First T-Ball Game

So after a jam packed weekend - full of everything from a pancake breakfast, an opening day parade, Dallin's first tball game, me helping with the stake dinner before the General YW Broadcast on Saturday, to church and meetings on Sunday. Did I say jam packed? So I am just now getting to post pictures from Dallin's game.

Dallin playing short stop! He was so handsome in his uniform!

Pirates on defense. Dallin is still playing short stop and you can see Coach Ryan (my hubby) behind the pitcher!

Coach Ryan helping Emily at home plate.

Dallin on 3rd base. The kid can hit and throw, but we are still working on the catching aspect of the game. Dallin cracked me up at the game because he just kept running. The other coaches would have to say "Dallin stop, go back to 2nd base" several times. It was funny!

The Pirates after the game! We have some pretty good ball players on our team! Go Pirates!

10 Random Things

10 Random things ( in response to my tag from Pikes Pickles)

1)My youngest has had a fever for the past day - we didn't get much sleep last night.

2) Three things on my kitchen counter are: a) mail that my hubby needs to look through; b) a yummy smelling candle; c) a cake platter with nothing on it - I must bake muffins to fill it up

3)Dallin is putting away the pillows that he got out

4)I have to make sure I have everything for my Stake YW/YM's training meeting tonight!

5) Dandelions drive me nuts!!!! I mean the little seed wisher thingy-ma-bobs that the dandelion flowers turn into are fun to blow on but we all know that blowing on them just means you'll have more dandelions growing!

6) I had fun teaching some of the youth how to do the "running man" at the Decades dance last Saturday. The running man is a dance from the late 80's and early 90's just in case you didn't know.

7) My favorite type of ice cream is..... mint chocolate chip

8) I have to transfer my laundry

9) I am looking forward to Dallin's first t-ball game. It should provide some good laughs. Although at last night's practice they were really looking like ball players. They played their positions and even moved the ball around the field pretty well. Kudos to Coach Ryan (my husband).

10) Ryan and I met on a blind date!!!

Five People I'm Tagging: whoever wants to do this! It was fun and very random. Just write 10 random things that are on your mind! Can't wait to see who does it!

American Idol Addict

I'll let you in on a side of me you may not know! I love AI and really enjoy watching these people develop and grow. If you really know me you know that I dig music! This show is such a great way for these talented people to get some public love. This season I really like David Archuleta and Brooke White, but as of late I am really digging....

...David Cook!!! I loved his perfomance of Billy Jean on Tuesday night! It was brillant and he is slowly grabbing my attention!!!
I am so sad to see Chikezie leave - he really had a fun personality and a silky smooth voice! I am shocked that Kristy Lee Cook is still in the running, but she did perform very well this week. I just hope that next week rocks and that the final 9 really aim to entertain!!!

Bean Plants

I have the privilege of being the Science Docent for Dallin's kindergarten class. Every month or two I prepare a lesson on different science standards they have to know by the end of their kindergarten year! We have done experiments on the stages of matter (liquids, solids, gases - we made root beer floats to show the different stages), we've talked about the differences between birds and mammals, we learned new ways to describe things using our 5 senses, we've talked about magnets, and today we talked about....

...the parts of a plant. I was so impressed that many of the kids knew the different parts of a plant and what they did. At one point I had a 6 year old boy ask me a deep question. I told them that the roots and stem of a plant act like a straw to suck water and nutrients out of the ground to feed the plant.

This little boy asked - "Mrs. Kanzler, if we needed water to drink could we put a straw in a plant and suck out the water?" They never cease to amaze me. So we talked about what makes up the stem and told him that there is a special plant called a cactus that he could get water from, but he wouldn't be able to use a straw.

So after our discussion each of the kids got to plant a bean plant! If everything goes well they should start to see their plant growing in the next few weeks! Can't guarantee that we will have a harvest like the picture above but it was fun to watch the kids plant their seeds and listen to their questions! May the seeds grow into young bean plants!

