Kai's Baptism

Hello All.  Just wanted to officially invite you to Kai's Baptism a week from Saturday!

Should be fun.

We will of course have a shindig afterward at our house.

It will include Homemade Ice Cream (courtesy of Pam Larsen) and Brownies and some appetizer type things.

Come and Celebrate with us!

Welcome to 8, Kai.  

Good Times.

Cody as Jesse Owens

Cody had a research project at school.  Each kid gets to choose a person from history and then after a month of research and writing, they have a "Wax Museum" night where each of the students dresses as their person and pretend to be a figure.  You come and put coins in their box - then they do a short presentation.  

Cody was Jesse Owens

I recorded his presentation but it was too long so I tried to upload two different segments.  Not sure it worked.  Anyway, he did a good job and really enjoyed it.

Kai's Ballet Recital

KAI

We have had hit the ground running this last week as we returned from San Diego and the hits just keep on coming.

Last night was Kai's ballet recital. 

Haven't been able to figure out how to upload the video yet...hopefully that will come soon.

Kai is growing up and she really loves her ballet.

There are lots of studios and places to dance, but the place we go just has a teacher who loves them.

Its not expensive or fancy.  Perfect for us.  It makes Kai happy.

So here she is:

Kai asked me why she can't see her makeup.  She's wearing a little - but she asks me why she can't see mine either.

They got to uses ribbons this year.  Kai now makes everything into a stick ribbon.

Kai and Pam

Cody came voluntarily.  He didn't even get upset when there were no treats.  

So we take a deep breath and move on to the next thing......it will be posted soon.

Running the Mile

Cody's Track Meet

Cody got 4th Overall in the Triple Jump.

Here are the kids all lined up for the mile.  Cody is in the All Black - 5th in from the field.

The kids all run like its a 50 yd dash to start.

This is Cody starting his last lap.  He looked pretty comfortable the whole time.  Although his dad did ask if he was actually sprinting at the end. 

This is the last lap.  Just thought you might enjoy watching it.

The bad news for Heat #2 is that it started raining just as they began.  There were only 2 heats.

5:54 for Cody.

Our Beloved Mike D.

MIKE D.

I just wanted to post these pics of my brother Mike Downey.  Thinking about him today a lot.  Thinking about Janet.  It was great to talk about him, think about him and celebrate his life.  But now, I just think about how life will be different without him.  I know he is where he needs to be.  I know Heavenly Father's plan is right.  Just thinking a lot about him today.

Wanted to share a few additional pictures.

Here are some pics that I didn't see until today - somehow got lost in the download.

This was a great day.  I will always remember it.

Visit to Grandma D's

About a month ago we drove out to San Diego and visited my mom and my brother.  Its always nice to visit San Diego.  

My brother built a fence up a Cabrillo National Monument when he was earning his Eagle Scout.  We also took some classic family pictures up there - so we thought we would revisit and try to recreate some of the pics.  

I really don't think we got close, but to those of you who remember the photos.  You can be the judge.

Aunt Laura was with us!  

Then we went down to the tide pools to check out the sea life.....can't say there was much.  We did see a seal swimming at a distance.  But that is about it.

Of course - there was Rock Throwing.....of course.

After that we went up to the cemetery - where Grandma and Grandpa Downey were interred.  It took only a little effort to find the stone.  Here is Dane Courtney looking at his namesake.

Isn't it beautiful!  Love this place.

One of the highlights was riding on the trolley downtown.

We all still call the stadium Jack Murphy....can't help it.

While the kids had fun, I am sure the passengers weren't that excited to have excited kids aboard.  Oh well.

Of course we visited the Mormon Battalion - can anyone imagine the boys really carrying guns?  One of them almost did something dangerous with the bayonet.  I can't remember who though.

We had such a good time visiting with our family and cousins.  Love to make those trips!

Twins Playing Soccer

Just wanted to share some pics of the boys first soccer game.

They love it and I am glad they have somewhere "official" to run, push, fall, kick and mess around.  Coach does a good job keeping them in line and focused though.

They are fun to watch.  Two stories I can share:

1) The first game someone from the other team pushed Dane down.   Ben turned around and ran after the kid.  His hand was outstretched like he was Darth Vader using the force.  Luckily - no bodily harm came to the other kid.  Ben just let him know that wasn't okay.  I wasn't there, but I heard from the other parents that it was hilarious.

2)  The second game of the season the coach couldn't be there. So I coached practice and then the game.  Needless to say - I was so tired of hearing Ben say:  Mommy, mommy, Mommy - I told him he was only allowed to call me coach.  So for the whole game he called me coach.  Once - coach mom.  I nearly laughed every time he said it.