a week of graduation

Last Sunday our crazy week of graduation started!

CRazy fun it has been!!

First a week ago today we went to Baccalaureate.

It was a fantastic non denomination, inspirational program-

celebrating these soon to be H.S. graduates & their unlimited futures.

The speakers, musical number & prayers were wonderful.

At one point during the program Jack looked at me & said-

"can you believe this week is here?!"

{jack & zach jack eating a cookie & yes this is the best picture I got since he was making odd faces & not cooperating the whole time!}

It is hard to believe that another baby is going out into the world.

My goodness - time flies when you are having fun.

Tuesday after the birthday celebration- we headed over to church for seminary graduation. LDS teens have the option to sign up for seminary classes during their high school years. These classes are taught by volunteers & professional seminary teachers. I promised my kids years ago if they went to seminary they would be blessed. I myself graduated from seminary as did their dad & it was not easy! Not being from an area with a lot of LDS kids, I went to early morning seminary- seminary before school. It was early, it was hard, I'm not sure I learned one darn thing---- except that through obedience come great blessings (that's learning a lot!) It is popular for kids to skip seminary & get donuts etc.... i challenged jack 4 years ago to never skip- no matter what- no matter if he thought it didn't matter that day. the days you really really don't want to go are the days you need to be there. I am so proud of this kid- he did it.

this is nuts-

Instead of the first day of school photo- here he is last day of school with his senior t-shirt & yearbook in his hand- wowza!

Graduation night we headed out early & went here for dinner.

the food was fabulous & the company- even better!

Brittany, Marcus & Brittany joined us.

Brittany & Marcus are getting married next month!

We are so thrilled for them & happy they

came up to the graduation to help jack celebrate his big day.

Dinner was so good- the food was perfect.

Jack opened his BIG graduation gift from his dad & I.

A laptop computer!!

You can see from the look on his face he was so excited!!

We swore that no. matter. what. we were not buying one.

gotcha!

Jack's H.S. class is a big one- over 550.

It was hard to get a good shot.

but, here he is after getting his diploma.

and afterward!

We are so proud of you Jack...

and so thrilled for all the many, many good things that lie ahead for you.

CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2009

grandma & grandpa are getting too old for this...

Thursday night

(or should I say Friday morning?)

after graduation...

grandpa & I helped out at the all night graduation party.

We had the 2:30 - 5:30 AM shift & I'm not sure it would have been worse to just be there all night? Although I have to admit--- we look pretty darn good for being about 3:30 AM!

the all night graduation party is AMAZING!

We were dumb enough to volunteer for megan & brian's too- so we knew what we were getting in for. It's unbelievable what they've got set up here at the high school! The kids have to get there before midnight- they lock the doors & no one comes in our out- except for chaperoning parents. Thankfully- this helps curb drink fests & driving accidents.
You would never know from the pictures I took- that there are hundreds of activities going on here- hey--- it was 2:30 ish in the morning...
I'm lucky to be here & it's unbelievable I took any photos at all!
There was unlimited pizza, soda, donuts, bagels, sub sandwiches, cookies, nachos, popcorn - heaven really- but who can eat so early-- I should have come & stayed all night as not to have ruined my appetite. JK

I only took pictures in the gym... where the carnival games were? There were so many other things going on. I can't even think where to begin. There were segway rides, all kinds of sports, karaoke, fortune telling, prizes awarded all through the night, price is right, who wants to be a millionaire?, dancing, carnival games, great going's on- so fun- especially if you are not old.

Brett & i were delighted to be put over the Dance Dance revolution competition.

HOORay for us- no one was really playing & we sat back to relax, I pulled out my book & happily started reading & sucking down a diet coke. Brett had the brilliant idea to run home & get his laptop so he could get some work done- mistake!

Upon finding out we were not busy they switched us to the football throw.

We spent the rest of the night chasing mistakenly thrown footballs.... the horror. I was so stickin tired already. Brett felt bad- and let me hand out the winning tickets while he chased balls...

The kids turned in tickets for the continuous prized being drawn.

