Dear Jack,

First day of 2nd year of preschool

You are such a handsome devil.  The above picture of you has to be my very favorite.  After having a rough first year of preschool with Miss Amy, I decided a change was in order.  This year I put you in "I Can Do It Myself" which is more in downtown Payson, but I have heard for years of how good it is.  We are now one month in and you tell me all the time how much you love your new "big preschool."  After not learning one thing last year, you are already saying letter sounds left and right this year.  Maybe it is just with age, but I am a believer in this preschool.  I wish I would have put all my kids in for 2 years, but oh well.  You have homework pages every week (which you are actually loving and want actually want to do each night) and I can already see a difference.  It is so exciting and I am so grateful I was prompted for the change.

You are still a stubborn little guy when you want to be, and are learning to be more independent.  You like to help the kids unload the dishwasher and actually do a pretty decent job.  You want to put on your seatbelt and pour your own milk.  You can entertain yourself for the most part and get yourself a snack from the pantry without problems.

Since our cancellation of Netflix, you have discovered the video clips on NickJr.com and you have just recently learned how to use the computer mouse.  Needless to say, you love to watch shows and play games on the kids' computer while I am beside you working on my computer, and have lately told friends you don't want to play so you can keep playing.  Speaking of friends, you still like to play with Christian, Matthew and Adam, but we have found out the hard way that three's a crowd and you have been opting to stay home instead more and more.

At Mapleton's 4th of July celebration, your name was the first one called out of your age group to win a free bike.  I was so shocked because we never win anything and you just plain didn't know what was going on.  I had to carry you kicking and screaming up to claim your bike.  The announcer even commented, "He is crying he is so happy."  ha ha ha..  Once you settled down enough for me to tell you what was happening you were very excited, as I knew you would be.   In fact, you are getting very good use out of it, riding it about every day.  

A few weeks ago when as a family we went to through the Odgen Temple open house, they wanted to put booties on over our shoes and you threw a fit and ended up kicking down on the ground.  The ushers kindly told us you could just take your shoes off and wear socks and so that is what we finally did to calm you down and get you happy again.  You sure are particular about some things and I never seem to know what will set you off. 

You love Emmi and she is your favorite of your siblings to play with.  You also seem to be hers right now and I love how kind you are to each other.  Your other favorite pal is of course Birdie, and she sure does put up with a lot from you.  You like to act like she is your pillow and constantly try to lay on her, even though she usually ends up trying to nip you.  

You have picked up phrases such as "What da heck?" and "Oh, my gosh" which usually gets a good chuckle from any adult who hears you, but my favorite has to be your word for shoelaces... "shoe-tails."  I have no idea where you picked that one up, but I love it, especially in your little raspy, lispy voice.  You have fallen in love with the book "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" from school and you want your dad to read you our copy at least once before bedtime. I love you buddy.

Love, 
Mom

Boating with Grandma and Grandpa Hunsaker

BYU fall scrimmage

Children's Museum

Dear Keaton,

First day of 6th grade

I hope you know how proud I am to be your mom.  When we walked into Mrs. Thurston's classroom on "meet-your-teacher-night," Mrs. Thurston said "hello, Keaton!" and gave you a big hug.  I said something like, "she already knows your name" to which Mrs. Thurston replied, "Oh, yes, I know Keaton.  Last year I would always see him in the halls always doing what he was supposed to do and being so kind.  I knew then that I wanted him in my class this year."  It was so nice to hear that as a mom, even though I have stopped by the school many times enough to have seen for myself how good you are.  In fact, I can barely get you to smile and wave at me, you are so focused.

You are a wonderful student and were probably the most excited of all my kids to go back to school this year.  This year you also got to take band or orchestra, and you decided to learn to play the trumpet.  Luckily your Grandpa Hunsaker played the trumpet and he let you borrow his.  I let you take a break from piano in order to focus on the trumpet, although I am grateful for your piano lessons and how much they are helping you with it.  I can't wait until you are playing songs and we get to come watch your concerts.  I think it is awesome that APA starts both choir and band/orchestra so early.

Thanks to your awesome PE teacher (Mr. Winget), you asked to play soccer this fall, and I happily signed you up.  You are happy to be there and happy to play, although you do not necessarily want to go outside and practice all day.  I am just glad that you tried soccer this year and you were always a very good sport.

In any spare time, you are still asking to go play with Landon, and you guys are likely to be found on the Xbox or computer, playing Minecraft.  You are an 11-year-old scout and you and your dad are trying to start working towards becoming an Eagle, albeit very slowly.  Since we just found your scout book that you had misplaced a couple of months ago, we are going to have to kick that into gear.  

