for letting us ride.
Heather and Kyra on the front quad and Joseph and I on the back quad. Layne standing in the back giving instruction.
Jacob on the little bike. He had so much fun!!!
Layne giving Jarren instruction on how use the brake and gas on the bike.
Jarren takes spin on the bike.
Heather with Jacob and Joseph on the quad.
Joseph and I on the quad.
Layne and Cameron taking a spin on the quad.
Amber and Cameron out in the dirt on the quad.
Later in the week we took the kids to the Zoo. That was lots of fun!!! Well at least until my kids had meltdowns.
Here is slide of pictures from our day at the Zoo.
John and I have been blessed by our daughter Jocelyn. She has opened so many doors for us on many levels some spiritual and other tangible. One door she has opened is the relationship of our photographer Jen with Now I Lay Me Down To sleep. Jen recently put an entry on her blog about Jocelyn and our family wanted to share that with you all. To learn more click HERE.
Thank You Jen!!
To see new photo's of Jocelyn click HERE
On Sundays after church we usually go to my parents place for dinner followed by watching movies or playing video games. So this one Sunday the boys want to battle with Grandpa on Guitar Hero. It was fun to watch.
Grandpa Kowallis, Jacob up set that Grandpa is better then he, and Jarren waiting his turn. I just have to say this picture makes me laugh. Everyone is so serious.
Also in December 2008 Jacob's preschool class put on a little Christmas program that was a lot of fun. Jacob loves Christmas songs. When ever driving around town you will hear him singing Jingle Bells.
Jacob as they enter for their program.
Jacob in a video with his preschool class singing Jingle Bells.
Just before Christmas we got a very large snow storm and the kids just had to go out and play in it with friends.
Jarren starting to make a big snow ball, with Issac ready to chuck his snow ball at Jarren.
Jacob running through the snow and Issac stopping to see if the snow taste good.
Fun video of the boys having a snow ball fight.
I ment to link this a while ago and forgot. My sister in law Natalie is going to school to be a teacher and in her art class she was given an assignment to teach children to follow through on a art project. You can check out her blog HERE for the scoop and pictures of Jarren and his friends that participated in this fun project.
Thanks Natalie for coming down and teaching Jarren and his friends!! They had a great time.
The other day Jarren went to play with his friends and my friend Lizz spray colored all their hair. Since I was not around my other friend Lisa took pictures and posted them to her blog here is the link to view how they all looked
CrazyKids
This past Saturday John and I took Jarren's training wheels off so he can learn to ride his bike. We have been a little behind on teaching him. And since we took so long to teach him he was more then ready to learn. Jarren learned in less then 5 minutes. Now I can not keep him off the bike. It is fun to see him grow and learn new things. John was so proud to see him on the bike. Way to go Jarren!!!
John teaching Jarren to have balance so he can ride his bike by himself.
Less then 5 minutes later. Jarren is on his own.
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This past Sunday afternoon proved to be a nice day out side. We had some neighborhood kids over to play. They wanted to give skateboarding a try. It fun to see that some things never go out of style. John watched and help show them all how it is done in his day. John loves to skate board and loves to see that his boys are wanting learn as well.
Jarren is looking good!!
This Jarren's friend Bridger, who is just cruising on down the drive way.
Jacob getting a hold of it. He so wants his own stake board. Jacob's friend Issac their waiting patiently for his turn.
Jacob's friend Cooper , Bridger's brother, Has it down. Jacob in the back cheering him on.
Joseph not yet ready to try the skate board tries to ride the scooter. Joseph thinks he is big as his brothers. It is so funny to watch him try to be like them.
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During the summer the boys get all worked up and need something to cool down. So what better way then sitting with an Otter Pop.
Joseph, Jacob, Issac, and Jarren. This was taken with the cell phone is not that clear.
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Now that Jarren knows how to ride a bike he can go out to my sister Heather's place to ride a small motor cross bike. My brother-in-law Layne is really big into motor cross and has two small bikes that are just ride for the boys to ride. Layne said " Once the boys know how to ride a bike by themselves they can ride the motor cross bikes". So know Jarren is quick to remember and wants to go try. This made Jacob sad, because he does not know how to ride his bike yet. But Jacob is very determined and will work hard to get something he wants. So this past week Jacob has been practicing hard to get it. So over the last two days he now knows how to and wants to give the motor cross bikes a try. I told him that he needs a little more time on his bike 1st. He wants to ride everyday until he gets really good so he can ride Uncle Layne's bikes.
There he goes!! He started out wanting the grass just in case he fell.