Great news!!
After all our worry & shopping for a laptop for graduation (see story below) jack
WON A LAPTOP!!!
it was the second biggest prize of the night-
I can't believe it, talk about thrilling-
he won it playing The Price Is Right & doing the ol'
wait til everyone else bids & bidding $1 higher- brilliant
he didn't get into BYU for nothin'
At the end of the night they let 700 balloons drop each with at least $1 in it.
It was a great night- thanks to all the hundreds of volunteers & sponsors.

yesterday

so yesterday was a good day

But today Trent went back to school (so far)

You see when you are in third grade...

missing the last week of school,

especially the field day carnival -

is just about the worst think that can happen to you. so hooray that Trent is off at the carnival

(I hope it lasts for his sake!)

instead of home playing Monopoly with me.

(by the way- he kicked my trash)

this Monopoly World Edition with debit cards instead of paper money- is a blast!

Last night was a special YW- mother daughter night.

We decorated cakes.

Here are the girls with their cakes!
fun times!!

coming up:
*Megan found out what her baby is today!!

I'm sure she will post the big news so I will let you check it out on her blog...

*Jack's High School Graduation!-- tonight!!

*WOO Hoo tomorrow is the last day of school- well except for jack, something tells me he doesn't have to go tomorrow :)

*is this a big week at your house?

*when is school out?

p.s.- I didn't send many of you grad. announcements- not because I didn't want to- I guess I don't want anyone to feel like they need to send a gift, etc. If you really want one- I have loads- let me know :)

whatever you call it--- I hope it's over soon

Trent is home sick today experiencing the "green apple two step,"
if you know what I mean?
He was home sick on Monday too- a little bit of the pre-dawn hours, "hershey squirts" goin' on.
Followed by "upchucking" twice.
Brett thought for sure he was okay...
and let me go back to bed (it was a long night)
Then, took him into the office for a 5:30 AM emergency.
bad idea.
two vomitous moments later & a ride home on dad's sweatshirt to avoid "skid marks" on the seat of his truck...
said skid marks were unavoidable.
lesson learned.
He went to school yesterday,
Nothing of the "acid butt" since early morning the day before-
just to come home afterward with a return of the "scours."
I googled, "swine flu symptoms" just out of motherly worry.

It's all good.
I have dutifully wiped down every door knob- & light switch,
the keyboards & toilets.
All in the hope that he will be the only.
one.
OH Please.

today I am so thankful for my new washing machine & it's sanitation cycle.
Yes- there is reason to celebrate.

Happy Birthday Brett!

Today is Brett's birthday!

It's a rough time of year for a birthday with all the end of school year activities... but I try to make it special every year. Somehow, it just doesn't seem like enough though. I canceled on two places I was scheduled to be at (pta stuff, etc.) What was I thinking that I could be there? We went to lunch & had his favorite- Chinese food- then I ran home & put together our family party with the help of the kids.
We wrapped what we lovingly call-
stack o' presents
and prepared his requested favorites for dinner.

Grilled burgers, Three Bean Salad & Oven Baked Fries- mmm

Brett has a passion for all things caramel.

These caramel brownies are decadent.
He loved them! recipe here-

Much to Trent's delight-

after dinner we pulled out from around the corner our big present-

A ribbon wrapped, ultra outdoor lounge chair!!

this thing is so sweet!

I think it will stay in the family room for some

T.V. viewing/book reading in ultra comfort.

(at least until school gets out ;)

He unwrapped the rest of the presents in total comfort.

After this rush of a party we ran to the church for seminary graduation.

What is better on your birthday than seeing your son graduate from seminary? I mean really we talked about this afterward & it is such a blessing to have jack graduating from 4 years of seminary.

(I am planning on wrapping up graduation week with pictures & all later.)

