Yet another round of belt testing.
Bennett's Board Breaking.
Bennett's Listening Skills. Bennett had to learn 5 listening skills. Unfortunately due to the fact that a) his back was facing me b) I am sitting on the floor and c) Mia is jabbering away, he is difficult to hear. This does not make an ideal video taping session. So this is what he is actually saying.
1) Look at the person talking.
2) Don't interrupt the person talking.
3) Ask questions pertaining to what is being said.
4) Give appropriate responses, such as "I see," "Yes," "Uh huh."
5) Repeat in your own words what you believe was said.
Now if he would only follow these listening skills.
Taylor's Board Breaking. A jumping horse kick.
Taeguk Chil Jang - For each belt test Taylor has to learn a new form. This is his red belt form (English way of saying it). When he tests he not only has to do this form but some, most, or all of the previous forms he has learned. It all depends on the mood of Master Augustine. This time around he had to do 7 of the 8 forms that he has learned. He also had to do his board breaking, a series of attack and defense moves,sparring and a kicking combination (25 kicks in 12 seconds).
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Favorites of 2007
I am finally getting around to putting together a list of my favorite things that happened in 2007. So in no particular order, here it goes!
Switzerland & Italy
Now I will be the first to admit, I am not one that can claim “world traveler” status. But in my limited travels, I was so incredibly impressed with our trip to Italy and Switzerland in the spring. The word that comes to mind when I look back is stunning. I have never seen such picture perfect views. And when you add wonderful cheese, bread, chocolate, cows with bells and chalets tucked into the mountainside, a very good trip is made.
The Swiss Alps - My favorite part of the trip
Everywhere you looked there were tiny chalets high on the mountainside. We kept trying to figure out how anyone got up to them?
The Grand Canal - Venice, Italy
All you can eat chocolate at the Nestle Factory!
Asolo, Italy
Did the pizza taste as good as it looks? Yep.
My favorite picture of the trip. Scott has a special dislike for pigeons. They are plentiful in Italy and one was kind enough to give him a souvenir.
My First Garden
This year was the first time I have been able to try my hand at gardening. Our old home in Eagle Mountain had no yard, so when we moved to Saratoga Springs, I was itching to grow some veggies. As soon as March rolled around I was setting up my square foot garden. Scott made the frames and I bought the “special” dirt and planned out what I was going to grow where. It was definitely a learning experience. I had great success with some veggies and not so much success with others. There is nothing that tastes as good as a homegrown tomato and nothing that smells so good as fresh dill. So I will take what I have learned and work on it again this spring. I will get loads of fresh peas this time around!
Camping
Anyone who knows me, knows I am not a camping girl. However, I do enjoy being in the mountains, watching the boys load the creek full of rocks and eating huge amounts of junk food. Bacon, cheetos and hot chocolate top my list. This year we had mixed success with camping. One time, we had to cut it short because after 7 episodes of throwing up within 24 hours, (2 were from our dog in our van) we decided we were done being tortured. Our favorite spot remains Tinney Flats up Santaquin Canyon. This summer we were visited by deer in our campsite numerous times. With three boys, I have resigned myself to the fact that I will be camping a lot, so I might as well find some enjoyment out of it right? Perhaps I need to talk Scott into purchasing a camper!
Owen pointing to the deer next to our campsite.
Being a Mom
Every parent knows that kids are excellent at bringing out the entire range of emotions in their parents. My boys are no exception. But for all the frustrations, messes, crying and chaos I am so grateful to be able to stay at home and raise these boys. I never knew how much I could love and be so protective of my kids!
Beijing, China
Anyone who knows me, also knows I love to shop. And shopping without my kids is a rare thing these days. So a shopping trip to China with my good friend, Kari, would definitely make my 2007 list. Although there were some funny quirks I had a great time. I loved The Great Wall, Hutong Tour, Summer Palace and Forbidden City and of course the shopping!
Switzerland & Italy
Now I will be the first to admit, I am not one that can claim “world traveler” status. But in my limited travels, I was so incredibly impressed with our trip to Italy and Switzerland in the spring. The word that comes to mind when I look back is stunning. I have never seen such picture perfect views. And when you add wonderful cheese, bread, chocolate, cows with bells and chalets tucked into the mountainside, a very good trip is made.
