Genter Family

Fun Birthday Cake

2011-04-13T12:46:00.000-07:00

I was worried about making this cake for a friends daughter. I usually am the baker and Duane the decorator. Duane was going to be out of town the day we needed to decorate the cake, so I decided to take on the task. We made all the flowers ahead of time and I actually had fun putting the cake together and surprising my piano student for her 13th birthday.

CA Academy of Sciences

2011-04-07T18:54:00.000-07:00

At the end of spring break we took a day to go to San Francisco to visit the Academy of Sciences with friends the Grahams and Allens. The kids had the most fun in the rainforest and aquarium, but when I saw the huge spider out of its container I was happy we were pretty much done with that and was out of there. It was a fun beautiful day, after we got home the weather turned a bit and started hailing and actually had a little bit of frozen snow. Very strange and rare. We had a lot of fun making a few snowballs and collecting our bowls full of snow.

Hawaii December 2010

2010-12-01T07:28:00.000-08:00

Duane was going to Hawaii for work so we decided to tag along. We did not tell the kids we were going and when we kept Claire out of school the day we were leaving we told her we were going to a museum in SF. Even when we got to the airport and told them, they did not believe and still kept asking when were we going to the museum. I think they finally realized it was the real deal when we were on the plane.

Apple Hill November 2010

2010-11-13T22:03:00.000-08:00

Veteran's Day Parade 2010

2010-11-11T19:20:00.000-08:00

Halloween 2010

2010-10-29T17:51:00.001-07:00

The pumpkins Claire's is a witch, Duane the Mad Hatter and Grant is the Moose from Nick Jr. We saved a lot on costumes this year by borrowing Claire's cowgirl outfit and Grant's cowboy was from last year since he would not wear it last year and it sill fit we decided to put it to use. Halloween was pretty fun with the school party and trick or treating the same night. We started the night out just in our neighborhood and headed over to the Addington's and met them and the Bonner's where we went to a church in the neighborhood for some more trick or treating.

Pumpkin Patch 2010

2010-10-17T22:19:00.001-07:00

This year we decided to go back to the train museum to visit the pumpkin patch. Grant still loves trains so we thought it would be fun to go ride the train before it is of no interest to him. The hay maze was very fun for the kids it is all they wanted to do, they had games, pony rides and even a pretty good band. Every time we come here Grant is very excited until he is actually on the train. I finally figured out that he gets a bit of motion sickness when the train is moving. We rode on a muni train that they had just finished restoring. It took four years to restore it. I love the old ads in the trains especially the interest rate on the savings account 4 1/2%, better than you can get today. So Crazy!!!

Dillon Beach

2010-10-02T21:00:00.000-07:00

A couple of days after Claire's birthday we headed to Dillon Beach. We were able to take Brooke with us to play. The day was pretty chilly and the water like ice, but we still had a lot of fun. The Bonners made it with us which made for nice company. Grant actually did not have his usual sand issue. Yeah for small accomplishments!!!

The sun trying to break through. We had a bit of the sun's rays that day.

Carson did not want to get out of the water, although it was ice cold.

Claire's 9th Birthday

2010-09-30T15:18:00.000-07:00

You blink and a year goes by. This year Claire decided she did not want a birthday party. I was still somewhat shocked that she just wanted to do fun things as a family. Although, one of those things is going to Hawaii. We started the day with yummy German Pancakes and homemade syrup and Claire picked Red Robin for dinner. She decided she wanted to go to the Beach on Saturday and we are planning a trip to Disneyland after Thanksgiving or on Christmas break. Some of Claire's favorite things are her friends, drawing, music, singing, swimming and playing with her brother most of the time. She will start taking guitar lessons next week and is very excited. Happy 9th Birthday!!! Love you Mom

Bundle of Blonde
From the day you opened your eyes to your very first cry.
I knew I was blessed with a bundle of blonde
I remember your first step and how it led to a run
I remember your first word and how it led to a conversation
I knew I was blessed with a bundle of blonde
As you celebrate another year of your birth
Thank you for the joy of watching you grow
My bundle of blonde
My life is blessed by God because you are
My bundle of blonde
Happy 9th Birthday Sweetheart
Thank you for choosing me as your Daddy Love, Daddy

It was twin day at school.

