September 2016

No Braces!

This month JJ got all his braces off and Asher got his top braces off (he'll get the bottom ones off too in a few more weeks).  JJ was thrilled and has got a great smile thanks to Swenson Orthodontics and a boat load of Lance's money. Hopefully he will wear his retainer and keep his smile clean and bright so we won't have spent all that time and money for nothing.  Asher is doing the 2 phase braces so he has more time in braces to look forward to.  

Silly Pet Tricks!

This puppy has been such a blast.  I'm not totally sure why we had such a rough time with Jax during his puppyhood in comparison to Spirit's.  Spirit for the most part has been pretty dang great.  He really only chews on his own toys and is figuring out the house training slowly but surely.  Jax was a full year before he could be at all trusted to not pee or poop in the house. Even now years later he will occasionally relapse just because he is lazy and doesn't want to go outside if it is cold or wet.  Spirit loves Jax and Mouse completely.  He treats Mouse like his own personal chew toy - thank goodness Mouse is a good sport about it.  Jax and Spirit like to play tug o war with the chew toys during that 10 minutes a day that Jax isn't snoring in his dog bed.  When there's no one to play with Spirit loves to snuggle with anyone who is sitting down.  

Make yourself comfortable why don't ya? I wasn't doing anything important on the computer anyway.

Spirit and Jax at the vet getting thier shots done.

I conquer this zucchini for lovers of squash everywhere. 

Spirit came with me to Asher's school Munch and Mingle (lunch with the parents).

PTA Shenanigans

I'm not the PTA president this year, YEAHHHH! But I am still helping out with lots of PTA events like the Reading Rocks Party.  Karen Smith and I had a little bit of fun with the cotton candy. Yumm.

I also am co chairing the Room Parent group so I made some little centerpieces for the Room Parent Tea.

Soccer

JJ and Asher are still doing soccer in the Fall and Spring.  JJ is on a different team this year and has learned a lot.  He has enjoyed making new friends on the team.  

We asked that Asher not be put on the same team he has been on the last several years.  Last year was horrible for him and us.  He HATED playing last year on the other team but this year with a new team and coach has been great and he has gotten his confidence back.  Sports for Asher are very much a mental game.  He has the physical capabilities but if mentally and emotionally he feels like he isn't living up to people's expectations or that he is unwanted and unneeded he just gives up.  We prayed really hard that this year would be a good experience so that he wouldn't give up the sport altogether and the Fall season has been great so far.   

Kid Dates

Lance and I decided to take each of the kids on a date to spend some one on one time with each of them.  We don't do it on a real regular basis but this month we made it work.  It is always great to let them talk so we know what is important to them right now in their lives.  

Sushi with JJ

Denny's with Hannah

Pizza Pie Cafe with Asher

Random Happenings

Hannah and I have a love hate relationship when it comes to her hair.  She hates having it done but doesn't want to have it not look nice. She has a sensitive scalp which makes brushing her hair a bit of a screamfest.  I've gotten to the point that if she wants her hair done I tell her she has to brush it out herself. This can last for hours - which makes getting to church on time difficult sometimes.  She hates when I find hair styles on pinterest and want to try them out on her but occasionally she lets me do it and it usually turns out ok.  This Sunday's style was pretty dang cute and easy.

These two have such a great relationship.  They spend a lot of time together.  Sure they still fight a little and get on each other's nerves once in awhile but for the most part they love hanging out together and get a long really well.  

It's always lovely when we can walk to and from church.  Sure we could probably walk in bad weather too but who wants to get snow in your Sunday shoes?  Another reason I like when we can walk home is that the kids tell us everything that happened during their church classes.

This guy has to have his outdoor time other wise he gets really grumpy.  We are savoring these last days of Indian Summer.  

We are so proud of Hannah! She is an excellent student and we were thrilled to see her recognized out of her HUGE school as Student of the Week. 

I enjoy the new beginnings of a school year but miss the long summer days.  

May 2016

May is always super busy with the wrapping up of the school year and Memorial day.  I love this time of year though. The warmer weather, spring flowers and sunshine all work together to lift my spirits greatly.  

JJ

JJ has obtained all the requirements to be able to start doing his Eagle project.  We are proud that he has worked so hard on his scouting.  

JJ got to speak in church with some of the other young men and his young mens president.

Some of JJ's texts to me are just hilarious.  I have to document them.

JJ has taken art classes in 7th and 8th grade.  He really enjoys it and sometimes will do it just to relax.  He drew this picture and I told him it looked just like Bill Clinton.  He disagreed.

It kinda drives me crazy when teachers assign "parent projects" especially at the jr high level. JJ's spanish teacher told the kids they had to bring a truly spanish (not mexican) food dish to class.  I don't know how to make "spanish" food. So we made tres leche cake which is probably not spanish in any way shape or form but it was the best I could do.  I helped JJ make it and then brought it to his spanish class where we served it up.  It was pretty tasty or so I'm told.  I didn't get any.

Hannah

This is Hannah's 6th grade year so there were lots of rites of passage for her.  One of which was the 6th grade awards night.  The kids performed some songs directed by Vangie Jones, got awards and certificates.  

We are grateful that Jake and Carolyn could come. We so appreciate their continued support.

Hannah informed me that she just HAD to try out for the Lehi Arts Council production of Beauty and the Beast.  This isn't the youth workshop- this is the adult play.  I was really worried but she was determined and wouldn't you know it she got in!

