SOCCER CAMP

The kids had so much fun at Soccer Camp this year! We LOVE BYU soccer camp! There are so many fun kids there! The kids are coached by the BYU soccer players... and they are COOL! They usually have a coach that is getting ready to leave on a mission or just got back! They look up to their coaches so much! The weather last year was over 100 degrees everyday... This year it was nice 2 of the 5 days... Rained the rest! But they still loved it! Loved what they learned! Loved being in Utah... it must be a genetic thing they inherited from me! I love Utah! Especially Utah County! Special people and memories there! The kids didn't even complain about having to get up at 6:00 every morning to get up and drive to Provo from South Jordan!

Getting ready in the Morning!! Oh it is EARLY!!!



A look at the field while they play! There are so many kids there! It is amazing to them coming from a town of 12,000 population! I loved looking at the mountains while I sat and watched them! BEAUTIFUL!! (even with snow in June!)



Last Day! Gotta have one with the Y in the background! GO COUGARS!!! Then we were off to Pizza at Brick Oven! YUM! I love traditions!!!:)

UTAH TRIP

In the spirit of catching up I am going back to the last week of school! Being the educationally prioritizing parent that I am we ended up pulling the kids out of school for the final week of school this week! I know... bad parent! We missed student led conferences with the kids' portfolios, field day, talent show, 5th grade graduation, and the most important... Dilly Bars on the last day... but we had a blast! I was in such need of a break from school and the kids' soccer camp fell that week! It was such a great trip! I had a fun time with my Mom and Dad, got to do some shopping by myself!, ate at great restaurants (Cafe Rio, Brick Oven, Maglebys Breakfast.... I love you all!), I even got to attend the temple 2 times... first for a long time! I got some excellent sister time:) and the kids had the most incredible cousin/ friend time ever (just missed seeing Brett and Corina:))... Had to add a few fun shots that we got! I got a TON... but only wanted to post a few or this could be super long!!

Grandma and Dallin! A common sight now!


Girl Power!! Kyndall loves spending time with her GIRL cousins... too much boy power at home:) I didn't get a good shot of the boys together... they move too much:) The girls just sat and talked and giggled and talked and giggled! Good for everyone!!


My Little Sis and I! That was fun to sit and visit! My mom, Barbie and I got to attend the temple one night together... that was so special! So grateful that Dad watched ALL the kids so we could go!


Kyndall and my parents next door neighbor... they are the best of friends and have so much fun together! We love friends like that, that you can just be together and be happy! Kyndall doesn't get that alot here, so we love her Utah time!

CHILD LABOR

This is the best summer ever as far as child labor! Spencer is finally big enough to be able to mow the lawn on the riding lawn mower! It has saved Andy so much time to not have to mow... We are doing a project filling in the hole down by the tree... so Andy works down in the hole and Spencer mows! He feels like the ultimate multi tasker! Each and every little thing that we get to let Spencer do... the better it is! Who ever knew when we had 3 kids under 2 that there would be a benifit to having kids other than loving the heck out of them!!! Love it!! Thanks Spencer for being such a great helper!! And always doing such a good job:)

DANCE RECITAL

The girls had their two end of the year dance recitals... They were both such good shows! We only had the camera at the first one... but got some Great shots!!! Kyndall is an absolute natural at dance. I really love to watch her and envy her ability. Grace is just starting, but loves it! She got to be the "Queen Bee" for their Bee dance and loved the spotlight, and her one on one stage time with Miss Patty! As much as we love to watch the girls and they enjoy dancing... I AM SO GLAD IT IS SUMMER!!!! I am going to enjoy our Lazy Days of not running kids in the evenings for 3 months!!!!

Fathers and Sons

The boys had such a great time at the fathers sons activity. The campfire at night was fun, especially the Smores... The camping was cold... And the playing the next day was even better.

Andy and the Boys!

Uncle Jeff with boys!

The kids and their friends...

Perry Family Service Project

For Family Home Evening we had a family service project at Grandma and Grandpa Perrys house. There is too much Spring Cleaning to be done for them, so we go as extended family and do jobs around the yard. The kids are getting old enough to finally be of a little help. At least Kyndall did a lot to help Grandma Sue with the flower bed. Andy rotatilled the garden with Jeff, Wyatt and Spencer did something with Grandpa Howard... still unsure what... I saw him working hard, but not what the boys were doing. Anyhow... it is always a very special time for the kids to be able to be around them and do something for someone else. I so appreciate the opportunity for our family.

