August 2018
Hamilton Newsletter
FAMILY: The beginning of August started in Brian Head for the annual Potts Retreat! It was nice to have it so close :) We stayed in a cabin with the Edwards and Josie & Andrew while the other cabin had the Potts, Checketts, Simons & GG. Some memories for this years’ retreat: Doing arts & crafts in the Potts cabin, that first night being HOT (heater kicked on!) and everyone getting very little sleep, going to Mammoth Cave (really cool! - and we saw antelope on the way there), swimming in the pond at Brian Head - moments before it started raining!, playing Mad Gab (our team won!), trying to keep Max & Oaklyn contained :), moving all the rugs for GGs dog Petey, kids watching Meet the Robinsons, girls night complete with masks & painting toe nails, Michael & Tiarra teaching McKinley how to play Solitaire, celebrating Oaklyn’s birthday, going to the family center at the Alpine Pond trailhead where the kids all made sediment bottles, hiking to Alpine Pond, going to the Greenshow in Cedar, driving to Brian Head Peak and watching the stars all come out (breathtaking!) and on the other side there was an amazing lightening show, taking family pictures at Cedar Breaks, eating yummy food, playing ping pong, foosball & pool, and Aunt Trisha’s surprise 30th birthday party! We loved spending time with family. When we got back we tried to cram in as much as possible before the “s” word started! We made homemade ice cream and waffle bowls, went to the St. George Children’s Museum & splash park & got ice cream at Iceberg afterwards, embroidered, hiked the Bristlecone Pine Trail, played at the Woods Ranch playground, had a primary party with a huge water slide, and had a friend late-over where we watched Enchanted and then roasted s’mores and played a get-to-know-you game. The last day before school started, we had kid-driven fun! McKinley chose to go to the library and the bookstore, Ireland chose to go to the park & get ice cream at Hermies, and Kezia chose to go to Petsmart to see the animals. It was fun day! Alas, we could not stop it from coming, though. School started on August 14th this year - McKinley (7th) & Ireland (6th) - both at Cedar Middle School, Kezia (3rd) at East Elementary! On the 17th, Heidi & Jason worked downstairs to get a temporary wall put in the unfinished room so Ireland could have her own space. It’s very rough, but it’s nice that Ireland has her own space to put her bed and her things. Jason was called out to a fire in Northern California on the 18th of August and we were sad to see him go - he was gone for almost 2 full weeks. Our renters moved in on the 18th (Jessie) and 19th (Dalace) and we have loved having them! Kezia’s back to school Luau at East was on the 20th & Jessie came along, too. We had fun hula-hooping, getting prizes and eating pizza & Tiki Shack. Earlier that day we got to see Zhane for the first time in a few months! And the next day Truly came to say hi, we were so happy to see her! On the 23rd, Dalace & Jessie watched the littles while Heidi & the olders went to see Cinderella at the Tuacahn. It was so much fun! On the 25th, we went out to eat at IHOP and then had a girls night complete with painting nails, doing masks and nose strips, and then watching Princess Diaries. Fun times! On the 27th, Noelle started preschool! Now 4 of our girls are in school - so crazy! On the 28th we (kind of) watched CCCMT’s the Lion King! It was so well done! It was just that no one could watch the little ones, so we brought them with us and they were super tired by intermission, so Heidi, Ireland & the littles missed half of it, but what we saw was awesome! Life has gotten busy with school starting, but Wednesday is by far the craziest day - the middle schoolers have late start, Kezia has early out, and Noelle goes to preschool till 3. It’s nuts!