Spring Piano Recital 2010

2010-05-16T21:30:00.001-07:00

Here is the only group shot I got because the battery on my camera went dead. I kept telling myself to charge my battery so I could get some good group shots, but guess that was the one thing I forgot to do. I am proud of all my students they all worked very hard for this night to shine. Front row: Alexa, Sam, Alex, Elizabeth Back row: Heather, Wendy, Brooke, Claire, Dallin, Me, Nadine, Emma, Morgan. (missing Reagan and Nicole) I truly enjoy teaching I am not sure if it because I have such great students or that it has given me a true passion in life.
The cake creation. My husbands new hobby.

Grant's 4th Birthday

2010-04-17T21:58:00.000-07:00

Grant has been so excited for his fourth birthday. He can't stop talking about his jumpy house and that he is going to be "4". The day was beautiful, Grant is really into trains and cars so since we did trains last year we did a hot wheels party. It was a lot of fun. Happy Birthday Grant!!!
Opening presents

The cake creation with added embelishments from the boys. Everything is edible except the hot wheels. We were not that ambitious to make edible hot wheels although it would have been really cool. Some of Grant's favorite things to do are riding his bike, fixing things (batteries are always in check), playing trains, playing with his sister, playing spiders in my bed and staying in his jammies all day. He shares his special day with his Grandpa and Brooke and Ty Addington (our friends) so Grant of course all day thought he had three birthday parties to go to. Still at the end of the day he asked when we were going to Grandpa's birthday. Happy Birthday Dad we miss you!!

After Grant's party we headed over to the Addington's to celebrate Brooke's 8th birthday and Ty's 1st birthday. Grant followed Cody around all day. He loves Cody, so here he is sharing his soda with him. What a fun day!

Claire's 8th Birthday Party

2009-10-03T16:29:00.000-07:00

I Can't Wait Until I'm Eight

2009-09-30T17:24:00.000-07:00

Claire's 8th birthday we decided to keep simple as to focus more attention on her baptism. She had a group of girls meet us at our house and then we headed to the movies to see Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. We could only fit so many in two cars but managed to get all the girls to the movies. After the movies we headed back to our house for cake. She had a lot of fun with her friends as usual. Claire really loves her friends, music, creating stories and songs. She is the creative mind that I do not have. I cannot believe my little baby girl is eight years old. It seems that it was yesterday that I was holding you in my hand. I know as a mom we want to freeze time and keep them small but I have enjoyed every growing moment with you as my daughter. You truly are a huge blessing in my life and I am thankful to my Heavenly Father for giving me this opportunity to teach you and love you.

Claire's 8th Birthday

2009-09-30T16:05:00.000-07:00

Claire's actual 8th birthday they had an assembly at school and she received this award.

The cake Claire wanted Kathy to make her is actually a cake from Costco, but in Claire's mind Kathy makes this most delicious cake.

Boogie to the Beach

2009-09-16T21:09:00.000-07:00

The Saturday after school started we headed back to the beach. Unfortunately, the weather was not all that great, but it was fun to be with friends. The weather definitely does not stop Claire from getting in the water. It was her first time boogie boarding and she had a blast.

School Days

2009-08-21T17:47:00.000-07:00

Does summer really have to end? Claire is entering third grade this year. I am really happy about her teacher Ms. Kamisky. Claire said she is the best teacher ever, so hopefully this is a good sign of a good year. Claire has had a little anxiety this week so hopefully since she seems to like her teacher so much it will help her adjust.

Lazy days of summer

2009-08-21T16:51:00.000-07:00

We had some great weather the last week before school started. No wind really makes for a great swim day. Just good ole fun in the backyard.

Camper Mom and Kids

2009-08-21T16:27:00.000-07:00

The end of summer was approaching so six women and sixteen children went camping at a local KOA. Are we crazy? Grant was quite the wanderer and charmer with our fellow campers and borrowed their scooter.

