Father's Day

I did a fun sharing time in our ward for Father's Day. I had some dads of the children come in to be on a question panel. I had a jar of about 50 questions the kids chose from, like what is your favorite sport, do you play the piano, where were you born, etc. I started with the sunbeam class and each child could pick the dad they wanted to ask the question to. Esther was the third to ask a question and she asked Scott what his favorite sport was and she guessed him right away! All the dads disguised their voices. When the kids thought they knew who one dad was they could guess and the dad would take off his mask. The kids were so thrilled to see their dad and would run up and hug them. It was so much fun. I did this for Mother's Day also.

Summer Fun!

Jonah and Ezra got trophies for their golf tournament. Noah took first place in his age division and Hannah tied for 2nd place. Esther can't wait until she can golf.

We had a fun visit from Adam, Abby, Avery, Tate, and Bo in June. We love having family visit.

Today is our first day of school. I have loved every minute of the summer and wanted to enjoy it and not spend time on my computer. School started an hour ago and I do not know what to do with myself. I think I am in shock or denial. My house is too quiet! I cant wait for everyone to get home. This will be a HUGE adjustment. I am working on having faith that it will all work out as Pres.Hinckley has said and I am saying lots of prayers.

Dance Performance

Hannah and Esther were in different dances at the end of the year performance . Esther was a jailbird dancing to "Jailhouse Rock". It was very cute and Esther enjoys being on stage. Hannah was in four different dances, modern and jazz, no ballet this time. Hannah had been at girls' camp the three days before the performance and came home the afternoon of the first show. She did not look like she missed the dress rehearsals, she came out and remembered everything. We had fun watching the show.

McKenzie's Graduation & Ellie's Baptism

The day after McKenzie's graduation we met Scott and the boys in Beaver and drove up to Draper. Our niece, Ellie, was getting baptized that afternoon. We barely made it in time and surprised Scott's brother, Mark. The kids love playing with their cousins and we wish we lived closer. Hannah did a great job organizing the kids into games, she has fun with all her younger girl cousins.

Hannah, Esther and I drove over to Hurricane early in the morning on May 22 to attend McKenzie's graduation. McKenzie is the oldest cousin and Hannah has always looked up to her. She was the student body president and is involved in drama and choir. She is amazing and we were happy to be there to cheer her on! Thanks for being a great example McKenzie!

Esther's Preschool Graduation

Esther loves preschool, loves Miss Jill and loves her class so much! Preschool has been her favorite thing. They had a program where they sang songs, recited a poem and did the alphabet in sign language. Of course I was teary eyed through the entire 12 minutes. Then we ate brownies while watching a DVD of pictures Jill had taken throughout the year. That is when I was no longer teary but crying. Esther is too grown up. Jill is one of my good friends and I will miss seeing her and her son Ben, that is one of Esther's dearest friends. Jill is a great teacher and has the kindest heart.
I really don't think I am ready for this next stage of my life. I have never been good with change. Did anyone hear the conference talk by Elder Steven E. Snow, "Get On with Our Lives"? I think he gave the talk just for me. One quote"Most of us do not seek or even welcome dramatic changes. But change is an essential part of life's experiences...Keep an eternal perspective. Understand that change and challenges are part of God's plan...Have faith...Be of good cheer." I am working on my faith and this next step of my life where all my kids are at school.

End of School

Ezra earned the Presidential Fitness Award

The boys on the last day of carpooling. I have carpooled to Lake View with my friend Karen since Hannah was in Kindergarten. Karen will no longer have a child in elementary school so our carpooling will end. Very sad for me. We will carpool to the middle school. An end of an era. I am not ready for Noah to be in middle school. Why do my children keep getting older?
Noah earned medals in reading, math and citizenship. Only two people in each class receive the citizenship award which is given to a student who is kind and helpful the entire year. Noah was more excited about that award than the others. We are so blessed to have good kids who want to do what is right. They are good examples to their parents.
Jonah and his friend Christian at the 3rd grade awards assembly. Jonah earned medals in reading, math, and the citizenship award for his class. Jonah will be in charge of Ezra and Esther next year at LV. He will miss Noah at recess. They are best friends.
Every Monday this year I helped in Jonah and Ezra's classrooms. This is a picture of some of the kids in Jonah's class I worked with. I took out the high end math kids and we went into a conference room to do fun math and solve mysteries. I really enjoyed it. I love all the kids.
Hannah, Marisa, and Brianna on the last day of middle school.
Ezra's class was fun. I helped his teacher with reading fluency tests and other tasks. Ezra had boys in his class that knew how to play and have fun and Ezra fit right in. All the girls in class would give me a hug and were so cute when they were happy to see me. The boys had great teachers this year.

Annual Elementary Track Meet

The last week of school we have a track meet with the other elementary school in town. The kids don't practice for it. Each grade has a separate meet where they compete. Luckily this year all our meets were in the mornings from 9-12. I helped out on the field with the high jump and the softball throw. It was Ezra's first meet. He was the last leg of the 400 meter relay. When he got the baton he was in 3rd place but he out ran the other two classes and came in first! It was fun to watch, he is so determined to win. He also refuses to wear shorts so he is the only one in pants. Jonah was the last leg in the same relay for his grade and his team took first place also. Noah usually runs the 1200 meter but this year wanted a shorter run. He took first in the 400 for his grade. We had 3 blue ribbons! Which is nice since the boys are more competitive with each other than anyone else. The week before I helped Jonah's class tie-dye their t-shirts and we did one for Esther.