Firestation

So this isn't much of an update but last night we went to the local firestation. I had a blast! My favorite part was that they were giving free fire engine rides if you donated a can of food. Well now! I hadn't ever had a ride in a fire engine! It was a great ride around the parking lot. We got to see inside the ambulances, climb inside the "big" fire engine, take a ride on a seat belt demonstrator, and do an obstacle course to teach how to get out of a burning home. We also loved the song, "Buckle up Buckle up" and our dance that came with it. To top it off we ate 50 cent hot dogs while waiting in line to try out the fire hose! Fun times!

Dad

Tonight I am writing the night before Dad's graveside services/funeral. He passed away Thursday, September 11 at home. I am trying to decide what to say tomorrow as mom had asked us all to say something. It is hard to put all of your memories and emotions into a few minutes. Here's a copy of his obituary: (I couldn't get the picture to copy-maybe later)
William C. Knott, Jr. 1933 ~ 2008 William C. Knott, Jr. died September 11, 2008 at his home after a short illness. He was born June 9, 1933 in Washington, D.C. to William and Virginia Knott who preceded him in death. He loved skeet shooting, fly fishing and hunting. He leaves behind his wife Judy, four children, Linda (Darren) Jarvis, David, Sharon (Jay) Barney, Paul (Sherie), 11 grandchildren, 100 quail, his horse Mark and his beloved dog Ben. Private family services will be held Monday, Sept. 15, 2008 at Larkin Sunset Gardens cemetery. A special thanks to Sue Ann at Community Nursing for her compassionate care and dedication.

Jaron's First Soccer Game

Have you ever watched U5 soccer? I know you probably have, but Jaron's soccer game on Saturday was my first. I absolutely loved it! They only had three on each team and the coaches, Jay being one of them, stay on the field and run with them. Jaron thought it was so much fun-especially with Dad. He would kick the ball at times but most of the time just watch it or run with his team up and down the field and cheer if someone made a goal. The biggest confusion was when they changed sides at half time and Jay had to keep remiding them which way to go. Towards the end Jaron got hot and kept fanning himself saying, "I'm sweaty." He can hardly wait for the next game.

Jaron is on the right getting ready to kick the ball during warm ups.

Jaron doing a throw in.

Kayla's baptism

Kayla was baptized on Saturday and it was just such a sweet experience. She looked so beautiful in her white dress and she was so excited. Grandpa Jay gave a talk on Baptism and had Kayla sit in a chair across from his chair and talked to her about the importance of following Jesus to be baptized. He gave her a ribbon to wear until she partook of the Sacrament the next day to remember her convenants, which she wore to church. Gandma Carolyn gave a talk on the Holy Ghost and talked about how the Holy Ghost can help us to remember the good things much like a magnet pulls metal pieces from dirt. She gave Kayla a magnet to help her remember. We were glad that Grandma Judy was able to come up and say the closing prayer.


Dad had gone over early to fill the font and made it very warm. Good thing because Kayla had to be baptized twice! After the first time I had just finished drying her off when Jay opened the door and said that they had to do it over. He was concerned about everyone being able to see Kayla and so he put her in front of him but raised his left hand instead of his right hand. Our counselor in the Bishopric caught the mistake. Kayla was a good sport about it. She just walked right back in the font and was baptized again! I loved seeing her stand up in front on Sunday to be sustained. She just glowed!








It was just such a wonderful day with friends and family. We love you Kayla and are so proud of your decision to be baptized!!

Last Summer Bash

I offered to take the kids anywhere they wanted for our last day of summer together. They decided instead of going somewhere they wanted to have a water party. We usually do one a summer and had not done one yet this summer. It was quite spur of the moment. We bought some snacks, called some friends, blew up the pool and used our two hoses plus the neighbor's hose and had a fun time. Note to self-don't have a water party the day after your husband mows the lawn. The pool was full of grass and the kids covered!!! Happy summer!

First Day of School

Yesterday was the first day of school, third and fifth grades for Kayla and Alli, and preschool for Jaron. They were all very excited and ready to go back to school. Kayla set her alarm for 7:00 am and was dressed and in my room by 7:01. I always have mixed emotions when my kids go back. I am excited and anxious for them and also a little melancholy that my kids are growing up-not that I would have it any other way- but it seems so fast!! The hardest one was dropping little Jaron off. He acts like such a big kid!! When I picked him up he came running to me with both arms outstreched wide. He is so excited to go back today.



