Happy Birthday Clay (back in July!)

Oh my gosh--I know it is hard to believe I am here once again trying to update the 1/2 year I am behind.  How did that happen??  The only reason I am going back so far and not just skipping ahead like I seem to do every year is because I am definitely trying to count this as my journal and each year I skip the summer months and our vacation and get right to the holidays.  Sooooo sorry I am talking about things that happened last summer but maybe eventually I will catch up--a girl can dream can't she!!

Happy 16th Birthday Clay!!
Hopefully this is the only girl he will be getting kisses from now that he is 16 and is legal to drive and DATE!! 

Sixteen things you might not know about Clay
  He is doing great at being the "poor boy child" in our family!

 He always wanted to marry me when he was little and I let him think that was okay!

 He has a BIG heart!

  He has a great voice unfortunately we only get to hear it when he has his headphones in!

  He is the absolute best brother in our home right now!

  He  dresses very nice!

 He loves to do anything with a board--longboard, wakeboard and especially snowboarding!

  He loves loves loves to wear beanies and grow his hair out!

 He DOES have nice hair!

He is very protective of his sisters

He keeps our yard looking great!

He loves to cook and learn things from his Grampy about cooking

He is great at doing service.

He had his first girlfriend in 6th grade so I am very glad he is 16 and legal now!

He loves to drive and is very cautious (thanks Driver's Ed for showing what can happen in accidents!)

He is an Eagle Scout (finally it is done!)

We love you!!

Music Camp

Every summer the girls  participate in Music Camp.  We have been doing it for over 15 years.  It lasts two weeks and then they have a great performance at the end.  I am always amazed at what a great show they put on and how much they learn in such a short time period.  This year was no exception.  It is so much fun to watch the girls perform and we love watching family videos of Chelsey, Cassie and Clay when they were their age!  (I don't know how Chantz somehow missed out--or should I say avoided it!)



This is probably their favoirte part of the night (next to performing)!  Good thing we hit Sonic after 8--added benefit!

Dance Recital (I'm actually in June!)

I love Dance Recital time!  It always makes me realize the many hours of driving back and forth are really worth it!  I always start to doubt right about March and then luckily everyone starts getting excited about the recital.  Chloe was in a "genie dance" this year and had a great costume!

Cami and Carlee backstage --trying to stay happy after I wanted sooooooo many pictures!

Cami did a cute baseball dance and she had a couple of solo parts.  She is so much fun to watch!

Even Justin Beiber showed up for their recital! 

We love watching these girls dance and it is so much fun to see how much they improve each year.  When I start watching them at dress rehearsal I am just so grateful that I am their mother and that they have this opportunity to dance.  Maybe I'll actually try to remember this around next March when I start getting tired of all the practices!

Catchin' up --TREK

Our Stake went on a Trek this year (they go every 4 years)  Cassie went on it when she was 13 (turning 14) so she had the option to go again and she was excited to.  I love that about Cassie--I'm not sure I would have made that same choice! 

Russ went to as one of the Captains--I was suppose to go too but Carlee, Cami and Chloe had  one night of their dance recitals and so I stayed behind.  At first I was happy to have to stay home but as the time came closer I wanted to go--I knew it would be a great experience for everyone involved!  Notice how clean they were before they left--

I LOVE this photo--it shows just how hard Clay was working.  He is a hard worker!  It was very dusty and Cassie said this trail was harder than the one she went on 4 years ago.  Russ even said it was pretty hard and that there were a lot who struggled.  It was such a great lesson for my kids to learn--to try to see the many sacrifices that were made by the pioneers and also to help those who needed help along the trail. 

This is Cassie's family coming into camp at the end.  They were so excited to be done and to have made it!

Everyone's stuff after they unloaded it from the trailer--just waiting to be picked up.  We had over 60 youth and about 20 adults go from our ward. 

 


After the Trek--so happy to be finished !  At the end they had a small replica of the new Gilbert Temple and each block had a trek family name and who was in each group.   They had so many great experiences and stories to share.  I am so grateful for our Stake leaders and for the Ma's & Pa's from our ward for making this such a neat experience for my kids! 

