Arizona trip- Wikieup stop

The trip to Phoenix is not a great one- through the desert but there are a few spots you can make on the way there or back. We had to make a stop in Wikieup- you blink and you miss it. The kids found this little "jail" and we had to take a picture. We had a great time on our summer trip to Arizona- we miss you!

 

Arizona trip- Best buds

We love us some McLains and we are so glad that we were able to go and visit with our best buds. All the kids spilt off and had a great time together. Emma was missing because she was at another friend's home having a sleepover. Thanks for having us McLain family- we miss you bunches!! (as well as all of our friends in AZ- thanks for coming to Joe's and visiting with us- you all rock!)

 

 

 

 

Arizona trip- Phoenix Zoo

Josh was in meetings when we went down to Arizona June 28- July 2, so I decided to take the kids to the Zoo. We made sure that we wore our suits so we can run through the water areas because summer in AZ is not a great time to visit the zoo. But Cole had never been to a zoo and we had my niece Kayleigh with us too, so I thought we could have a great time there seeing all the animals. You can see though in the pictures when the kids had finally had enough of the Zoo- so glad we were able to visit though.

 

Arizona trip- Lake time with the Wells

Mike and Aimee invited us out on their boat when we were out in Arizona in June. We had a great time and the kids loved it! Thanks for having us Wells family- we have to do it again soon!!

 

Cole's 3rd birthday party

Cole's favorite show (at this time) was Bubble Guppies so we did a Bubble Guppies party for him at the park. We had so many wonderful family and friends join us to celebrate Cole. He had a great day and we are just so happy that we have a sweet Colie-colster in our family!

 

 

 

 

 

Reed & Ms. Escalante

Reed had a wonderful teacher this year- Ms. Escalante. She was a fun teacher and was able to keep that boy in check. Thanks for all you did for Reed Ms. Escalante!

 

Emma's 5th grade advancement

On June 9th, Cole's birthday (thus the bday hat) Emma had her 5th grade advancement. They sang and shared some things that they had learned throughout the year. We were especially proud of Emma when she received the Presidential Award which she wasn't expecting. She had grown up so much- congrats Emma!

 

 

 

 

Owen's Kindergarten graduation

My sweet Owen graduated kindergarten this year and the kindergarten teachers created an adorable program ending with "What a wonderful world" in sign language! Owen had it memorized for the longest time but he wouldn't show me because he wanted it to be a surprise. Made me cry..so precious. We had had a rough first year of school so it was nice to have a sweet ending to the year. Big thanks to Mrs. Bailey who I know from the year before because she had Emma for fourth grade- she really had lots of patience with Owen. Congrats Owen- we are so proud of you!

 

 

 

 

Last day lunch with my boys

Because I was already finished with my preschool year, I decided to bring lunch to the boys since I am never able to do that during the school year. The boys ate with me but Emma just took her lunch and sat with her friends...I guess that what happens when you almost have a 6th grader! We had Matthew hangin out with us during lunch who is Reed's buddy.

 

Reed's bugs performance

Who loves kids dressed up as bugs?? I do and Reed was a great bug in his second grade performance. They sang a variety of different songs all about insects and I knew that learned so much through the music. I love music and using it as a learning tool- it was a fun night for him!

 

 

 

 

Owen's baseball party

Owen finished his season with baseball and grew so much as a player. I know I have a big thank you for his coaches especially Coach Ed (in the picture). He loves baseball and I am glad that he was able to play another season with his baseball buddies.

 

random kids pics

Summer is here (well, it was but now it is almost gone) but here are some of the fun pics of the beginning of summer of the kids.

 

 

 

Emma's piano recital

On Sunday May 22, Emma had her piano recital. She did a great job- she has a wonderful musical talent and I am glad that she is willing to share it. In October, she will be playing the piano and I will be singing in sacrament meeting. She is an amazing girl! (I love her teacher too- Sister Goates rocks!)

 

 

Mom/daughter book club-The Goose Girl

One of the things that I love about our ward is that some moms started a mother/daughter book club. I love reading but I don't search out books- I love being told what to read :) I am lazy! All of the books have been an easy read because they are pre-teen level. This last time we were the hosts- Emma and I and we were discussing "The Goose Girl" by Shannon Hale. We have read many of her books and we both enjoyed this read. Emma is actually reading the next book in the series- Enna Burning right now for her book report for 6th grade reading. For an activity, I had the girls use different dress up items to disquise themselves because that is what the character in the story had to do. I think the girls had some fun with this.

 

Reed's class field trip

In May, Reed's class and the other second grade classes went to the Springs Preserve. Josh was a chaparone and Reed loved sharing the day with his dad. Reed had the camera the whole day and I had to only pick three pictures because he went crazy with the photography. Definately wanted to capture his day on film!