Happy Memorial Day!

I know it is late, but this year Ian won the Survivor Villains/Heroes family game!!!!! He had Sandra. So Ian decided that he wanted to go to eat at The Original Pancake House. He loves it there. Check out his pancakes!

Then to celebrate the holiday, we went to the pool. Yep, that is where you can find me all summer long!

Seminary Graduation

Zachery graduated from Early Morning Seminary yesterday. For those of you who don't know what seminary is, "Seminary programs provide weekday religious instruction for youth who attend public, private, or home schools. Seminary assists parents and priesthood leaders in encouraging youth to serve missions and marry in the temple." To graduate from Seminary, "Students must receive credit for all four seminary courses of study and a worthiness clearance from their bishop or branch president to graduate from seminary." Zachery got up every morning at 5:00 am to attend seminary at 6:00 am. Our Stake Center is right across the street from the high school, so after seminary the kids either drive or walk to school. This year the kids studied the Book of Mormon. In other years they studied, Church History, The Old Testament, and The New Testament. Why do kids go to Early Morning Seminary???? I think President Eyring says it best, "I served as Commissioner of Church Education for a number of years, so I've had a chance to see that there are three powerful things seminary can do. First, it puts young people together who share the same values. Youth like to be with others who share their faith and who love the scriptures. Second, it puts youth together with a teacher who has a testimony, and they can feel the fire of it when it is borne. Third, seminary gets young people into the scriptures. Seminary teachers have tried all sorts of methods—scripture chases, assignments, and scripture mastery. Success varies from student to student, but when seminary works, you find a teacher who has a testimony and who loves the young people" (Henry B. Eyring, "A Discussion on Scripture Study," Ensign, July 2005,25). Zachery has had wonderful teachers for seminary. All four of them are vastly different, but they taught him so much. We appreciate all they have done for him. Their dedication and sacrifice is much appreciated! There were 31 graduates from our Stake this year. I love this picture because these guys have been going to school together since the first grade!

Austin and Zach. I have know idea!

Zach and Scott asked me last night when these pictures will be over with. I said, "All you have is your party and graduation!" Scott was the Seminary Council President and Zach served on the Seminary Council.

The Seminary Council

This was Austin's seminary class! He did great this year. He had 100% attendance and no tardies! Three more years to go!

"We must balance our secular learning with spiritual learning. You young men should be as earnest in enrolling in seminary and learning the scriptures as you are in working toward high school graduation. Young adults enrolled in universities and colleges or other post secondary training should avail themselves of the opportunity to take institute of religion courses or, if attending a Church school, should take at least one religion course every term. Joining our spiritual education to our secular learning will help us keep focused on the things that matter most in this life. Though I am speaking to you priesthood holders, the same admonition applies to the women of the Church as well as to the men" ~Ezra Taft Benson

Star Wars-------Starring the Kids!

Aubrey and I were playing around on the computer today! Check out what we did!

http://starwars.jibjab.com/view/HarXVSS9JtK5rRKDz6WB

Eagle Scout / Duty To God Banquet

Today it was Austin's turn. Every year our Stake holds a banquet for those boys who received their Eagle Scout Award or their Duty To God Award. Yes, some of these boys attend this banquet twice. Tonight, Austin was able to attend because he received his Eagle in 2009. Zachery was also suppose to be there, but he had to work. He received his Duty To God award this year. The boys receive ties. Eagle Scout ties, and white ties for Duty To God. Here is Austin getting his tie from our Stake President (on the right) and our Bishop (on the left).

They also have this man come and speak about the Eagle Scout award. He trains and saves birds. This is his Golden Eagle, Scout.

I think this is so cool. Five years ago when the Stake held an encampment, our Stake President challenged the boys to pledge to serve a mission. Then all the boys at the encampment signed this flag in white. When they serve their missions, the Stake President goes over their names in red. This flag comes out a lot, so other boys can sign it. Yes, Zach and Austin's names are on the flag.