We had a fun night over at the Zellers and noticed that Hannah and Carter had both been in a wizarding type of mood when they got dressed that morning!  

Hannah came home from a young women's activity one night having made this awesome apron for me for Mother's day! It was so awesome! I love it but I don't want to get it dirty so I haven't used it yet.

In 6th grade the kids learn about world geography and history.  Our school does a "world fair" type of project that the kids have to do to get their final grade.  Hannah worked with her friend Erin and did pretty much every bit of it at school.  I couldn't believe that I didn't have to help her on any part of it! 

Hannah and her buddy Brandon Saavedra

I have been the PTA co-president (but it felt like I was doing everything) this year in addition to working.  It has been a bit crazy but I made it work.  The PTA provides a lunch for the 6th graders after their Jack and Jill Bowling field trip. I had lots of help from the other moms to get this set up and put together.

Hannah was given the Hope of America Award this year. We are so proud of what a good student and person she is.  She really does embody what it means to be the hope of America.

Hannah also participated in the Drama club at school. Shocker, I know!  She loved it.  Her advisor Miss Grgich made it such a fun learning experience.  The club put on an improv night including a lip sync battle between some of the 6th graders and Mr. Miller.  Hannah embraced this opportunity wholeheartedly.  She prepared two different songs. One was Magic by the Cars- where she dressed up as a Harry Potter character and the 2nd one was Look At These Things from Little Mermaid -where she dressed up as a nerd who loves school supplies. She was amazing!

Abbie Price, Annabelle McKinnon and Hannah

RegAnn Zeller, Hannah and Annabelle

Hannah with Desi and Nash McKinnon

Hannah, Kaesha Madsen and Annabelle

Hannah and Madi Armstrong

Hannah with her teacher Sra. Marin

The last few years the school has done a 6th grade clap out on the last day of school.  It was emotional and really fun to see all these kids walk the halls of the elementary school for one last time before Jr. high.

Hannah hugging Asher!

Family Fun

We love summer blockbusters!  The kids and Lance are big Marvel nerds so they were all really excited about going to see Captain America and X Men.  

Home Improvement

Our dishwasher was pretty old and had started to have some problems so we bit the bullet and bought a new one.  After doing some haggling with the RC Willey salesperson we were able to get a good deal on a new whirlpool stainless steel one.  The next problem that came along was that the one they shipped us was damaged on top.  Lance didn't notice this until I came along while he as about half way through the installation. I pointed it out and we both groaned because we knew it needed to go back.  Thankfully it wasn't too long before we got a replacement one and Lance was able to install it no problem.

Asher

Asher relishes time one on one with Lance. He is obsessed with hiking, camping and survival skills.  On Sundays he can sometimes talk Lance into going on a hike or walk.  He has also been interested in rock hounding!

Asher often asks if he can build a fort. He has a great time designing it and playing in it. Sometimes he will even sleep in it! (if it is not a school night).

Ahhh the wrestling! I can't stand it. Someone always ends up getting hurt and mad.  But with boys it never stops no matter what I say.

Asher will settle for some mommy time when Dad is not available. Especially when we can go to Cabelas.

 Look even more wrestling. Hannah has wicked long nails and scratches people without even realizing she is doing it.  

The soccer season is thankfully winding down.  Asher begged to play goalie one of the last games.  I think he only saved one goal.  It wasn't pretty.  Oh well live and learn.

Me

This school year has been interesting.  I've always been pretty active in either the elementary PTA or the jr high PTSA but this year I was co-president with Heidi Saavedra.  It wasn't too bad except for a few times when it felt overwhelmingly busy.  I really like all these ladies.  They are so selfless with their time and money.  They put so much into everything they do.  I'm glad I got to be a part of this organization.  

L-R Sharra Call, Karen Smith, me, Edyn Johnson, JC Hoisington, Amy Grace, Heidi Saavedra

I had a super busy couple of days so my friend Karen Smith made these yummy taco cups with all the toppings for our family for dinner.  It was such a thoughtful gesture and so yummy.  We really appreciated it!

Dance Festival

I look forward to the dance festival all year long. I just love it!  

Asher and his 3rd grade teacher Miss Burton

top right: Keltic Parker and Asher, Mason Mingo behind Asher and Ashton Braley on the far right. bottom right: Quinn Mallory, Asher and Cody Long

top right; Abbie Price, Hannah and RegAnn Zeller holding Libby Zeller

Field Day

I didn't get any photos of Asher during field day because JJ and I were running one of the stations.  It was hot and tiring and a lot of the kids were kinda bratty this year.  I really don't think I want to help out with this event again next year. :(

Memorial Day

Our family tradition continues with a visit to the Brigham City cemetery on Memorial day. Afterwards we had a picnic lunch at a park in west Brigham City.

L-R: Charlie, Becca holding Brinley, Dan holding Bridger, Cam, Emmy, Lance, me, Hannah, JJ.
Down front: Brandon and Asher

Random Happenings

We had some weird weather (which I guess isn't that weird really for Utah) in May.  We had some bad hail and rain storms.

Of course on the day that I have to substitute for recess duty we have huge hail, rain and wind.

I had another one of my chickens get egg bound.  It happens every so often.  There isn't much you can do. I tried putting her in a warm bath but it was just too late. She was a great layer too.

We got to go see Libby do her dance performance. It was so adorable!

We also got to be at the Zeller's house when Jaxon opened his mission call!  So exciting!