I love how independent you are, getting ready in the mornings, doing your homework, even making food or snacks for yourself and doing chores.  I love that I can leave Sam and Emmi with you for a quick errand around town and know that you will watch them.  You are earning my trust very well and becoming such a terrific young man.  I love you so very much.

Love, 
Mom

Shooting with your Dad and Grandpa Hunsaker

Children's Museum with cousins

Odgen Temple Rededication

Boating with Grandma and Grandpa Hunsaker

Dear Sam,

I don't know if it is just the white shirt and tie, but you look so grown up in the above picture! You are turning into such a handsome young man and I am so proud of you.  You have adjusted remarkably well to 4th grade, and really don't complain about much.  I am so glad that your buddies (Daxton and Malone) from the ward have joined us at APA and they ended up in your class.  I know that makes it a lot more fun for you.  I have switched to taking carpool in the morning, and have noticed that it does help cut down your anxiety.  You have had a couple anxious moments after I drop you off, but not too bad.  I am proud of you and facing your fears every single morning.  I wish I could keep you home forever so you wouldn't have to go through it, but obviously that isn't possible.  You are so brave, Sam.

I will never forget how happy you were when you found out that you had moved up a group level in math and now have your own "Saxon" textbook.  You were so proud and so was I.  You worked so hard last year.  Just recently I have received an email from your head teacher who told me "Sam is always smiling.  I love being able to look over at him and he's just grinning away."  I am so glad you are happy there because you really are the life of the party at our house.

With Keaton and Emmi taking soccer, I asked you what kind of lessons you would like to take.  I really pushed flag football hard because I think you would be so good at that but we ended up with art lessons, which I think is also up your alley.  You have always had an interest in drawing, but have never had formal training other than in school.  I found a professional artist who lives in our area that gives lessons to 4 kids at a time, and he has turned out to be such a great fit for you.  He honestly reminds me of your uncle J in his looks, personality and talent which we both like.  You have drawn a dolphin, and leopards already, and I love how happy this class is making you.

Before school started, Grandma and Grandpa Hunsaker took you kids and your dad out boating while I attended a funeral.  I am was not surprised to hear your dad comment that all of you are fish, because I already knew that.  You especially have a love of the water and have the strength to be a good one.  You were the saddest of all that our days swimming were over and we were headed back to school.  

I have to mention that back in July we were very lucky and you and Jack both won new bikes just days apart- Jack at Mapleton's 4th celebration and you at the Santaquin Days children's parade.  It was so fun to take you in and trade the bike in for a bigger bike (it was pretty small) and get the one that you loved.  You have gotten plenty of use out of it and it is great to see you out there riding almost every day after school.  You are such a joy to have in our home, Sam.  I love you so much.

Love, 
Mom

Dear Emmi,

You are a big 2nd grader now!  School has been in for a few weeks and although you were a little teary when I left you that first day of school, no more tears have been shed and you are excited to go to school.  Your new teacher, Mrs. Barton, is so sweet and has been with APA up north for a few years.  I know you are in good hands with her and as far as I can gauge, you are doing well.  You and your brothers always come home with smiles, which I believe is because of how they teach at APA and I love how excited you all are to tell me what you are learning about.  

Me and your Dad were especially shocked to hear you recite the Preamble to the Constitution, which all of the 2nd graders have learned.  I still don't know the Preamble, but wished I did.  I love how before you leave the van in the morning at drop off that you will always say "I will call you if I need to."  I know that you are saying this to reassure yourself that I will come if you need me to, but you think you are saying this for my benefit and it makes me smile.

I love that lately you are so very polite and always apologize to me for the littlest things.  Like this morning I suggested a certain dress for church and you said that you were thinking of wearing this other dress and said "I am sorry mom, I hope that doesn't hurt your feelings."  You are just too sweet and cute.  We are still working on doing what me and your dad ask you to do the first time around and also taking "no" for an answer, but I have to remind myself that you are still so young and these things will come with time.  You certainly have a big heart.

You and Keaton wanted to play soccer this year, which I am attributing to your awesome P.E. teacher, Mr. Winget, at APA.  None of you kids have had much desire to play sports, and I have noticed that in the last year, your interest has grown and it is very fun to watch.  Your dad says you have the perfect "soccer player hair" by the way your curls bounce around when you are running and I love the way you are not afraid to go after the ball.

You also started taking piano this summer, and if I can just remember to have you practice, I think you will be a really good one if you want to be.  You already have made great progress and love to play, which is half the battle.

I love you so very much.

Love,
Mom

Before school started we met cousins at Gateways' Children Museum

Saw Cinderella with Grandma Hunsaker and girl cousins.

Boating with Grandma and Grandpa Hunsaker