Senior Award Night

Last night was Senior Award Night. Zach is now just one more step closer to graduation. At the awards night he was awarded, his Honors Diploma, High Honors Graduate, Centennial Medallion, Millennium Scholarship (He will not be using this.) and BYU-Idaho Award of Excellence Scholarship. The Centennial Medallion is awarded to seniors who pursue a more rigorous course of study than the Honors Program requires. Students who receive the Honors Medallion have completed four years of Honors/Advanced Placement core curriculum classes and electives. The Honors Diploma is given to students who must complete required Honors coursework. A 3.5 GPA or better is required. High Honors graduates have earned at 3.8 GPA or better after seven semesters. Then to our surprise last night Zachery received an excellence in academics awards for English. He was surprised too. His teacher, Ms. Ceccacci talked about his excellent writing skills, lively discussions in class, and his love of Catch-22.

Receiving his English award.

Receiving his other awards.
These three have been together since 1st Grade. Zach's good friend Scott is a Valedictorian, received his High Honors Diploma, High Honors Graduate, Millennium Scholarship, and Las Vegas Track Club Scholarship. He is headed to BYU-Povo. Mallory received the Honors Diploma, High Honors Graduate, Millennium Scholarship, Southern Utah University Non-Resident Scholarship, and SUU Western Undergraduate Exchange Scholarship. She also received the Principal's Award for overcoming obstacles. Her family was in a horrible car accident when she was in the 1st grade and she spent many days in a coma. When she returned to school, these two boys looked after her and helped her out. She is a strong girl. She ran cross country for four years, even though she had some leg issues due to the accident. She always hung in there and did her best. Mallory never gives up! Her older sister use to always babysit Zach and Austin for us! We love her family. When my kids were little I would ask her mom, "How did you raise such great kids? What did you do?" She told me, she didn't know. I think she does know, she just didn't want to let me in on the secret!

Two good friends! It has been wonderful watching them grow! I couldn't of asked for a better friend for Zach. Scott is an amazing kid! We are blessed to be good friends with his family!

What can I say? They are goofy too!

Two of Zach and Scott's favorite teachers and coaches. They coached them in Track and Cross Country. Mr. Miller and Ms. Scobell. I really appreciate them. When Zach went through a rough time with marching band (It's a long story!) they were so supportive and happy to have him on the Cross Country team. They really made him feel good. Later, Zach also had them as teachers! Honestly, if they can put up with Zach and his outspoken way and being goofy in track and cross country......well, they are awesome!

Zach, we are proud of you! Love you!

Father and Son's Camp Out

Time again for the annual Father and Son outing. Our ward chose to camp in a place called Mack's canyon. Due to the amount of moisture and snow that the mountains received this winter, it was pretty amazing to see large banks of unmelted snow all around the area where we were camping. Unfortunately, Zachery was unable to go with us because he was working, so Austin, Ian, and I went together. We had a lot of fun and it was a VERY cold night. Our fireside was presented by a member of our ward named Jamel Taylor. He shared his conversion story and his testimony of the Church.....it was amazing. We woke Saturday morning to a great breakfast with coconut, vanilla, and apple syrup on pancakes. We had a great time and I always enjoy spending time with my sons on this outing.

Mother - Daughter Night

While the boys where at the Father and Son camp out, Mom and I went to go see a movie called Letters to Juliet. It is a truly amazing feel good movie. About romance, love, and destiny. This movie is for mostly women and maybe girls who aren't too young. I love this movie. It does have some humorous parts. This movie is about a women called Claire and she writes a letter to Juliet and puts it on a wall. The letter says something like I left my Romeo and want him back. Then the other girl, Sophie finds the letter and replies and that starts an adventure. When Claire, Sophie, and a love-forbidden grandson of Claire, called Charlie go on a quest to find one out of 75 Lorenzo's. It is a romantic movie with many stopping and ending relationships. However, the night was not over yet. Mom and I then went to U - Swirl, the best frozen yogurt place ever. I got NY Cheesecake with cookie dough bites on top and mom got Cake Batter with chocolate fudge and Heath bar. YUM!!! I loved the night and I had such a fun daughter-mother bonding time.

