"HALLOWEEN" 4 Nights in a Row!

Wednesday was the Halloween party for Kennedy and Rylee at Gymnastics. I FINALLY got Rylee’s costume done so yeah she got to be the vampire she wanted just like Kennedy. I planned on making a costume for both Rylee and Kennedy. However, I began sewing Rylee’s the first of October and by the middle of October I was still working on it. Therefore when we went to Las Vegas for UEA I decided we had better buy Kennedy a costume. We did and it was a good thing because I only finished Rylee’s costume a few hours before the Gym party.







Thursday was the “Trunk-or-Treat” for our ward, again just another excuse to dress up. The kids decided they would dress up as something different for tonight.

Kennedy was a beautiful princess. She always looks like a beauty queen.

Rylee was also a princess. (not by her choice however.) It was short notice and that is all I could come up with. When she got her face painted they asked what she wanted and she told them a skeleton or a spider. Anita Bunker who was kind enough to paint the kids faces said “I don’t know how to paint those, how about a butterfly or fairy wings?” Rylee said “no” so she said “how about a shark” Rylee was ok with that. She’s really quite a tom boy. But at least she’s a cute tom boy.

And then there was Jack. I looked and looked but we had nothing to dress him up as so he said “how about a witch.” We did have that. So he was a cute little witch. He was pretty upset that we forgot his broom though.

Friday of course was Halloween. And lo and behold we had a sick ward. Both Rylee and I were up the entire night prior with the stomach flu. Not an enjoyable night. Poor Rylee was so sad when Kennedy and Jack were headed out the door to go trick or treating that I couldn’t bear it. I allowed her to get dressed up as well. Steve took her and Jack in the stroller. Jack was sick Monday night and once it was all out of him he was ok by Tuesday night. I figured it was probably just a 24 hour bug and that Rylee had the same thing. I couldn’t take trick-or-treating away from her.

Week in Review

If my blog is beginning to look and sound a lot like a journal I’m sorry. However that is the main reason I started my blog. I have no other place that I keep an account of the happenings of my family. This is it. Therefore many posts may be just like this, pretty boring for the world, but good for me to have jotted down.

Wednesday we had a mother daughter pj party for achievement days. Here is a picture of me and my sweet Kennedy at the party.


Thursday was our annual bunco Halloween party. Aren’t we a scary bunch!


Friday at about 10 pm I was able to cross off the school Halloween carnival. Luckily this year was not so bad. Last year I was completely in charge and felt a little crazy after the whole thing. This year I only agreed to help. I don’t even feel like I did much. But I did learn that others can definitely do their part and it will all work out. Last year I did it all myself and that is why I was crazy. I need to work at delegating a lot more.


Saturday was the Pumpkin Festival. It was also Super Saturday for our ward. I had to make a choice of which to attend. I chose to take my kids to the Festival. I’m sorry to all those who worked so hard on Super Saturday. I’m sure it turned out great. We had a lot of fun at the Festival. I enjoy taking my kids to our community activities. I think it is really important to support them, especially when we live in such a small town with limited events and activities.





Today I crossed another big event off for the week. We had our Primary Sacrament Meeting Program. I think it went off amazingly. Luckily we have wonderful kids in our ward. 100 kids up on the stand and they were more reverent than the rest of the congregation. That's something to be proud of.

Here is a picture of me and the extraordinary women I work with in primary.

UEA Weekend

Tuesday the Canadian Brass Band came to Cedar and performed at the Heritage Center. I was very excited to see them perform however we were unable to get a babysitter at the last minute and therefore I allowed Kennedy to take my spot and I stayed home with the younger children. I knew Steve wanted to go a little more than I did and so I figured it was his turn out. They both thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Kennedy said that her favorite instrument was the trombone.

Wednesday the kids were out of school for 5 days because of UEA and Harvest Holiday. We decided to take advantage of it and took off to spend a couple of days in Las Vegas. We stayed at the Stratosphere and took the Kennedy to the top of the for some thrill rides. Kennedy was our only child tall enough to ride and she had a blast. What a little dare devil she is. She’s so very sweet and sensitive however get her around a roller coaster and watch out, the adrenaline starts pumping and it’s hard to get her off the rides. The scarier the ride the more fun she has. Steve and Kennedy rode both in the day and at night. Kennedy loved the night ride more by far. Since this was the kids vacation we did all the things they wanted. Starting with Chuck-E-Cheese on Wednesday night. Thursday was full of pet stores, the 99 cent store, Cheesecake Factory (this was for us as well), FAO Schwarz, and Halloween shopping. Friday was another full day. Not only for the kids but for me as well. They got to go to the park and feed the ducks while I spent the afternoon at the dentist. We finished out the evening with rock climbing at Dick’s Sporting Good Store (where both Kennedy and Rylee rang the bell at the top), and then a little shopping for me. I did spend 3 hours in the dentist’s chair so I figured I needed a little something. I didn’t realize it until I got home but I came home with 7 new pairs of shoes. How did that happen?