Hamilton Newsletter
FAMILY: The beginning of August started in Brian Head for the annual Potts Retreat! It was nice to have it so close :) We stayed in a cabin with the Edwards and Josie & Andrew while the other cabin had the Potts, Checketts, Simons & GG. Some memories for this years’ retreat: Doing arts & crafts in the Potts cabin, that first night being HOT (heater kicked on!) and everyone getting very little sleep, going to Mammoth Cave (really cool! - and we saw antelope on the way there), swimming in the pond at Brian Head - moments before it started raining!, playing Mad Gab (our team won!), trying to keep Max & Oaklyn contained :), moving all the rugs for GGs dog Petey, kids watching Meet the Robinsons, girls night complete with masks & painting toe nails, Michael & Tiarra teaching McKinley how to play Solitaire, celebrating Oaklyn’s birthday, going to the family center at the Alpine Pond trailhead where the kids all made sediment bottles, hiking to Alpine Pond, going to the Greenshow in Cedar, driving to Brian Head Peak and watching the stars all come out (breathtaking!) and on the other side there was an amazing lightening show, taking family pictures at Cedar Breaks, eating yummy food, playing ping pong, foosball & pool, and Aunt Trisha’s surprise 30th birthday party! We loved spending time with family. When we got back we tried to cram in as much as possible before the “s” word started! We made homemade ice cream and waffle bowls, went to the St. George Children’s Museum & splash park & got ice cream at Iceberg afterwards, embroidered, hiked the Bristlecone Pine Trail, played at the Woods Ranch playground, had a primary party with a huge water slide, and had a friend late-over where we watched Enchanted and then roasted s’mores and played a get-to-know-you game. The last day before school started, we had kid-driven fun! McKinley chose to go to the library and the bookstore, Ireland chose to go to the park & get ice cream at Hermies, and Kezia chose to go to Petsmart to see the animals. It was fun day! Alas, we could not stop it from coming, though. School started on August 14th this year - McKinley (7th) & Ireland (6th) - both at Cedar Middle School, Kezia (3rd) at East Elementary! On the 17th, Heidi & Jason worked downstairs to get a temporary wall put in the unfinished room so Ireland could have her own space. It’s very rough, but it’s nice that Ireland has her own space to put her bed and her things. Jason was called out to a fire in Northern California on the 18th of August and we were sad to see him go - he was gone for almost 2 full weeks. Our renters moved in on the 18th (Jessie) and 19th (Dalace) and we have loved having them! Kezia’s back to school Luau at East was on the 20th & Jessie came along, too. We had fun hula-hooping, getting prizes and eating pizza & Tiki Shack. Earlier that day we got to see Zhane for the first time in a few months! And the next day Truly came to say hi, we were so happy to see her! On the 23rd, Dalace & Jessie watched the littles while Heidi & the olders went to see Cinderella at the Tuacahn. It was so much fun! On the 25th, we went out to eat at IHOP and then had a girls night complete with painting nails, doing masks and nose strips, and then watching Princess Diaries. Fun times! On the 27th, Noelle started preschool! Now 4 of our girls are in school - so crazy! On the 28th we (kind of) watched CCCMT’s the Lion King! It was so well done! It was just that no one could watch the little ones, so we brought them with us and they were super tired by intermission, so Heidi, Ireland & the littles missed half of it, but what we saw was awesome! Life has gotten busy with school starting, but Wednesday is by far the craziest day - the middle schoolers have late start, Kezia has early out, and Noelle goes to preschool till 3. It’s nuts!
JASON : Another month, another fire! We’re so thankful for Jason’s sacrifice to go on these fires and have extremely long days and sleep in a tent and breathe in smoke. He is learning a lot and this money will help our family. Daddy is our hero! He flew into Medford, OR and drove down to Hoopa, CA (an indian reservation). He said it was a beautiful drive. He is always good to Marco Polo with us and keep in touch when he can.
HEIDI: Another 2 weeks without her hubby was rough, but with the girls back in school, and Noelle starting preschool, it was nice to have a couple hours to recuperate :) Heidi listened to Harry Potter book 2, and started listening to the Articles of Faith by James E. Talmage.
McKINLEY:
-McKinley dog sat for the Hillsteads & did a great job!
-McKinley finished this intricate Owl with gel pens & it looks awesome! She even let mom help a little bit.
-McKinley
is in 7th grade! This is the first year she has all different teachers, and she
is liking it so far. She really is having fun in her career preparation class,
and she has friends in lots of different classes. McKinley has real P.E. this
year, complete with a locker!