At night every noise was "what's that" so we ended up playing what's that which ended up being a lot of fun before bed. Luckily enough I had a King size air mattress since both my kids slept with me in the middle. At least they slept.
Sound asleep.
Claire, Landon and Brooke with their pig noses they found.
Claire and Brooke

Sand and Water Contact

2009-08-18T09:46:00.000-07:00

Grant has not been a big lover of the sand or water at the beach . Yet again we tried with our friends, the Brondums, visiting from South Carolina. It was another beautiful day at the beach. Even better that Grant has finally decided to touch the sand and go in the water.

Emma and Isaac find another Indiana Jones whip.
Miles covered in sand.

I love this picture.

Love this one too, can't believe I have been blessed with such beautiful children.
Grant's first time playing in the water voluntarily.

Summer Art

2009-08-12T15:34:00.000-07:00

Our friends Jared and Nancy were here visiting. Jared runs the Central Utah Art Center and does a summer program for kids, so I asked if they would be willing to teach some of us here. They taught a three day class focusing on color. Here is our tye dye project. Landon, Claire, Caden and Isaac.
Tye Dye with sharpie markers and rubbing alcohol.
The same process tying bands around different size balls and using the sharpie markers then spraying with the rubbing alcohol. Brooke, Nadine, Samantha and Dallin.

Claire, Caden, Hunter, Elizabeth and Maddie.
Haydn with Alex in back.

The end result over the mason jar.
Landon still at work on his shirt.
Final results. Shirts look awesome.
Jared our teacher.
Landon and Dallin.
Brooke
Well worth the wait.

Goofin' Around

2009-08-11T08:34:00.001-07:00

Just another day of play. Claire, Brooke and Grant always play so well together.
Brooke makes a great bat girl.
One of Grant's favorite things to do is play in my pillows on my bed so I decided to play around with my camera since he was a willing participant. Wish I had my bigger lens.

Fly away wonder woman.

Lazy Sundays

2009-08-11T08:22:00.000-07:00

Still in his Sunday clothes, Grant decided to set up the sprinkler to cool off.

Saying Goodby is Never Fun

2009-08-09T20:34:00.000-07:00

It was time to say goodbye to our good friends the Skabelunds who have been here for 18 months. I always hesitate to make friends when I know someone is going to be moving. Although it was hard not to get to know such wonderful people. I am so glad we did. We will miss them very much. Good luck in Japan!!!

Maki, Jeremy and Hikari.

Two true Dodger fans.
A letter Claire wrote on 9-2-08. - My Best Friend - Have you ever made a friend? I have. I made Jordan, Madison, Zoe, Olie, Maddie, Olivia, Natalie. Zoe and me like to do is play Barbie's and house and hair. We like doing Barbie's hair. Hieckoty (Hikari) was a good good friend of mynd. She teach me how to ride my bike. I went slow and fast it was fun. I can go on my bike by myself wahoooo said me I went sooper dooper fast. I was going to crash into Hiecoty (Hikari), I stopt. the end. ( I wish I could draw the picture she drew on the letter) We will miss our friends.

Wicked Fourth of July

2009-07-31T19:57:00.001-07:00

On July 1st I took Claire to see Wicked. She totally loved it, and wants to go again. The next day we went to visit our friends in Nyssa, Oregon for the Fourth of July. We were actually in the Fourth of July parade in Vale riding in a covered wagon. Grant loved the beautiful horses and Claire loved throwing candy at people. It was good to be with such good friends.

Beautiful view from Travis & Misty's.

Oly & Claire getting ready for the parade.

The beautiful horses, that pulled our wagon.
Buy Oregon Onions. They are mouth watering.

Our very own fireworks show. Something we can't do where we live. It was really cool to watch the fireworks all over the valley.
Our gracious hosts. Misty & ??, Oly, Garrison & Travis Page. Thanks for such a great Fourth. Misty always spoils me. Claire would not take a family picture so to this date we still don't have family pictures.

