Shout out to our Teachers!

Today was our last day (hour) of school for the year. We got up early and went and got the kids' teachers some flowers then headed to school to say Goodbye. We had the MOST AMAZING teachers this year. I left the school in tears, so thankful for the 3 teachers that were so fabulous to my children this year. Kylie's teacher Mrs. Rogers was sooo much fun! For the Fifth Graders she was such a good example and somehow in her teaching of regular subjects taught good values of right and wrong...and making good choices. Kylie absolutely loved Mrs. Rogers and cried as she thought about leaving her. Sydneys teacher Mrs. Loader was absolutely perfect for Sydney. She helped her overcome her anxiety with testing, and helped build her confidence. She was soo patient and kind, and the class was always orderly. Sydney had a change of teachers half way through the school year when Mrs. Murdock got married (earlier post this year), and Mrs. Loader jumped right in and made the transition so easy for the kids. That was not easy as these kids bawled for days when Mrs. Murdock said she was leaving. Tysons teacher Mrs. Pratt...I don't even know where to start with her. She is the most wonderful teacher I have ever seen. She is absolutely amazing. Her patience with the first graders was unbelievable, and the greatest thing she taught Tyson was a true love of learning. He loved going to school every day because of her, and was happy and excited every day after school. Words can not express how I feel about her. I just needed to express my gratitued for these hardworking, dedicated, very talented teachers that we were blessed with this year. It's funny because Brian was getting the kids pumped about the last day of school as we were getting them to bed last night. Tyson, with tears in his eyes said " I want to go back to first grade next year, so I can have Mrs. Pratt again...Dad I don't want school to be over yet." Wow! Brian didn't get it...guess he never had a teacher he loved that much! Here is some pictures of the kids and their teachers, and them on the first and last day of school. The girls picked out the same outfit so we could compare how they've changed over the year. Here's to a FUN summer!

Happy Birthday to us Three!!

Happy Birthday to Preston and Heather!Preston is turning 7 today, and Heather is turning...well the same age as me. Somewhere around 29, I think! We miss Preston so much and wish he lived closer. He is so happy, and so considerate of others feelings. What a sweet little boy he is. Happy Birthday Preston! Other than my husband, Heather is the best friend a girl could ask for. I couldn't have hand picked a twin sister for myself any better. She is always there for me, no matter what. She is generous, thoughtful, and loyal. She is such a good mom, and a great example to me. Happy Birthday sis. I love you to death! I asked Mom to send pictures...I didn't exactly mean the ones of Heather and I in our blond bombshell days! LOL!

5th Grade Wax Museum

Today was Kylies 5th grade wax museum. It was so fun to go see all of the kids in their costumes and poses. They had to do research, write a report, and then pose as an influential person in history for this project. They had to stand, or sit, perfectly still for 2 1/2 hours, while all the parents and the rest of the school visited their museum. Kylie was Ruby Bridges, who was the first black girl to attend an all white school.When she enrolled, all the other parents pulled their kids out of the school so she was the only student left. She needed security guards each day to go to school, because people were so angry and wanted segregation. It wasn't long before integration was more widely accepted in schools, and it gave blacks the same opportunities for education that the whites had. Any way....here is some cute pictures of some really good costumes. Aren't they creative?

One of those Days!!

So yesterday was "One of those days" .... I got behind some guy on Redwood Road on my way to work at 5:30 am. that decided it would be fun to drive 40 mph the WHOLE way! I was going crazy. Needless to say I was late for work (only 2 min...but if you know me this is HATING IT!) Then work was just one of those days when I called Brian telling him I was quitting! He is used to this as I do it about once a month. Then I'm over it.

Then when I got home from work the shop called (where my van had been because it wasn't starting) and it was only $700 to get it fixed. Phew...I thought it was going to be like $200 so that was a nice surprise.

Next Kylie starts yelling from the basement...Mom....the basement is flooding. WHAAAAT??? You got it...my office where I am about to start working from home in 2 weeks is FLOODED! WHAAAT?? Carpet soaked...paint bubbling and peeling and soaking wet....the whole deal. Remember we just finished painting this room and getting it ready within the last 6 mos. The pictures do not give you the full effect. Two hours later we almost had it cleaned up. Now we just need to re-carpet, drywall and paint. No biggie...I have two weeks to do it in...and no husband. Shouldn't be a problem for me...I am pretty handy. Yesterday I even changed the light bulbs in the kitchen. Well...today is beautiful and sunny 85 deg. so I know it is going to be a wonderful day. Thank heavens yesterday only lasted 24 hours!

