Sunday, May 20, 2012

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

It's that time of year again, time for our city's annual children's theater. This is an amazing adventure! Two weeks of craziness! This year Katie, Maddie and Bevan were all in it so it seemed even crazier than normal. But the kids love it! And I love that they get to have such fun experiences. This year it was Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
Maddie was "Flying Time"

Katie was part of the royalty with the Queen of Hearts. She even got to play croquet with flamingos.
Do you play croquet?

Bevan as an oyster with Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum. His face is white because he's suppose to be a pearl. :)

Our stars!

On the stage.




This Is The Place!

Every year the 4th graders (throughout most of Utah- I think) do a Utah program. It is one of my very favorite reasons to go to school! They spend the year learning fun songs and actions that teach them the history of Utah. Then the parents and some of the school get to go watch them perform. It is so fun! And always gets me choked up, I love this state of ours!



Maddie is there in the blue bonnet. They were to dress up like pioneers, native Americans, Mountain Men or wear Utah State attire. Maddie chose a pioneer and she got to wear her Great-grandma Jones' bonnet and apron.

Waiting to say her part.


Saying her part. "Because they were industrious they soon became the manufacturing and agricultural center of the west." Pretty big words for a 10 year old.


 Receiving her Great Utahn Award. This award was a lot of work! She had to read 29 books- from different genres, all at least 100 pages, memorize location and write in cursive 29 counties, 29 rocks & minerals, 29 land marks and do 29 math timings. Maddie worked hard for this! I'm so proud of her!


Everyone in Maddie's class who earned Great Utahn Award.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Our family

A couple of months ago I was asked to write up a little thing about our family to be put in the ward newsletter. I really hate writing these things- want it to sound interesting, but not bragging. I thought I'd share it here since I put so much time into it. :)

We are the Austin family. We have a lot of fun together. We like to do things and go places together. We love to camp and travel. If there is ever an excuse to travel somewhere we will take it, especially road trips, we believe that getting there is most the fun. We like to play games and go to movies. We try to support each other and if someone has a game or performance you can be sure that most of the family will be close by. Whenever Stephanie has a race many of the other racers say how jealous they are of her cheering section.

Doug (aka Dad) - is a wonderful dad, he will take time with the kids. He works as an Electrician and loves to be able to climb up high and in dark tunnels (it probably makes him feel like Batman). He takes a lot of joy in seeing what he has helped build. Doug also has a Chemistry and Spanish degree. He taught for a couple of years but then decided that wasn’t for him. Doug loves to read and will read books multiple times, he is very smart and can remember everything that he reads. Doug enjoys music and likes to sing with the ward choir. Doug grew up in Hyrum but has been fully converted to a Smithfieldian.

Stephanie (aka Mom) - is grateful to be in this wonderful family! She works as a payroll specialist/bookkeeper and does foot zoning. She is able to work out of the home with both of these jobs and is very grateful for that. Her time is mostly taken up with being mom but when she has spare time she likes to read and has been working on trying to be a runner. Stephanie loves to hang with her sisters and Mom and knows that a “girls” weekend makes everything better. Stephanie grew up in Smithfield and is thrilled that she gets to raise her children here.

Kathryn (aka Katie)-12- Is our oldest child, and what a joy of an oldest child! Katie is super responsible and always willing to help cook or clean (well, most the time). She LOVES to babysit and it makes her so happy when she is left in charge. Katie has a beautiful singing voice and loves to share her talent. This is in her last year in Tavaci (a singing/dancing group) and she’s very disappointed about that.  She works hard to get good grades and has been on the honor roll every quarter. Katie enjoys reading, especially adventure or science fiction. She started Young Women this summer and she is having so much fun.

Madalyn (aka Maddie)- 10- Maddie is pink and sparkly, she loves “bling” and being girly. She’s a happy, friendly, loving person. She is always ready for a party! And constantly is surrounded by friends. Maddie never complains or fights back, she just takes whatever the situation is and makes the most of it. She doesn’t want to see anyone’s feelings hurt and tries hard to include everyone in her plans. Maddie sings with Tavaci too but loves the dancing part of it the best.  Maddie is very determined- when she decides she wants something she’ll work hard until she gets it.