Memories

2009-07-03T15:18:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite memories of my mom is every summer we would go to Santa Cruz for a couple day excursion with our best friends Marilyn and Teresa. We would shop, cruise the boardwalk and relax on the beach. It was a fun little tradition that she did with me every summer. Eating of course was one of our favorite things to do. We often would eat at a restaurant called the Shadowbrook in Capitola. All the waiters were male which probably made the experience all the better as a teenager. Our last trip to Santa Cruz was August 1989 before I left on my mission. Mom has been gone two years on July 4 and I cherish the memories I have of her. Missing you Mom.

A Christmas Carol Train Tour

2009-06-20T16:21:00.000-07:00

We went back to Old Sacramento to check out the train tour for the movie coming in November. We of course had to wait in a line (as with anything Disney), but once inside got to see the making of the movie, also see some original writings of Charles Dickens which was really cool, some of the costumes and models used to re-create this movie. At the end we got to morph our faces into some of the characters and then saw a preview of the movie in 3D. It was interesting to see Claire still jump at the 3D effects, Grant was truly not affected by it at all.

Watch Me Grow

2009-06-05T16:13:00.000-07:00

Wasn't it yesterday that Claire was starting Kindergarten. I remember that day so well watching her cry as I left her in class. Now she is finishing 2nd grade ready for 3rd. I sit back and look at Claire and how much she has grown. She enjoys school and her friends. Her favorite subjects this year were math, art and recess. She started taking piano lessons and is doing well. She is not as apprehensive about performing in front of people. We were lucky to have a great teacher this year Ms. Lean. Claire is a great daughter and a good helper and I feel very blessed to have her in my life. After school we played at the park for a short time so Grant could get his fix on riding the bee. Our friend Jordan came home with us and stayed the weekend while her family was gone hiking with the scouts. After school Claire had some friends come to swim even though the weather was not all that great it definitely did not stop them from have a great time.

First Blog Entry

2009-05-30T14:46:00.000-07:00

Well here goes nothing. Thanks Leah for helping me get started. I have been wanting to create a blog/journal for some time, but just have not had the guts.

Beautiful Beach Days

2009-05-16T15:41:00.000-07:00

Grant in the big hole at Stinson Beach. It was nice to finally see him touch the sand, although it took all day.
Claire, Sydney, Alex, Cameron and Jordan in the hole.

Sacramento Steam Train

2009-05-02T15:08:00.000-07:00

Claire and Oly riding on the train.
Yes, we love trains!
Garrison's first train ride.
Oly and Claire posing for a picture in the train museum.

Grant's 3rd Birthday

2009-04-17T14:46:00.000-07:00

Watch out I'm three years old. Wow! I can't believe my baby is three years old.
Cherish every moment!!!!

Riding the train with friends from church. Grant, Bailey, Drew, Haydn.
On the train with sissy.

Easter 2009

2009-04-12T21:35:00.000-07:00

Easter was really fun this year. After church we hunted eggs at our house then over to Bruce and Kathy's for another hunt and dinner. Abby helped with Grant's search, but after about two minutes Grant really got into the hunt and was on his own. He definitely did not want the easy ones and truly searched as high as he could go for those eggs. It was such a great day!!

Spring Recital 2009

2009-04-11T08:40:00.000-07:00

I love this picture with Claire. She was so proud of herself at her first recital. These moments make all the work worth every minute.

Claire and her friend Alex at the piano. Alex was very nervous for her first recital so Claire and her played a duet together and did a wonderful job.
Here I am with my students at our second piano recital. When I hear my students play I truly can not believe how much they have grown. I will truly miss two of my students who are moving away. I get very emotional and have a hard time telling my students how proud I am of them. They all did a great job!!!!
Front Row: Nicole Trette, Lauren Graham, Emma Clawson, Alex Rote, Claire Genter, Nadine Stilson, Elizabeth Clawson Back Row: Wendy Coombs, Judy Genter, Heather Bennion, Abby Allen, Morgan Addington, Reagan Graham, Hikari Skabelund and Troy Addington