My Mom

I know there will be many out there who want to fight me on this one...but I truly have the WORLDS GREATEST MOM!!!! She is so kind, loving, smart, hardworking, beautiful, and most of all patient. Four daughters and a spoiled little boy could not have been easy for her. Four teenage daughters and one bathroom was not ideal and there were a few curling irons flying from time to time. Mom always knew how to handle our emotions...mostly because she would not get emotional with us...which would have been disasterous. I really have NO memories of my Mom losing her temper. She was always patient and loving, and I wish I would have gotten that from her. I am so thankful for my Mom and all she taught me. She is a wonderful Grandmother too, and my kids love her to pieces. I only wish we lived closer. Although we are far, my Mom makes sure my kids know how much she loves them...and she tries to stay involved in their lives. Thanks Mom for all you do for my family. We LOVE you beyond words, and hope you have the greatest day! I LOVE YOU!!! Happy Mothers Day! Also a shout out to my Mother-in law who is the worlds Greatest Mom in law! I love her so much, and couldn't have hand picked a better Mother in law...had I searched the world over. She is a very giving and thoughtful person, and I am so thankful for the way she raised my dear husband. Thanks for all you do for our family! Happy Mothers Day to you too Janine! (Why do I have NO pictures of my Mom without Dad??)

Time to Catch up!

Ok...so I've been a bit of a slacker lately. Time just seems to get away from me...and before I know it, 3 weeks have passed since my last post. Sorry about that! So a few things that have happened over the last little bit....

1. Kylie had a Hope of America performance the end of April. 5,000 students in the Alpine School Disctrict get together and sing patriotic songs, and there are a few other performances too. It was really cool, we totally loved it! Brians Mom came and enjoyed the show with us. They sat in colored shirts that created a flag. Very creative! There was some cool slide shows, that of course made us all cry. 25,000 people were there.

2. Swim meet...I have no pictures of this...only camcorder, which it is NOT letting me share. The girls did great and won 3 ribbons each. It was a 50 meter pool which is twice the length of the pool they practice in. I thought they were going to die when they looked at the pool for the first time, but neither had to be rescued, and they swam their hearts out. Way to go girls!!

3. Wesleys baptism. No pictures of course, but check Becky, Heather, and Brendas blog...they've got me covered. It was so great to have everyone in town. We had so much fun. Especially those boys. We had a hard time separating them when it was time to go. We're so glad everyone made the LONG drive to be here. It makes me sad how far away we all are. It is just WRONG!

4. Trents graduation. (Brians youngest brother) Trent graduated from SUU with a composite Engineering degree. (3 Engineering degrees ..WOW!)We were sad we couldn't be there...but it was the same day as the swim meet, and Wesley's baptism. Since I only get to see my family twice a year...and we get to see Trent lots, we had no choice. Way to go Trent...we are soo proud of him. Now to get him married. Anyone know a single, wonderful girl in her 20's?

5. Sydney and I went on the 4th grade field trip to Camp Floyd, in Fairfield, UT. She got to make candles, adobe mud bricks, play Pony Express, visit an 1800's original school, shoot a musket for pretend, and a lot of other historical activities. We had so much fun together! The picture of Sydney and the blonde girl is her teacher Mrs. Loader. We LOVE her!

6. We went to Murray High School to the David Archuletta party. He is one of the final 3 contestants in American Idol, in case you have been living in a hole the last few months, and they had a huge homecoming party for him yesterday. These are the kinds of things you get to do when you have 2 pre-teen daughters. It was actually really cool, and we even dragged Dad along with us. He is such a good sport...that's why we love him soo much! We had a blast partying with the city of Murry and David. GO DAVID!! He is awesome! Oh by the way, pictures were courtesy of Tyson who was on Brians shoulders for over an hour! Way to go bud. I do think Brian helped with a few though.

7. After the David party we went to Classic Skate with the rest of the kids' school. They had a blast with all their friends and teachers, and Brian and I had a great time sitting down resting with some friends, recouping from all the David partying we did. The picture of the shoe is mine. Cute shoes, don't you think? Well, I wore them to work thinking I will be sitting down most the day, so I would be fine. Next thing I knew it was 9 p.m. and I had those really cute shoes on for 15 hours. This picture does not show how high these shoes really are! My feet were dead...seriously dead! Owch, I can't even think about it!

I will try to do better at updating so it isn't so overwhelming next time. Life is good at our house, NOT a thing to complain about. Of course, unless you count the blisters on my feet!!