Knight Jack of Warwick Castle

I feel so lucky to have such a wonderful job!

"BodyPump"

"BodyStep"




I feel especially lucky that this job has introduced me to 3 girls that have now become some of my closest friends! This picture was taken on the day we rolled out BodyStep 80...dressed in theme! (Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of "BodyAttack", which is my favorite program to teach!)

(Stacy, Kelly, me and Alejandra)

Halloween 2010

This Halloween book is Jack's first choice every night this time of year. Here is how he explains this particular page...

The purple monster is mommy, scaring the cute little girl, who is Rian. The wolf is Dakota, who is comforting Jack. Jack is crying because he dropped his lollipop into the bush.

Should I worry that he immediately sees me as the big fat monster???

Dakota got the chance to haunt at Fear Farm again this year with her friend, Willow. I could hardly look at her with this super creepy make-up on!

Pumpkin Patch

Carving Pumpkins...

Jack (Luigi), Rian (Vampiress), Dakota (Sorceress)

The kids made some friends while trick or treating near grandma & papa C's house...

All the Cameron and Shepherd children (+1) at the Trunk or Treat.

Dakota & Rian trick-or-treating...

Our favorite Halloween tradition...MONKEY MAN!!!

Once again it was Jack's year. Much to Jacy's pleasure, Bailee and Kendall did join in his terror!

Until next year Monkey Man!

Our Bainbridge drive home 2010...Forgot to put up

Happy Birthday Auntie Bree!

Happy Birthday to my amazingly brilliant, bonkers talented, crazy sweet, and absolutely beautiful baby sister! I love you!!!

"I love Aunt Bree because she read me and Cameron stories before we went to bed in Washington! Happy Birthday Aunt Bree!" -Rian

"I love Aunt Bree because she inspires me to write just like her! Happy, happy birthday Aunt Bree! I hope you have a great day." -Dakota

Happy Birthday Papa!

Happy Birthday Dad/Papa!

Take 1...

Take 2......

Take 3...

Take 4...

Take 5...

Finally!!!

WE LOVE YOU!!!

Our Stars...and Jack!

Ok, ok...so the title is a little bit mean, but read the entire post before you judge!

Yesterday all of the parents were invited to Ms Neal's 3rd grade class to listen to the children's recently published stories. Rian wrote such a cute story and read it proudly out loud to the group. Looks like she might take after her brilliant Aunt Bree! Afterwards, there were treats for all.

No shocker here...Dakota was named Student of the Month for September. This officially means that every year (besides 2nd when she attended a different school) she has received this honor either the 1st or 2nd month of the school year. The students have a reward/punishment system in their class where they have to write Mr. Schooley a check out of their fake bank account for misbehaving. Dakota's goal is to not have to write a single check the whole year. I know she can do it. However, they have to write one if their parent doesn't sign the agenda every night...that's alot of pressure on me!!!

Oh Jack...sigh. My son came up to my room the other day COVERED in YOGURT!!! What would possess a child to do such a thing? I don't know. But, he was super excited about it. I guess that's what I get for ignoring the fact that it was dead silent downstairs, so that I could have some quiet time. Which, by the way, was totally worth it!

The family that plays together...

Jack's first rec practice as an Arizona Hammer! He was definitely excited, but also a little nervous to go out there without mom or dad. It didn't take long before he decided to just go for it! He loves to run around with all the other boys and is so excited to have his turn on the field!

Does this picture remind you of anyone??? ^^^

Rian in her first official competitive game! Despite her fears of being out there in front of all those parents, she played so hard and totally won over the hearts of the crowd.

Dakota's first game of the season. She is so fun to watch! She has set a great example for her sister and brother. Her drive and skills improve each time I watch her, and I can't wait to see what the future has in store for her!

Family Home Evening~Activity???

Rian was devastated last Sunday night when we told the kids to get ready for bed. This isn't unusual for her, but her reason actually gave me that warm, fuzzy feeling. She was upset because this would have been the second week in a row that we'd skipped Family Home Evening. So I gave a quick lesson on the importance of prayer and left the activity up to Dave...this is where things got a little out of hand.

Our activity included 2 newly invented Cameron family games...the first of which consisted of Dave rolling across the room as fast as possible while the kids jumped over him. The problem came when they started laughing so hard that they couldn't jump in time, or high enough to clear him! At the point that they got too exhausted to jump anymore and he was just bulldozing them, they decided to try game #2...Dave does a push up while the kids stand on his back. I'm a little bit surprised, and a lot grateful, that this FHE didn't conclude in the emergency room.

I'm especially grateful for my kids. Rian will absolutely not let us skip a week of FHE. Tonight, and most nights, she jumps at the chance to give the lesson. She takes the initiative to put a sweet thought together all on her own. Tonight she talked about the Iron Rod and even had a little "Pin the Fruit on the Tree" game where she led us each, with our eyes closed, along a makeshift rod. Dakota loves to do the activity. She always puts so much effort into it, and it always comes with a sweet little spiritaul thought. Jack enjoys leading us in his favorite song, "Follow the Prophet", or "Fall on the groffit" if you really listen to him! He sings the song as he walks around in a circle. One by one we are to join in, walking around and singing the song together.

Jumping Jacks

Jack doesn't always like to have his picture taken, but on occasion he gets silly and wants me to capture every moment of it. While at grandma and papa's C's house for a family get-together, he was in one of those moods. I took full advantage of it and snapped these great mid-air leaps.

Gotta love this kid and his testosterone filled little body!