Cassie's Graduation!

Still back in May--Cassie graduated!! 
Sometimes in Gilbert--you don't always look forward to having someone graduate because it is usually so hot (or the year Chelsey graduated--rained out!) but this year it wasn't too bad.  It wasn't as hot as usual and their was a breeze so it made it tolerable.  Since there was over 650 graduating it was hard to find her.  Luckily for us she was the only one with cool leopard print shoes!

Beautiful Cassie--we are so thankful for our families that came out and supported her!

Afterwards--it's pretty much chaos and you spend a lot of time trying to find your graduate.  It was a lot of fun trying to follow Cassie around so I could get some great pictures of her family and friends. 

 

We met over at our house afterwards for treats and drinks!  Cassie stayed for a little while and then was off with friends to celebrate. We are so proud of her and the many things she was able to accomplish this year.  I will definitely miss watching her cheer at the games and her dance recitals.  Cassie--we love you!



Chloe and Dailynd just relaxing after a very long night!

Back to May--

I love Baccalaureate!  It is probably my favorite part about graduation...as far as the programs go.  Each year Highland's orchestra and choir perform some amzing numbers including my favorite "Come thou Font" .  They always have a short speaker and the whole thing is over in an hour.  Beautiful music and a short speaker--my favorite type of program!

This year Baccalaureate was on the same day as Stake Conference and Seminary Graduation so we are so grateful for Grammy coming to suport Cassie.

Cassie and her best friend (and neighbor) Makelle.  Hard to believe these girls are old enough to graduate!

A litttle trip....

A quick trip down memory lane.....I don't know why this happens but every single year around this time I get so behind---it might have something to do with my kids all being home and no time on the computer  (I know it's an excuse but I think it is a good one!)  Anyways--there are a couple of things I want to document so sorry it's old news!

I got to go with Carlee and the 6th grade to the Grand Canyon!  We had such a great time and I was glad I had the time to spend with just Carlee (and 4 other girls) haha!  I haven't been to the Grand Canyon since I was little and I'm ashamed to say but I don't think we have taken our kids there either.  (okay...I'm pretty sure we haven't!) 

It is beautiful!  (and so is Carlee!)

We got to go to the watch tower that has an amazing view of the Grand Canyon after we had hiked around a little (my kind of hike!)

The next day we got up early and went on a raft ride down the Colorado River.  We started right at the base of the Glen Canyon Dam and then floated down for about 2 1/2 hours.  Carlee and I were a little disappointed we didn't get to go down any white rapids but it was beautiful scenery and very interesting listening to our guide. 



This was how the girls all sat on the pontoon (I think that's want it is called) boat.  It was pretty hot in places and the girls could get their feet wet to cool them off.  After the boat ride we loaded back on the buses and made the trip home.  It really was a lot of fun and I am very grateful for a daughter like Carlee!

Cassie's last one!



Cassie had her last One Image Dance Concert.  I can't believe the school year is almost over.  Cassie has been dancing since she was 3 and  I love watching her dance!

Cassie choreographed a dance  that was all rock from the 80"s.  Clay was a willing participant since the girls had to have partners.  (I didn't get a picture of his dance partner)  I am always amazed that my boys can dance as well as they do!  Maybe all those years of having to watch their sister's dance recitals have paid off!

Cassie's  best fans--minus a couple!

Cassie's dance partner in her dance --Nathan Nelson  (loved his pants!)

Cassie loves dancing (almost as much as cheerleading).  I am going to miss watching her perform!

PROM

Cassie went with her good friend, David to Prom this year and had a great time!

~Group shot~

~The Girls~
(sorry I didn't take one of just the guys--I guess I only think about doing that when I have a son in the picture--oops!)

Purple (or deep plum--I'm not sure) was a popular color.  Cassie and Louisa are great friends though and didn't seem to mind!

I really can't believe I have another one graduating and this is her last Prom!  They went to one of the guys house for dinner --Cassie said it was delicious.  Great-looking couple! (friends of course!)

