Family Reunion in Sodasprings

Mid June we went to Sodaspring,ID where my Dad's side of the family was having a Kowallis family reunion. While we were they we rode the four wheelers that other family members brought and a great time. We stayed up late playing games and roasting marshmallows. Also the families had to wear a the same color t-shirts. So everyone that comes through my grandfather,
Ernest Kowallis, My dad's dad wore Green. My Grandfather's siblings families all wore a different color. Although there were more green t-shirts then the others. That was kinda cool. I got to see family that I have not seen in a long time and John got to meet some family members that he had not met yet. The boys had a blast!!

Left to Right: Anna picking her nose, Malinda, John, Corrine, and my Dad.

Left to Right: Little girl name unknown sorry,Coralee, Her new husband sorry again no name, little girl name unknown, Me, Jarren, Seth, Darin, and Kaylie. Just hanging out waiting for the family auction.

John with Jeremy and Ashlyn taking a ride in the cool buggy!!

Me, John and Joseph taking a spin around the cabin on the four wheeler. Joseph did not want to get off. He was trying to steer the thing.

John giving Jarren and Jacob a ride. They did not want to wait and take turns so John took them together. Jarren now asks if he can get his own.

Like I said Joseph did not want to get off. So John took him for another spin just before dinner.

Jacob, Jarren, and Joseph fighting over the smaller four wheeler. I think Jacob will win or Joseph might he looks pretty determined.

Yes! the winner is Joseph!!! Jarren accepting the ride on the back. Of course he really did not take it for ride by himself.

There go three of my men riding off into the sunset.

We really did have a great time and enjoyed the cabin. My Dad and his sibling were in charge. I must say they really put on a great weekend party!!! Can't wait to see everyone again next year!!

Time to Play Ball

This past Baseball season was great!! This was Jarren's fourth year and Jacob's first.
Jarren has really improved with his batting and keeping an eye out for the ball in the field. Next year Jarren will get to move up to the next level where they will start playing with all the game rules and have full uniform. This past year his age group were taught to bat from machine or coach pitch, if they were not able to on the first three balls then they hit off the T. They also had Jarren's age group playing all the positions in the outfield. He has learned a lot and can not wait till next year.

Jarren's team in the out field.

Catching Jarren and some of team passing the time.

Jarren waiting his turn to bat.

Jarren's turn to finally bat. He looks so cute!!

Now this being Jacob's fist year has been so much fun. He has sat and watched Jarren the past three years and just dieing to get his turn. So once he got his team shirt I could not get it off of him. He slept in most nights. He even had to ask every day if he had a game. He also wanted to be out practicing everyday. My Dad had taken a Soft Ball and attached it to a rope that I or John would swing around for boys to try and hit the ball. It is a way to get them use to a ball coming at them.

Jacob's Coach trying to keep them focused.

John and the other Dad's helping in the out field while the kids go chase after the ball. But I think they spent more time talking then helping.

Jacob now waiting his turn to bat.

Jacob getting tips from his coach on how to hold and swing the bat. I love the helmet on him. Do you think he can see the ball?

Jacob taking a big swing. And he does put power behind that swing!

Even Joseph is starting to get head start by practicing now.

Looks like Joseph has the batting concept down. We just now need to teach him how to hold the bat. He so wants to be like his big brothers. It is so cute to watch him try and copy all the things his brothers do.

June 5th was the last day of Little Gym for Jacob and Joseph. Jacob was in their Terrific Tots class where they spent time playing in the gym, had singing time, craft time, and story time centered on a weekly theme. On the last class they put on a little program for all the parents to see what they have learned and how much they a grown.

Jacob waiting his turn to show off his stunts that he has learned in the gym.

Jacob after singing the songs he has learned in class. They are so cute!!!

Jacob after he has received his certificate of completion and his metal!! I love the cheesy smile!!

A little video of Jacob performing the chicken dance as part of their program!! It was fun to watch.

Joseph was in The Little Gym class called Birds. It is a mommy and me class with children raging in the age of 10 months to 19 months. He has gained a sense of confidence and no fear. Because at home he will get into anything or climb on anything without thinking twice. It has been a lot of fun for Joseph and I to do this class. It will be great to see how much he grows in the next year since he will be moving to their next class called Beasts.

Joseph in the center of the parachute. It took him a long time to like the parachute and now I can not get him off of it.