-Since
Jessie moved in, McKinley’s cello practicing has skyrocketed! She loves to go
downstairs and play with Jessie & Jessie has helped her with her technique.
She switched her ¾ cello for a full-sized one, so it’s been fun to see - and
HEAR her play her advanced orchestra music.
-McKinley
& Kezia are now taking piano from Michelle Willis. She’s different from
Jan, but McKinley is learning some theory and doing well.
-McKinley decided she wanted to run for student council. She really debated about which office to run for, but she finally settled on Service Captain. She ended up being the only one that ran for that office, but she did the full deal! She made super-cute posters “Don’t miss your shot to vote for McKinley Hamilton” (from the Hamilton play), and “PAWS what you’re doing and vote for McKinley Hamilton” - with a picture of her and Daizy. We’re so proud of her & know she will do awesome with it!
-McKinley decided she wanted to run for student council. She really debated about which office to run for, but she finally settled on Service Captain. She ended up being the only one that ran for that office, but she did the full deal! She made super-cute posters “Don’t miss your shot to vote for McKinley Hamilton” (from the Hamilton play), and “PAWS what you’re doing and vote for McKinley Hamilton” - with a picture of her and Daizy. We’re so proud of her & know she will do awesome with it!
IRELAND:
-Ireland & Sariah decided to spray paint their hair orange! Thankfully it washed out of her hair, but she still had it on her hands and in her scalp for a while!
-Ireland colored a very detailed fox with her gel pens & it look so amazing!
-Ireland is
in 6th grade! Middle School! Mom is still wrapping her mind around it :)
Ireland has the same teachers McKinley had, with Mrs. Weeks being her core
teacher, and Mrs. Johnson & Mr. Atwood as her other teachers. She has
been working so hard and doing great. She decided to try the flute this
year and has done well. The only problem is the flute we bought doesn’t work
well & keeps having to be fixed :( We’ll have to try & get her a
different one!
-Ireland
gets to walk to and from school with Mahina & Sariah & McKinley. It’s
nice for her to have that time with them, since she doesn’t get to see either
of them in her classes.
KEZIA:
-Kezi is in 3rd grade this year! She has Mr. Neibar for English and Senor Niles for Spanish. We know Senor Niles from our last ward. She was a little nervous about having boy teachers, but she likes it now :)
KEZIA:
-Kezi is in 3rd grade this year! She has Mr. Neibar for English and Senor Niles for Spanish. We know Senor Niles from our last ward. She was a little nervous about having boy teachers, but she likes it now :)
-At the
East Elementary back-to-school Luau, Kezia & Macie won 3-legged race! Yay!
They said they’d been practicing since last year & it really paid off! They
were so cute when they won :)
-Kezia finally has an email address! She’s been waiting & waiting & now that she has one, she’s wasted no time in e-mailing family & friends!
-Kezia started piano lessons this month! She rides her bike with McKinley & learns from Michelle Willis. It’s fun to hear her play - she’s already learned a few songs!
-Kezia’s latest entrepreneur idea is selling dog treats. She found a pumpkin dog treat recipe online, did a cookie cutter heart for them, baked them & even put them in cute baggies with a doggie ribbon. She’s sold 4 so far! Great job Kezia!
-Kezia finally has an email address! She’s been waiting & waiting & now that she has one, she’s wasted no time in e-mailing family & friends!
-Kezia started piano lessons this month! She rides her bike with McKinley & learns from Michelle Willis. It’s fun to hear her play - she’s already learned a few songs!
-Kezia’s latest entrepreneur idea is selling dog treats. She found a pumpkin dog treat recipe online, did a cookie cutter heart for them, baked them & even put them in cute baggies with a doggie ribbon. She’s sold 4 so far! Great job Kezia!
LINK:
This month you would have started Kindergarten, our sweet boy. Mom was trying to avoid knowing the exact date, but found out accidentally anyway and she felt like she was struck in the heart :( It was a hard day. How we would have loved dressing you in some new clothes & backpack, taking your picture & walking you to class. Maybe you would have had Mrs. Ekker, like Kezia and Ireland? Maybe you and Caleb Hillstead would have ridden next to each other on the bus? The milestones are hard. You definitely sent us some love notes, though - our forget-me-nots bloomed! And beautiful sunsets. We love you duder-dude, and hope you know how mcuh we miss you.
