Cookies and Tickets Galore

A weekend full on delivering cookies and selling Scout-O-Rama tickets. Both Janey and Daniel reached their goals.

Daniel sold 30 tickets the first day and qualified for a bucket (or plastic bag) of prizes.

Issue 92

Mock Trials

It's Mock Trial Season again! Whitney and Steve have practiced 3 times a week for several weeks while preparing for their competitions. Utah Law Related Education is a non-profit group of lawyers that runs this competition for students to learn about the legal system. Whitney's Senior division team competed Thursday on the defence side and Steve's Junior division team competed Friday on the Plaintiff side. They will each compete at least one more time on the opposite side.

The three to four hour trials are tried in real courtrooms around the state and judged by real attorneys. They not only learn about the legal system, but how to see both sides of an issue and how to think on their feet. Whitney was the defendant in her trial and tied for best witness. Steve was an attorney for his side. He delivered the opening statement and directed the plaintiff. He was voted best attorney by all three judges. Now they have just a week and a half to prepare for the other side of the case.

Issue 91

Presidential Eagles

On Presidents' day we made the trek out to Farmington Bay to see the Bald Eagles who are passing through. We went earlier than last year, and were rewarded by seeing many more eagles (approx. 30 or so). We also took our cousins which made our birding trip extra fun. We topped it off with a pic-nic and hot chocolate. I feel a new Presidents day tradition coming on!

Webelo Scout and the Fort of Frosting

At our troop's Blue and Gold dinner this week Daniel received his Webelo scout badge and 3 more activity badges (fitness, scholar and citizen) to go with the scientist badge he had already earned. He also got the award for the tallest cake in the cake contest.

Dinosaurs

Thanks for the trip to the dinosaur museum Aunt Brooke!

Photos by Steve L.

Issue 90

Art Show

An artist at heart, I wanted to teach my children drawing lessons this year. As I started designing the lessons, I decided that they would be so much better if we invited some other students to join us. And so, I started teaching art lessons in October. What a joy in my life! I love the amazing students I get to work with and I do the exercises right along with them, thus adding the art that has been missing for too many years from my life. This semester I've had 2 classes, with 5 students each - including 3 of my own children.

This week ended our first semester, and we celebrated everything the students learned with a formal art show Friday night. They all have progressed so much and I'm proud of their hard work and love to see their natural talent. Next semester - portraits!

Speech Tournament

Steve took 4th place in Impromptu at the Wasatch Speech and Debate tournament hosted at Weber State on Saturday. He also competed in Spar Debate. Way to go Steve! We're so proud of you!

Happy Valentines Day!

Some friends invited us to a fun family Valentines Party Saturday night. An Italian dinner, games, movies, and dancing. The best part was watching Janey and her dad dance the night away. She taught him all her best clogging moves. I even got to steal a dance with my sweetheart.

Valentines Day we had a lovely dinner at Steve's parents. The little girls spent all week hand crafting valentines cards and have given them to everyone that has crossed their path. If we missed seeing you this week, consider yourself loved!

Issue 89

Discovery

I couldn't resist a couple cute pictures from our field trip to the Children's museum. Sandwich anyone?

Baby Mollies by Whitney

My Dalmatian mollies had babies! My female, Cream, had seventeen baby fish! It's really awesome seeing them grow. They are two weeks old now and I can see their spots. It's really exciting for me to be able to breed such a classy looking fish.

Consequently, if anyone is interested in starting their own small aquarium these little guys will need homes soon.

Girls Night Out!

A matinee chick flick movie, dinner out, some outlet shopping and a sleepover in Park City. What more could a girl want? Steve and Steve were at scout camp and my mom and sisters and sister-in-law stole away for some much needed R and R. Only wish I'd gotten some pictures. Thanks ladies! (And a huge thanks to Aunt Em, who slept over with my kids!)