Reality Shows

The other day we were having a discussion with Andy's parents about reality shows. They were teasing Kyndall about that she should be on 'Dancing with the Stars'. Kyndall quickly responded 'That would be nice, but I think I would rather be on American Idol.' With which Grace perked in and added... "Well, I'm gonna be on Biggest Loser!" I think I've ruined my 5 year old!!! She did not see why that was so funny to us!!! Funny girl... her brother who is 3 years younger than her is already the same weight that she is.... she has a lot of work to do to make it on that show!!!!

BUBBLE BATH

I haven't been able to do bubble baths for my kids for a while. Grace had very sensitive skin when she was young and would break out from the bubbles, so we haven't used any for at least 4 years. I decided to try it with them this week and they LOVED it!!! And no one broke out! Funny thing was Dallin had no idea how to play in them. So I left for a second to get some towels and came back to this scary sight of him! He really does look creepy this way... and the bubbles started to burn, so he would use his hand with the bubbles to wipe them off his face and it would get worse... it was a little bit funny to watch for a moment. Then we had the break down and had to have help. It was a bit of humor to end the day on though. Now I can't give them a bath WITHOUT the bubbles. What have I started?:)

I'VE HAD A BIRTHDAY, SHOUT "HOORAY!!!"

Yes, I have officially turned another year older and am now in my Mid Thirties.... Yuck! That is a bummer:) Yesterday was my Birthday and I was a little unsure about it, there was a lot going on and Andy was again out of town:) But it turned out to be one of the best Birthdays yet!!!
The day began with breakfast out instead of working out! Which was way fun! Andy figured since he would be gone he would take me out for Breakfast, which in high school used to be a tradition with a very close friend! So that was cool! (Andy told me calories don't count on your birthday! So that was nice to have Strawberry Crepes instead of a yogurt and banana!)
I received a wonderful gift from a doctor in Utah who made my dads surgery go smoothly! He found that one artery was 99 percent closed... what a miracle that the doctors sent him in when they did and that they were able to get this fixed! Here's hoping we really don't make this surgery routine:)
I have some GREAT friends and family who just showered me with attention and love all day long. I received visitors, calls, texts!, calls, emails, gifts, cards.... it was great! I think the best thing about birthdays when we are OLD, is that it reminds us of the great people in our lives who think about us and care about us! Thanks to all who shared a moment with me yesterday!
One of the best things about Andy being gone is that I get to celebrate again tomorrow! Andy is great! Always making sure that I was OK yesterday and then for my Birthday gift he is letting me attend a photography workshop in Salt Lake when I go in June with the kids! That is the best gift he could give me! I am so excited to go!!! All in all It was a Great Day!!!

MY DAD

I have a lot I want to post today, so sorry if there ends up being a ton of posts!!!!
I have been reflecting a ton about my dad today... he is in Utah having surgery, and it is KILLING me to not be there! Generally if there is something going on, I get there... but this time was just not possible. I am so thankful for my brother Dallas, that he is there with my mom and dad and helping them today! I absolutely have the BEST family ever!!! I can't ever say that enough. And it is so due to my mom and dad! They are amazing people, My Heros, My mentors, everything I want to be when I grow up and more! They have always lived their life for each of us kids and now the grandkids! My dad is such a giving person, he is always doing things for others... sometimes at a cost to him. He loves my mom and has always shown us kids that by respecting and honoring her in all he does! He never complains! He loves my kids to death! He is always checking in with me! He loves the gospel and Heavenly Father! He has a strong Testimony! He is very smart and talented! He loves his cars!!!! He is a very hard worker and taught me the importance of working hard! He is a fighter... and that is what I am counting on today... I know it is a routine surgery for the doctor, but it is not a routine surgery for us as a family. This is our dad going under and we love him so much!!! So here's to you dad!! I am sending you good thoughts and many, many prayers... I LOVE YOU!!! Good Luck!!

