Miss Veenker 2009

Lexi, Afton, Hailey, Mya, Liberty, Brooklynn, & McKinsey

Miss Veenker 2009

(sorry some of the photos are blurry!!)
This is something that the Veenker Girls wait all year for. Over the weekend the big event was held. My sister in law Jen came up with the idea to have a Miss Veenker Pageant after we all attended the Miss Pleasant Grove pageant last year. Amazingly, last year she did this all by herself. She held it at her home with the 7 Veenker nieces. Well, this year she asked for help, which I hope took some of the pressure off of her. The girls found out the date and were busy making thier preparations for the big night. They don't take this lightly...this is serious to them. The pageant consists of the following events: Talent, Swimwear, Pajamas, & Evening Gown. After a few weeks of planning and finding just the right talent, clothing and swim suit the girls were ready.
Liberty's Miss Veenker wardrobe all laid out and ready to go.

Liberty getting her makeup done by Wendy

Jen making the finishing touches on Liberty's hair.

We gathered at Grandma Veenker's house at 3:00 pm to get the girls ready...Jen & I doing hair and Wendy doing the girls make up. After everyone was all dolled up, the pageant started. This year we had darling pajamas, various talents like piano & violin playing, dancing, poem reciting, gymnastics routine, and singing. Swimwear was next and everyone of the girls looked darling of course, then the evening gowns...lovely. Then came the judging...the moms who attended came up with awards that described each girl. All the girls recieved an award, a Miss Veenker sash, and flowers. It was so much fun. I loved being a part of it this year. I can't imagine Jen doing this all by herself last year. That had to have been very crazy for her. Liberty in the swimwear competition.

Liberty singing for her talent...she sang "Fly To Your Heart" from Tinkerbell movie.
She did awesome!!!
Here she is in her pink silky pajamas and slippers, she looked so cute!

Liberty striking a pose in her evening gown, she was so graceful!

After the awards, we ate dinner, and headed over to Lexi's dance recital and then back to Grandma's house for a fun night of movies, treats and finally sleep. We woke up to to a wonderful breakfast and all headed home. It was such a great night. The girls all got along so well, and it was fun to have a girl sleepover! Jen is moving to Ohio in August, and we decided to make sure we have Miss Veenker 2010 while she is in town. The talk was to hold it at the cabin next year. Which would be really fun. Thanks Jen for such a great time and all your hard work.

All the girls getting ready for dinner! Noodles, Alfredo Sauce, Salad, Bread & Watermelon.

Check out the photos of our fun night!

Each of the girls got awards that described them!

McKinsey: "Sensationally Spunky" Award

Hailey: "Shimmer & Shine" Award

Brooklynn: "Smiling Chic" Award

Lexi: "Sweetest Curves and Waves" Award

Liberty: "Fashionably Fancy" Award
Afton: "Prettiest Poser" Award
(Afton has the best poses of the night...she really got into it!)
Mya: "Perfectly Poised" Award
Can't wait until next year!!! Thanks Jen for starting a GREAT tradition!!!

Someone is NINE!!!

Zach the day before his 9th b-day! Isn't he cute!

Zach had a birthday last week. He turned nine! Zach is such a funny boy, not a day goes by that he doesn't catch me off guard and says something to crack me up. He is very sensitive, loving & active. This year his b-day was pretty low key, which was nice. He had to finish off his last requirement for his Wolf badge which was planning out and helping with meals for a day...so he got to choose everything we ate on his b-day. He helped and finished his Wolf just in time! He chose his favorites like Chocolate Chip Waffles & bacon for breakfast, Grilled Cheese sandwiches & Chips for lunch & Meatballs and Rice for dinner.

Zach covering he already sweet chocolate chip waffle with maple syrup....YUM!

He got a visit from Grammy & Papa & a phone call from Grandma. He had a fun day! All he wanted for his birthday was a rip stick. He asked everyone to help with his rip stick fund! Well, after all was said and done he was able to go to Walmart 2 days after his big day and pick it up! He was so excited I couldn't believe it. After we bought it and were on our way home he was holding it in the back seat and I hear him say...

"SHE'S MY LADY, AND I PUT ALL MY WEIGHT ON HER"

(a quote from the movie Surf's Up)

Zach & his Lady!

I started to laugh and couldn't stop. I wish I would have had my camera to take a photo of him in the car...he could hardly contain himself. By the time we got home he had it out of its package and riding it all over the driveway. He was in hog heaven. He has even been kind enough to let his brother and sister ride on it. Which they are pretty jealous...they want one also.

He rode like this for hours the first day he got it!