Happy Easter

I hope you all had a fabulous Easter! We had a nice day and week! Spring Break is now over, Dallin is back to school and it's now time to put the Easter decorations away. :-(

Me, Ryan, Dallin and Carson on Easter Sunday

The Easter Egg Hunt is in full effect in this picture. Apparently the Easter Bunny hid eggs down low for Carson and up high for Dallin.

Carson found an egg down low. The Easter Bunny had brought him this really cool bubble blower and he would not put it down all day! He even wanted to bring it to church, but I had to put my foot down. I know I'm a party popper, but bubbles during sacrament meeting is not really the right thing to do!

Can you spot the Easter Egg? Dallin was looking high and low but it took him awhile to find it!

Dallin finally found it! This was his last egg and it proved to be very elusive. I wish the Easter Bunny would leave a map as to where all the eggs were hidden!

Here's Carson with more bubble fun. The kid was beside himself with excitment and of course candy!

Cute boys in their matching pj's! They were looking for Easter Eggs!

Carson found an egg that was in his train bin! He was very pleased with himself!

Dallin's 6 eggs. We never took a picture of Carson's eggs, but they look just like the ones above!

All being said, our Easter was beautiful! The weather was perfect, we had a lovely breakfast with Ryan's brother and his dad and stepmom, we had a nice time at church, and our dinner with family was perfect! I hope you all had a nice day too!

Carson is 2!!!

So Saturday was Little C's 2nd birthday (I've been in bed with another cold since Saturday night or this would have been posted much sooner)! We celebrated his big day with a party with family and a few of his buddies! Lunch was yummy and there was plenty of play time for the little ones!

He didn't seem to understand why we were all singing to him!

He was really into the present opening!

Big D was such a great present opener too! That's what big brothers are for!

So as the party ended, Little C anxiously awaited for his new trains and other fabulous toys to be opened. He and Big D enjoyed playing with his new treasures (many thanks to those who gave him so much).

Let me just add that I am so lucky to have Little C in my life! He is a spunky little boy, who never stops when he's awake, doesn't fight nap time, has the cutest laugh, loves to tease his big brother because he knows it will bug Big D, skips when he runs, loves to pick flowers, screams - I mean talks very loudly, and is ready for the exciting toddler years! We love him and are so grateful he came to our family!

Keith Urban & Carrie Underwood and the "Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Carnival Ride" Tour

Last night found me enjoying seeing this guy....



....and this girl rock the Arco Arena!!!
Now I haven't been to a concert in quiet awhile, but a good friend asked me if I wanted to go! Uh, yeah!!! My wonderful husband was okay with me being gone another night (my calling pulls me away from home several times during the week)!
Marie and I had a blast checking out the interestingly dressed girls, the guys who looked like they were going to a rock concert (they had longer hair than me) and of course who can resist watching drunk people dance and walk!!!
This is one of the best concerts I have been to (Reba was my favorite). Now I listen to all types of music, my motto is "give me a beat and I'll move my feet," but I have really enjoyed the more rocking country music that has been creeping it's way in! Carrie Underwood was stunning and the girl sings so well! I was impressed that she was dessed modestly. The crowd was singing along to some of her songs, but the buzz was all about Keith. He was definitly ready to put on a show. I love when musicians/singers play to the crowd. Keith walked through the crowd, even signing and handing his guitar to someone in the audiance, he threw a gazillion guitar picks into the crowd, he brought a girl on stage who had written a nice sign for him (she wanted a kiss, but he asked if she would settle for a hug seeing that he's married). He even had the McKlatchy High drumline perform on stage!
Girls night out, enjoying some good music, ringing in the ears, people watching - I had a blast!!!!
Thanks Marie!

FHE - The 10 Commandments

Tonight we had our Family Home Evening lesson on the 10 commandments and it went all right. This is how it went, not all quotes are accurate, I didn't record them, but this is what I remember:

Ryan (my hubby): "Oh good let's have FHE here" (good idea seeing that the boys were sitting on my lap in my favorite leather chair - I wasn't about to move). "Dallin can you please get the Children's Songbooks for us?"

