Swimming at the Robinson's

Chet's parents have an awesome swimming pool in their back yard! Today was the first day we got to go swimming in it. The kids had a blast! We look forward to a summer filled with lots of pool time and bonding with the grandparents! :)

"That's awesome!" says Harris.



Liv jumping in as soon as we got there.


That is pure joy on Harris' face!


My kids could stay in the water all day!

Paramore concert with Liv

So, last night Liv and I went to the Paramore concert at the Ecenter in West Valley (yes, we wore bullet proof vests...). Some people might tell you it was the No Doubt concert, but for me and Liv it was all about Paramore.

It was cool to be able to provide Liv with her first Rock and Roll experience (Jaime taking her to see Hannah Montana last year does not count!). It is both weird and gratifying that Liv's musical tastes are gravitating toward mine (as opposed to Jaime's, it would be hard to say what her tastes are exactly). Most kids Liv's age are into the whole tween scene of Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus (maybe even Taylor Swift, who falls into that same category to me) but Liv is into Paramore (she doesn't mind The Killers or Pearl Jam either). Last week Liv's class did their annual show-and-tell, Liv brought her karate sparring gear and my autographed bandanna from Paramore. There wasn't a single kid in her class that knew who Paramore was! In a way I guess I am glad that one of my favorite bands isn't especially popular amongst the 2nd grade crowd...
Which brings me to another point, Paramore is in fact one of my very favorite bands. Big props to Jeff Big Poppa Johnson for cluing me into them a couple years ago. And just for the record, I have never been shy about my goth girl tendencies (other favorite bands include Garbage and Evanescence) and I am not ashamed of how girly it sounds to say that I love Paramore. So, how was the show you ask? Way too short! But so awesome! Paramore was only on stage for an hour (so some OTHER band could take the stage...whatever) but they did perform my favorite song, Let the Flames Begin, and they also performed 2 brand new songs! Worth the price of admission right there. Alright, on to pics and vids...




This is Hayley, there is something about female lead singers of rock bands...


Check out the hair!



So intense!

Sweet video of "Decode", to close the set. Watch for Liv cheering near the end of the vid.

Anyway, that's it. We had a great time and look forward to our next concert!

Last Day of Preschool

Today was Harris' last day of preschool. It was a rough afternoon for him. He has become very attached to his teacher Mrs. Chamberlain. I remember one day getting him ready for school and he shyly said to me "I love Mrs. Chamberlain". It was very sweet. So today when he had to say "goodbye" once wasn't enough. We had to go back so he could say "goodbye" once more. As we were driving home he started to cry because he was "going to miss Mrs. Chamberlain". (It was so sad!) What a difference from the beginning of the year when he would cry because he didn't want to go! I am glad that after a rough start he ended up having a great first year!

Sunday Dinner and a Hike

Once a week (usually Sunday) we go to Chet's parents for dinner. We have done this since Olivia was born. We always have such a great time there. Tonight was no exception. After dinner we decided to go on a hike. It was so beautiful! It was warm and the birds were singing and you could smell the grass. Harris had a great time throwing rocks in the muddy puddles along the path and Liv had a good time until she slipped and fell. She only scraped her hand and elbow but since we were hiking they were filled with dirt and gravel! Thank goodness Grandma Wendy has accident prone boys because she had all the stuff we needed to get her cleaned up at home. All-in-all it was a great afternoon!

(Harris throwing rocks.)

A.L.L.

Olivia has always loved to learn. She eats it up! When she started elementary school we worried that she would get bored with school because she had already had 2 full years of preschool at Challenger. We were given the option to have her skip kindergarten but we didn't feel that she was socially ready for that. So we just supplemented her at home with workbooks and things like that. She has done well and is always at the top of her class and so far hasn't gotten bored. In January, however, her teacher sent home a paper that said that Olivia should be tested for the advanced 3rd grade program called the Accelerated Learning Lab or A.L.L.. So we signed her up. She took her test back in February and Friday we got the results. SHE'S IN! This is a huge accomplishment because they only chose 27 kids from 3 cities! She will now go to a different elementary school (Saratoga Shores) in a different city (Saratoga Springs). I will have to drive back and forth 4 times a day! It's a small price to pay for her education though. We are so proud of her! Way to go Liv we love you!

Olivia's Baptism

Olivia was baptized today. We have been preparing for some time now but nothing really prepares you for having your baby girl reach an age where she is considered accountable for her actions, becomes a full member of the Church and receives the Holy Ghost. It is always difficult to see your children grow up but it also must mean that I am getting older...

Like I said, difficult.

Anyway, it was an amazing day. We started the service at high noon and were lucky enough to have lots of family and close ones in attendance. Uncle Chrys gave the opening prayer, Auntie Jann gave a talk on the Holy Ghost. Papa (my dad) and Grandpa Paul were witnesses and also participated in the confirmation. It was so great to have so many loved ones show their support for Liv and her decision. The Bishop took time during the service to point out to Olivia how amazing it was that she had so many people there to support her and show their love. I do want to thank those who were able to make it (also those who were there in spirit).

The ceremony itself was an incredible experience for me. This is the first opportunity I have had to baptize anyone since I was a missionary in Russia and it was so amazing. I am so proud of Olivia for choosing to be baptized, it has been great to watch her prepare. When the Bishop asked her if she was ready I really felt she was honest when she replied that she was. She is an amazingly spiritual person for one so young, she has a keen understanding of the fundamentals of the Gospel and really does do her best to keep the commandments. I am very proud of the person she is becoming. Anyway, back to the ceremony, it was awesome to be able to baptize my firstborn. For those of you that were fortunate enough to serve a mission, I can tell you that the great feeling you get from helping someone come to the Gospel is amplified when that someone is your own flesh and blood. It was a very cool experience and I look forward to helping her as she continues along this path she has chosen.

After the baptism we had everyone over for a nice lunch of Chicken Salad sandwiches, salad and various dessert items. Jaime did a wonderful job, as she always does, of hosting everyone and putting together a fantastic get together.

To close, I am usually a privately spiritual person but did want to take the opportunity in this world wide (technically) forum to express my intense gratitude to my Father in Heaven for my wonderful family and my sweet daughter. I do have a testimony that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true and living church of Christ on the face of the earth. I do know that Joseph Smith was truly a prophet of God and did restore the Church of Christ in our time. I also know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, my heart and mind both agree that the book is inspired and is in fact a record of God's dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the Americas. Lastly, I do know that Thomas Monson is God's prophet on the earth today and directs the daily affairs of His church. I know the Gospel to be perfect even those of us that strive to live it every day are not. Our shortcomings do not lessen the truthfulness of the message and I am grateful for tenets of the gospel that allow me to continually improve and seek forgiveness when I fall short.

Below are some more pictures from today's festivities, please enjoy!

Me and Liv after the baptism.

Jaime and her sisters.

Judging by the look on his face my dad must be saying something deeply profound to Liv...

Another shot of me and Liv before the Baptism. My jumper made me a little self-conscious...

Purple Belt

Today was Olivia's belt promotion from orange to purple. This is cool not just because she got a new belt but because she is no longer in the jr. beginner class. She is now in jr. intermediate! Being in the intermediate class she gets to start sparring. Which she is very excited to do. It has been very neat to see her set and accomplish goals. We are so proud of her! Way to go baby girl!

This is her form. (Chet pushed the wrong button so he didn't get the whole thing, but you get the idea) After the ceremony her instructor JD told us that her form was the best out of the orange belts.

This is Liv getting her purple belt. Can she jump or what?!