Summer Fun

Oh the joys of summer!  We had a spontaneous game of  baseball in the backyard.  It was a game full of fun and laughter.

 Batter up, McKay!

 Kayden on second base with Josh in the outfield.

 Jaxon patiently waiting on first base to be hit home.

McKay showing off his skills--sticking out his rear and all.  He had us all laughing!

These are the days to remember!

End of a Soccer Era

Josh has played on the same soccer team for the past three years.  He has become really good friends with all the boys on his team and with his coaches.  This was their last year playing together.  A couple of the boys on the team have decided to pursue other conflicting sports.  So grateful for the people that have positive influence in my boy's life....

...these are few of the good ones.

Freedom Awards

Both Josh and Kayden received awards at school this year:

Josh received an award for Read Across Utah.  He had to read a book for each county in Utah--a total of 29 books!

Kayden received two awards.  One for 100% attendance and also the Freedom Falcon Award.  He had to memorize two poems, enter the reflections contest, be able to say the Pledge of Allegiance and sing The Star Spangled Banner.

Those are a couple of smart kids that I have that worked hard this year!

Dance Festival 2015

As crazy as May gets, I love the end of the school year festivities.  I was able to see Josh and Kayden dance at the school dance festival this year.  That's right, only two kids to watch at the festival.

Kayden and the 1st grade danced to Dynamite:

 Getting ready to bust out his moves!

Josh and the 4th grade did a dance medley with some square dancing and Eye of the Tiger:

All business waiting for the music to start.  (Josh is middle with the brown cowboy hat and red scarff.)

Josh let me know that many of the boys in his class tried to get him to trade dance partners with him.  He told them all "No, that wouldn't be fair to the others if I traded with you."

I know, a lot of pictures of Josh's dance.  But I couldn't help it--watching him dance with the girls in his class to two different songs--it was too good to pass up!

It was a great day.  It had been raining all week and we had a break in the weather just long enough to watch the kids perform.

Play Ball!

Kayden played spring baseball and loved every minute of it.  It was his first year playing machine pitch.  He was on a team with several of his neighborhood and school buddies which made it all the more fun.  
 

 Kayden getting ready to bat and getting ready to play in the outfield (tough boy).  I love the way Kayden is wearing his batting helmet.  So much personality in these pictures.

 Kayden is on deck practicing his swing.  Again, love the helmet.  Kayden only struck out once this year and "it was the machine's fault".  It was throwing "crappy pitches".  (Quotes straight from Kayden's mouth.)

He played catcher a few times.  He looked so official in all of his gear.

Kayden with some of his buddies from the team.  They loved cheering each other on and giving each other encouragement.

Team photos.  The team had such a good time together and they learned a lot. Coach Rodriguez (red shirt) was an awesome coach and Kayden thinks he walks on water.  It was a fun baseball season!

Class Play

The parents were invited to 1st grade to see the kids perform in a couple of class plays. Kayden was in the play Where the Wild Things Are and played the roll of Max.

Here he is dressed as Max in his wolf suit.

"And he was made king of all wild things...."

After the school plays were over Mrs. VanFleet gave out class awards.  Kayden received an award for the best boy out loud reader.  1st grade was a lot of fun!

Cousin Tyler

"Cousin Ty-la" is what McKay called him when McKay was really little and the name has stuck.  He came out west from New Jersey for a quick visit and to get his teeth drilled on.  After 4 fillings, 2 crowns, a root canal and who know what else--we spent the rest of the weekend enjoying him--and putting him to work.

Tyler endured the cold weather to watch Josh and Kayden play in their soccer games.  We also converted him to a BYU fan (haha).

We had 10 yards of sand delivered just in time for Tyler's visit.  Tyler was a good sport and helped load all the sand from the front yard to the back yard.  After we were finished, he was quite pooped.  Kayden took the opportunity to snuggle with Tyler as he took a snooze on the couch.

It was so good to see him and spend some time with him!  I don't know if he could say the same for us after getting his teeth worked on and loading sand all weekend.

1st Grade Program

Kayden and the rest of the 1st grade put on a program where they sang songs and said poems that they have learned throughout the year. It was fun to watch him with his classmates and to see and hear what they have learned this year.

 Kayden is already for the program to start.

 Singing and doing actions.

 More singing and being cute.

 Putting their arms around each other.  Those are some pretty darn cute 1st graders!

 Kayden with his teacher Mrs. VanFleet.

9th Grade Honors

McKay was recognized for all of his hard work and academics at a 9th grade recognition night.  McKay earned a 4.0 GPA all three years he was at Mountain Ridge Jr. High.

 Receiving his certificate from the principal, Mr. Whitaker.  He also received a medal.

Super proud!

Payson Utah Temple

We were able to visit the Payson Utah Temple open house upon the completion of the temple.  It was beautiful.  I was awed at the construction details and thought that went into the building of the temple.  The best part was that I go to see the temple with my family.

My Family

So thankful for my knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ and that families can be together forever.