Top of the Class.

We came up north this week, because Dean was graduating from the Police Academy. He works at the Jail in the Medical Department. We decided to do the Police Academy, because we will get better retirement if he goes through the state. So NO he is not working with the law enforcement...it was more for future security. Dean has been with them almost 5 years, and if we did the academy before the end of the summer they would count all the years, before he went through onto his retirement. So we are excited to be done with that. He went for 10 weeks, and left us Sunday and came home to us Friday it was hard. Dean also found out the couple weeks before he left that he got excepted into a Nurse Practitioners program and it would start the same week as the academy, so he was really nerves to see how he could handle it all. He is an amazing man...He would start the academy at 6 and get done at 6, after he got done he would drive an hour to his parents where he wouldn't be interrupted and do homework tell the wee hours of the morning, then wake up at 5:00 to head back down to the academy, and do it all again. He even had a instructor come up to him and asked if he would help tutor a few students in the class that were struggling, because not only did Dean have homework for his Schooling the academy had weekly tests, daily quizzes, and homework, so he was busy. He felt bad he had to tell them No, because he also had another schooling he had homework for and just didn't have the time. The instructors couldn't believe he was going to school while doing the academy, because the academy is like a full time job plus schooling. Weekends were tough for him because he would come home, and want to relax and play with his family, but all his tests were on the weekend so he would do all his homework, and papers during the week then come home on the weekend, and study for test and take them. With that being said. My husband this past week was finally honored for all his hard work. They gave out just a few extra awards, and every time they called an award we were shocked it wasn't him because he was first in every thing they did from physical fitness to in the class room. But apparently you can only win one award. At the very end they started telling us about the last award given to someone who excelled all around and showed them that he was the best of the best(top gun) :) anyway the called Deans name we were all so proud of him. First off because this isn't even the field he is going into, like all the other men, we were just doing it to improve the job we already have, and second he did it while going to school. We all cried a little bit because it's just like Dean, anything he does he gives it 110%, at school, at home, being a father, a husband, Student, and at work. I love him and am so proud of him...He deserved that award 100 times over, plus many more they don't make awards for. You are amazing and I hope you aren't embarrassed by this I hardly ever brag about you, and I felt it was high time you got a little praise. I write this with tears in my eyes still because weather you exceed or fail you will always be number one to me. I love you and am very very proud of you Dean Monson. A few of his biggest fans.

LadyBug Hunt

Yes, you read right. We walked down the street to the church orchards and went on a Ladybug Hunt. Whenever we go help out at the church orchard we see ladybugs everywhere. We decided we needed a few for our garden so they would eat some of the bugs. It actually was a pretty fun outing. We all had a lot of fun and I think we all caught at least one.


We ended up with about 7 or 8. Don't they look so at home in our new garden.

Swimming Lesson's 2011

The kids did awesome in swimming lessons this year. They never cease to amaze me. They are such good little swimmers, better then I've ever been, that is probably why I think they do such an awesome job. Preston is a great swimmer, and loves, loves, loves to dive for things. He learned a few new strokes to add to his already great swimming ability and loves the water.

Shaylee loves to swim at grandma's house and she would rather be in the water then out. She has learned to swim without help at the end of last summer, and has carried it over into this summer. She loves to go down the slide, and has started to really love to dive for things as well.
Addison Loves the water, I call her my little fish. She has been a natural since she was a baby. Probably because she grew up around a pool. She too is swimming without floaties, and loves to jump off diving boards, and grandpa's rock. She is no fear girl she loves to do anything the other kids can do. She was one of the older kids in her group, so she felt so big doing everything the other kids wouldn't do.
Good job kids, I'm so glad you love the water, you all did awesome this year in swimming lessons.

The Little Mermaid @ Tuacahn

While my sister Stephanie was down we hit up The Little Mermaid. Tuacahn does an amazing job with all the production's they put on. They went above what I thought it would be. We hit up Chile's for dinner before the play with some of the family. Then off to the play. My only complaint was that it was long for little kids. We got into our car about 11:35. The kids loved it and have been talking about it a lot since we went and saw it. I highly recommend this one for the whole family.

Kolob

Don't we live in such a beautiful place. This is in our own backyard. WOW!!
The last few weeks we have enjoyed having family down to play with. My sister Stephanie came down last weekend, and stayed into this week. She wanted to go camping. Well my kids had swim lessons every morning. So we decided to go up in the afternoon to Kolob, to fish, ride 4 wheelers, and just play with everyone. The weather was beautiful. Of course, we caught zero fish. My husband and I have been married 8 years, and haven't ever caught a fish at Kolob. The kids had a blast fishing though, and learning to bait their own hooks. Little Addison even came up to me caring a worm. My girls surprise me each day. I love that they love that kind of stuff. My dad and sister Steph cooked the best Dutch oven, potatoes, fried Chicken, and peach cobbler EVER!! The kids were excited because Uncle Devin, and Aunt Lisa brought up the rhino, and 4 wheeler...so they all loved getting rides from them. We then came home around 9:30 and slept in our warm beds. It was a fun day for the kids and family.

Machine Pitch

Baseball season ended this past week. Preston did awesome. It was his second year playing, and his first year with Machine pitch. He loved to hit the ball. It is fun to see him grow and learn new things.

Memorial Weekend

I'm a little behind. We had a great memorial weekend. We had family come down and enjoy the beautiful weather with us, and had a blast. I didn't want the kids to forget the real reason we celebrate memorial day. So we went to the cemetery to put flowers on my Grandma and Grandpa Eves graves. After we did that we went back to the house and went swimming, which is pretty much what we did all weekend. The weather was beautiful. The girls and I also made some fun necklaces while Dean, and Preston where golfing Monday morning. It was great to spend time with family, and just relax.