Bevan (aka “B”) -5- Bevan is so much fun! He is full of energy and ideas. He has never met a stranger- they are all his friends. He has an amazing imagination and can have fun playing with about anything. Bevan sings with Tavaci and often steals the show because he forgets to stop dancing due to the music he hears in his head. Bevan just started kindergarten and enjoys going, especially with all his friends. He likes learning to read, but we’re pretty sure that recess is his favorite.

Mic (aka “Stinky) – almost 1- We consider Mic our miracle. He was born 5 weeks early, just before Christmas.  The Doctors thought that he would be in the hospital for a few weeks but after Mom had a talk with him (and he was given a couple of blessings) he made a complete turn around and wowed everyone by being able to come home on Christmas Eve. Mic is a very opinionated little guy. He is happy and smiley- mom calls him Guy Smiley, but when he wants something (or doesn’t  want something) he is sure to let us know.  He is learning how to walk. His first word was “doggy” and “banana” was second, yup, those are pretty much the most important things in his life. But he does love his siblings a lot, he’ll cry when they leave to school and get so excited when he sees them walk in the door.

Friday, February 3, 2012

Trying it

Yes, we're still here. Yes, we are all ok. But I just can't blog. Don't know why. I sit down and I can't seem to pull my thoughts together. Life has been crazy for the last year or so (but then again, isn't it always!). When  Doug was working this year he was working out of town, which meant I spent a lot of time as a single mom. It was hard- I hated it. And totally admire those women who do it on a daily/permanent basis. And I have a huge new appreciation for my mom and the way she raised us. Thanks Mom!
So, between a baby, work and Doug gone my time was shot and my brain was fried. Then when Doug was laid off he was home so I had more time, but then I had to work harder to help compensate and I always go into a "funk" when he's laid off- it's just too stressful! Besides, nobody really wants to listen to me whine! Maybe, I'll get around to updating, I'd like to, but no promises. Tonight this is just a brain purge!
We did have a good year though. The kids are good, healthy, growing, learning and busy! I completed my goal of running 10 races and even ran 1 10k (a life changing event for sure!). This year I have a goal to run 3 1/2 marathons. I'm slow but I've made it 9 miles so far.
Doug is good. He works so hard for us! Works hard at work then when he's home he works so hard around here, sometimes I feel lost because I'm not sure what I'm suppose to be doing!
New idea I read about and I'm loving it. I have started a "One sentence journal" every night I write one sentence (or slightly more) in my journal about a memory I want to keep from that day. It's working- that seems to be all I can process. I know this won't always be my crazy life and I want to remember the things that kept me so busy and happy.

So, hopefully I'll be back soon. In the meantime enjoy these wonderful pictures of our family taken by Alesa.









See, they are amazing things to be kept busy with. I love them more than I can say!

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Bevanism

This morning while we had the figure skaters on TV they were talking about a girl who was only 14 so she was too young to be in the Olympics. Katie ask Doug how old someone had to me to be in the Olympics, Doug said 16.
Bevan said:
"Well, then how did I get to be in the Olympics if I'm not 16? Oh yeah, I didn't."

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Tavaci


May 6, 2011
I think I've mentioned (once or twice) how much I love Tavaci. But it's true, I do, I really do! It is so fun having the three kids all doing it. The Spring program didn't disappoint. The theme was "Celebrate You". I love that theme. I think I'd really love my kids to learn to celebrate them. They sang so many fun songs. Bevan didn't seem to sing many words but did all the dance moves. I thought it was because he was too young to be coordinated enough to do them both together but a few days later I saw him in the van dance and singing away. I guess he was just a little overwhelmed with all the people and lights. But he was still so fun to watch! The girls were wonderful as always! Katie had to two small group numbers.


Because the kids officially "graduate" at the end of 6th grade they get a trophy that is 1" tall for every year they were in Tavaci. I think Katie's was 6" tall. She is allowed to come back one more year, so thankfully, this wasn't her last year. I think we might all be shedding tears next year. These are her teachers- Suzanne and Karen- what great, patient women!

Friday, June 3, 2011

Bevanism

"Today I have been 5 for 4 days!"
Love this boy!