WYATT

As promised!!! I needed to post about Wyatt and I am so glad it was right when I had something to brag about him!!! Wyatt is my quiet child... always been funny that his name rhymes with quiet... wasn't ever intended to be that way! Anyhow... in my mind he and Kyndall are a complete person split into two people. They are completely the opposite sides of each other. Kyndall is the one who has to be noticed and in the spotlight.... things come easy to her, so she doesn't have to apply herself too much, because good enough is enough to be noticed (can you tell that bothers her anal mother:)).
Wyatt on the other hand is quite happy to just be! He is always happy, loves to enjoy EVERYTHING, and is most happy when he isn't being noticed or acknowledged. He seems to be very aware of things around him and loves to help others or do kind things as long as no one catches him doing so. Wyatt is BRILLIANT!!! He is surprising sometimes!! But because he doesn't care what people think of him, if it doesn't interest him, he could care less about applying himself or even trying to do it for that matter. Especially anything school related, but mostly SPELLING! This year has been a tough spelling year for the kid. He could care less about practicing, or learning how to spell. So, because of the attitude, he has been missing A LOT of spelling words.... Then blames it on, "I'm just not as smart as Kyndall, but that's OK." So Andy (why do dads motivate so well) issued a challenge to get 100 percent. Of course Wyatt said he couldn't so why try... So Andy upped the challenge, and offered a WEBKINZ if he got it! Well that caught his attention! And guess what? He did it!!!! He did have to work hard, but he did it!!! We are so proud of him... the bummer thing was, they are not doing spelling words for the next 2 weeks, because of swimming lessons, but hopefully he will do it one more time, just because he knows he can!!! Way to go QUIET WYATT!!!! We love you!!!

BLUE MONDAY

Kyndall danced tonight downtown at La Grandes Blue Monday rally. It is a rally for Child Abuse Prevention! There were so many things to do for kids and then Dance Arts had 5 teams perform for the crowd! We had a ton of fun and got to see Kyndalls new Hip Hop dance... I didn't get any real great pictures due to the woman sitting directly in front of me with the poofy hair, but what I got was cute! I love to watch Kyndall dance, the sun was in her eyes, which created some odd faces, but it's fun to see her enjoy what she is doing!





This is just a funny one of Grace messing around... she had a blast there... she got a balloon, what else can a 5 year old girl ask for:)





After the dance we went with some friends for Pizza! Good times!! Too bad my kids just can't be decent in a public place... Thanks for being understanding:)

I have decided the next post must be about Wyatt.... he is starting to get a complex:)

WE'RE BACK!!!

We are back from our whirlwind trip to Boise and we had a BLAST!!! The girls danced so well! What a fun experience for the both of them! Kyndalls team sure danced the best they had danced that dance! Very proud of them! It was a long day of sitting! But the girls all have such a good time watching the other dancers and performing! I can't believe how much Kyndall is improving! We then had the evening to swim, eat, talk, laugh, and finally sleep!! Then today we had a great day shopping and eating some more!!! Kyndall and I had a great time with Becky and Natalia! Thanks so much you guys! We love you to peices!!! We'll have to do it again soon (maybe next time just adults huh?:))
Becky took some great shots of the girls, I only got a quick one at the hotel!!



I didn't take my camera with me everywhere... Becky is great to remember the things I forgot... hopefully she will put some of the pics on her blog to share... but,

Here's a shot of how much the two of us can party together!!!! :) It was great!
Thanks Andy for taking care of the home front while we had a little girl time!!! Now that I know how fun it is, we might have to do this more often!

I'M GOING ON A TRIP!!

Woo Hoo!!!! I am sooooo excited! We are doing a girls weekend this weekend in Boise and I CAN'T wait to get there:) Kyndall has a dance competition in Nampa tomorrow and because of scheduling conflicts with Spencers soccer (Holy cow the juggling has already started I thought we had a couple more years) the whole family couldn't go! So!!! That means GIRLS WEEKEND!! My girlfriend Becky and her daughter and Kyndall and I are going to go together! I can't wait for a weekend of Dance, Eating, Shopping and laughing!!! It's so fun to watch the girls dance, they have a GREAT teacher... and then the added bonus of staying over and playing! It's been too long since a fun girls only weekend! I am soooo excited! Becky, rev up the Honda... we are going to PARTY!!! I Can't wait!!!

ANDY'S PROJECT

I don't say enough on here that I have THE BEST husband in the world!!! Andy has been spending ALL of his free time in the evenings (which there is not a lot of anymore) working upstairs in our unfinished area getting it finished!!! It is looking SOO good! He is so talented and has GREAT ideas! This is the vanity that he MADE for the bathroom upstairs. I still can't believe that he made it himself. The picture doesn't do it justice, and of course, it will have a sink in it eventually... But it is BEAUTIFUL!!! Spencer is so excited about the bedroom with a bathroom! He can't wait for it to be finished.... we are getting closer! Maybe by June when I'm in Utah with the kids:) We'll see!!

TWO MINUTES!!