Dallin: "Why do I always have to get the hymn books? Every day I have to get them." (Well I guess to a 5 year old, Monday seems like everyday)

Megan: "Because you are so good at it!"

Dallin: "Why are you guys always telling me what to do?" (He said what? So I'm trying to see things from his perspective, but wow! Oh the lesson I picked was so gonna be good).

********A 2 minute discussion over how being part of a family is like a team and we need to help each other out ensued! Finally - with loud stomps and a pouty face, the Children's songbooks appeared. He only had to take all of 10 steps, round trip, to retrieve the books from the piano!!!************

So back to FHE:

Ryan: "Thank you Dallin. Mommy what's our lesson on tonight?"

Megan: "We are going to talk about the 10 commandments." (I passed the folder, with lesson and games in it to Ryan - as it was his turn to give the lesson. In my head I was saying oh good, Dallin will see that we aren't the only ones telling him what to do!!! We have some reinforcements on this!!!).

So after we sang our opening song and began the lesson, we were able to talk about what it would be like at school, on the roads, and at home if we didn't have rules. We explained that even Mommy and Daddy have rules that they must follow each day - the laws of our country, the rules of our house, and the rules/commandments our Father in Heaven gave us.

Ryan made the comment that Jesus gave us 2 more commandments which are: to love the Lord with all of our might, mind, and strength and to love our neighbor like unto ourselves. If we remember to keep these two commandments then we will also keep the others. (He always has a way of simplifying things - I love that about him).

We played a few games about the 10 Commandments that were given to Moses and then talked about other commandments we have been asked to keep. By the end of the lesson our happy boy was back and he was thrilled to help make our refreshments: Commandment Chip Cookies! It was a great night!

Commandment Chip Cookies

1cup butter

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

2 1/4 cups flour

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 lrg box instant vanilla pudding or 2 small boxes

1 cup nuts, chopped (optional)

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 cup sugar

1 package of chocolate chips

This is important - mix all wet ingredients together first with an electric mixer (butter, eggs, and vanilla).

In a separate bowl mix the remaining ingredients together. Slowly add the flour mixture into the mixed wet ingredients. Mix thoroughly. (You may choose to add the chocolate chips now or you could add 10 chips to each dropped cookie to represent the 10 commandments).

Spoon out cookies on baking sheets and bake in a 375* oven for 8-10 minutes. Let cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes and then transfer to cooling rack for another 10 minutes.

Then pour yourself a glass of milk (I wanted one even though I don't like milk) and enjoy these

yummy cookies!

Seminary!!!

So many of you know that I joined the church when I was 17 years old (at the beginning of my senior year of high school). I would have loved to have attended seminary but there was no way I could fit it in. I had a zero period class and then after school I had flag practice and other school meetings, and after that I went to my after school job at the Antioch Public Library! My days were jam packed.

Well today I went to seminary!!! I was asked to give this month's devotional and I was so relieved that I was given an open topic. I really enjoy being with the youth and have served in some compacity with the youth for 5 of the last 7 years! I was concerned about the early hour (I am not a morning person and 6:30am is early for me). But I was surprised - I really shouldn't have been though. I kind-of liked getting up that early (the scriptures are true and we were given a suggestion to go to bed early and rise early - so that we can be wise, right?). Well it was just a great experience. My devotional was based on my favorite holiday, Easter, and I was so glad to talk about what Jesus did the last week of his mortal ministry.

Something I always love about teaching or giving talks, is the studying and preparing for it. I always get so much out of it!!! I love to learn and have so much to learn about the gospel that every chance I get to study more deeply is great!

Look at the Big Boy!

So Tuesday morning Carson and I were getting ready to go on a walk with some friends. I had asked Carson to get his shoes and then I went to go get mine from my room. When I came back to the family room this is what I found...



....my little one with his shoes on, fastened and on the correct feet!!!! (He does look in pain in this picture but that is his "cheese" face for pictures - it's pretty funny) This brought mixed emotions - I was so pleased that he figured out his shoes, but sad that he is getting big.

