Issue 97

Getting a Life!

Steve scored 3 more merit badges at this week's Court of Honor (Citizenship in the Word, Cinematography, and Emergency Preparedness. He also was awarded the rank of Life Scout. Next stop Eagle!

Happy Easter

Mom had the Easter Bunny hide puzzle pieces instead of candy in our plastic eggs this year and we put it together while listening to Conference. We had such a good time that I believe a new tradition is born!

Happy Easter from our family to yours!

Issue 96

Pinewood Derby

Daniel's winning car, The Money Racer, took third place and the bronze medal in the Cub Scout Pinewood Derby!

A Birthday and a Baptism

The big day finally arrived! When Janey blew out the candles at her seventh birthday party she exclaimed, "Yes! Only one more year until I get baptized!" It has literally been a year count down for her. I have never seen anyone more excited. She danced and sang and twirled all day in anticipation. Steve was afraid he would be able to immerse her, she was so bubbly. Both sets of Grandparents, Great grandma, Aunts, Uncles and cousin galore show up to show their support and celebrate Janey's big day. When she came up out of the water she giggled with shear delight and innocence. She also tackled fasting for the first time today and bore her testimony in Sacrament meeting. We are so very proud of her!

The Jazz and the Grizz

This was the week of professional sports for Daniel and Dad. Daniel won Jazz Basketball tickets as a door prize at a dyslexia conference, so they got to go see the Jazz beat the Celtics this week. Daniel also earned Grizz Hockey tickets from selling his scout-o-rama tickets and that game happened to be this week too. They had fun being together, but both agreed they preferred Basketball to Hockey.

Issue 95

Hong Kong

A few pictures from Steve's trip to Hong Kong this week. He traveled for work and was gone over his birthday. He spent some of his birthday money buying lovely gifts for us. Were so glad he's home!

Issue 94

Signs of Spring

The tulip bulbs are starting to push their way up, even though it snowed yesterday. It was light enough tonight for the kids to play outside until eight. Our trees are starting to bud, and Ellie keeps dragging the summer clothes out of the bucket in my closet. My favorite sign of spring, however, are the chalk drawings that have started popping up on the driveway!

This is a portrait of Ellie, drawn by Janey.

They've Got Talent

This week was our ward's annual Primary Talent show. Ellie danced a couple numbers with her friends, Daniel showed off some Karate moves and Janey, who's never had a formal piano lesson, played "I am a Child of God." It's fun to watch them do what they love!

Kidnapped

Dad has been working so hard for us at work the last few months, pulling 12 to 17 hour days. We decided what he needed most for his birthday was a day off with us. So, 8:00 am on Saturday the kids ambushed him in bed. We blindfolded him and took him hostage for the day. We ended up at Village Inn for breakfast and presents.

Then it was off to The Great Salt Lake to explore. We didn't see many birds, but the gorgeous ring tailed pheasant was worth the trip! Of course it rained, because it always rains when we go exploring, but it hasn't stopped us yet. Once we hiked all over the rocks and had gotten adequately wet, we headed home for dry clothes, a hot lunch and lots of Nerf gun battles.

Happy Birthday Dad! We Love You!

Issue 93

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.