The Sign Says It All:

Solo Roadtrip

Well, Kayla finally took her first solo roadtrip...to Pocatello! She took the old family van and navigated her way there and back in one piece, by herself; no other passengers. She went to spend the night with her cousin, Taylor. Way to go Kayla!!

Birthdays, Birthdays!

Well, Brandon turned 14 on June 5th; and Sarah turned 12 on June 6th. We celebrated with Brandon while the 2 older girls were at Girl's Camp; and then joined the girls at camp to celebrate Sarah's birthday. I have to say we were the most popular parents there (thanks to the big birthday cake we brought with us!). Brandon was ordained to the office of a Teacher in the Aaronic Priesthood on Sunday, and Sarah graduated from Primary and is now officially in the Young Women's program! We are so very proud of them and their accomplishments and dedication to our Savior, Jesus Christ.

And She's Off!

Well life is going to get much busier real fast - Brielle started crawling this week! She's trying to get ahead of herself and I have even seen her on her hands and feet (with the butt up in the air) like she wants to walk like a monkey!! She has cut two teeth on the bottom and we are enjoying her immensely!

A "Published" Poet!

One segment of Kayla's English class this year was poetry. Her teacher submitted one poem of each of the student's into a poetry contest. Kayla received a letter this week that her's was selected to be published in a hardbound book, the 2008 "A Celebration of Young Poets". We are so proud of her and she is so excited!! With this honor also comes the opportunity to be a judge of all those selected to be published in the book. The top ten will receive cash and prizes totally $3000! Good luck Kayla!!

A Milestone for Brandon

I remember how proud I was the day I was as tall/taller than my MOM! Today, that day is Brandon's! He is finally 5'7'', the same as his Mother! Way to go Brandon...another inch and you'll be as tall as Kayla, another eight to nine to catch your Dad! :)

It's May Once Again...

We woke up to several inches of the white stuff on the ground yesterday, May 1; and we are celebrating our 18th Wedding Anniversary this Sunday on May 4. It has been a wonderful 18 years and I feel so blessed to have a wonderful husband and 5 beautiful, healthy children!

After 10 Years...

and 200,000 miles, we finally bought a newer family Van!! Yep, the Plymouth Voyager has now become the teenager mobile...and we have moved on to a 2005 Toyota Sienna. We have somehow managed to stay with a patterned color scheme - 2 green vehicles (Ford Courier, Fiat Strata) 2 white vehicles (Chevy Lumina, Plymouth Voyager, Toyota Corolla - briefly) and now 2 tan vehicles (Ford Explorer and the Toyota Sienna)!

P.S. I never knew how much happiness an old van could bring to a driving teenage daughter! :)

Ballroom Dancing

Brandon and Sarah were in the Gem State Classic competition at the BYU-Idaho campus. Sarah was able to win her first ribbons at this event and took home 2nd place in the Pre-teen Waltz, Bronze level. She also won 6th place in the Pre-teen Waltz, Silver level (more difficult). Since Brandon's level has advanced and he is dancing in the "A" group, the competition is tougher and he wasn't able to add to his ribbon collection this time. He is still an excellent dancer though!

They also had team competitions. Brandon was able to fill in on Sarah's team at the last second because he is one year ahead of Sarah. Brandon's team came in 2nd place. I'm attaching a video clip of his second place Samba routine, "Best Days of Our Life" (he is the second boy from the right in the line-up). Matthew fell down the stairs in the middle of the routine...so there's a little blooper in the filming!!

Me and Mary

Ringing in the New Year with my cousin, Mary, in our purple PJs! Mary is about 3 1/2 months older than me.