FAO Schwarz

Rock Climbing

Today I crossed a hurdle, our first Practice with the Primary for the Sacrament Meeting program. It actually went a lot smoother than I had anticipated. It could have been because half our kids were absent. It’s a little tricky writing and pulling off a primary program for over 100 kids. This is my third year with this job so you’d think I’d be a pro, no chance of that. However, I do love my calling in the Primary Presidency and hope to remain there longer but once you get to the 3 year mark I think your days are numbered. Now I just have to hold my breath until next week for the actual program. I’m sure the kids will pull it off.

Jack's 3! Watch Out!

Jack blowing out the candles on his flower cake!

Yesterday was Jack’s 3rd birthday. All day he said “I can’t believe it’s my party!” He was pretty excited. There really wasn’t a party except for family. That was good enough for him. He just couldn’t believe that the entire day was about him. Now I have to tell you about his flower cake. We went to Dairy Queen to get him an ice cream cake and I picked out one that was covered in Oreos. Well he didn’t want the one I picked out. He saw the flower cake and wouldn’t let up. He wanted the flowers. So that is what he got. When we showed it to the girls, cute Kennedy said “He probably got that for us so we wouldn’t feel bad.” Jack proceeded to say “No I got that for me.”

What can I say about Jack? I think a better question is what isn’t there to say about Jack. He’s quite a character. My life definitely would not be the same without him. He keeps me on my toes. Out of the blue he always seems to come up with something that completely catches me by surprise. A couple of months ago he came up to me and said,
Jack “do you know what is funny to me”
Mom “no, what’s funny to you”
Jack “Pluto’s not a planet anymore.”

He seriously said that without any provocation. He has a rocket movie where they teach kids about the planets and he loves it. His older sister Megan was home from college during the summer and told him and his others sisters about Pluto not being considered a planet anymore and several weeks later he decided that was funny to him.
One of my favorite one liners that he is infamous for is.
Mom “honey”
Jack “my name is not honey my name is Jackson Ray Knell”

He loves to get me with that one.
He is player to the T. He will be as mischievous as you can imagine and then look at you with his big brown eyes and give you the tenderest smile. Every teacher at the Gym’s daycare say they love Jack because he has so much energy and they never know what to expect from him. That is absolutely true. I never know what to expect from him. He loves to make everyone laugh. Being the center of attention is preferred by Jack. He will definitely always be in the spotlight.

Jack is all boy. He loves to play rough. I only wish he had another boy that played as hard as he does but I have yet to find one that he won’t make cry. He loves dinosaurs, swords, and guns, guns, guns. He is already into teasing girls. It seems as though he really can’t help himself. In nursery he will take anything a little girl has just to see her cry and get upset and then chase him. I’m not quite sure what to do about this one. But after a while he will go up to the girl and hug her as though everything is perfectly fine. Like I said before, a player.

Sometimes I say I wish he were different, maybe just a little bit more mellow, however when I really think about it I wouldn’t want him any different. We do have to channel some of his energy into more positive behavior but he is an awesome little boy. He is very smart. Everyone he meets is amazed at how he talks and the big words he is always using. I am very blessed to have this little firecracker for my son. I love you Jack.

Happy Birthday Jackson Ray Knell


BYU's Homecoming Spectacular!

This past weekend we spent in Salt Lake City. We went to the homecoming spectacular on Friday night at BYU. My stepdaughter Megan is a member of Young Ambassadors. It was a really good show that they put on. A big highlight was the special guest Jenny Oaks Baker, I couldn’t believe how amazingly beautiful she played the violin. Megan, of course was amazing as well, as she is with everything she does. This was only their second performance since beginning rehearsals in September. You wouldn’t have known it they were phenomenal.

Megan & Kennedy after the show.

One of the big highlights for the kids when we go to Salt Lake is staying at Little America, and when I say staying I really mean swimming at Little America. They love the pool. Morning and night swims are a must. We also took them to Chuck-E-Cheese for the first time. It’s so wonderful that just the little things can make kids so very happy.

Jack being his normal silly self.



See how sweet Jack can look!

Chuck-E-Cheese

Sunday was the blessing of the newest nephew Caden. Babies are so wonderful. They truly are God’s way of saying that the world should go on. All and all it was a pretty good trip.

Great Grandma Janet with baby Caden

My 3 perfect Angels

Kennedy's 9th Birthday!

My children’s birthdays are one of the big highlights of our year. I look forward to them almost as much as they do.