I got to spend a couple of minutes talking to my sister for her Birthday Tonight. It was WAY fun, and of course I went into a room by myself so that I could hear. When I came out of the room, I see Grace cleaning the floor with a wet rag. Not a good sign! So I find Dallin and he looks like this! Just what I wanted to do tonight, clean up a marker mess. So here are the mug shots of our Hulk!





So here we are AFTER the bubble bath! I LOVE CLEAN KIDS!!! (Not a great picture, but I figure I need to be in the pictures once in a while, so someday years from now, the kids will know I lived here too:))

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHELLY!!

It's my sister Shellys Birthday!! Happy Birthday Sis!! Shelly is the best sister EVER!! She has always been such a great help to me and has been GREAT to my kids! They LOVE Aunt Shelly!! Thanks for your example to me and for all of your wonderful talents that you share with us! I am so sad that we are so far apart (and so seemingly busy) that we don't get to see each other that often, let alone celebrate together!! I hope you have a GREAT day sis!!! I LOVE YOU TO PIECES!!!!

WHAT IN THE WORLD???

I can't figure out this weather! I woke up to a very beautiful morning, until I looked outside... SNOW!!! Dallin is super excited about the snow... but the rest of us... not so much! Seriously! It is April 21st and I am helping the kids find mittens and hats before they go to school.:( I could deal with the snow if it didn't bring along 30 degree temperatures! That is the part I am so over! How much longer can it possibly last???

HOW MANY OF YOU ARE THERE???

A friend of mine (Thanks Corina) had this on her blog yesterday and had 0 other people in the USA with the same name... I thought it would be funny to try a common name like Michelle Perry. Wow!! Was I surprised how many there were!!! Kyndall and Dallin had 0, Wyatt had like 9, then Spencer was 70 some and Grace Perry 279... I thought I had done better at unusual names for our kids! It is a fun thing to try!!! I guess I can't say I am one of a kind;)!!

HowManyOfMe.com

There are 741 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

NO TRAINING WHEELS

Grace had a flat tire on her bike, which we hadn't fixed because of the bad weather, there was not a reason to fix it yet. So today, Wyatt decided to fix the flat tire for her. While putting the bike back together, he didn't put the training wheels back on:) Grace didn't miss a beat. She just got on and rode off. I guess being child number 4 I hadn't taken the time yet to work with her without training wheels, so she is quite a bit older than the rest were at this stage, I guess it just clicks at a certain age huh? Being the MOM I was worried about the gravel road being a problem, or turning, but it was all a piece of cake to her! We couldn't get her off of the bike! (Don't notice the lack of helmet.... thank goodness we live in a rural area, you can get a ticket for that here! Oh, and her outfit just screams..."It's Sunday and Mom and Kyndall were at choir practice when I got home from church so I could wear anything I wanted!")

'TIS THE SEASON...

For soccer!!! Already! Spencer plays on a select team in town and they play Spring and Fall Soccer. We had practice for 2 weeks already. They have practiced in snow, sleet, hail and rain in the last two weeks. Then they had their first game on Saturday in the SUN!! It was perfect! It was fun to see them out playing again and see how the team has improved. They work well as a team. Spencer plays Defense and sometimes Goalie. (I don't care much for when he plays Goalie, but he doesn't mind it!) We had a great time visiting with the other families and getting reconnected. Hopefully the next few weeks weather stays nice. I'm not big on watching soccer in the snow:) I didn't get a lot of action shots Saturday, but here are a few to get us going! YEAH SOCCER!!!!!!

FIFTY MILE RIDE

Yesterday was our first 50 Mile Ride!! I am so excited about that mark! We did it in 3 1/2 hours, that is counting about 45 waiting time. Our group was 7 people, so it was easy to get spread out after a while and we would wait to make sure we were all ok and everyone was going the right direction. I have decided that this ride is my all time favorite so far! It was a beautiful 70 degree day with little wind. We were able to ride in our shorts and Andy got quite a bit of sun... He tans so easy:) So here's to next weeks ride... I think we will bump it up to 60? Hope the weather is nice like it is this weekend... I am so ready for it!

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY!!!

We are so excited about the weather today. From the time that Grace got up at 6:30 all she could talk about was going outside. At the time the temp was 27 degrees... but the sun was shining! We haven't seen that for a while:) By the time I got my lazy behind going, it was about 11:00, much warmer! So we went out and took some pictures, too bad the sun was SOOO bright, there are too many shadows and everything is washed out, but I thought they were cute of the kids, and it's so we can remember, "We had a Great day in April 2008... It wasn't all snow and rain!"













They didn't turn out great.... but we had a lot of fun in the sun!! Hope it sticks around!