Bike Rodeo with the Scouts

Last night for Brad's pack meeting they did bike safety and a bike rodeo. The boys loved it and had such a good time together. They had a race to see who could go the slowest on their bikes, an obstacle course with cones and the favorite, the paper boy route. Jake thought it would be easy and kept telling me that he couldn't believe they kept missing the target. At the end, he got a try at it and missed the first three but ended up getting the paper into the two baskets at the end. They all got "otter pops" and it was the perfect day (it has been cold and rainy all week).

Checked out from School!

Brad and Jake were talking the other day about how I never check them out of school unless they are sick so yesterday I decided to surprise them and check them out early. We went to the mall and they got to pick what they wanted for lunch and then off to the "tree house" for some fun. They then got to use their report card money and they bought toys and clothes. We had so much fun together and they kept thanking me over and over for checking them out of school. Ethan would rather stay in school than go to the tree house anymore. He is way to grown up for such things:)
Wonderful day!!

Student of the Month

Brad was awarded "Student of the Month" by his principal. This is what his certificate says, "Brad is a kind, tenderhearted, enjoyable young man. I see him helping others. He especially helps those who are hurt or sad. I love having him around. Way to go Brad!" We are so proud of our boy for his kind heart-he really does look out for others.

Dave's Graduation Dinner

Here we are to celebrate Dave's graduation. We were small in numbers as Alisa and Rachel were both not feeling well and couldn't make it. Dave and Dennis enjoyed getting spanked in basketball by me and Ethan:) jk. Actually, poor Dennis was stuck with me as a team mate and Dave and Ethan killed us. Jake and Brad enjoyed playing wiffleball with Uncle Dave. Mom and Dad made a dinner that the missionaries always enjoyed. I guess Elder Jardine actually called mom for the recipe after his mission because he liked it so much. It was a slow cooked beef stew-even the kids loved it. We also had a raspberry salad and squash to go along with it and mint brownies and ice cream for dessert. (SORRY ABOUT THE PICTURES-I don't know how to line them up the right way!) Oh, i forgot to mention that the pretty purple flowers in the picture of mom and dad were dad's mother's day present to mom.

Brad the Goalie

Our little Brad is loving soccer. He has decided he really likes to be goalie and this is his first game in that position. His team won this game and he didn't give up one goal. He's still learning what it is that he's supposed to do but he's getting it. It's so fun to see how much these little kids improve in such a short season. At first they all bunch up around the ball and have no idea where they are supposed to be and then after a few practices and games they start to get what staying in their position means. Very fun to watch as a parent!

Jake's First Piano Recital

This is Jake playing a duet with his teacher, Emily McIntyre. I thought he might be too shy to actually go through with it but he didn't seem that nervous to perform in front of the families that were there. His teacher even told me that when they had a group practice beforehand she asked for those who would like to share what they were going to play and Jake was the first to raise his hand. We now have him taking voice lessons too. He is always going around the house singing and has a beautiful voice so we decided that music might be his greatest talent.

Mother's Day Party

We celebrated Mother's Day a day early so we could all get together. We had taco salad and Rachel made a delicious dessert as well. Everyone had a good time and played outside even though it was cold.

Mother's Day Tribute

As Mother's Day is only a few days away, I thought I would post what I wrote for my dear mom. "I just wanted to write and tell you how much I love you and appreciate all of the sacrifices you have made for me over the years. I know it's not easy to be a mother and to be responsible for teaching and raising children. I know it was a lot of work to plan Family Home Evening week after week and to consistently have family scripture study and discussion night after night. You and Dad made it seem so easy, that it was just a part of life. I have so much love and respect for you. You loved us and did anything and everything for us. By your example we learned what selflessness really was.

I was able to do so many things because you and Dad were willing to sacrifice for me. I will never forget basketball camp, sport after sport, the prom dress and all that went with it, plays and musical instruments when I was younger and all the driving to and from all the activities I wanted to go to.

I want to be the kind of mom you were and are. You live for your children and grandchildren and want them to be happy and well cared for. You understand that for them to be truly happy they must live good wholesome lives and you desire for them to turn to the Lord and live as He lived.

I hope I can do as well as you as I try to teach my children the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I hope they love to hear His words and desire to be as close to Him as they can. I hope they will have the scriptures "written on their hearts and minds" and a burning testimony in their hearts as they leave home. I know that parents "teach" not only by word but by example as well. ALL of your children were taught by the kind of lives you and Dad lived and continue to live. You put the Lord first and keep His commandments. You not only live the letter of the law but you keep the spirit of the law as well. I hope you feel that you have accomplished many great things in life, but most important I hope you know you fulfilled your calling as a mother with a love unequalled by most! I love you Mom. Happy Mother's Day!"

Mother's Day Project with Jake's Class

Ava and I went to Jake's first grade class to help with a Mother's Day art project. We had so much fun and Ava was the best little girl. She didn't get into anything and enjoyed reading with Jake's class and teacher after the project was done. As you can see, Jake is all business (the other kids are smiling and having fun but Jake is so serious). Most of the time this is how he approaches everything in life. He rarely cuts loose but seems to be guarded most of the time. He is very senstive and my deep thinker. I wouldn't have him any other way. I love you Jakee Juice!

Mother Bear!

Anyone who knows me knows that I try to avoid confrontation or speaking my mind when the person I'm speaking with holds a different view. I mostly keep my opinions to myself (unless speaking with my cute husband) but this last Saturday I spoke my mind.
Little Brad had a soccer game, only the second of the season. He was so excited only to be completely humiliated by the other team. His team lost 18-0 and the coach of the other team never told his boys to ease up but quite the opposite. He had them on the attack the whole time. I was so livid but didn't know what to do. So I found out which team it was and learned his name and found his number. I called and talked with him about how I felt the game went and how sad it was for me to see such young boys humiliated and some of them crying. He explained that the same boys have played together for him for the last four years and they play every day at school together as well. They were an incredible team with great coaching but I wanted him to see what I saw as well. I suggested that they use a mercy rule when they are up by 8 or 10 points and have his boys work on their defense or only shoot from midfield. He said that maybe he needed to think about what he could do; I hope that he will be more aware of all the boys' feelings in the future. (I also called the sports director of the league and left him a message-have yet to talk with him about some possible solutions so that this doesn't happen to any other team). Hopefully I will not make it worse but something needs to be done-it's not only the parents who need to show good sportsmanship but the coaches too!

BarBQ at the Armory

Yay, I can finally make a new comment. I thought I had blocked myself out of my own blog by creating a new email to get back on facebook. Anyway, thanks to Ellie, I can write again. Sadly, I don't have a whole lot to blog about right now. We did go out with our friends Skip and Jen on Friday. We went to Chili's and then bowling and had so much fun. Saturday, we met with them again at the armory and had a barbq and watched a movie. (Ethan was loving the full court and played basketball almost the whole time). All of the kids thought it was the coolest building ever and to have it all to ourselves was perfect. Of course, I forgot my camera!:(