Rappelling

We went with Uncle John and cousins Noah and Brig to American Fork Canyon for an evening of rappelling. My boys have rappelled with their scout troops and they wanted to teach their cousins. Great Fun!

Mark was at the top making sure we were all clipped in safely.
That's Alex on the wall.

Jake

McKay

Double rapel with Jake and Alex

Yes, that is me (Heidi) I tried it out - mostly with my eyes closed. I am deathly afraid of heights. I even went down a second time.

McKay at the bottom







This canyon has huge slabs of Granite rock. We had a picnic dinner on one.


We even got Grandma K to come and watch us - but we couldn't talk her into getting on the cliff.

This was a beginning rappelling cliff - for us rookies. 

The boys love to do bigger rapell's down at Zions Canyon.

Springtime with the Simpson's

Here is what we are up to this Spring!

Lauren

Can't catch a picture of her - she is at school or work most of the time. She finished another semester of school and will take the summer off. Because of her extra time she has a 3rd job. She now teaches Korean students English in the wee morning hours, she helps a few hours a week with a cute little autistic boy, and now she has found a job at a day care to fill her afternoon's and Saturday's. She is hoping to sock away some money to help with the upcoming school year. She started taking a cake decorating class and loved it  - but may have to stop because of the new job. 

Jake - He has been very busy working. All of the boys are referee's for kids soccer games, but Jake does it the most. He also works for South Davis Rec center and helps with races, softball, and will help with kids craft classes this summer at the rec center.

He really wants to give someone a red card!

Alex

His spring life has been non stop soccer. He had practice or a game every weekday. He was excited to have made the Bountiful High team even though he is only 9th grade. We weren't sure as a freshman how much he would play, but he ended up starting for the JV team and playing in most Varsity games. He had his end of the year soccer banquet on Sat. and he was given "Rookie of the year" award from his coaches. The season is now over - he is hoping to spend some time refereeing and mowing lawns for some summertime cash.

Kevin and McKay

These two are good buddies and do a lot together. They have had fun on their rec soccer team. It's not super competitive but it's lots of fun. They also go on scout over-nighters together. They did a fun trip Friday night where they did some rock climbing.

McKay does a little refereeing and is in an after-school jazz band group. He is enjoying figuring out the saxophone.

Kevin will go home next week for the summer. We will miss him a lot! We are glad he has one more school year with us.

So as you can see - Mark and Heidi have spent a lot of time chauffeuring and watching soccer games. Love it!

Easter 2012

I haven't posted in a while - time is flying

Here was our Easter celebrations and traditions.

After coming home from Skiing we dyed Easter Eggs.

Jake was decorating his with a sharpie before dropping it in the dye.

Okay, let me explain. The Knudsen family tradition on Easter (after a yummy ham dinner) is to have an egg roll. No, we don't roll eggs down a hill, we roll them at each other to see whose can remain in tact (no cracks) throughout the tournament. 

Cousin Noah and Jake

McKay and Lauren

Aunt Heather and Grandma K

Even though this is a Knudsen family tradition - 

we got Grandpa Simpson to take a turn against Mark.

Fun tradition - but couldn't tell you who won. 

(I'll bet the kids could)

Ski Day!

I think we are the only one's in Utah that don't know how to ski. They should revoke our Utah card's! But Kevin loves skiing and my kids have never tried - so we went for a ski day!

Getting used to the ski's

Jake in Black

 Alex and McKay

Alex

McKay

Lauren taking a break - she skied well for her first try

Kevin and Mark were the more experienced skiers. So they were buddies on the big runs.

They tried to talk Kevin into going down the mountain with these on - but he could see very well in them. But he didn't mind posing for a picture in the parking lot.

Always a goof.

Everyone had a great time and although they were all sore and exhausted - no major injuries.

I think they've caught the skiing bug - they would love to go again.

Before......after

I couldn't wait to get my hands on this hair after the play. His teacher asked all the kids to not get haircuts until after the play was over. It was even bugging him after a while.

 It's actually not as long as I thought it might get - it just kept getting bushy.

There's my handsome Alex!

(so thrilled mom is making him get photo's)

Another actor in the family!

Alex is our soccer dude - he eats, breathes, sleeps, everything soccer and has since he was 5 yrs old. His wardrobe is all soccer, his room is decorated with his years of trophies and medals. He even has his own 4 ft tall "fat-head" picture of himself playing soccer decorating his wall. 

So, needless to say, he surprised us when said he wanted to try out for the school play. And then he surprised us at how much fun he had and how good he was. Now he is Alex the soccer dude and Alex the actor dude.

 Alex is on the right side. The play was "Into the Woods." He is Rapunzel's prince and he is singing "Agony" with his friend Wayne who is Cinderella's prince.

 

Great job Alex! It seems you've caught the acting bug from your older sister and brother.

Spring has Sprung!

We are enjoying our early Spring that has followed our mild winter.

The Daffodil's are blooming

The grass is greening up

With temp's in the upper 60's and warm evenings as well - the boys asked to pull out the fire-pit to roast marshmallows.

    
 First sign's of Spring!!!!
 Love it!