Schools out for Summer!!!

Well, technically not until tomorrow but I thought I better post before life gets cRazY!! Brae graduates from 5th grade tomorrow! When did graduating from elementary school become such a big to-do? It wasn't a big deal when I moved from 6th grade to junior high but both Jay and Brae have had big programs! It's a lot of fun but seriously, it's elementary!!!

The kids are stoked (is that word even cool anymore?) about summer! I'm sure they have visions of zoning out and playing on electronic devices all day long everyday, not even using their brains. At all. I sure hope they aren't completely devastated when I inform them of my visions. Chores, math facts, reading, writing, OUTDOOR activities.

Here's a question... When did being a kid change so drastically? I remember leaving my house each morning of my summer vacation and only coming home to feed my face. Now, I watch my kids spend their summers on the couch in front of the TV or computer screen. I feel like my kids are missing out on life! That's why this summer is going to be different! Even if I have to force them to enjoy sunshine and nature!!

I'm ready for the lazy days of summer... sleeping in, nowhere to go, vacations, popsicles, swimming, sunshine, camping. But the best part is just a change in the scenery of Life!

(And come August, I'll be ready for the scenery to change back!)

Introducing..... Elizabeth Arden!

OK, it's really Braedy dressed up as Elizabeth Arden! Brae had a 5th grade biography showcase today. She got assigned Elizabeth Arden which she was super excited about.... she's all about make-up!! She has been working on it for the past 6 weeks or so. She did all the work by herself. She had to research, write a report, decorate the board, write a speech, make a prop, and dress like Elizabeth. Then she spent the whole day today (except for a short lunch break) presenting it to all the parents and other classes. She did a great job and I'm kind of proud! I think Braedy is just glad it's over! Maybe. She did get to wear make-up (mascara and lip stick) so she might have been OK if it lasted the rest of forever.

Family Dinner

by: Jayden Stoddard

It's Sunday; It's time for
Family Dinner again.
We start to pour
The punch and laughter begins.

The little cousins run around
To stall time until dinner is done.
How funny it is to watch the young jump around.
Night is coming and the moon replaces the sun.

The smell of roasted chicken fills my nose
And everyone gathers and sits down.
We pray and bless the food
And dig in until no one can take another bite.

The young get sleepy;
The family starts to leave
Until the house is empty.
Oh, how I love family dinner!



(I have to admit, I cried a little bit!)

What life is all about....

It's moments like this that make everything I do worth while!

Self Portraits

Playing catch up!!

We took a trip last month to Moab over Spring Break. We went to Arches National Park and Dead Horse Point. It was so fun! We hiked all day and swam in the evening. The kids had a blast and we were all exhausted by the end of it! Here are a million pics... I couldn't narrow it down any more.


A big, beautiful arch!


Jayden, Kaylen, and Braedy


There are so many cool things to see!!


Another amazing arch!


This is a little embarrassing but I thought this was a miniature rock formation....until I saw another one and another one and then Jayden told me that they are markers to keep people on the trail!! It's a good thing I have a boy in scouts to help me!!


WOW!!


Mase pretending to be a lizard in a little cave.


Jay standing at the bottom of a rock wall we had to climb down. It was a little scary but we made it without any injuries!!


Braedy holding a big rock.


Another awesome for at Arches!!


Mase lost a tooth!! And thanks to my sister-in-law, Lisa, my kids all think that the tooth fairy brings $5 if you lose a tooth on vacation!! The tooth fairy came through!! Thanks, Lis!!


Watch out for cows!! We had to slow down and wait for these guys to get out of the road!!!


Hiking, hiking, and more hiking!!


Stunning view at Dead Horse Point


Brae, Mase, and Jay


Kay Rae and 'Nangla' the owl in the back pack. She thought it was the coolest thing!! 'Nangla' is the souvenir Kaylen picked out. She named her all by herself!


Mase and Brae


The kids thought this crow was so cool and had to have a picture of it!!


The kiddos and me. We didn't want it to end!!

Pictures!!!! (Long overdue)

I know it's been WAY too long since I posted pics but here ya go!! I didn't want to overload this post with pics so I'm going to spread them out over a few different posts.

Here are some photos from Easter. The kids were so excited. Except for maybe Jay... you can see it in his face that the holidays just aren't as exciting as they were when he was little. (Sniff, sniff....my boy is growing up!) Jay and Scott went on a youth temple trip to SLC on the Friday before Easter. They did baptisms for the dead that night and then stayed with the YM's president's parents and in-law's houses. The next day they were able to go to the morning session of conference!! I'm so jealous! I've never been to a session before! They had so much fun! Jay didn't want to go at first and I kind of forced him but when he got home he was so glad he went. It was a great experience for him.

When Jay and Scott got home Saturday night, we colored eggs and got all overly excited for Easter. They woke up Easter morning and searched the house for their baskets. The Easter Bunny is getting more clever each year, it took them quite a while to find them this year!! They spent the morning hunting for eggs and eating candy. Since it was General Conference, we stayed in our p.j.'s all day and stuffed ourselves with Easter goodies while we listened to all the amazing speakers!















Masen started playing football a few weeks ago. I really have mixed feelings about this. He is in full pads and helmet and he's playing tackle. He's 7-years-old people! Scott is totally loving it and I am too just because Mase loves it sooooo much! But it scares me a little bit. It's a learning league for 7-9 year-olds so he is the youngest one on his team going against 9-year-olds!! He comes away from every practice and game with a huge grin on his face though. HE LOVES IT!!! He is definitely his daddy's boy! Here are some pics of Scott and Mase in the front yard.