For Kennedy’s 9th birthday, which was yesterday, we decided to go to a new restaurant in town called Ninja. It’s currently my family’s favorite place to eat. There is a Hibachi table where they cook the Japanese food in front of us. Many of my daughter’s friends had never been there so that was the pick. Afterwards we walked over to Grandee’s old fashion Ice cream parlor in order to attempt to conquer the Zion, which is the largest sundae in Utah. There are 24 scoops of ice cream, 15 toppings, 5 different sprinkles and whip cream. I’m happy to say, the kids did an awesome job and the Zion was no match for them. We had to scale down on the number of kids this year for cost effective purposes. The count for the past 5 years has been between 20 – 24 kids. We limited ourselves to 15 this year including my own 3. After we were stuffed beyond compare we played some games and Kennedy's Aunt Nancy even taught the girls a couple of line dances. It was a hit. I'm pretty sure they all enjoyed themselves. I know Kennedy was happy and that was most important.


Kennedy with her sister Rylee at Ninja on her birthday!

To my beautiful 9 year old daughter Kennedy,

It’s hard to believe that I have been blessed with 9 wonderful years with you. It really doesn’t seem like I should be so lucky. You are truly an angel sent to me. You were a beautiful baby. I remember everyone telling me how gorgeous you were. And I also remember our neighbor at the time and also my doctor Laurie Hansen Hunter, telling me that I should not always talk to you about your appearance that instead I should constantly tell you how smart you were. Luckily neither has been a problem. You have been told your entire life how pretty and how intelligent you are by everyone who has met you. Both of which are very true.

I do have to admit that there was a time in the very beginning that I wasn’t sure I would make it as your mom. You cried constantly as a newborn. Your father and I would take turns throughout the night sitting on the edge of the bathtub holding you draped over our lap or arm with the water running. It was just about the only thing that would soothe you. And even that didn’t last very long. After about 3 months you did outgrow the colic and from then on have been pretty easy.

You have a tender heart that is easily broken. Luckily I do not have to get mad at you very often. I know how hurt you are when I do. You try to please everyone and are very conscious about making sure things are fair for all involved. I know how tough it has been with the different personalities that have come into our home. Your sister Rylee and brother Jackson have been a challenge. I am so grateful for your help with both of them. Some days I’m not sure I would be able to make it without your help. This past summer was quite a growing experience for you. I trusted you enough for you to tend your sister and brother every morning for an hour while I went to the gym to workout. A normal 8 year old probably would not have been able to do that. That is how helpful and responsible you are. It was a piece of cake for you. I always gave you a list to complete before I returned home. It went something like this; 1. eat breakfast 2. get dressed 3. make beds 4. do homework. There was one day that I had not left yet however you thought I had. I was so impressed to hear the way you handled following the list with the younger children. You got right on top of it and began getting them all breakfast. I was so proud. Everyday when I would return, sure enough the entire list was always complete. I am so grateful for your help during that time.

From the beginning of your school years, beginning at preschool you have been loved by every teacher. Bonnie Bishop was your preschool teacher at the SUU preschool. She adored you and still asks about you when I run into her. Bobette Clark was your kindergarten teacher and instantly fell in love with you as well. She would even let you attend the morning class occasionally and spend her lunch hour eating lunch with you before the afternoon session would begin. She loved to have you read to the rest of the class and was just as proud as I was at the time for your eagerness of learning. Kathy Riddle was your 1st grade teacher. In a parent/teacher conference she had so many wonderful things to say about you but by far the best compliment was that if she had had a daughter she would have wanted her to be just like Kennedy. Cheryl Apgar was your 2nd grade teacher. Again an instant connection was made. She even attended your baptism even though we had only just met her. She said that Kennedy was one of a kind. Even though Kennedy was much farther advanced than the rest of the class she said that she never rubbed it in. She would only help the other kids if they needed and wanted help in a very loving way. Martha Bayer is Kennedy’s 3rd grade teacher. Last week we had our first parent/teacher conference she, as well, went on and on at how smart and friendly Kennedy is.

I hope you know how much I love you. I could not imagine my life without you in it. I am so grateful to Heavenly Father for trusting me enough to be your mom. I know how special you are to me and therefore your worth to our Father in Heaven is probably inconceivable. You are my daughter but before that you are a daughter of God. I pray that you will never forget that.

Happy Birthday Sweetheart!

I have to appologize for the beginning of these pictures. It was obviously before we had a digital camera and my scanner did not do a good job at scanning this morning. You can still get a good idea of how cute Kennedy was and still is.

AGE 1

AGE 2

AGE 3

AGE 4

AGE 5

AGE 6

AGE 7

AGE 8

AGE 9

WOW! WHAT A BEAUTIFUL GIRL, INSIDE AND OUT!
PLEASE STAY 9 FOR A LONG TIME!

Time Out For Women

Joyful Life
(joi-fuhl life): great delight or happiness caused by a life that is exceptionally good or satisfying.


