Our Utah Trip

We started out our summer with a visit to Utah.  We all love getting to go see family, friends, and mountains.  Emily flew up early with a friend to go to her first year of EFY.  She had a wonderful time.  I am so glad she had this opportunity.  Justin and Ryan did soccer camp the first week we were there.  They both had a great time.  We did some of our favorite things while we were in Provo.  We hiked to Stewart Falls and shopped a lot.  

At the top of Stewart Falls

At the bottom of Stewart Falls.  This is the first year we have hiked down to the bottom.  Some other people on the hike showed us the trail.

Justin with the ball he received for being MVP

Ryan at his first soccer camp.

Abigail in a tree on the Provo River trail.

 After Provo we went down to Beaver to spend time with the family.  Tyson went to soccer camp and stayed in the dorms while we were in Beaver.  Grandma, Marie, and I decided to take the kids to Bryce Canyon.  It was so beautiful.  The kids enjoyed hiking around and looking at all of the beautiful formations. 

Grandma took Ryan and Abigail while we went on a longer hike down to the bottom of the canyon.

Building rock formations in the rock garden area.

 We have been going up to Tusher the last few years while in Beaver.  The kids enjoy rowing the canoes and fishing.

Jacob, Justin, and Tyson

Abigail and Emily

Ryan and Grandma

 We ended our stay in Utah by running in the Ragnar Race.  This is the 2nd year that we have ran it.  Our team was made up of some who did it last year, and a lot who were new.  We had a lot of our old team who had just had a baby or were pregnant and unable to run.  We had a great time and we beat our time by 2 hours. 

Our whole team with our metals

Our Van Nicole, Jeff, Travis, Vanessa, Cressa, and Krista

It was wonderful to visit with everyone while we were in Utah.  We also got to visit with Greg and LeeAnn and their family and James and Andrea and their family while we were there.  We had a wonderful barbeque at Grant and Helen's house while we were there and got to see all of their family also.  Our family is getting so big.  It is so fun to see how everyone changes and grows.  I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful family.

Camping Out

The Father-Son camp out this year ended up being the same time Tyson had a soccer tournament in Albequerque so Jeff and Tyson were not able to go.  This left Ryan and Justin feeling a little sad, so we decided to have a camp out in the back yard.  We had a lot of fun.  We made tin foil dinners, roasted marshmallows, and watched a movie outside on the projector.  The wind blew some, but not near as much as it has in the past.  I'm glad we were able to enjoy the weekend.  It would have been perfect if Jeff and Tyson were here with us.

Ryan all ready for the movie

Our tent up and ready to go

The burning of their school papers.  They love to burn their papers each year when school is over.

Roasting marshmallows

Ryan enjoying a s'more

Justin

Abigail with a double marshmallow

Saying Goodbye

Justin's best friend moved away after the school year was over.  Justin and Johnathan had been in the same class for two years, and were best of friends.  They were both in GT together, they both love sports (especially soccer), and they both belong to the same church.  They got along so well.  We were so sad to have them leave.  The week before he left they spent the afternoon at Main Even together bowling, playing miniature golf, and playing laser tag.  We will miss Johnathan, but Justin will always remember the fun times they had together.

 bowling

 golfing

 looking at laser tag scores

 enjoying a pretzel

Dodgeball Tournament

Our middle school had a dodgeball tournament as a fundraiser this year.  Tyson was so excited to do this.  His team ended up having to play the 8th grade team first so they didn't do so well, but they had a lot of fun.  He went to school in the outfit he wore for the tournament.  He insisted everyone was going to dress like him, but none of the other boys followed through except for Davis.

Davis and Tyson

Preschool Is Over

We have had a child in preschool pretty much non stop for the past ten years, but now those days are over!  Abigail graduated the last week of May.  She was brave enough to get up and perform her songs in front of everyone.  We were so proud of her especially since she didn't even dare go up last year.  She has made some wonderful friends in preschool.  Some will move on to Bennett with her, but some will not.  I'm sad to think my youngest will no longer be home, but I was not sad to write my last tuition check for preschool!

Abigail's teachers Ms. Shiela and Ms. Ginny

Cole, Molly, and Abigail

I have pictures of her graduation, but they are on my other camera that I am having problems downloading on to my computer, so they may be added later.

Ryan Graduates

Ryan made it through kindergarten.  He actually enjoyed it a lot more than I thought he would.  He loved being the one who could take people to the office, or wherever else they needed to go since he already knew how to get around the school before it started.  He was friends with most people in his class, but his closest friends were Braxin and Katherine.  They are both in our ward at church.  His teacher was Mrs. Rich and he loved her too. 

Here is a picture he drew of himself in his cap and gown. 

He received the "most creative" award.  He said Mrs. Rich let him choose which award he should get since he was good at everything. 

We are so proud of Ryan and his successful year in Kindergarten.

All In One Week

I hope all of the Mothers out there have a wonderful Mothers Day!  I have been blessed with a wonderful husband and five beautiful children.  I must say Mothers day seems to get better as I get older.  I woke to presents and singing and a lot of home made gifts and cards.  Breakfast was waiting at the table with crepes and fresh berries.  The kids tried hard not to fight, and one of Tyson's gifts was to try and help prevent the house from getting messed up.  I think he did a pretty good job.  Jeff and the kids made dinner and cleaned everything up after.  I am so thankful for all of their hard work to try and make my day special. 

The crepes Jeff and the kids made

Yesterday was our Anniversary.  Jeff and I have been married for 17 years.  I am so lucky to have such a wonderful husband.  He is perfect for me.  Here is a picture of the beautiful flowers he gave me.  We knew there wouldn't be much time to celebrate on Saturday so we went out to dinner and a movie on Friday.

The flowers Jeff gave me

Justin and his Battle of the Books team

Justin as Robin van Persie

This week was a busy one with end of the school stuff going on.  Justin had Battle of the Books where they came in 2nd place at the district level, he sold stuff one evening for GT, and he participated in the Living Museum.  He chose to be a soccer player Robin van Persie.  Tyson had the Regional Battle of the Books this week, he also played in a basketball tournament on Saturday, they got first place in it.

Ryan played in his last soccer game of the season.  He scored his first two goals during this game, and loved his trophy.  He says he is definitely playing soccer in the fall again.  We are all glad he enjoyed the season.  Justin and Tyson both have one more game to play.

I have been up at the school a lot lately.  Abigail plays with my phone when I am up there

I also got pictures of her texted to me from her friends mom's phones

I have several pictures of her friends on my phone too!

 Sunday's can be long and hard for me sometimes.  We don't have church until 1:30, but most of the time Jeff is at the church all morning.  The kids love to play together, but they either get very creative and make a huge mess, start out playing and then end up fighting, or both.  Last Sunday Jeff was gone all night after church as well, and the four youngest had been playing and fighting non-stop.  I finally told them they had to divide up into teams and make a dessert.  This kept them busy and happy.  They both came up with pretty good desserts.  Justin and Abigail made a caramel vanilla cake and Ryan and Tyson made a layered brownie dessert.  The kitchen was a mess in the end, but at least they weren't fighting with each other!

Abigail had her first gymnastic showcase last Saturday.  She did a wonderful job performing.  She becomes a different person when she is on the gymnastic floor.  All of her fears seem to go away.  This was the first time she has dared to perform in front of people and she loved every minute of it.  She gave a talk in church for the first time the day after, and she went up and sang with the primary kids at church today.  The real test will be Tuesday when she has her preschool graduation.  She is definitely growing up.  Pictures will have to come later, I can't download them from my camera.