Piano Recital

I can't figure out how to upload videos from my video camera on here. The kids did great though and I love that they all love to play. Scotty even went up and played all by himself this time. I didn't have to go sit on the bench by his side! Way to go bud!

Scotty's last day of school party

Scotty was supposed to have his last day of school party on the real last day of school, but he and two of his best friends were invited to the Honor Roll Party at school in stead, so we did it the week after school got out.  

They had a great time jumping on the tramp, but they weren't so excited about the sprinkler on there.  Funny, it was a hot day!  We are lucky to have so many good friends around for the kids, there are a bunch that couldn't make it too.  

 

Now I know what you are thinking, 2 boys, 2 girls?  Am I starting paring them off too young... NO!  But they are really cute, huh! 

Goblin Valley

After the kids got out of school and had their party, we headed down to Goblin Valley to go camping.  It turned into a big party with Rob and Krista, Lisa and Adam, Jana and Joey and Mom and Dad all coming with us too.  It was FANTASTIC!  We stayed at a little campground in Hanksville.

Missy in the tent

Corry and Joe, wow, they are GOOD LOOKIN'!!!

The cute little kids in their chairs

Me and Corry holding Aubrey

Alli and her Grandpa

One of the Cloward's family friends lives in Hanksville, so we picked her up and brought her over for dinner and visiting.  

We started to do smores when the winds kicked up and the rain came.  Our tent caved in and we had to re-stake it and then we all went to hang out in the motor home.  

So, imagine 1 -12 year old, 1 - 10 year old, 1 -  7 year old, 1 - 6 year old, 1 - 5 year old, 2 - 4 year olds, 4 - 3 year olds, 1 - 1 year old, and 1 - newborn plus 10 adults all in the motor home!  It was a little crazy!

We played with glow-sticks for awhile, but that made them a little crazier, so we started singing songs and playing games.  

So... Corry took them on a lion hunt and they had a blast!  The whole rest of the trip, they kept saying, "we're going on a lion hunt..."

We slept great in our tent (except for Sara crying in the night) and Alli slept while we started picking up around her.  For the first time, all the kids did great!  OK - I slept by Missy and she is a REALLY restless sleeper, but they all slept through the night!

Father and Son - aren't they cute!

After we were all packed up, we headed to Goblin Valley.  It was AMAZING!  The kids loved all the rock formations and climbing on EVERYTHING in sight!

All the kids (now imagine them all stuck in a motor home together)!

Our family

Where it all began - we sure have a great time when we get together as a family

Alli loved climbing in the caves

My cute kids

After playing on the rocks all morning, we ate some lunch and headed to Capital Reef National Park.  First we had to stop at the convenience store carved into the mountain and get ice cream.  Corry had remembered sliding down the rocks into a pool of water, but that was years ago and what we found was a nice spot to cliff jump.  Missy REALLY wanted to do it, but she was scared.  These nice men helped her gain her confidence and do it.  (Turns out one of them works for Search and Rescue, so we were in good hands.)  Way to go Miss!

She loved it so much, she had to do it again!  Only down side was that we hadn't brought any swim suits or towels at all.  Missy had to change out of soggy clothes in the car, but she had a great time.  We almost convinced Fuzzy to do it (she went out to the edge several times).  It was too bad our Search and Rescue friend had already left!

We drove through Capital Reef and Fish Lake National Forrest and went to visit Grandma J before we went home. The kids were exhausted and all of them fell asleep in the car on the way to Grandma's house.  I couldn't get a good picture of the girls in the back.  Notice my sweatshirt on Alli. 

Scotty was so cold, he took his pillow case off his pillow and stuck his feet in it.  Pretty smart kid.

What a fantastic trip!  I love our family! 

School's Out For SUMMER!!!!!

I believe the last day of school is one of the greatest days!  I love that the kids will be home and that we can play and laugh and talk, ok and there is always the added fighting with everyone home, that comes too, but I still love it!  The last few years we have had a last day of school party with the girls' friends.  It is so much fun!  The girls and their friends are just fun to be around!  Last year I was googling games that could be played in very large groups and came across one that has been a hit.  We divide the girls into Missy's friends and Fuzzy's friends and then I yell out a word... like star.  Then each team has to create that shape using all the girls on their team.  It is hilarious and always entertains us for awhile!  I can't remember what shapes they were supposed to be, but they made me laugh!

The finish line

I was just reading my friends blog about her finishing her first triathlon.  She reminded me that regardless of all the differences in athletes, we all cross the same finish line.  Corry tries to tell me that my race of life is not a sprint, but a marathon, which I remind him how I have NO desire to ever run a marathon and I like sprints better.  But, they are both right.  The athlete who is well toned and trained may finish the race faster, but the athlete who has drive, desire and courage runs the same race and crosses the same finish line.  Often times I feel down for not being as good as I could be.  At those times, it is like I am walking instead of running.  Sometimes I need to remember that walking is still heading in the same direction as running, progress is just a bit slower.  As long as I don't turn around and go the other way, I am still going to cross that finish line eventually.  Thanks Megan for your courage and determination.  You are amazing!

Field Day and Fun Run

One of my favorite days of the whole school year is the field day and fun run.  I loved it as a kid and I love to go watch my kids do it too.  I have helped with it every year but the last two years.  Instead of helping, I show up and watch my kids in all the different areas.  (I did help with Scotty's kindergarten one though.)

Scotty finishing the fun run

Fuzzy after her race.  She came in 4th!  That is the fastest Fuzzy has ever gone.  She told me that running on the rec track team gave her confidence.   (We ended up having to pull the girls out of that, but I am glad she gained the confidence) 

Missy running hr race.  She came in 4th too!  I was so proud of her for running since most of the 6th grade girls wouldn't do it anymore.

Scooter races

Ice blocking

Fuzzy's awesome teacher, Miss Wright - she loves me, can you tell?

Relay races

Giant soccer

Cute Fuzzy

Cute Missy

Dance Festival

Our school has a dance festival every year where each grade performs a dance together.  It usually a good show.  I taped their performances, but for some reason I can't upload them.

Alli and Julia waiting for it to start

Missy and her friends

Fuzzy and her friends

Scotty with his friends

Half the kids before it started

Missy and her teacher

The 6th grade team.  What a great group.

Alli Graduates from Joy School

One more graduate this year.  Alli Graduated from Joy School.  Oh boy, I got joy!

Here she is with all her joy school friends.  They were a cute bunch of girls to work with.

Doing their program on the stage

Alli and Anna

My cute little graduate