I was very blessed to be able to attend the Time Out For Life and Time Out For Women seminars with Sheri Dew and Hilary Weeks in Las Vegas this past weekend. What an amazing spiritual experience it was. I knew after the first presenter that I was meant to be there. And as Virginia Hinckley Pierce put it I know I was meant to be there because I was there.
There are so many talks that hit home directly for me. I knew that I truly needed this time out to make a few adjustments in my life. With so many wonderful presenters I came home with something from each of them that I will use to better myself as a wife, a mother, a daughter, and a friend.
I decided to record only a few here and maybe more at a later time.

Virginia Hinckley Pierce
She talked a lot about prayer. “Prayer is about a relationship with god. We get to talk to someone who knows us better than anybody.” She also went on to talk about the fact that Heavenly Father has many blessing he wants to give us but he wants us to ask. We may never know some of them if we refuse to ask for them. I also loved that she talked about teaching our children to pray and about her own mother teaching her to pray. That is the first thing our children learn about god is when they learn to pray. “If we have learned how to pray we will be ok. If our children have learned how to pray, they will be ok.” There is a lot of comfort in that saying especially as a mother who worries a lot about my children and their future as they get older.

Michael Wilcox
His talk was full of countless favorites for me. He told about his mother and how she filled his vision with god through the beauty of the world. It was her way of teaching him as a small boy. As an example he loved to bring home many different creatures as many little boys do. One day he caught a horny toad and brought it in the house. Many of us moms would very easily tell our children to take the disgusting toad outside. His mother bent down beside him, looked right into his eyes and asked “which of Heavenly Fathers creations have you brought home to show me?” What a wonderful way to look at life. This is something that I know I need to work on. I want my children to know how much I love the world and the beauty that I see in it. I am going to make a conscious effort to give remarks on my surrounding and thank god for each and every one of them so that my children will gain a greater understanding of God through the Lens of my eye.
Eye – Heart – Soul

When you say Thomas what immediately comes to your mind? Doubting Thomas. He will forever live with that stigma. Michael asked if anyone knew another story about Thomas and very few did. I was one who knew only the one. There is another story about Thomas in the bible. When Jesus heard that Lazarus was ill and was planning to go to him, his disciples pleaded with him not to go for they knew it was dangerous. The last time they had been in the area Jesus was almost stoned. Thomas was the one who said Let us go, for we will die with you. No one remembers Thomas that way. We do not say Courageous Thomas only Doubting Thomas. “The real you is you at your best not at your worst”.

Jesus was always lifting others up. He changed the names of many of his disciples into names that meant more. When Michael was a young student he had a difficulty in school. He was not very well behaved. He read the teacher comments along with his report cards from Kindergarten up to the 4th grade. They all referenced the fact that he needed a lot more growth in his actions to control himself. He received G on every report card for the citizenship side, which stood for more growth needed. He loved baseball and his favorite player was Willey Mayes. Willey would catch a ball by flipping over his baseball mitt just at the right time for the ball to fall in. Michael practiced constantly so he too could catch a ball like Willey. When he was in the 5th grade he was in class practicing moving his hands like Willey did. His teacher came up to him and said
Teacher “Mike I bet I can guess who your favorite baseball player is?”
Mike “Who?”
Teacher “Willey Mayes.”
Mike “Well yeah how did you know that?”
Teacher “Because you can catch a baseball like Willey Mayes. I’m not going to call you Mike anymore, I’m going to call you Willey.”
That year his report card had an S on every line on the citizenship side. His teacher also wrote, “Mike is a good boy”. What a difference it makes when we lift others up and see them as god would see them.

Michael wanted to learn to play chess as a youth. His favorite piece on the board was the Knight. When the match would begin he would immediately begin and lead with his knight. And inevitably he would always lose. The strongest playing piece is the Queen and only when he led with his queen did he begin to win games. God is leading with his queen. The world doesn’t always lead with the queen. The importance of women far surpasses that of men in a lot of ways. We have a huge responsibility on our shoulders. We must never feel like we do not have as big of a role as our husbands or fathers. God left two of the most important roles in our plan of salvation to women. First there was Eve and then Mary the mother of Jesus. Without these two women fulfilling their mission the plan would have never worked. I intend to hold myself up to that high of esteem and know that I as well have a very important role on this earth.

In November 2009 there is a Time Out For Women scheduled for St.George, Utah. I am very excited to attend it. It was a sacrifice for me and especially for my family leaving them for the weekend however it was definitely worth it. I also got to know some wonderful women from my ward a lot better.

First Days Of School

Jack's first day of Joy School

Rylee's first day of Kindergarten

Rylee and her friend Brooklyn ready to learn, or play at least

Kennedy's first day of 3rd grade