Girl's Camp 2012!

 First flag of the week

 Confidence courses

 Building teamwork

 Lizzie and Lyssa on their hike--it was long!  I know, I was there.

 Beautiful wildflowers

 The bishop making a--fire?  Smoke?  Killing something with his shovel?  Me standing over him giving directions.

Lyssa's hair in paper towels.  So cute!

It was Lyssa's first year at Girl's Camp and I got to be there.  We had a great time.  It rained a little (or more) every day and so it stayed cool.  And it is such an amazing place.  It was inspiring to see the young women change through the week and feel the Spirit.  Highlights of the week: Lyssa's favorite was singing around the lake, my favorite was evening devotionals all gathered around together, Mafia, testimony from Magen, the girls all getting along all week, the crazy loud thunderstorm, being with Alyssa!

Happy Independence Day!

 Just before the race--you can tell cause we're not sweaty yet.

 I was so excited my sister and my mom ran/walked with us this year!

 Soso and Thomas at the parade, squinting into the sun cause my family always sits on the west side.

The parade!

I was so excited my sister and my mom decided to do the Freedom Run this year.  I got sick a couple weeks before and didn't run much before, so I was actually really nervous.  But I did the exact same time as last year to the second!  And I beat Scott again, so I was happy.  After the run we went to the parade and then we all went to Chuck-A-Rama for lunch.  Blech.  I hadn't eaten much and then gorging myself on all the heavy food there made me sick.  Then naptime!  We watched the fireworks at the field with the Thompsons that night.  I love summer!

Summer work party

For Scott's work party this year instead of Lagoon we went to a ski resort and enjoyed the summer activities.  Scott and the kids were bummed, but I actually liked it better (part of that being I'm getting old and the rides at Lagoon are starting to make me sick).  Anyway, it was cool and beautiful and we didn't run like crazy but there were quite a few fun activities.  I vote for this again next year.

 Soran, Livi and Amber trying out the bungee trampolines

 Christian on the Alpine Slide--isn't it gorgeous?

 Lunch under the big top--yummy!

 We hiked all the way to the top.  Just kidding.  We rode the tram and then walked through a tunnel to this view. 

 I know these are supposed to be relaxing, but who can do that sitting on a little bench connected to a little wire really high in the air with nothing below except rocks? 

 Enjoying the view on the way down.

 Lyssa on the ropes course.

 Livi was terrified on the ropes course.  She made it across this and then got down.

 Yee-haw!

Christian the cowboy.

Cubanapolis and--it's a bear!

 Ready to race!

 Finish line

 Winners smile

 Mark of the bear

Mother's salute (I look like I'm enjoying it, don't I?)

Reece reunion

I was in charge of my family reunion this year.  I thought we should get at least a little away since the last few years have just been in Provo.  And maybe people would stick around the whole time.  As it turned out, not so much.  But we had fun in our short time together. 
We headed down to Zions Park Sunday about 1 p.m.  Then we had to turn around and go back cause we forgot the crockpot with dinner in it.  So about 2 p.m. we were on the road again.  We had cabins reserved at Zions Ponderosa, and they turned out way nicer than anyone expected, so that was a big bonus.  And the kids LOVED the pool.  It had 2 levels and 2 slides and 2 hot tubs.  Pretty fun.  So of course we went swimming the second we got there.  Then we watched "The 3 Amigos" on the wall outside which was a blast cause some guy was laughing his head off and it all made us laugh harder.  The next day we went to Zions and it was absolutely beautiful.  I wish we could have stayed longer, but the kids were done by midafternoon.  We got back and went swimming again and had dinner and then played games at the barn.  The next morning was crazy insane windy so we cleaned up and got out.  Short but sweet.  And my turn's done for 6 years.  Woo-hoo!

 The kids were so excited about the squirrels but I scared them by telling them they bit.  Didn't stop Scott from getting this closeup.

 Amber earned her junior ranger badge at the park and this is her getting sworn in.

 On our hike up to Emerald Pools.  It was beautiful.

My mountain climber.  1 foot off the ground.

Princess birthday tea party!

Livi wanted a princess party solely so she could borrow Amber's red dress and wear it.  And there were to be no boys this year.  We did a really low-key party as it was 2 days after school let out and I hadn't had time to recuperate yet.  But I think it turned out cute.  We played "magic wands" with some sticks and balloons.  Then we had lunch and cake and opened presents.  And then I had Livi tell the story of the Princess and the Pea which she'd learned at school and we played "Find the Pea under the Pillow."  She loved it.  Her only disappointment was not getting a rose like Alyssa.

 Tea party fit for a princess

 All the pretty princesses

 Where's that pea?

5 candles!

End of school year 2012!

I don't think I have ever been so excited for school to end.  I really loved my job this year, and will miss the kids and working in the school so much, but I was getting worn out, and summer came just in time!  We spent the last couple weeks cleaning up the classroom for the new teacher coming in.  The last day of school our kindergarten class did the Hokey Pokey at the dance festival.  Unfortunately, Scott got that on his phone and is holding it for ransom for when he wants something.  And he'll definitely get it, cause I don't want anyone to see that.  I was really sad leaving for the last time (and turning my time card in for the last time), but being busy helps you forget. 

The kids were all students of the month again this year.  And Lyssa's last days were exciting.  We went to an awards ceremony where she was presented with The Hope of America award.  Scott and I were so proud!  Neither of us would have dreamed of getting something like that so it's great to be able to live vicariously, right?  Then I went to her 2-hour 6th grade graduation.  It was tortuous watching the talent show and all the preteens try to lipsync to their favorite songs but forgetting half the words so just mumbling.  I forgot the camera, which was a bummer. 

Christian's teacher did an end-of-year showcase of all they'd done.  She was an awesome teacher and Christian really blossomed in her class.  For a reward she would buy her students a kids meal from any fast food place and then they got to eat with her in the classroom.  For a boy who never gets a kids meal of his own, he was in heaven. 

Amber's year was a little tougher.  It was her teacher's first year, and he had 17 boys in his class.  I went and visited once and we'll just say it was chaos.  But she's really adaptable and did fine.  She's starting to love reading, and I love watching her read. She was also excited to be starting her times tables.  She was in an after school science club and really like it.  She says next year she wants to take ballroom like Alyssa.

It was fun visiting Livi's class.  Since I was at work the same time she was at school I didn't ever get to visit.  She loved showing me around and introducing her friends.  What a blessing this preschool was!  They did such fun activities and she liked it.

Plans for next year: Lyssa will be in the PUPS program at Provo High (aaaah!), Christian will have the same 5th grade teacher Alyssa did (I like her), Amber will start 3rd grade and ballroom, Livi will be in grandma's kindergarten class, and I will be doing a round-robin preschool with Soran and baby-sitting Joshua while Xela teaches.  Whew!  First I'm going to enjoy some down time this summer! 

Livi and "that silly boy Ryker."  There were a lot of days she came home and talked about him.  First crush?

 I'm bringing home a baby bumblebee.

 Livi's best friend Wendy.

 Christian's end of year showcase.  He was 1 of only 3 students who were able to solve the teacher's riddles throughout the year and sing all the counties of UT in under a minute.  He was quite proud.

First night of summer vacation--sleeping in the tent in the living room!  How did I get so many kids?