Carmen's Baptism

Growing up I worked at Baskin Robbins from age 14 to age 20.  The woman that owned and operated the shop was Carmen Harding.  Since all of my siblings worked there for numerous years she became like a second mother ot me.  In fact, some people thought that I was her daughter since I worked at the shop for so long.  Anyway,  after 30 years of our family knowing Carmen, she decided to be baptized into the Church over Memorial Day weekend.  We all love her so much that all of my siblings except for Melanie traveled to be there for her special day.  It turned out to be a fun trip because we got to return to Laramie and see my old stomping grounds as well as some old friends.  While we were there we went to Cheyenne and celebrated Afton's (Ryan's oldest daughter) 5th birthday.  It was kind of a long drive but lots of fun.  I am grateful for the reminder of how important being a good example and living what you believe is.  We never know who is watching or what seeds are being planted.  

Afton's Birthday party.

Carmen asked my dad to baptize her

Best Friends! Carmen and my mom

End of the School Year

I think I look forward to this time of year more than most parents do because I am a teacher.  This year was an especially rough class of students so I was happy to be done with it.  Haylie and Zander were also ready to be done with school for a while.  Zander kept telling me that is always knew all the answers on his math work so there was nothing left for him to learn in kindergarten.  Both kids had a good year.  Haylie had Mr. Lasslo for second grade.  We spent the year hearing all sorts of facts and/or opinions prefaced with the phrase, "Mr. Lasslo said...".  Apparently he was the expert on anything and everything and we knew nothing.  Zander had Mrs. Sjogren for kindergarten.  Haylie had her as well and she is an awesome kindergarten teacher.  Zander learned so much from her over the year.  I was worried about him starting kindergarten but he learn everything we needed to know and even aced the end of year kindergarten test!  Here are some pictures from the last days of school.  Haylie wouldn't go stand by Mr. Lasslo for a picture.  She is still too shy to even think of it.  Zander put on a big show about not wanting to be by his teacher but she grabbed him and pulled him in for a hug that he secretly liked.

Easter 2014

We went to Perry to visit Grandma and Grandpa O for Easter.  The week before we left for Perry,  we carried out our tradition of coloring Easter eggs at our house.  Dave and I colored Easter eggs before we even had children, and I always look forward to doing it.  Looking back over the years of pictures we have of this even I noticed that it looks like Dave and the kids are the ones coloring the eggs and I am not even there since I am usually behind the camera.  So this year we got at least one shot of me and the kids to prive I really was there!

 

We brought the eggs with us to Grandma's house and spent quite a bit of time one afternoon hunting them and finding them in the backyard.  The Easter Bunny left some baskets on Easter morning and, of course, we got all spiffed up for church.  I love this holiday and the reason for it.  I am grateful that I live relatively close to family that we can share these traditions with.  Such a blessed life!

Zander turns 6

Zander turned 6 on April 10, 2014.  We decided to have a little family celebration on the day of his birthday and then we invited some friends over for a party on the Saturday after his birthday.  Last year we had a friend party for him and hardly anyone we invited could come.  This year we decided to invite more kids so that we would be should to at least have a few there.  And, of course, this year all but one of the kids showed up, and one brought his sister with him.  It got a little wild but was fun.  I always like to have a fun theme for the kids parties, which I sure goes largely unappreciated by the guests.  This year we did a Lego theme and it was one of the simplest themes to tackle that I have done.  Zander had a great time at the party which is the important part, and I can't believe how much my little guy is growing up!  Kindergarten has made him grow up so much.  I love him SO much, funny quirks and all!

Nerd Day

For Dr. Seuss' birthday, the kids got to dress up at school with something different for each day of the week.  Here they are as nerds for Nerd Day.  Dave was bummed that I used a polo shirt as a nerdy shirt for Zander.  I just call it like I see it! Haha!!

Billy Dean

For our Valentine's Day date, Dave and I went to see Billy Dean who came to Price for a concert.  Back in the 90s I was a big fan of Billy Dean and was pretty excited for the concert.  I knew many of the songs that he sang and was surprised when he even sang "I Am A Child of God".  It was awesome!  I am not the greatest photographer, but here are a couple of shots.  I will blame it on the lighting.

Extra Boys

This is what our house looks like several afternoons a week.  We get neighbor boys who stop by to play.  Twins, Will and Coleman Hinckley, live around the corner and come over a few times a week.   One of the twins is in the picture along with Zander, and Grant and Grayson Sherman, from a family that we swap babysitting and are good friends with. It is fun to have good friends nearby!!