Family Photo Shoot 2012

Click HERE to see the photo shoot!

Utah Trip--Moqui Caves

Every summer when we drive up to Utah, we always pass the Moqui Caves in Kanab.  One year we finally stopped and went through and the kids loved it.  Then we had a fabulous family move into our ward here and discovered that her family owns the cave!!  So this summer we made a stop and met up with some of our favorite people for a tour (who have since moved away and we are not happy.)

 

Hudson and Gavin, preschool buds

 Shelbie giving us the tour (we miss you, Shelbie!!)

 

Swim Team!!

This was Paige's first year of swim team, and it was

 a huge commitment.  It was hard and exhausting and daily and HARD!  But, Paige endured

and persisted.  She chose to stick with something that was new and very challenging.  There were

 times when she wanted to throw in the towel ;) but she dove right in ;) and just kept swimming ;)

(I couldn't resist)

And, what d'ya know, but she came in first several times and has some lovely, colorful ribbons to show for it.

Summer Baby Showers

This summer I threw two baby showers for two sweet friends.

It was a lot of fun.

I mean, give me a theme, and I'll go with it!

Baby Boy Shower

Theme:  Preppy/Bowtie/Little Man

Colors: Navy, green, grey

Food:  Bowtie pasta, bowtie brownies, artichoke dip with bread/crackers, spinach salad, green apples with caramel dip, chocolate-dipped pretzels, lemon/blueberry trifle.

 I made these bowties which are removeable and are attached on clips for a little boy collar.  (My friend, Michelle, made the cute diaper cake!)

 My friend, Terri, made the banner and helped with the delicious food.  Baby showers MUST have delicious food!

  Favors had York and M&M candies in pillow boxes topped with "bowties" that I superglued on.

Baby Girl Shower

Theme:  Picnic/Ladybug

Colors:  Red & White

Food:  Fruit parfaits in waffle bowls, strawberry/spinach salad, sugar cookies, cake ball truffles, homemade bread & jam, potato salad.

 Our friend, Anne, made the favors and the cute labels.

 The jars were homemade strawberry jam which were the prizes for the games.

 Our friend, Emily, made this darling rag garland.

 The "Welcome Wagon" for little baby girl.

Our First

Wit is your companion.

Flair is your accessory.

Wisdom is your armor.

Independence is your spirit.

Health is your strength.

Order is your nature.

Goodness is your foundation.

And, as someone once said, the world is most certainly your oyster.

*********

Middle school, here she comes.

End-of-the-year

This was the teacher gift we gave to all 4 teachers on the last day of school.  I found the idea here.  It is a Panda Express gift card and then fortune cookies.  Easy and cute!

Paige wanted to organize a gift for her teacher this year from the entire class since Mrs. Y was retiring.  She is self-starter and is very organized.  I helped her whittle down the idea, but she had a vision and executed it--without her teacher knowing.  Mrs. Y loved it!  And, she loved Paige.  She was in tears on the last day of school thinking about missing Paige.  I loved her, too.  She really helped her students learn ownership and responsibility and she was fun, too!

cha

Preston's Kindergarten Graduation

{ I clicked the camera one second too late to see his big smile as his principal gave him his medal.}

 We love you Mrs. G!

 On the drive home.  Crazy, cute kids.

Preston, you were a firecracker in Kindergarten.

Mrs. G, had had quiet, pensive Trevor previously, and didn't see you coming!

However, you were a quick learner, an advanced, voracious reader, and a really, good friend.

Your class was a great community of friends and parents and it was such a fun year.

Good job, Preps. 

Look out, First Grade!

 

Where we got really excited about something called "The Death Star"

Our boys love Legos. 

Our boys love Star Wars. 

Trevor has been saving up to buy the infamous "Lego Death Star" for some time. 

On ebay it runs for an estimated  $500.00.

He had $17.42.

He is a very patient boy.

However, one day Steve was talking to one of his clients.  He was talking about saving money, investments, etc....and somehow our son's earnest saving came into topic.  Steve mentioned how Trevor was saving up for the Lego Death Star.  The client said,

"Oh, yeah.  I think we have that one....yes, my sons got it years ago, but never put it together.  They are teenagers now and it's all packed up.  You can have it if you want it."

My husband tried to dismiss this generous offer, but she insisted.  Still, my husband left it at that and didn't think about it again.

Sure enough, she walked in to the office one day, plastic tub in hand with all--ALL--the pieces, still in individual bags and handed it to Steve's secretary. 

Fast forward to Steve being unable to contain his excitement and save it for Christmas...

Fast forward to Trevor and Preston's faces when during the reveal...

Fast forward to the yells and cheers...

Fast forward to 3 months of 3, 800 grey and black lego bricks on the floor of their room...

And we are at a dream come true!

Along with Daddy's help, they completed it and it still stands as sentinel on their dresser. 

It fits in nicely with their already Star Wars themed room and is such a great memory.

Paige's speech

 Paige was chosen for a Patriotic speech contest for the 5th grade at her school.  She made it to the contest where she presented her memorized speech to teachers, students, the vice principal and military personnel who were appointed judges.  She did not want me to shoot pictures during her speech because it would make her nervous, but I stole a few before and after.  She was so composed and did so well!

Her best pal, Sarah.

Great job, brave Paige!

Lucy

Happy Birthday week, Lucy!