Zach asked for Mint Brownies instead of cake. After his game we sang Happy Birthday to him and he made a wish and blew out the candles. Well, me being a forgetful mom...I forgot to buy candles and all we had at home was a #3 candle. So we made do with that and he was a good sport about it. At least there was something to blow out. I need to be better about that. But over all he had a great day!

Zach with his mint brownies & #3 candle...like I said he is an easy going kid!

So Happy Ninth Birthday Zach!!! We love you very much!

Zach sound asleep after a fun eventful birthday...all wrapped up in the the quilt Grammy made him. Love you Zach!

Cabin Sweet Cabin

Look at how cute this kid looks in his own baby helmet!!! Brit's first trip to the cabin!
He loved the 4 wheelers, and the helmet, until it had to be taken off.

We took a trip down to the cabin this weekend along with Craig's parents. It was so nice up there. I have hesitation about going there during the winter (just cause snow isn't my fav)...but in the summer I really enjoy it. This was Brit's first time at the cabin and well as cute as he was...man it messed up any type of schedule (which he really isn't on one) that he had. He could tell he wasn't at home. But we had a great time. It was a quick trip but fun filled. The boys helped cut a fallen tree up, and burned a lot of it. That was a BIG fire, if I do say so myself. The meadow was filled with smoke! We watched Forever Strong after dark and if you haven't seen this movie it's a must see. We woke up ate, went fishing, rode the 4 wheelers, played horse shoes and just enjoyed being at the cabin. Then we came home!!! Good times! Check out the photos...

Liberty got sick while we were there, but here she is setting the table for breakfast.

Craig busy making breakfast for everyone

Zach and I with helmet heads!

Caleb giving me the thumbs up that he is going to take the lead.

Liberty and I taking a break from our ride to check out Fairview Lake...so pretty.

Craig taking Brit on his first 4 wheeler ride...both look so cute in their helmets.

Caleb and Grandpa playing horse shoes...Grandpa won. I loved watching them playing and talking to each other. Great quality time together.

Brit and I hanging out in the cabin

While Caleb was eating some string cheese Brit couldn't stop watching him. Here is Brit trying to sneak a bite!!! Love it!

Another great trip to the cabin the first of many this summer! FUN TIMES!!

Oh, What Do You Do In The Summertime?

I love summer! I remember as a kid looking forward to summer and nothing has changed now that I am the mom! I love the relaxed feel of summer days even when we have a million things to do. I love that it stays light longer into the night. I love waking up to the bright beautiful mornings. Birds singing constantly out the window...AHHH! I love it!

What do you do in the summertime????

Do you read a good book?

Caleb reading Harry Potter 6

Liberty reading Junie B Jones

Zach reading a Star Wars comic book

I am encouraging reading this summer. I took the kids to the library on Monday and they got to pick out books and so far (I know it has only been a week) they have spent time reading everyday! YEAH!!!

Do you lay on the grass with your brother and chat?

I wish I could have heard what they were talking about!

I am so glad that I captured this photo. There is something about the quiet, simple moments between siblings that I love. I was sitting in the front room feeding Brit and looked out and saw this. Lib and Zach are great friends they enjoy just being together.

Do you play in the water?

Zach climbing up the slide...which was against the rules!

Liberty going down head first!

Caleb jumping on the tramp to help dry off.

Grandma Veenker had a fun summer kick off party with the cousins. We had a fun time splashing in the water, sliding down the waterslide and eating a yummy lunch together. Just enjoying the sun!

This is only the first week of summer...I can't wait to see what else it has in store for us!

Oh, what do you do in the summertime when all the world is green???

Is that what you do? So do I!!! (Gotta love this primary song!)

Have a wonderful summer! Enjoy it!

The Last Couple of Weeks in REWIND!!

Hold on tight for a wild ride all in REWIND!

Crazy Hair Day- We had to take a few photos of Liberty's crazy hair...this year we decided to cover her entire head with her darling flower clips that McKinsey has made for her. It turned out so cute, maybe not too crazy but she got a lot of comments and compliments. Very cute....what will we do next year????

A view from the back!

Liberty's Kindergarten Graduation- Liberty was so sad to have school come to an end. She realized that she wouldn't be going back to Kids Village next year. She has fallen in love with her teachers Miss Cheri & Miss Alycesun. She did really well in her program and looked so cute in her cap and gown. I have to admit I cried. But what else is new!!! She has grown so much from the day she stared there and I am so sad to see her leave. She will do great at Grovecrest! (If anyone has been a long time reader you will know that Liberty graduated from Kindergarten
last year...when she started at Kids Village the 4-5 year old class was not challenging her so I moved her into the Kindergarten class, this year we started her in 1st grade there but they moved way fast for her so she did Kindergarten again which is where she was supposed to be anyway! I know it is kind of crazy but she enjoyed both years in the Kindergarten class and now is way ready for 1st grade!)