Chelsey--Happy Birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHELSEY 
(I had to steal this picture from her blog--thanks Chelsey)
We celebrated Chelsey's birthday a little early because she was home from BYU-I for a break and Easter.  I had so much fun having her home and was sad to see her go.  Luckily for us she will be back in 5 weeks for Cassie's graduation!

22 things you might not know about Chelsey
She loves Diet Coke (hello--picture above)
I miss her!!!
Finishing up the year at BYU-I and then will transfer for her last year to BYU (Rexburg is a little small-town for Chels)
Very independent
Knows and remembers quotes (from movies and everything else!)
Best Oldest Child (survived our many first-time parent mistakes!)
Beautiful both inside and out
Great listener and friend
Loves cupcakes and cheesecake (especially red-velvet)
Recently jumped out of a 2-story window to avoid being killed (luckily it was just a game)
Very strong-willed (refer to above did NOT want to die)
Loves to tickle/poke you
Intelligent/perfectionist/responsible (they all go together)
Loves to travel
LOVES Disneyland
Still likes to be with us on family vacation
Does not love to hike
More athletic than most people know
Family misses her and me too (did I already mention that?)
Gives great advice
Loves Sushi
Can wear red lipstick and look great (unlike me!)
We love you so much and hope you have a great Birthday!

Where has time gone?



I can't believe I'm so far behind--only at Easter!  (Well I can believe it but I'll pretend if you do!)  We went over to the Oliver's on Monday night for lots of fun games.  They have to work for their Easter eggs which is well worth it because they are filled with money.  Carlee did win the hula-hoopin' contest!

The boys and Carlee trying to blow up the balloons the fastest--who has the most Hot air!

I told you the eggs are well worth the work! We are so grateful to the Olivers for always making it so much fun!

Quick Easter picture after church--Can't believe everyone is growing up so fast--I'm still trying to come up with a way to slow it down but have not had any luck!

We went over to Grampy and Grammy's for a delicious dinner and a fun Easter egg hunt!  It is so nice to live close to family and be able to celebrate holidays with them!

 

Chantz even sent us a picture with his Easter tie--doesn't he look handsome!  He said he had a great Easter dinner so I am so glad the people in Wauchula are taking care of him!   I can hardly wait until Mother's Day so I can talk to him!  I love Holidays and I love all the traditions that go with them but mostly I love the time we get to reflect on the love our Savior had for us and the sacrifice He made so that we can return and live with our Father in Heaven.

Cheer Nationals!

Cassie's cheer squad went to Nationals in Anaheim and I got to go too.  It was really exciting because the girls had a great routine.  On Saturday they competed against 21 teams and they take the top 5 teams to compete on Sunday.  Highland came in 2nd but only behind the #1 team by around 3/4 of a point. 

On Sunday they did their routine perfect and hit every stunt!  We were so excited because the #1 team made some mistakes and everyone kept telling Highland that they had won----But...they ended up coming in 2nd.  It should've been great since Highland has never placed that high at Nationals but everyone kept telling them they should have won.  The team that did win was the champion last year and they were from California and well known.  It was kind of hard at first until we realized Hey--we just took 2nd at Nationals!!  I was so proud of Cassie and had such a great time watching her perform! 

Cassie and one of her best friends Makelle.  She is our next-door neighbor and they have been cheering together since 7th grade.   Hard to believe they are Seniors and this was their last time performing!

Waiting to compete

We got to go out to eat in Downtown Disney--it was so fun to walk around since when we go as a family we are always running for the rides.  I have never even been to Downtown Disney (just a little shopping area right outside the front gates of the park).

Cassie and her roommates --I'm not sure what they were practicing! haha

After the competition was over the girls got to spend the day in Disneyland.  They thought it would be fun to dress up in the 80"s.  I keep trying to tell Cassie--"I went to High School  in the  80's and we did not dress like this--and what is with all the side ponytails?  I'm pretty sure I didn't see anyone in my High School with a big side ponytail!  Oh well--I don't think they believed me and I was not going to keep eminding them how old I was--they looked cute anyways!