The Packer Family: December 2009

FIRST DAY'S OF SCHOOL 2009

I can't believe how fast my little boys are growing right before my very eyes.

Broc just started 2nd grade. He is 7 and will be turning 8 before I know it. Broc's 2nd grade teacher is Mrs. Baker. He seems to really like her and has met many new friends in his class. He is reading really well, does very good at Math and has excelled at Spelling. I am so proud of him and all of his academic achievements!

Brady just started his 2nd year of preschool. He is 4 and will be turning 5 in December. He loves his teacher Mrs. Thompson. His preschool is less than a quarter mile from our house. His teacher is also in our ward and we have known her many years. She is wonderful. Brady is learning so much already this year. He has come home singing many new songs that he learned in pre school and he can even recite The Pledge of Allegiance. He is one smart cookie and is very excited to start Kindergarten next year so he can be at the same school as his big brother.

Day at the Lake

This is how we spend many of our Idaho summer days. We have had our boat now for 5 summers. We have so many great memories at the lake and it is a great way to spend time as a family.

RUSH Triathlon 2009

This past August I competed in the Rush Triathlon in Rexburg, ID. It was my first triathlon and I participated in the sprint distance. It consisted of a .5 mile swim, 14.2 mile bike ride and a 3.1 mile run. My official finishing time was 2:19:25. The swimming was by far the hardest part for me, but the bike wasn't bad at all. Normally the running would be my strongest leg... but after riding a bike on rolling hills for 14.2 miles your legs are numb. It was hard but I would definitely consider doing it again next year.

CALIFORNIA VACATION 2009

This past August we took a trip to California. We had a wonderful time and cannot wait to go back. My Mom also came with us and it was fun to have her. We flew from Salt Lake to Long Beach. The boys thought the airplane was pretty awesome. The looked adorable pulling their luggage through the airport.

We bought 3 day park hopper tickets for Disneyland and California Adventures. The boys had so much fun and they LOVED the roller coasters. Their favorite rides at Disneyland were Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain, Indiana Jones (Brady wasn't tall enough) and the Matterhorn. Their favorite rides at California Adventures were Big Bear Rapids, Soain' California and Bugs Life. Broc really like Tower of Terror, but Brady hated it! Broc was disappointed when he was 1" to short to ride California Screamin. Next time he will be tall enough. We had a blast and can't wait to go back.

After we had had enough of "the happiest place on earth", we headed for long beach. We went to the queen Mary and the Aquarium of the Pacific. The Queen Mary was much to be desired. I think it was a waste of money and it was much cooler when I was a kid, but Brady really enjoyed it. The aquarium however was amazing and worth every penny. We spent hours in there and the boys loved every second of it!

We spent several days enjoying the sun and surf at both Hunnington and Laguna Beach. The weather was perfect and the boys loved playing in the sand, searching for shells and playing in the ocean. It was absolutely beautiful and so relaxing. I am definitely ready to go back!