I love you sweetheart!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

30 for june

1. I feel deeply connected to commenter's.
2. I think i know them & love them--
3. for caring enough to leave a comment.
4. I'm not sure why it matters so much
5. but it does.
6. I chew gum,
7. loudly.
8. I snap & pop it. blow lots of bubbles & it's really hard to keep quiet with gum in my mouth.
9. I am way to addicted to this blog & wonder if I should take a break...I wonder that a lot.
10. my husband likes it. He reads it- so that is a good sign to me that it's a good thing.
11. he is a really good person.
12. I'm not that good or nice.
13. I'm often negative & work on it daily.
14. moment by moment
15. We finally canceled our voice mail.
16. I never listen to it or answer messages.
17. I felt like I was leaving a false impression that we would eventually listen... we won't
18. life's too short- I hate listening to messages so I'm done with it.
19. I really am not a good phone talker & don't like to, so rarely call people unless I really need to.
20. I would so much rather email.
21. I love email
22. I hate forwards & almost never open them.
23. there is so much going on in my life that never makes it onto this blog
24. good & bad & complicated
25. but I don't want to focus on those things so I don't write about them
26. I look for NieNie postings everyday
27. I pray for her- a lot
28. We have a great garden planted
29. and loads of perennials in the west side flower garden
30. Even though we have a small yard
31. I love it... especially since my sweetheart is so great to help so much in that area... not my greatest talent.

saturday mornings

It was my turn to drive ballet carpool today- I was glad.

Glad to have a few peaceful moments by myself during the hour & fifteen minute wait.

First I went to the fabric store & picked

out this for an apron I want to make for a wedding giftThen I stopped in here- Great Harvest Bread to get a scone.

Isn't this the cutest store front?

Back to the ballet studio to read alone in the car- bliss.

I'm reading Eat Cake-

because heaven knows there is not enough cake around here...?When I was growing up as a teen I played church ball. I was horrible at it. I didn't necessarily want to play- in those days you just had to. Mildred Lee our coach & one of the player's mom would usually take us to practice/games on Saturday mornings. It's great memory for me. I think now about the sacrifice she made to do this, even though her daughter was playing- surely we weren't always easy & I wasn't even talented- slowly I got better- thanks to her. By my senior year I could play softball, pretty good... well I could play.

My favorite Saturdays were the ones where after practice she would take us to get a Slurpee. Great memory there. So- I love to take these girls to get one too.

I hope they will have fond memories of Chloe's mom driving them to ballet & those occasions when she took them to get a Slurpee.

Sometimes it's the simple things.

enough! i give in- uncle already....

I'm wiped out.

It's been the busiest week ever, I think... well maybe.

I'm pretty sure the schools plans so much the last month of school so us moms will be so worn down & tired we'll do anything to get it over with. Even if it means having the kids home for the summer. jk There have been class parties.

Extra room mother projects for Trent's teacher who is retiring.

3rd grade International day

(I agreed to do a presentation on Chile... then found out two days before it was supposed to be 25 minutes long & I was doing it for 5 different groups- what? panic followed by a trip to the library, followed by intense study- just what i needed to do with all my free time...? It actually turned out great & I way over worried & planned... as usual- will I ever learn?)

Charlie Brown

Cast parties

Ballet Carpool

Scout field trips & scout meetings

Pack meeting

Trent earned his BEar.

creative day & lunch at my house

my phone/internet went down

Hailey was sick- now Jack

Dr. appointments

dentist appointments

birthday parties

cupcakes

wedding showers

more cupcakes

awards dinners

BBQ's

My personal favorite...

Big time guilt-

I told some PTA presidents I would do something & haven't gotten it done & I won't get it done- I hate when I can't get something done I said I would do- not cool.

Senior activities

not to mention the regular stuff- you know

dinner- homework- mold experiments- concert reports - etc....

tonight was the last Jr. High Choir concert for the year.

On a Friday night- I know?

it had to be changed since Seminary graduation is next week.
this was Hailey's last time preforming as a jr. high madrigal. I think it has been a good learning experience for her & I hope she has had a lot of fun & growth from it.

This is a horrible picture I know-

We sat way in the back so this was the best I could do.

why did we sit so far back?

besides the fact is was jam packed crowded

It was so hot I wanted to get out of there!

I was hoping that back in the back, near the back door it wouldn't be so hot- no luck.

SO HOT- full of bodies--- like 95 degrees!!

HOly hot misery.

The eighth grade choir got up to sing
Bohemian Rhapsody complete with a jr. high drummer, keyboard & electric guitar player.

I braced myself.

As if the heat alone wasn't bad enough. I was scared. I was worried for them. Heck, I was worried for myself! Looking around I could see looks of painful anticipation on other parent's faces-- who arranges this stuff?

Well- to my surprise- it wasn't that bad, really.

Did I forget to mention Bishopric training- with the wives? Brett was called into the Bishopric two weeks ago. He will still be YM stake presiedent for another month, since he is heavily involved with next month's pioneer trek- wow-

I guess I shouldn't complain- not that I'm complaining... I mean there is always a bright side.

