Jonah and Katie John are riding their bikes to school for the first time today! ACK! Of course they are tagging along with our neighbor and her kids, but I feel a little scared inside anyway. I'm sure they will be fine... They prepared and checked their bikes last night. Got up extra early this morning and were out the door and ready almost 10 minutes before they needed to leave.
An old student of Katie John's 3rd grade teacher did a senior project involving art and music with her class. He came into the classroom once a week for a whole month. Each lesson he talked about a different genre of music. While listening to songs of that genre of music they drew pictures of whatever the music made them feel like drawing.
Katie John's picture was in the ROCK section. Her picture was of elephants. I know it's hard to see, but above the picture is Katie John working in class and below the picture is her name tag. She was very proud to show us her work. The art show was in Natomas at a charter school's performing arts theater.
Katie John, Lucas, Sariah and I all attended her art show. It was really nice. There were snack treats to each while we looked at all the students' work. Down another hall were works of art by the high school students of the school. All of the work was amazing! Congratulations to Katie John for drawing a fun thing and participating in the art show!
Katie John is an active Activity Day Girl. She regularly attends her meetings and always brings home fun things. Today they worked on 72-hr kits. They put a small sample one together with some quotes and a list of things to add. Katie John talked to all of us about what she'd learned and about the importance of being prepared (*sniff). We are so proud of her for working hard and learning so many important ideas.
Katie John is in choir this year. She has been practicing lots of songs for this performance which included 11 other schools.
This performance took place at Arcade Church. It was amazing to see all these kids singing first separately, then together. I enjoyed the whole performance.
Katie John is now 9-years old! She celebrated her day in style, starting with a pancake breakfast complete with strawberries and whipped topping. 
All the kids enjoyed the yummy breakfast and sang Happy Birthday nice and loud! Katie John was very happy. 
A family birthday party got underway at Grandma Myrick's house just shortly after a pizza lunch. I made my "flower" cake as requested for Katie John. She has always wanted one decorated just for her. 
It was a fabulous time for her opening all the great gifts from everyone. John had found a pair of in-line skates in just her size that were a big hit! Immediately they were out of the box and being laced up. Happy Birthday to our sweet girl!
Katie John and Sariah were a part of this year's Nativity Festival. Both girls sang in the stake primary choir as shepherds. The festival showcases Nativities from all around the world. Katie John's school choir also sang Christmas carols as part of the program. They did a wonderful job and were a delight to watch and hear.
Katie John's first choir event of the year was a great success! She did a wonderful job singing and had a great time. They sang a holiday medley song, Jingle Bell Rock, One Little Candle, Jingle Jive as well as a few others. The school's craft fair was also going on at the same time. Sariah went to the kids' craft area and made two crafts while I shopped.
Here are the girls with their popcorn and smiles! What a fun time we had! We look forward to her other concerts coming up in the next two weeks.
Katie John joined the school choir this year! She has a whole schedule of events they will be singing at this holiday season starting with the school craft fair this Saturday. Katie John will also be singing in the Nativity Festival at our stake center Dec. 17th.
John took the girls to the "Daughter of my Heart" dance, a fun event our school hosted for Valentines Day. Katie John and Sariah have been looking forward to this "date night" with their dad for about two weeks. There was a chocolate fountain, pictures and tons of dancing. They really had a great time.
I ran a 5K! I ran the whole thing! Christina and I stuck together for most of the race. At the end I just couldn't keep her pace and fell back. Katie John come with us, but stayed with Grandma Myrick during the race. 
The big group posed for a picture before we went to check in. 
Katie John was my super running buddy and did a good job of going the whole distance. 
At the finish she received a ribbon! I was very sore for 3 whole days after. I guess my training just wasn't up to par. Even though I suffered from a variety of injuries in the following weeks (all related to the run) I would do it again for sure! Thanks to my sister Christina for urging me to come and participate!
Jonah and Katie John celebrate the last day of school! It's been a fun and eventful year, we'll be full of good memories. Katie John is holding the yearbook that I engineered 2 class pages of. Goodbye 1st and 3rd grade!!
Sariah and Katie John spent some time making 'art' on the back our our house. Look how happy they are to show off their efforts!
Christina and I awaiting the happy couple.
Awe! Look how pretty she looks and of course my brother looks all handsome!
Sariah and Katie John smile as they eat ice cream sundaes at the reception.
Sariah spends most of the reception here, as we worry how bad her leg injury is. (unfortunate trampoline accident has Sariah getting her leg landed on) Good thing she is such a happy girl and was a real trooper. 
Shaun and Katie on their way up to the balcony for the boquet toss!
The long awaited birthday day finally arrived. Katie John was very excited when she was able to see the very cute cake her Grammy made for her. It was decorated with 4 princess on each castle tower and Princess Katie John in the center. Uncle BJ & Kara, Uncle Danny, Grandpa & Grammy were just some of the guests. The rest of the party went well, as she opened each gift with such happiness. Katie John loves being seven years old.
This is one of Katie John's drawings that she did at school. It's a circus tent if you couldn't tell. 
Katie John really likes going to school and playing with her friends. She likes to play with her dolls, but especially she loves to sing. Katie John is one of the best singers in primary and works hard to know all the songs. She likes to sing in the car, in her room, in the backyard.... just about everywhere (to Jonah's dismay). Katie John is very special in many ways. 
John tied the dental floss the first time and it slipped off, the second time worked and she had a wonderful jack-o-lantern smile after a few tears. You can already see the new tooth growing in. Our little girl has been talking to person's unknown.... she had questions about the validity of the tooth fairy.... ack! We assured her that the tooth fairy would come... but only if she believed. I'm not sure how skeptical she really was or if she was just floating a theory by us to see how we'd react. I hope we passed the test. 
