OH NO!!!!

You know what these pictures mean??? Yup she's got her learner's permit. Pray for us please!

Ainsley's new paint job

Ainsley decided she wanted her room to be dark blue. Then we added a cool zig zag across one wall and she wanted an A above her window. The only problem is now that she finished hanging pictures/posters back on her walls you can't see much of the zig zag anymore!

First day of school 2010

I know it's a month into school but here are their first day pictures! Kenzie is in 10th grade starting high school, Ainsley is in 7th grade starting junior high. Don't let Ainsley's innocent look fool you, she's trouble! (just kidding)

Church History Trip Summer 2010

After an 11:30pm red eye from Salt Lake we landed at JFK airport in NY around 6am, had a 2 hr. layover where we then flew to Rochester, NY and arrived at around 9am. With little to no sleep we drove to Palmyra where we saw the temple, The Smith Farm, The Sacred Grove, and Hill Cumorah.

In the Sacred Grove

Palmyra Temple

At the top of Hill Cumorah

Day 2 we went to Niagra Falls and then drove to Kirtland, OH.

Day 3 we spent touring Kirtland

The Kirtland Temple

Outside the John Johnson Home

Day 4 was spent on the road travelling to Springfield, IL

This is the Longeberger Basket Co. Building in OH

Day 5 we visited Lincoln's Tomb and Carthage.

Outside Carthage Jail

Day 6 we were in Nauvoo where we all went in and did temple work in the Nauvoo Temple



The front doors of the Nauvoo Temple

At the end of the Trail of Hope is the Mississippi River

The girls sticking their feet in the Mississippi.

It was a fast trip doing all of this in 1 week but well worth it!

Kenzie's new paint job

So Kenz wanted a purple room. See what we've done! We thought it would be cool to add this bright pink V in the corner. I thought it turned out great!

Kenz made this "church wall". She had been saving the vinyl lettering that we found probably 2 years ago (I had forgotten about it) to put on the top and then all of these other things she has received at church.

Memorial Day 2010

Despite the cold weather we've been having this spring, the girls, well mainly Ainsley, were determined to go swimming on Memorial Day to celebrate being out of school and the coming of summer! Yes the water was cold but they still swam for over an hour! Notice how excited Kenz is to model her new swimsuit!

Kids still say funny stuff at age 15!

So the other day Kenz was talking about working out with me during the summer. She asked if we could do it in the morning and I said yes. Then she added "cuz the light just isn't right in the afternoon!"

Done with Elementary School!

Ainsley had her 6th grade awards assembly this last week marking the end of our elementary school days! Her awards included certificates for: citizen of the month from January, 7 gold seals from different accomplishments throughout the year, and an academic achievement pin. Congratulations Bug! On to Jr. High!

6th grade teachers: Mr. Long,

Mrs. Ellis, and Mrs. Yorgason

Kenzie's a smarty pants!

We received a postcard in the mail from the Jr. High saying we were invited to attend an awards ceremony where Kenz would be receiving an award. After asking her about it she said she didn't have a clue about what she would be receiving. Well it turns out that she received a certificate for having a 3.7 gpa or higher all year and a 3.7 gpa or higher all three years in Jr. High. Quite an accomplishment I must say since Jr. High years are usually very trying!! Congratulations Kenz!!

Pearly Whites!

Ainsley got her braces off this last week. She had a hard time smiling because she thought she looked weird with them off but I was able to snap a picture anyways! Whenever her orthodontist removes a patients braces, after the appointment when you're at the front desk they throw a mini party congratulating them. Over the speakers comes the song "Celebration" and then Dr. Johnson comes out blowing a horn and the assistants are doing those New Year's noise makers. They then give balloons, popcorn, a gooey candy bar, and bottle of root beer (you know cuz they're not supposed to have any of that stuff with braces on, wink wink!). Happy days we're done with braces!

Before and after appointment pictures:

Birthdays!

So this year the girls are obsessed with Transformers--anything! For their birthdays they both wanted their cakes to be Transformers. The difference was that Ainsley wanted her cake homemade which I don't do because I am terrible at decorating cakes. So I ended up bowing to her request and made the cake, put a layer of white frosting down, then with a talented daughter as McKenzie is had her decorate it-- drawing with frosting! Ainsley also had friends over for a sleep over party.

McKenzie is very private and didn't want a party. We got her a Transformers cake from the bakery, took her out to dinner at Applebee's, and will be seeing the new Alice in Wonderland with Johnny Depp this coming weekend.

Ainsley's cake

Back row: Monica, Whisper, Arianna, Sam
Front row: Ainsley, Brooke

McKenzie's cake

My patient, Ainsley

I brought Ainsley into clinic with me today to be my patient. Oh she had a blast....not! Because of her braces her gums were already inflamed and then because of my less than perfect technique she did not have a pain free cleaning! She even refused to open her mouth a few times. Then on top of that I decided to use the air powder polisher on her because that's the easiest way to polish around braces. It's pretty much like sand blasting the teeth with salt water. I know I know mean mom, but on the bright side I was able to finish her in 1 appointment!!

Christmas 2009

Well Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Every Christmas Eve we go over to Bryan's Dad's house and have dinner. And every year without fail Santa finds a way to make a quick stop, on his busiest night, and take in some last minute orders!





















Here are a couple of Christmas morning pics of the girls and some of their favorite presents. Ainsley--an African Elephant stuffed animal and Kenz--an Optimus Prime bobble head and a Dragon figurine.