cub scout day camp

Reid and Chase attended their second day of cub scout day camp today. It had an Indiana Jones theme - the boys loved it! They really enjoy their walking sticks - for each class they attend they get to add an additional bead to hang off their leather handle. I wish I knew how to save my zoom so this picture would be closer - you'll just have to click on it to actually see us!
Here is a group photo before we left to head up to Camp Lawton on Mt. Lemmon. This is the 'be silly' shot as you can see my boys are the most silly.
On day one the boys made these clay pinch pots, today they got to paint them.
The boys went on an electronic scavenger hunt. Chase had a great time and was a good listener.
Guess who I ran into?
James and Austin are camping at Camp Zion, which is right next door from cub camp, for a week long Aaronic Priesthood camp so he came over to say hello. He's been gone since Monday so it was great to see him today. My friend Cori and I went over to Camp Zion to scout out a location for a zip line and obstacle course for young women camp (well she did the work and I followed!) but I got to see and talk to Austin. It was good to see both James and Austin, we miss them while they are away. I have been battling a cold since the day after the kids got out of school. I think my body shut down at the end of it all but I've been sleeping a lot and taking my cold medicine. Today was the first day that I've felt a little better. It was so nice to be up in the cooler air and among the trees.

Meeting Chase's teacher, Ryan & ice cream, lego robotics

On Friday Chase and I got to meet the gal who will be his teacher next year. It helped ease his mind so much to know who his teacher will be. It was a special treat that they let him know who's class he will be in as usually they don't tell the kids until a week before school begins in July. He also got to see where his classroom will be located and we walked the path of where he will go when he gets off the bus and goes to class. His new teacher is so sweet - Chase is sure to have a fantastic year in fourth grade.
We also said goodbye to Mrs. Gonzales, Inclusion Specialist. She will be leaving Chase's school and going to help open a new local elementary school. We are so sad she is leaving: she has done much for Chase during his four years at Mesquite and it will be strange for him not to see her at school, but we know we will see her in the community and wish her well on her new endeavors.
Ryan and I went to ice cream today with Sister Hendrix, his special primary helper. He earned enough stickers by having good behavior in primary to get ice cream. He had a great time.
I wanted to include a photo of Austin's lego robotics robot. He has done a great job with this thing - it amazes me with all he can make it do! Austin is going to volunteer a week of time this summer at a camp featuring lego robotics. His middle school science teacher is in charge of it and Austin is going to go help him teach 5th-8th graders.

8th grade promotion

This morning was the promotion ceremony for the 8th grade class of 2008!
Molly and three of her classmates, along with choir director, Mr. Dees sang the National Anthem. They did a fabulous job! As we were were leaving a gentlemen stopped us to talk about the girls coming to sing for different dates for the local Little League Championship. Molly was thrilled to be asked!
Molly was given the award for outstanding achievement in Choir - this award means a lot to her. The words that Mr. Dees spoke before presenting it to her made me tear up - I'm glad we caught it on videotape. It was a special moment.

Here are some of the teacher gifts I stayed up way too late last night putting together! I did nine preschool treats (one teacher, two aides, one physical therapist, one occupational therapist, one speech therapist, three bus drivers). I just put individually wrapped gummy lifesaver candies into a bag with a tag that read, "You are a 'lifesaver'! Thank you for all you have done in helping Ryan this year"
For the elementary teachers I placed items such as notepads, pens, candles, and candies in these fun metal tins. Also inside was a glass miniature teapot and I attached a tag that read "Thank you for all the love you have 'poured' on Chase this year!" Of course Reid's teachers tag said Reid's name.
For the middle school I had Molly write each of her teachers a handwritten notecard - she was a great sport about it and really spent time personalizing each note for each of her teachers. We also gave each of them a bag of lifesavers with coordinating tag. I made two simple scrapbooks with pictures of the musical theatre performance of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. One for the drama teacher, who is also her math teacher, and one for the choir teacher. They were very simple but did not get started until almost 10 p.m. last night.
I got Molly some candy and attached tags on them. A box of Whoppers with a tag that read "Congratulations Molly! You have done a 'whopper' of a great job in middle school!" Reese's pieces with a tag stating, "Molly, We are so proud of you and love you to 'pieces'!" Junior Mints with tag saying, "Molly, YOU are worth a MINT!" We are excited for her as she heads to high school.
I am breathing a sigh of relief now that the end of the school year is here. Right now the house is quiet, the boys are playing happily, and best of all nobody needs to go anywhere. Now just to clean up this place, not that it is dirty, just messy with cardstock, ribbon, rubber stamps, notecards all about. All mixed in with girls camp paperwork! Ah - the fun!

CATS!