Way to go Carson - you're getting to be such a big boy!!!

Tag Your It!

Ok I've been tagged by Devon!
RULES: Answer questions, tag 5 people then go to there blog and leave them a comment reminding them.

10 years ago... I was finishing my Junior year of college at Sac State, planning my upcoming temple wedding to the best guy in the world, working at Jamba Juice (I loved that place), serving as a Stake Missionary, let's see.... hmmmmm. I can't think of anything else right now.

5 places I've lived...I have only lived in 2 cities. Antioch, CA and Sacramento, CA. I could get technical and list the different addresses, but I don't remember them all. Since being in Sacramento I have lived in 6 different places.

5 things to do today...
1)laundry,
2)finish the Stake YW calendar and some other stake business,
3)try to come up with a yummy dinner (I think we will have breaded tilapia, asparagus, salad, and fresh bread - I'm getting hungry),
4)help Dallin with his homework,
5) type up some info for our T-Ball team (Ryan's the manager and I'm the team mom).

Jobs I've had...
1) nanny,
2)Antioch Public and Sac State library,
3)Jamba Juice (I got to train new hires and eat the yummy smoothies - so much fun), 4)Wells Fargo as a teller and new member agent,
5)Hewlett Packard as an administrative assistant and
6) Mommy (the hardest and most rewarding one I've ever had)!

5 snacks I can't live without... 1) Fresh oranges, 2) anything with chocolate, 3)ice cream, 4)blueberries, 5) fruit smoothies. (can I add one more - slurrpies)

What we would do with Billions of dollars...
1)TRAVEL! I have so many more places to see
2)Hire a professional chef and housecleaner
3)Give money to a few charities that I would love to start (one being to help families pay for funerals after a loved one dies of cancer)
4)Shopping
5)I would love to be able to sew, craft, make cards, etc... at my own fabric, paint, and card/scrapbook making store! All those supplies right at my fingertips - we are talking serious trouble there. You would never see me again! And I have to add a number
6) I would put a bunch into our investment portfolios!

5 things you didn't know about me...
1)I pick - my zits, my scabs, my children's noses when they are gross, etc... I know I shouldn't pick but I do!
2)I can stick my whole fist in my mouth (yes I know I'm a big mouth - I mean I have a big mouth :-)
3)I have always dreamed of being an actor someday or a back up dancer for a popular group (that would be fun)!
4) I think you know everything else about me - I'm an open book! If you want to know something about me, just ask!!!

10 years from now... I want to be physically fit, enjoying my children and all that they will be doing, traveling with my husband still, I don't know - enjoying life and all that comes with it!!!

OK I tag...Shannon, Erica, Bethanne, and Kerri...have fun girls!! Thanks for the tag Devon!!

Let's play catch

Dallin is so excited to be playing t-ball this year! I mean really excited! He has always loved baseball and in fact that was among one of the first words he spoke. Well this year he gets to play (while Daddy is the team manager and Mommy is the team mom, by default) and he wants to play catch all the time and loves to keep his glove close by!



On Saturday we went to Cowan Elementary and played baseball. Ryan helped Dallin fine tune his hitting, work on catching, and throwing. I had the fun job of shagging balls while Dallin hit. It was a blast - seriously!



The kid can hit and throw!!!



Even Carson was hitting the balls off the tee and helping me catch the balls in the outfield!

Puppet Show

So a few weeks ago (wow that went by fast) I had a girlfriend and her son (and her little one who is 6 months) over to make sock puppets with the boys. We had socks, googly eyes, chenille sticks, felt, buttons, etc... all ready for them to make whatever type of puppet they wanted. So the kids told us what colors they wanted the mouths to be and where they wanted their eyes, mouth, and antenna on their "aliens." The boys were interested for all of maybe 5 minutes and they then decided they were done with that. So while they played, Becka and I had some crafty time and 3 or 4 glue sticks later (and a few burns on my fingertips) we called the boys back for a puppet show. They had fun telling us jokes and putting on the puppet show.



Carson, Seth, and Dallin with their alien puppets!