June Highlights

 Gideon has become more interested in books this month.  He tells me, "Mom, I'm not looking at the pictures....I'm READING!"

 Josh and Mary joined Sam and I one day at Day Camp.  They loved participating in some of the activities...especially when they were able to do archery!

 Joshie's amazing kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Luzio and his friend, Landon, from church that was in his class this year.

Day Camp

The week following Scout Camp and Girl's Camp was Day Camp for Sammy and I.  This is Sammy's highlight of the summer usually as well.  His favorites this year were BB, Archery, and swimming.  He shot up the BB range.  I was really impressed with his consistent accuracy.  One thing I always admire about Sam is his willingness to do everything with enthusiasm and spirit.  He also wants to be sure everyone else is having as much fun as he is having.  I love the time I get to be with him at Day Camp.

Summer Camps

June brought on scout camp for Joel and Thomas as well as Spring's first year at Girl's Camp.  And, it was all in the same week so our home felt really empty.  I was somewhat lost without them at home, yet it was fun to watch Sammy step up as the oldest one home.

Joel and Thomas attended MVSR again this year and loved every minute of it, even though there was LOTS of rain and they never really got dry all week.  Thomas completed the Shotgun and Climbing Merit Badges as well as participating in the High Adventure Program in the afternoons.  He had a great time, as usual, at camp.  I always miss them when they are at camp but it helps to know they are both enjoying their time together so much.

Spring was BEYOND excited for her first year at Girl's camp.  It is held behind the John Johnson Farm.  They were able to go hiking, canoeing, make crafts, play games, be silly, and learn lots of new skills.  I love that she was able to make friends with some other girls from the stake.  It was really hard for me to drop her off at camp and say goodbye.  I was brave; however, and didn't shed a tear...until I was in the car on my way home.  Partway through the week I was really missing her and wishing I could see her and know how she was doing.  That evening I received a picture text from a sister in our ward that was attending Bishop's night with her husband.  She told me Spring was having the time of her life.  She glowed in the picture and it was an answer to my prayers.  I'm so grateful for these wonderful opportunities our children have to learn, experience new things, and strengthen their testimonies and commitment to following our Savior's example.

All home once again!

11 Months

Little Jacob welcomed in 11 months with his 7th and 8th teeth.  He loves to be held and is really quite the momma's boy. He is happy with other people as long as he does not see me.  Once he sees me he expects to be in my arms.  I can't say I really mind! :)  Watermelon has become one of his preferred foods and he loves to be in the swing outside. He continues to army crawl all over resulting in dirty shirts!  We love his smile and waves he gives to us.  How blessed we are.

Dream Come True

For Mary's birthday this year she was given horseback riding lessons and a trail ride from us and Grandma & Grandpa Powell.  She could hardly wait for me to schedule the lessons.  I loved watching her on her horse, Toby, because she was all smiles the entire time.  She never stopped smiling.  This girl loves all animals....and horses are at the top of her list.

End of Another Year

 We made it through another school year!  The kids were all excited for the year to end; however, there were tears from a couple of them as they got home that last day of school.  Josh was crying really hard because he wasn't ready to say goodbye to his teacher and friends.  He is also sad because he will be going to a new school for 1st grade.  I had to mask my excitement for the end of the year and try to comfort him.  Spring also came walking home in tears because it was hard to say goodbye to her teachers, friends, and school.  She, too, will be starting a new school next year.

Well, now we have been into summer vacation for a week and they are all having a great time.  It's been a crazy week for our family, however.  It began on Sunday when I was sustained as Relief Society President.  To say I am a bit overwhelmed would be an understatement.  I know how do Cub Scouts and that's about it.  For the last 2 years I have also been a Gospel Doctrine Teacher and I thought that was bad.  Sammy is having a difficult time knowing that I won't be a Cub Scout leader anymore.  Then, there was a trip to the ER for me this week to add more excitement amongst final preparations for scout camp and Girls' camp that begin next week.  It's going to be a very full summer...just grateful I get to spend my days with these amazing children of our's.

FIRST DAY OF 3RD GRADE

LAST DAY OF 3RD GRADE

 1ST DAY OF 8TH GRADE

LAST DAY OF 8TH GRADE...HIGH SCHOOL NEXT YEAR...OH MY!

1ST DAY OF 6TH GRADE

LAST DAY OF 6TH GRADE...NEXT YEAR ON TO JUNIOR HIGH!

 1ST DAY OF 2ND GRADE

 LAST DAY OF 2ND GRADE

 1ST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN

LAST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN

May Highlights

 Sara continues to love puzzles...any size and difficulty level.  It is her first stop whenever we head to the library.

 What a great big brother...such a sweet moment to happen upon as I was tucking other kiddos into bed one evening.  These two really have a great relationship and a very strong bond.  

 Indexing night!  We decided once a month we would substitute our evening "Preach My Gospel" study with family history and/or indexing.  All the kids love to index and ask to do it quite often.

 Sammy's class threw a surprise celebration for his amazing teacher, Mrs. Kahook, after she finished with her Master's Program.  

Lots of fire building going on at Cub Scouts this month.  Sammy loves to build fires...and roast starburst on them too!

 A sight I never thought I would see...this is how Sammy walked home all the way from the corner bus stop.  He even kept reading when he got inside for quite a while before asking for a snack.  Can I just say again what miracles happened this year with his dedication, hard work, lots of prayers, and an absolutely amazing teacher.  His preferred genre is non-fiction.  He loves to read about reptiles, how machines work, and any biography/autobiography he can get his hands on.

 Josh has become quite the reader this year as well.  Gideon is one luck kid to have so many older siblings to read to him.

 Not so sure about his picture...this is how she came home from school one day.  Silly girl with wonderful silly friends.  I love her personality and her confidence to enjoy life and be who she is.

Spring's 6th grade tile...all 6th grade students design and paint a tile that represents them.  They are then hung in the hallways of the school.  She did an amazing job with her tile.

Josh began piano lessons this month.  After his first lesson he composed a song entitled, "Lions."  He LOVES the piano and is found playing it a lot.  It is reminding us of Thomas.

I love this picture of Gideon.  Since I was gone on Mother's Day I wrote each of the kids a note telling them what I love about being their mom.  Joel snapped this picture after he had given Gideon his letter.

Joel surprised me with flowers for my birthday.  I'm so blessed to have this amazing man as my eternal companion and best friend.  I love the times we get to spend together.  He definitely completes me.

Sammy's teacher, Mrs. Kahook, had an end of the year party at a park one evening.  Sammy loved playing football with her husband and all his buddies.  It was a hot and humid night.  At the end of the party she gave all her students a Handel's coin and Sammy convinced Joel to take him there right away to get the ice cream.  This picture is proof that he really needed the ice cream too!  I love this kid!