Molly and I attended the opening night performance of CATS, part of the Broadway in Tucson series. We were so lucky to have seats in the fourth row - we really got a great view of the entire show. A few times during the performance the cats come out into the audience so we got to see them up close. It was a fabulous show and a fun event to enjoy together!

end of the school year activities...

This morning James, Ryan and I watched Molly receive her straight A award at the middle school. They recognize the students with a breakfast and words from the principal. Molly also was recognized as one of seven students that received straight A's their entire three years of middle school. We are proud of her as we know how hard she worked - congratulations Molly!

After the breakfast Ryan and I went to Reid's class to watch the trial of Jack and the Beanstalk versus the state of Arizona and Goldilocks vs. the three little bears. Reid got the be the judge in his case - he did a good job acting.
Ryan had his very last day of preschool today! They were celebrating with a water day so he got to wear his swim trunks and bring a towel and hat. He was super excited for it! It's hard to believe after today he will be a kindergartener!
These pictures are dark but they contain more end of the year activities. While Molly and I were at Disneyland, James attended Reid's end of the year band concert. He plays the trumpet. He has enjoyed it and we hope he continues with it next year. I missed both his concerts this year - the December concert was when James and I were on our cruise and this one I was at Disneyland - that makes me sad...
Austin at his end of the year high school band concert. He plays the baritone and enjoys it.
James also attended the band banquet (a different night from the band concert). They had a catered dinner, slide show and awards. It is a night to recognize the students hard work.

Disneyland!

Molly and I returned Saturday night from Disneyland with her middle school choir. There was 103 students and about 34 chaperones that attended. The above picture is of our group, minus the choir director, Mr. Dees, who was busy at picture taking time. We drove to California last Wednesday, leaving at 7:30 a.m. and arrived in California early evening. We got to spend Thursday and Friday at Disneyland and California Adventure and then drove home Saturday. We ate a lot of yummy food, saw all the cute Disney characters and went on every high adventure ride multiple times!
Molly and I outside Disneyland and California Adventure. The weather was hot the days we were there - I came home with a slight sunburn.
Here is a picture of the Desert Sky Space Rangers waiting in line for the Buzz Lightyear ride. The girls liked this attraction but I must say this group is a group of high adventure riders! Their favorites were space mountain, splash mountain, California Screamin', Tower of Terror and Indiana Jones. They most definitely have the talent of screaming!
Our first night I took these girls out to dinner - it was interesting teaching them life skills of ordering off the adult menu (since they are not 10 or under for the kids menu) and the importance of leaving a tip. They were a great group of girls!
Molly with her choir director, Mr. Paul Dees and his wife (and our friend!), Melaney Dees. He announced just before the trip that he will be leaving his teaching job after this year so it was nice for Molly and all the kids to have this trip as a fun goodbye and thanks for all his hard work.

Mother'

I haven't blogged for awhile because I've been having fun with family! The above photo was taken one morning last week after family prayer when the boys were being goofy. Lots going on around here: the end of a school year is upon us (only eight more days!) and the start of summer, preparations for Young Men camp for James and Austin and Young Women camp for Molly and I along with end of year band and choir concerts, awards assemblies, class parties and teacher gifts... Ryan received happy mail from his primary helper, Sister Hendrix! Our bishop and primary president have called Ryan a special helper to help him be successful in primary - she sent him this great card telling him how happy she is that she will get to be with him in primary. He saw the card and said "OH - the puppy is so cute!" Sister Hendrix nailed it when she made a puppy card - now she has a friend for life.This past weekend I took an all-day digital photography class in Mesa with the sister of Tressa (Tressa and me above). Tressa used to be in our ward here in Tucson before her family moved to Utah. I went Friday to Mesa and spent the day with my friend Christy. We fif a little shopping in downtown and went to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner and then to the movies. It was fun seeing her and I can't believe I didn't get a photo of the two of us! The photography class was amazing. I learned so much and hope to apply the things I have learned.
Here we are Mother's day morning! James and the little boys made me breakfast in bed. They brought me eggs, toast, strawberries and orange slices. So very sweet!
This photo is extremely dark but wanted to remember that we had a wonderful Mother's day dinner with Susan. James made salmon, shrimp, red potatoes and asparagus with strawberry shortcake for dessert. It was so nice visiting with Susan, as always. I had a fantastic Mother's day!

Jason and Shantel Millett

Our family had a wonderful time at the wedding of Jason (James' nephew) and Shantel Millett.

They were married in the St. George temple on Saturday afternoon and we all enjoyed the reception that evening.

Austin and James Molly and cousin Lindsey
Ryan and Cori

Our niece, Clarissa and her husband Drew. They were married a couple months ago - it was so fun to see them again!