At least I'm not going on trek-

*is your may like this?

hailey & a different note... or two

Tonight was the 9th Grade Merit & Honors Dinner.

To qualify for the Merit Award at our Jr. High- you have to apply. The application is divided up into different areas that you receive points in. Such as 10 points for musical theatre, service points, academic points, sports points...etc. Each applicant needs at least 50 points. Points can only be earned their 9th grade year. Students also need to have a teacher support their application. Hooray for Hailey who had more than enough points to qualify!!

Hailey is an absolute joy!

She is talented in many, many ways- especially music.

Her & her BFF have been writing & singing music together & it is Fantastic!

(video to come- if she will let me?)

She's a lot of fun to be around & that's sayin' a lot considering she's ...... fifteen- rough age- to say the least. I feel so privileged to be her mom- lucky me!! She is a daughter who is easy to love.

On a different note-

today was our last creative day of the school year- yes on a Wednesday- some of us had conflicting schedules tomorrow. Thank heavens we brought our calendars & planned on meeting throughout the summer- with & with out kids. I am so glad & think I'll survive the summer now. We met here at my house & it was so fun to have the preschoolers playing with the dogs & playdoh & bubbles (I miss preschoolers.) WEnde took some pictures, as soon as she posts them I will stick one here.

On another different note-

Our phone & internet line has been down for a little more than 24 hours- OH MY GOSH- this has been rough for me. It's like taking heroin from an addict. I was a mess this morning, not being able to have my morning reading & email checking. Funny how I got the painted floor scrubbed, a load of laundry done, picked up & made bread for our lunch...? hmmm- maybe my time should be used more wisely on a regular basis? Ouch- reality hurts.

On another different note-

Today is Linda -my wonderful neighbor's birthday! I made cupcakes for her surprise party which was darling- just like her!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY LINDA

On another different note-

graduation announcements are finally out- fewww- (just a million & one things going on this month) We are on the single digit count down to school being out. I don't know about you- but this school year has flown by!

good mail

I thought I had nothing to blog about today...

Then I went to get the mail- WOOOO HOOOO

Good Mail from Shannon!!!

MARSHMELLOW FLUFF- STRAWBERRY EVEN
i had NO idea they make strawberry fluff?

It's true- happiness can come in the mail!

thanks shannon for totally, completely making my day!!

seniors

{mike, jack, zack, cory}

Saturday night was the senior banquet.

Best Dress

I can't believe the lunch bunch- my knick name for them- is graduating. I just can't believe it. I will miss them coming here for lunch- something they don't do as often as they used to...

Jack decided to get jiggy & wear this old white (cream) suit from Brian's senior days to the banquet. Hey- you only live once, I told him to go for it! In fact if he wore it without a shirt I told him he could get a summer job as a chip & dales dancer! I bet they make good money?

hahahahhhaaaaa. Oh I got a good laugh out of that one. He didn't think it was funny.
cracks me up
Only eight more days until graduation!

twenty three years

Yesterday was our anniversary-

twenty three years

Amazing!We decided if Jack is old enough to go off to college in the fall & on a mission next year... then he can stay over night with his siblings!

Everyone was great. I think it was bonding for the kids to stay home together & a much needed time away for us. We really should do that more often. It's just so busy/hard to get away. We decided on a whim, Friday afternoon to take off- I guess that's what we need to do, not plan it- just do it.

This is the view coming out from dinner- stunning.

I love the beautiful mountains here.

Not as much as I love you Brett- marrying you was the best/smartest decision I have ever made- I hope we have more than 23 more years together.
last year I wrote about our 22nd anniversary & it is one of my favorite posts ever.

You can read it here-

creative thursday- cupcake edition

thanks to the blogger moms for helping me get these cupcakes ready yesterday!

I am so sad that our last real Creative Thursday is next week.

so sad

Think about it: us six blogger mom's have-

TWENTY EIGHT KIDS BETWEEN US

holy smokes!

That's a load of kids- so getting together all of us is difficult.

We will still be meeting up...

it's just a little more difficult in the summer

*do you have summer plans?

*do you get together with your girl friends & kids all summer?