Jared's Graduates from 6th Grade

Jared was so ready to be done with Elementary School. He loved his sixth grade teacher Mr. Kowallis and had a great year, but was so ready to be all done with Elementary School and move on to Jr. High. Some of Jared's good friends in 6th grade were, Logan Carter, Bailey Capt, Dusty Golling, Westin Erekson and Zeke Harris.

Strawberry Days June 2014

We love Strawberry Days. Pleasant Grove celebrates our city each year and June and has tons of activities each year to celebrate! We always go to the carnival on Wednesday evening because it is family night and the rides are cheaper, and we love the parade on Saturday morning. Our whole family volunteered one day and cut up strawberries for the most delicious strawberries and cream ever! We love it and always have a great time!

Spencer Turn's 9

Where has the time gone, and how is Spencer already 9 years old? It is so crazy. I am so thankful for my sweet Spencer in our family. He is so funny, sweet, smart, messy, silly, loveable, kind, and snuggly. Spencer is a little mini Kyle. He is daring and loves to be outside riding bikes and scooters. He is social and wants to be playing with a friend every second of every day. He is keeps his room a complete mess and loves little trinkets. If he has any money he wants to spend it! He still loves to snuggle with me and I am so thankful for that! We have a tradition on birthdays to get giant size donut for your bday breakfast. Spencer chose to have his birthday part at Nickle City. It was actually pretty fun and low key. I just bought all of the kids $5 worth of nickle's and let them loose. They had a great time winning tickets and spending them at the end. Spencer got a bow and arrow for his birthday this year. I think he had a pretty happy birthday. I love my Spencer and I am so thankful for my sweet "baby cakes."

My Preschool Retirement

I have LOVED teaching preschool in my home for the last 10 years. This year I had a very interesting class. I had a mix of super cute lovely kids and a few high maintenance kids, that kept me on my toes. I loved it because I had my sweet nephew Jace with me and my sister in law Cathryn came to help everyday. I don't know what I would have done without Cathryn's help. I think I told her everyday, that I don't know how I had taught for the last 9 years with out help. I don't really know why, but I decided that this would be my last year teaching. I have had a strong feeling that I need to get my teaching certificate up to date and see where life takes me. So, I packed up all of my preschool belongings, sent a whole truck load to DI and retired. I am still having reservations about it and really hope that I made the right decision. Below are some pictures of my class as well as my Favorite Santa Claus. He was the father of my dear friend, Josie Platts who has 7 children and I had all of them but the baby in my preschool classes. I will miss them dearly. Santa Claus is pictured with my nephew Jace as well as a picture of Cathryn, Jace and I at our preschool graduation.

Jared's Canyoneering Trip

I am so proud of Jared. He worked so hard in 6th grade. He turned all of his homework in on time and had a great attitude all year long about school. At the beginning of the school year, he had heard that his teacher picks a few kids out of the class and takes them to hike and go canyoneering at the end of the school year. He set a goal that he wanted to be picked and he got it! He was one of five kids (2 boys and 3 girls). His teacher Mr. Kory Kowallis and another teacher drove them down on their own time and spent all day with the kids. Jared said that it was a really hard hike and most of the canyoneering was quite scary for most of the kids, especially the girls. I guess Jared was a trooper and Mr. K said he did awesome. Mr. K also said that he probably won't do that again. It was just too hard. So, luckily he Jared got to go! He is heading into Jr. High. I think he is excited and a little nervous about the unknown. I have a feeling he is going to do great!

Dinner with the Family

We had a lovely night out with Chad's parents and his aunt Lori. The boys have been wanting to go back to UVU culinary arts restraunt where Julie used to work. The cuisine was French the night we went. The boys were very brave and tried scallops, muscles, and frog legs. 

Proof that they are the frog legs and enjoyed them

Dessert was the best part. Chocolate mousse, Creme Brûlée and a pear torte. 

Playing Catch Up Again...

I have needed to post for a long time. We have been very busy making some fun family memories. In the Spring our elementary school always has a dance festival. This year Jared's sixth grade did their dance to Michael Jackson's Thriller. It was really fun to watch. 

Landon did the Boot Scooting Boogie and dressed up like a cowboy. Spencer danced to Footloose and wore some fancy colorful socks. 

I always enjoy the dance festival. It's fun to watch my kids as will as their friends and little neighbor kids! 

Getting Caught Up

So, these pictures are all over the place. I can't figure out how to move them around. So, Chad had an overnight near his mom Judith. He was able to spend one evening with them and also see his twin brother Jason. Our elementary school adopted a new art program this year. They learned about famous artists and even tried to paint a replica of their most famous paintings. One night in April, the school had an art show. Jared's is the Starry Night and Landon's is the other painting. The boys got new haircuts. I talked Kyle into shaving his long locks and all of them got a "disconnected" part haircut. I think they all look adorable. Even Chad. Landon studied Utah History in the fourth grade. The whole grade put on a program and sang a lot of cheesy songs about Utah and the pioneers. He took a picture with his two best friends, Derek Sanderson and Zachary Cutler. They also went to the "This is the Place" state park and had a great time. Our family picture was taken on Easter Sunday. The boys always get a new Easter tie and we always take a picture of just the boys on the couch. Pretty soon, they won't all fit on the couch. They are going up way too fast!

stacyandtodd@roadrunner.com