Aubrey's Concert

Last night Aubrey had her orchestra concert. She has improved so much over the year. Aubrey has really enjoyed playing the viola. It has been a good year.

This is video of her playing. Zach taped this for her, but I don't think it is the one she wanted us to tape. Oh well! Enjoy!

Class Picture!

This is Ian's class picture. You can't miss him. He is in his vintage Beatles shirt. Yes, he is still a huge Beatle's fan! It has been a great year for Ian. His teacher is amazing! We have tried with three of our children to have her as a teacher. She was teaching 1st grade for the two oldest, and that is ok because their 1st grade teacher was amazing too. Then Aubrey didn't get her for 2nd grade. Then finally, Ian did get her as a teacher. Don and I were so happy! She really cares about her class and it shows. We love reading her progress reports and the little notes she writes to Ian. She even gave Ian a book about warriors. He just cherishes that book. Ian has learned so much this year. It was been a great year, and I know it has a everything to do with Mrs. M. Thank you Mrs. M. for all you do! It has been a great year. Thanks for putting up with Ian's fun stories, his vocabulary, and ninjas! You are awesome!

Happy Mother's Day!

I felt kind of bad about blogging about Mother's Day the day after, but actually it worked out kind of good. Today Aubrey and I were in a grocery store buying some milk. While we were in line a lady turned to me and told me that her kids were driving her crazy! She said that they drove her crazy yesterday and that if her husband wanted to give her a really good mother's day gift he would take her kids away and let her be by herself for awhile. (I don't even know this lady. Why do people just start talking to me? I really don't know why!) At this point Aubrey turned around and looked a me with this horrified look on her face. She said, "You don't think that, do you? You like being with us on Mother's Day!" Without even a second thought I told her there is no one in this world I would rather be with on Mother's Day than with my children! (I said it pretty loud. I wanted that lady to hear me!) Come on, they are what Mother's Day is all about! I love the goofy Primary songs sang, the candy bar I got in church, (Don and I split it after he taught Sunday School!) the dinner the kids cook, and the fantastic dessert! It is all wonderful! My children are a ton of fun, and I am so thankful that I am a mother. It is hard sometimes, but the good times outweigh the tough times. Nothing like snuggling up with these kids and watching a movie or playing games together! I love it. I got spoiled this Mother's Day. Don took me out to dinner and gave me two dozen roses! I love roses!

On Sunday the kids gave me their gifts. Don had the kids give me four new charms for my bracelet. Ian made me a picture and his teacher put it in this sweet little frame. It is a picture of me running a marathon!
Aubrey gave me her charm.
Zach wrote me a poem. I love them! I hope it doesn't offend anyone, but here it goes. Alright listen, he did read it to his Sunday school class!
Mom, on this Mother's Day
I have something to say
I have not turned gay,
but I want to express my love in a special way.
You're a great person.
No need for Mace,
because if you were Lady Gaga,
I 'd poke your face.
But your not,
which is cool
Because I love you a lot
And I don't really like her very much.
You've raised me for years
No need for tears
Cause to college I go
But I still love you as much as my big toe
You cook and clean
You learn and glean
You are not at all mean
which is a very good thing
Because I love you my mom
Like a nuclear bomb
And I'll be a great son
I'll love you a ton
You're the greatest, have a good day
This Sunday in May
I know my poem isn't cool as grass
So I'll just go and sit down on my.........chair!

This is Austin giving me my charm. He also took most of all these pictures! He wrote me this list.
Five Ways To Describe Mom
1. Amazing
2. Coolio
3. Multitasker
4. Chainsaw (What? I don't get it!)
Then Don gave me this gift. I have been eyeing this at my friend's new store Rod Works. Thanks Lolly for making the gift look so pretty!

Then to top it off.......(This is where Don gets extra points!) Nothing Bundt Cake! Red Velvet Nothing Bundt Cake! Oh HEAVEN!!!!!!! Isn't it so pretty? I will have to run some extra miles this week!

The whole gang! Thanks guys! I love you! You guys are my biggest blessings!

Happy Mother's Day!