Lib just waiting for the program to start. She was looking at her dad when I snapped this photo. I love her expression.

Lib and Miss Cheri

Lib with Miss Alycesun...someone Libby really looks up to. She fell in love with her!

Caleb's Awards Program- As parents we were happy to receive an invite to the Jr. High Awards Assembly. Caleb received an award...way to go Caleb. I had a hard time getting a good photo but we were there to cheer him on and honestly this guy doesn't like much recognition...I can always tell when he is nervous, he does a funny thing with his mouth. We were happy he did so well in 7th grade!

Here he is receiving his award from the Principal

Here is the mouth thing I was talking about!

Backyard Fun- In all of our "spare time" we have been working on our backyard, moving huge mountains of dirt, leveling out the yard, picking up rocks, trimming trees, burning branches & junk, you know everything that goes into getting a yard done. This at times has been hard work, but it has been fun working together as a family.

Craig moving dirt! But of course with the Bobcat...he made it fun!

Craig on the roof cutting down tree limbs to burn.

Zach and Liberty getting ready to pick up rocks...they somehow turned this into a huge adventure.

Caleb getting ready to pull out a tree. At our house this is how we do things, tie a rope to the tree and to the bumper of the car and yank the thing out!

After pulling out most of it with the car, here is Caleb trying to get the rest with his big muscles!!!

Burn Baby Burn- Craig and the boys love to start fires, I know what you are thinking, and yes, I have to monitor them when they do it! When starting our first fire Zach says to Craig, "hey dad lets do a line of fire"...me being so well versed in fire talk didn't have a clue what this was. Craig made a pile of everything poured some "fire starting juice" (gasoline) on the pile then poured a line out in the dirt and lit the fire at the end of the gas. Well, it was something that I had never seen done but the boys were loving it. I tried to get photos but they didn't turn out super great!

If you look really close you can see our "line of fire"!!!

My favorite photo is Craig acting out the scene from Castaway when Tom Hanks finally gets a fire started. I was laughing so hard!

Fun Run- The annual Grovecrest Fun Run! I love the last week of school! I was taking Zach to school the morning of the run and he said, "don't worry mom, I don't care if I don't win because Conner always does, I will be fine to come in 4th or 5th. I am just going to run like I am running for a touchdown and someone is right on my tail." I love the way that boy thinks! He did a good job, he ran the entire lap and ended up coming in like 10th or so...I seriously have no idea cause they all came running to the finish in groups...I lost count. He was happy and had a great time.

Zach and other 2nd grade boys getting ready to run.

Zach and Stockton (cousin) just after the race.

Dance Festival- Another end of year activity at Grovecrest...the Dance Festival. This has to be one of my favorite events of the entire year. What other time do I get to watch my boys dance? Zach is so fun to watch. The 2nd grade did a Patriotic dance, it was really cute. I did embarrass myself here, I totally fell down the hill while carrying Brit in his car seat. Caleb didn't see me he was too far ahead, but where I fell, that is where we decided to sit (we moved over a little bit to sit by some friends). We lucked out, it just so happened that Zach was right in front of us. YEAH! I love watching his facial expressions and how he counts so he will remember the steps he has to do. Great job Zach!

Zach keeping the beat!! He is a cute dancer don't you think???

Pajama Party- The boys had Fathers and Sons over Memorial Weekend and that meant Pajama Party for Lib and I. She had planned out everything we would do. The main thing was we needed to wear our matching pajamas...which weren't technically matching just the same style. But whatever she wanted. We took these self portraits as part of the fun night. Too bad you can't see our "matching" pajamas!

Our "girls night" (plus Brit) self portrait.

And this is what I felt like while living this whirlwind, eventful, fun packed week or so...
like
ONE CRAZY MOM!!!

( Have you ever reviewed your pictures on your camera and find a photo that you don't ever remember posing for??? That would be this one! Just don't ask!)

3 Months Old

Brit at 3 months...he sort of crinkled up the number 3 paper, but oh well!

Believe it or not... Brit is now 3 months old. I can't believe how time has flown since he was born. He is getting so big, and heavy! He is smiling tons and he has even started to laugh on occasion. It does take a lot of effort to get the laugh, but it is well worth it. He is sleeping through the night and that is a huge blessing for me!!! The novelty has not worn off, we still love being around him. He is a very fun baby!