Proud of my kids...

So, not to brag about my kids being better than yours, but......well.....they are. :-)

You know I'm just kidding, but I am proud of my girls for doing their best in school. Each year they have been in school, both of them have been selected as the student of the month for their respective classes. Since there are only 10 months, that means only 10 of 30 kids gets the award. Cassidy received it again this year, and I wanted to let her know how proud we are of her for working so hard in school.

Here's Cassidy with her certificate and trophy

Cassidy with her "favorite" teacher, Ms. Murdick

PS - I fully expect that now after having bragged about their "awesome-ness", neither one of them will receive student of the month awards next year. :-)

Who says you need cub scout aged boys to have a Pinewood derby?!

Cassidy and the activity day girls in our ward had their own Pinewood Derby this year. Cassidy and I had a fun time putting together her car (which is a obviously a dog, right?). Thanks to Brad Jenkins and Mark Nordstrom for helping provide tools and time so that it could all come together. She ended up doing very well, and probably won 50% of the races she was in. I think she also took home the "best in show" ribbon. Yep, that's how we roll.

Courtney made it! Kindergarten graduation is here!

Courtney with her teacher Mrs. Davis

Is that a cute kid, or what?!

Our little man turns 4...in style!

Carter turned 4 years old this month - and had not 1, or even 2, but 3 parties to celebrate the "accomplishment". What's that....preferential treatment....no, Mom isn't spoiling our last child (and only boy) rotten. It's normal for kids to have 3 birthday parties (next year he'll probably expect 4 parties). :-)

Here he is with all his buddies at the splash park.

This was the extended Bates family party (it was a swim party as well)

Finally, here is the little party we had for him on his actual birthday (just mom/dad & sisters)

Here he is chillin' in his new "crib" - a Transformer tent & sleeping bag

Hawaii - Aloha!

Kimberly and I were planning to take our annual trip to Mexico this year with her sister Melanie and her husband Marcus.  The destination was Nuevo Vallarta, and we were excited about the resort we had booked (we'd heard great things).  Well, as luck would have it, 1 week before the trip we had booked 9 months prior, the Swine Flu broke out and became a "worldwide" pandemic.  So with only 2 days notice, we somehow managed to rearrange everything and book a trip to Hawaii (our first time ever).  I'll tell you what...all 4 of us agreed that for a 2nd choice, this Hawaiian trip was the vacation of a lifetime!

A couple of local hotties that were trying to seduce Marcus and I (we told them we were flattered, but would have to pass).

This was on the beach located on our resort property...it was amazing!  We went snorkeling later, and Marcus and I swam alongside 2 others for 10-15 minutes.  It was unbelievable.

It was fun traveling with Mel & Marcus, because us guys didn't feel guilty golfing, knowing that Kimberly and Mel were having fun together flirting with the pool boys.  I can honestly say, I have never played a course quite like this one - it was literally cut into the lava field.

This guy was hilarious.  He would walk the beach from end to end with his rolled up shorts and "pimp cane".  His skin was literally leather.  Marcus dared me to ask him for a picture...so I went up and told him I had never seen such a remarkable tan, and asked him if I could take a picture with him.  He started yelling at me about how he wasn't a "monkey in the zoo".  Marcus couldn't stop laughing at me.   :-)

Pretty water...I miss it.

Random photo at one of the many restaurants...doesn't Kimberly look HOT?!

This was a first for Kimberly and I...it was quite the ride.  The views were AMAZING.  Kimberly was clutching her "barf bag" the whole flight.  :-)

We stopped at this famous chocolate store one day.  I was looking around, and counted everyone in the store.  There were 56 Asians,  the 4 of us, and the random person behind us in this picture.  I haven't felt so out of place since I was in China.  ;-)

Arguably one of the coolest "Tarzan - esk" trees I have ever seen.

Again, is she irresistible, or what?!   "Shiver me timbers!"

Obligatory snorkeling pic...right after Captain Steve gave us the quote of the week.  "You never know when you'll need a good petroleum product."

Hawaii (cont.)

Hawaii (cont.)

What a cute couple...

Melanie was complaining about being "hot" all night, but it wasn't until we took this picture that we understood what she meant.

This is the girl who pulled me up on the stage and made me have a "dance-off" with her in front of the entire audience.  She had no idea what she was getting herself into...I showed her how a real professional can move his hips.

Where's Waldo?