OOPS, forgot veggie picture

Cabbage, peppers, tomatoes, apples...

to blog or facebook

So, I have been addicted to Facebook because it is such an easy, quick way of keeping in touch. You can do everything on FB that you can on a blog. But I feel like a blog is a little more personal, and that I can write a little more here. But I want your input. What do you think? Blog or Facebook? I am by no means giving up either of them, but thought this might be an interesting topic. Anyway, summer is well underway. DId I mention that being a teacher.. I LOVE summers. I wonder how in the world that I do what I do and work full time too. Summers really dont slow us down, we just go in different directions...soccer, cheer, pools, "spring" cleaning that i can't get to in the spring....Even in the summer I am having a hard time finding time to scrapbook..but I will! I promised myself that I would get a bunch done!!!!!! If you are a FB reader this is a repeat for you, but Tyler's soccer team played in the Utah Summer Games and won the gold medal! Way to go! After a challenge from our bishopric, we are each trying to increase our personal scripture reading time, making it daily. So far we have done ok. If you have never looked at "readthescriptures.com" it is a great tool. It sends you a daily e-mail to try and keep you current. You choose what you want to read and in what amount of time and Viola.....it breaks it up for you. Joe and I are both reading the Book of Mormon in 90 days, so we should finish in September. Chase has chosen to read the Old Testament. Karlie and Tyler are also reading the Book of Mormon. Wish us luck that we can continue! So here is the "picture" part of my post. Karlie loves to hoola-hoop, so then Tyler decided to try. Actually we all gave it a whirl...Joe and I not so successfully. But Karlie and Ty were so cute that i had to post the videos of them. Oh, and here are a few of the "fruits (actually they're the veggies of our labors. THis is the 2nd cabbage, I still can't believe how excited I have been about CABBAGE! This is what we do for fun at night during the summer. Hope you are all having a great summer. And again, please leave your feelings about FB vs. blogging.

Summertime

So summer is here. Weather wise it is NOT my favorite season, but as a mom and a teacher summer totally ROCKS! I love being home and just being mom and wife. I am working on getting all those projects done that I put off. So far we have cleaned the garage for yard sale (which was pretty successful) going to try one more time to clear out more "stuff", we have gone thru the kids closets, hall closets, tended the garden, made homemade strawberry jam, and homemade bread. And it is only the 2nd week. We arejust getting ready for the busy soccer season for Tyler. He will be playing in the summer games up in Cedar next week. Soccer camp, scout camp, and cheer camp all come up in the next month. As I don't have anything exciting to write about, I was sitting here thinking about how thankful I am for my family, and the time that I do get to spend with them. I have great kids, who are a big help around the house (most of the time) THe boys today had their bathrooms cleaned, laundry put away, and the dishes done before I ever got out of bed. I am thankful for a husband that treats me like a queen. He is helpful around the house and is always taking care of me. I am thankful that I have my health and am able to take care of them. (side-note: most recent CT scan is clear of any and all cancer. So yeah! Here is to another 4 months!!!!) Anyway, the pictures are just family pictures from the last several years.

Pioneer Children Sang as they walked and walked

What beautiful weather we had for the annual 4th grade handcart trek. We take the 4th graders by bus to Rockville (out near Zion Nat'l Park) and then the adventure begins. It ends up being about a 2 mile walk to Grafton, Utah. It is gorgeous out there. Mr. Staheli, the wagon-master and also the principal, talks to the kids along the way and tells them stories of pioneers and life on the trail. We take the kids down a hill (check out the video) and then back up the other side. When we get to Grafton we drink homemade rootbeer and play tug of war, hat races, and enjoy a lunch out in the middle of the cow pasture (YUMMY huh?) It is quite a neat experience for these kids. This is the 5th trek that I have gotten to do. I did it 3 years ago with Chase and this year with Tyler. I look forward to being able to continue the tradition and be able to go with Karlie in a few years. This was definitely the highlight of our week.

Essay winner AND American Idol

So Tyler wrote an essay about his 6th great grandfather, Artemus Millett. He was chosen in the top 20 for 4th grade. On Friday, they came and announced the top 5 winners and Tyler was chosen. He was so excited. He had no idea. Joe and I had known since Wednesday, but were told to keep it a secret. He received a beautiful certificate, and 20 gold dollars. WOW! Way to go Tyler :) He had fun doing the essay and we all learned a little more about one of our ancestors. Friday was also Washington Elementary's talent show. As a special guest star to open the program, we had Taylor Vaifanua. She is 16 from Hurricane, Utah and she was one of the top 36 on American Idol. She has a beauiful voice, and is beautiful girl. So talented. She sang several songs, and was so cute with the students. We were very lucky to have her come to our school.

More Park/Easter fun

Fun in Cedar

We didn't really get to leave town for spring break, so we just had fun at home. We did go to Cedar one day and spend the day with my "seester". THe kids brought their bikes and skateboards and we went to a couple of different parks. Discovery Park was awesome. Even Mal and I had fun climbing and exploring.

Happy Easter

Easter was great! We went to Kanab and spent the weekend at Grandma Candy's. We played at the Coral Pink Sand Dunes, at least until it started hailing and snowing on us. We colored Easter Eggs, watched movies, and just had a great time. The Easter Bunny managed to find Grandmas house and treated each of the kids to some candy, a new toothbrush, and a new book. I think the pictures tell the rest of the story. I apologize now there are a lot of pics, but just couldn't pic 1 or 2.

March Madness Ending Soon

This being a crazy, busy week (as if the others are not) I decided to do an end of March post. So here goes. March has been great, despite the crazy weather. We had a wonderfully green St. Paddy's Day, complete with corned beef and cabbage, green koolaid, festive cupcakes, and of course a pot of gold (coins that is). We have planted our garden. SO excited for the yummy food. And thanks to my seester, I have an incredibly clean, incredibly organized scrapbook room. Its so clean that I am afraid to go in and use it. BUt summer is fast approaching, and the scraproom will be the happenin' place to be. Did I mention that there are only 40 school days left! To all you moms, I can hear the groans, but I can hear all the teachers shouting HURRAY!!!!!
Congratulations are in order for each of my children:
Chase managed to come home with a wonderful report card (GPA: 3.96) not that this is a surprise, but we are always so proud of him. He is currently counting down the days until he is officially a teenager. 23 days!

Tyler just competed in the District Geography challenge, He was sent to represent his 4th grade from Washington Elementary. He didn't place, but he sure learned a lot of information in a short amount of time. He is almost done with his science fair project "which will hit a baseball farther, wooden or aluminum bat?" We are now adding the creative touches to his board. Way to go Ty!

Karlie for anyone who knows her really isn't too shy, except for an occasional time or two,.. but when it comes to getting up in front of a group, that brings forth the tears. But she just gave a talk in Primary all by herself!! She wrote the talk as well She was supposed to talk on family members having important responsibilities. She read and presented the entire talk! Way to go Kar!
I truly feeled blessed to have such amazing children who are helpful and loving, and successful. They are each developing a testimony of the gospel in their own way, and I am proud of the choices that they make.