The Swiss Alps - My favorite part of the trip
Everywhere you looked there were tiny chalets high on the mountainside. We kept trying to figure out how anyone got up to them?
The Grand Canal - Venice, Italy
All you can eat chocolate at the Nestle Factory!
Asolo, Italy
Did the pizza taste as good as it looks? Yep.
My favorite picture of the trip. Scott has a special dislike for pigeons. They are plentiful in Italy and one was kind enough to give him a souvenir.
My First Garden
This year was the first time I have been able to try my hand at gardening. Our old home in Eagle Mountain had no yard, so when we moved to Saratoga Springs, I was itching to grow some veggies. As soon as March rolled around I was setting up my square foot garden. Scott made the frames and I bought the “special” dirt and planned out what I was going to grow where. It was definitely a learning experience. I had great success with some veggies and not so much success with others. There is nothing that tastes as good as a homegrown tomato and nothing that smells so good as fresh dill. So I will take what I have learned and work on it again this spring. I will get loads of fresh peas this time around!
Camping
Anyone who knows me, knows I am not a camping girl. However, I do enjoy being in the mountains, watching the boys load the creek full of rocks and eating huge amounts of junk food. Bacon, cheetos and hot chocolate top my list. This year we had mixed success with camping. One time, we had to cut it short because after 7 episodes of throwing up within 24 hours, (2 were from our dog in our van) we decided we were done being tortured. Our favorite spot remains Tinney Flats up Santaquin Canyon. This summer we were visited by deer in our campsite numerous times. With three boys, I have resigned myself to the fact that I will be camping a lot, so I might as well find some enjoyment out of it right? Perhaps I need to talk Scott into purchasing a camper!
Owen pointing to the deer next to our campsite.
Being a Mom
Every parent knows that kids are excellent at bringing out the entire range of emotions in their parents. My boys are no exception. But for all the frustrations, messes, crying and chaos I am so grateful to be able to stay at home and raise these boys. I never knew how much I could love and be so protective of my kids!
Beijing, China
Anyone who knows me, also knows I love to shop. And shopping without my kids is a rare thing these days. So a shopping trip to China with my good friend, Kari, would definitely make my 2007 list. Although there were some funny quirks I had a great time. I loved The Great Wall, Hutong Tour, Summer Palace and Forbidden City and of course the shopping!
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Ready to Read!
To put it simply I've done good. I haven't picked up a book in over a month. That doesn't mean I haven't been looking for my next one though. A few weeks ago I was trolling around Amazon looking for something good to read and I remembered hearing about these books.
Most of you don't know, but for the past couple of years I have kept a little sketch book by my bed that I pick up every once in awhile to sketch out house plans and write little notes about what I would want in a perfect house. Who knows if that perfect house will ever be built, but one can dream right?
Moving into this house a year ago has given me even more insights into what would be a house just right for me and my family. This house has plenty of space, but to me it doesn't feel cozy. I know that probably seems silly to some, but I have added that, as well as efficient, to my list of what a perfect house would feel like. I am gravitating toward a smaller house with just enough space.
I have been anxiously awaiting these books and I am so excited to read them. However, I have promised myself I will not crack them open until tonight when I will not be interrupted by anyone under the age of 7. Don't the covers just look cozy? This will take all of my will power.
Most of you don't know, but for the past couple of years I have kept a little sketch book by my bed that I pick up every once in awhile to sketch out house plans and write little notes about what I would want in a perfect house. Who knows if that perfect house will ever be built, but one can dream right?
Moving into this house a year ago has given me even more insights into what would be a house just right for me and my family. This house has plenty of space, but to me it doesn't feel cozy. I know that probably seems silly to some, but I have added that, as well as efficient, to my list of what a perfect house would feel like. I am gravitating toward a smaller house with just enough space.
I have been anxiously awaiting these books and I am so excited to read them. However, I have promised myself I will not crack them open until tonight when I will not be interrupted by anyone under the age of 7. Don't the covers just look cozy? This will take all of my will power.
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