Joseph just hanging out waiting for everyone else to get ready so we can turn the parachute into a slide.

Joseph and I working together on a summer salt.




A little video of Joseph showing how he can hang and swing from the bar. It is really good at it.

Jarren's Kindergarten Program

On June 4th Jarren had a kindergarten program to celebrate the end of the school year. It was so cute. They did a fashion show, where all the kids wore their favorite outfit. Jarren wore his Utah Jr. Jazz uniform from Basketball season. He likes to have his hair spiked to look like Andrei Kirilenko of the Utah Jazz. But something must have happened since it was no longer spiked for the program. Following the fashion show they sang some songs that they had been working on. Followed by a cute video show casing the things they had done through out the year. All the parents were able to purchase a copy after.

Jarren and Jacob after the program.

Jarren with his friends Bridger and AJ.

Jarren with his kindergarten teacher Mrs. Tipton. I can not believe that kindergarten is over and I now have a 1st grader!! Wow!!!

Jarren and I after the program sharing school work that he did through out the year. It is amazing to see how his hand writing has changed and how much he has learned.


Here is a video of one the songs they sang. They did a great job!!

Getting Caught Up!!

Sorry it has taken me so long to update. I have been busy, but keeping a list of things I need to update everyone on and share with you all. This the 1st of many entries that will be done over this weekend. So keep checking to see what else has taken place in the month of June and the 1st part of July.

Baby Blessing

Sunday June 1st was Sawyer Jarel Nielsen's blessing day. He is the newest addition to my cousin Amie's family. It was nice to be there and see him receive his name and a beautiful blessing given to him by his father. I always feel the spirit when I get to witness the powers of the priesthood at work.
Here Sawyer's proud mama!! She looks good for being a new mom of three. Congrats to Amie and her family!!!
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After the Blessing at church we all met up at the local park where we had a luncheon. I was able to get Jarren and Stockon ( Sawyer's big brother) to pose for the camera.



While at the park the boys got a little bored since there was no play ground. But they did keep busy. They found some scrap wood for baseball bases, long piece for a bat, and a pine cone for a ball. Then play an round baseball. I thought it was very clever, until Joseph came along wanting to play.
Joseph trying to bat.

Jarren holding the pine cone used for the ball

Joseph trying to get a drink of water. I guess no one would lift him up for a drink, so he had to settle for licking the dripping water.

John playing around with boys. Jacob loves to be turned upside down and then flip up and over dad's shoulder. Yay!! a picture of Jacob looking at the camera. That does not happen very often.

Here we have some of the youngest group of cousins. Left to Right: Blake Jonas, Brinley, Abby ( Swayer's big sister), and my Jacob.

There I am!! I am usually behind the camera. And of course Joseph always smiling for you. Then there is Jacob hiding.

After spending time at the park we went over to my brother's place. We sat visited with his lovely bride Natalie while waiting for Sean, my brother, to get home from work. Which then we all sat down to a nice dinner. It was a good visit. I have no idea why I did not get a picture while we were there. I always have the camera.
The day was long and very enjoyable!!!!

A day at the Zoo

Now that Jarren's dental issues are cleared up we took him to the Zoo. Jarren was to go earlier in the week with his kindergarten class, but was unable to do to an abscess tooth ( see Jarren's Adventure post for full story). Jarren invited his friend AJ to join us as well as grandpa. I had invited my friend Amy and her two boys as well. We had a great time! We saw monkeys, the white alligator, elephants, rhinos, all kinds of Asian cats, a giraffe, bears, zebras and road the train. After we got everyone an ice cream and let them play on the play ground. It was a good day and Jarren was glad that he got go to the Zoo after all. He wants to go back so we can see the rest of the animals that we missed. They have a cool season pass that I am going to look into getting so we can take the kids back again and again. Below is a slide show of pictures from the zoo!!! enjoy!!!

Soccer 08

This past Saturday May 31st was Jarren's last soccer game. He really has progressed this year in the game. He has gotten more aggressive and willing to get in there. Not afraid to get knocked down by the other team. John and I have enjoyed watching him grow in the game this past year. The picture shows Jarren in red and in the middle heading toward the golly to make a score.
Yay!!! Go Jarren!!!

Friends

At one of Jarren's baseball games Isaac and Jacob decided to climb the rock wall and relax. I caught the moment on camera and thought I would share. I love this picture, because they look so cute and innocent. They have a lot of fun together.