NOELLE:
-Noelle had a lot of fun at the Potts Retreat - she loves playing with Caden & being around the big cousins!
-Noelle had her preschool assessment with Mrs. Shirley before preschool started & she did very well. She knew almost everything that Mrs. Shirley asked her. We just have to work on getting Noelle’s name right every time. At the end of the interview, Mrs. Shirley asked Noelle “are you excited for preshcool to start?” Noelle replied “Maybe.” and then a few seconds later “Maybe usually means no.”
-Despite what she said, she really has enjoyed preschool, especially when her friend Sam Potter gets to go on Tuesdays & Thursdays (Noelle goes 4 days a week). She loves to hear stories, play at the playground, eat snacks, and play with the Pirate Ship and the pterodactyl dinosaur. But her favorite part is the Skittle at the end of the day! :)
-One day
mom was putting chicken in the slow cooker. Noelle asked if it was a real
chicken. Mom said, yes, it’s a real chicken that we’re going to have for
dinner. Noelle asked “But can it still lay eggs?” :)
-For Sam Potter’s birthday, Noelle got to go to his house & paint rocks and then go swimming at the aquatic center with him. Yay!
OAKLYN:
-Happy 2nd BIRTHDAY OAKLYN!! This year we were at the Brian Head cabin for your birthday, so we got to celebrate with family! Aunt Cindy made ebbelskeevers for your breakfast, we had mac n’ cheese for lunch, then we had corn dogs for dinner! Mom made the cake & Aunt Cindy decorated it with a sun. For your gifts you got color wonder paper & markers, a broom & mop that are just your size!, and a baby that can go potty! You also got a balance bike. Happy birthday our sunshine girl! We love you so much!
-For Sam Potter’s birthday, Noelle got to go to his house & paint rocks and then go swimming at the aquatic center with him. Yay!
OAKLYN:
-Happy 2nd BIRTHDAY OAKLYN!! This year we were at the Brian Head cabin for your birthday, so we got to celebrate with family! Aunt Cindy made ebbelskeevers for your breakfast, we had mac n’ cheese for lunch, then we had corn dogs for dinner! Mom made the cake & Aunt Cindy decorated it with a sun. For your gifts you got color wonder paper & markers, a broom & mop that are just your size!, and a baby that can go potty! You also got a balance bike. Happy birthday our sunshine girl! We love you so much!
-Just as we
were packing things up & getting ready to head out to the Potts retreat,
Oaklyn comes upstairs with poop all over her. It will forever be known as
Oaklyn’s pooptastrophie. She was downstairs when she had a poopie. She must
have had a lot of fun becuase it was EVERYWHERE! On the carpet, on the walls,
on the furniture, all over herself. UGH! It was awful! Daddy went and bought
some onesies right away so we could keep that diaper contained!
-Oaklyn’s hair is getting long enough to put in pig tails! It’s so cute!
-Oaklyn was in heaven at the Potts Retreat! Not only did she have her grandma & grandpa, but she loved GGs dog Petey, and she got to play with her cousin Max too!
-Oaklyn’s hair is getting long enough to put in pig tails! It’s so cute!
-Oaklyn was in heaven at the Potts Retreat! Not only did she have her grandma & grandpa, but she loved GGs dog Petey, and she got to play with her cousin Max too!
- Oaklyn
has had a hard time sleeping lately. One night she was crying & mom went to
get some ibprofin. When she opened the door, Oaklyn wasn’t in her bed.
She also wasn’t on the floor, then mom looks up and there she is, silently
rocking herself in the rocking chair!
-Oaklyn decided to sit on the potty more this
month & even went pee & poop a couple times! Great job Oaklyn!-One day Oaklyn was playing with the letters of our “FAMILY” sign. Somehow, she knocked down just the ride letters so it read FAIL!