As you can see our kitty Coco made it into the picture!! We are all so happy that she is still with us to start the school year!

Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D

We went school shopping and while we were at the mall the kids talked me into going to see Journey to the Center of the Earth. I figured why not since we had to be back to school soon-why not do something spontaneous? We only had 10 minutes until the show started and so I ran bags to the car and we ran in. It was a fun movie to see. Even Jaron kept his glasses on the whole time. He only got scared when the giant human eating plants attacked and he asked if they were going to ever get home. He called it a "pop out" movie.

Lake Powell-A Series of Unfortunate Events

Have you ever had a trip like this? We love Lake Powell and look forward to it every year. It is hard not to have fun, even when you have some unfortunate events take place. For example: it rained almost every day and the first night Alli and her sleeping bag were soaked through (she had slept on top of the houseboat with dad), next night our little 1 1/2 year old nephew Dawson ended up in the Page emergency room with an asthma attack twice in one night, we got the rope caught in the wave runner motor and had to have it repaired, lost the ladder off the back of the houseboat, the generator on the houseboat went out and had to be repaired, dad hit another houseboat and knocked off their slide, then a big wind gust came and pulled out our houseboat anchors turning it to the side, and as we went to leave Grandpa Jay dented another car in the parking lot while getting the boat trailer. And to top if off we had to call the park rangers our last night because there were some "young adults" drunk and swimming without life jackets in the dark and we thought one was drowning. We didn't get to bed until after 2:00 am! Whew!!! We were glad that we all travelled home safe! But we still had fun and are already talking about next year. (If you can believe it!)

Alli and her cousins Berkley and Hayley loved riding the tubes. I was waiting for them to say they were done but no matter how many waves dad hit they never wanted to stop!

Alli and Kayla with cousins Hayley and Berkley on the water tramp.

Jaron and Grandpa Jay in their "Grandpa Hats."

After the wind blew our houseboat! Luckily the back anchors held but what a pain to re-anchor it! Grandpa did say, "Did anyone get a picture?"

So of course it will be a memorable trip in more ways than one!!!

The girls couldn't get enough of being splashed!

Kayla's 8th Birthday

We had a wonderful time celebrating Kayla's 8th birthday.




Kayla chose to go to Chilli's for her birthday with mom and dad. She most of all wanted to have her own dessert!





Then we celebrated with family down at Lake Powell. Instead of birthday cake she wanted birthday brownies and ice cream.

Happy Birthday Kayla!!!!

Lemonade Stands--Ahaaa summer!

My kids love having lemonade stands and generally they are quite profitable. Last year in one hot afternoon they made $30! It was at the time when everyone was coming home from work and they were saving money for the local animal shelter so customers were encouraged to donate more than the cost of the lemonade. Yesterday we added cookies also and the lemonade and cookie stand were a hit. All my kids and some of the neighborhood kids were at it holding signs and yelling, "lemonade 50 cents!" However, Jaron was yelling for awhile, "Lemonade! 50 dollars!" The kids soon corrected him (darn). I always make him repeat his sayings. My favorite of the week is the movie he wants to watch-"The lizard of laws" also know to some as the "Wizard of Oz." Happy summer!!!

Baltic Cruise

OK-I've given in and decided to start blogging. I so enjoy reading blogs so here it goes! Jay and I just returned from an amazing cruise with his work. He is a regional manager for AFLAC and his state manager took all the regional managers and their spouses (yeah!) on a cruise to the Baltic Sea. We started in Copenhagen, Denmark then went to Germany, Sweden, Estonia and Russia. It was an experience of a lifetime!!! All went well at home with our kids and luckily NO pets died during this trip (thank heavens!!!) Probably my favorite city was Stockholm but Russia was incredible also. It is hard to pick just one place. This picture is our last day. Before we had to catch our flight we were able to tour Copenhagen. We actually saw the cathedral that has the original Cristus statue in it. We had a wonderful time!