Kara's Christmas Dance Recital 2009

Kara and her friend Megan.

Kara and her friend Kyra.

Don't the brothers look like they are having so much fun! They shouldn't be complaining. How many baseball games have your sisters come to watch?

Kara knew her whole dance. She practiced constantly for all of us. She even told others during their performance where they needed to be. I do not know where she gets that from.

Our Ballet Dancer

Kara 2009

Kara loves ballet. I am such a proud mother right now!! She told me that she wanted to go to a dance class that only taught ballet. So we signed her up and she loves it. I will show you pictures from her performance later. I just wanted to show you our beautiful ballerina.

They really do love eachother!

I was looking at old pictures today and came across this one. It was taken Easter 2005. Now the two of them fight as soon as they get together. I hope they will remember one day that they love eachother!

Bryan Breaks His Hand

Bryan broke his hand at school the day before Thanksgiving (Nov 25) playing soccer at recess. Apparantly, the other person on his team did not know it was time out when he bent down to pick up the ball. You can

guess the rest, he was kicked in the hand.

Basketball starts Saturday.. He was the center of the basketball team. Baseball practice starts Saturday. I guess he will be the ball boy for a while.

Kara got her ears pierced

Kara has been asking me forever to get her ears pierced. I always said that I never wanted to have her ears pierced until she was old enough to choose on her own. Well that day came last year when she started asking me daily.. I told her that she would have to wait until she was at least 7. Then about two months ago we told her that if she could keep her room clean for a month then we would know that she was responsible enough. Here she is before...

Kara and Mom. I can't believe she is so grown up.

The crew that came for support. Left to right: Nunna, Bryan, Grandpa behind Bryan, and Grandma.

After..
She picked beautiful diamonds. She has been smiling like this ever since.

Bryan's First Scout Camp

Bryan went on his first Boy Scout Camp last night to Crystal Hot Springs in Honeyville, UT (10 miles north of Brigham City). His dad went too since Bryan is only 11 and was camping with the 12-yr old scouts. We had fun in the hot springs (temp 99 F in the main pool and 103 F in the smaller hot tubs). There were a ton of other scouts there in the pools and camping. Bryan along with the other boys got daring and went down the water slide--the slide itself was not scary, the daring part was that the water was not heated. Cold!!!

The night was cold--probably down into the low 30's, high 20's but we were prepared and slept warm. The only thing that disturbed our sleep was the train. The tracks are about 100 yards from our camp and it blared its horn at 3 am and again at 4 am. After getting back to sleep, we woke in the morning to snow. Luckily just a little so it was not too wet.

Here is Bryan along with the other scouts and Eric Copp, the Scout Master.

California-October 2009

Lou had a scheduled conference in Long Beach so we decided to go with him. We also mentioned this to his brother who wanted to baptize their daughter when we could come out so this trip was born.

Banks Family-October 2009

Long Beach Aquarium-Fun, Fun, Fun
Kara, Ryan, and Bryan

Sarah's Baptism
Nick(Lou's brother), Shauna, Ryan and Sarah.
Look at that cute little boy. He wouldn't leave Kara or Bryan's side the whole time. They had so much fun playing with him. They can't wait see them again..

Disneyland-October 2009
Lou and I only went for one day so we could see the Halloween decor and ride Space Mountain. But our kids went 3 more days and Trick or Treating with Grandma and Grandpa.. Lou and I flew home early for our own little vacation. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa. Check out more pictures of our trip on the right side of our blog.

Shooting Range

After Lou ran the St. George Marathon our good friends The Fowlks took us shooting. Our kids have never been shooting before. They had a lot of fun.

Bryan had a bruise from this one.


Kara and her Dad. Check out the color.

Summer Fun 2009

Kara's first piano recital, Bryan on Fox 13, Hannah playing, July 4th with cousins, Bryan and Kara receiving awards, Kara receiving an award, Bryan in the 4th of July Parade, Air Show, Kara looking pretty, Bryan acting crazy, Bryan at the lake, Bee's Game, Bryan's b-day party(check out Hannah), Bryan-field trip, Kara in the 4th of July Parade, Alpaca shearing, Kara on the zip-line, Kara at the lake.

St. George Marathon 2009

Lou ran the St. George Marathon this year and he got his best time so far. The weather this year was much better than last year and he really enjoyed the run. He actually said that he enjoyed running 26.2 miles. See the pictures below..

I love this picture!! Bryan was giving Lou the thumbs up and you can't see Lou because he is behind Bryan's thumb.

Look at how good he feels(and looks)!

Congratulation Lou on your hard work and determination! You are an amazing husband and father!!

Lucky me!!

This is what I have been up to lately!! Poor Kara cannot get over this cold/fever. She wants to go and play outside so badly that she is starting to drive me crazy and she blames me. All I am doing is trying to help her. It is fun being a mom sometimes.

This is what Lou is up to tonight!! He flew into Anaheim for a conference and went with his brother to the Angels/Yankees Game. I know most men would do the same thing. But I would love to be there also!! But instead I get to deal with a daughter who doesn't want to listen to her mother who is just trying to help her feel better. Who is up for a Adult Girl's Only Trip? I had to add the Adult part because Kara read this and said that she got to go since it was a girls only trip.

Happy Birthday Bryan

Bryan is now 11. We cannot believe how fast our little boy is growing up. He is hardly little anymore as he is almost as tall as mom (not yet though). Bryan is quite the character and he is a great kid. We love you Bryan and are so proud of you for the man you are becoming.

Love,

Dad, Mom, Kara, and Hannah

Bryan is really into hats right now. Most of them have been baseball hats, but he really took a liking to this Fedora--one of his b-day presents.

And his new bat. An early present that he received earlier this week so he could use it in the Labor Day Tournament (his first Super League Tournament). It has done well for him since it has produced many hits for him and several other players on the Devils.

At Bryan's request, we spent the day in Springville Canyon and Bryan rode the 4-wheeler with his friend Jayden.

Bryan Will Play for the Utah Storm

Bryan has decided to play for the Utah Storm for next spring. He is excited since it has been a goal of his to play super league baseball for the Storm. He tried out and quickly wowed them with his size and talent. Bryan loves baseball, he always wants to be playing. So, the long season should not phase him. We are probably looking at 70 games next year which includes traveling for tournaments. Well, at least Dad is not coaching and we can actually sit back and enjoy the games.

Daddy-Daughter Night

Kara and I had a blast together last night and was able to spend quality time just me and her. Leigh was out with friends and Bryan went to the Bees game. Kara planned the whole night. First we went swimming. Dad convinced her to go on the big slide at Gene Fullmer. That was a mistake for dad; can you say stairs workout? She loved it and wanted to keep going. Then, we went to dinner at Arctic Circle, we had shakes of course. Finally, we finished by watching Enchanted.

I enjoyed spending time with Kara since I find myself so wrapped up in Bryan and his baseball and I don't spend as much time with her as I should. Next thing you know, your baby grows up.

Kara, I love you forever.

Love Dad.

First Day of School

Kara and Bryan
First Day of School 2009


Bryan-5th Grade
He is a little too cool for me right now(atleast in front of his friends)...

Kara -2nd Grade
She was so excited for today. She loves her teacher and has lots of friends in her class.