Memorial Day 2012

We had such a great day!!  First, some of our dearest and bestest friends came to play.  We love the Jones' because they are laid back but always up for adventures.  We (by that I mean NOT me) played a friendly game of kickball.  I took photos.  Well, someone had to do it!

Team #1

Team #2

I'm not sure how team #2 got BOTH of the dads on it but that how it went.  Dave ended up switching teams near the end because it was kind of a blow out.

Cooper was Sarah's designated runner

Jeffrey doing the high kick

Becca's high kick

One of Amanda's favorites!

After the game...now time for food!!

Coop borrowing some shorts from Jeffrey to go on our hike

They fit so well, don't you think?

 This water was FREEZING COLD!!  

Sarah, Chris and Baby "Owen"

Roasting marshmallows in the fire pit that Jeffrey made at school

A special thanks to those who have served our country so that families like ours, can have days like this!

Camp Koholowo

 Welcome to Camp Koholowo!

This morning Dave, Sarah, Chris and I woke up early and headed up Payson Canyon toCamp Koholowo.  We've lived here, in Utah,  for nearly 2 years and I am just now pronouncing it right.  It turns out that it actually means something...go figure.  

We've never been to this camp before and since we will both be helping with girls camp (surprise, surprise), we figured we'd better go to the meeting that they held this morning.  Oh, it was also a cleaning "party".  Today was the day that those who will be using it were required to open it up and clean out the cobwebs and mouse poop.  My favorite!!

This is outside the lodge

This is inside the lodge.

Chris and Dave moving a wood pile from the inside to the outside

No more wood pile in the "room"

Lodge fireplace

The mess hall part of the lodge

Now THIS is a kitchen!!

Umm, a walk-in fridge!!

And deer, and elk and Moose, oh my!

This are the "dorms" where the girls stay.  Each side can sleep 18

Inside the dorm

GIANT fire ring

From top of amphitheater

Dave and our stake leaders

The meadow

Senior Ball

So tonight is Amanda's Senior Ball.  This is a new custom for our family because when Sarah was a senior, they didn't do this.  Well, they had a "Senior Ball" but it was basically Prom.  This is a night JUST for Seniors.  You don't go with a date, you just go with your friends.  You dress up and get all Glam, they have a catered dinner (from Tocano's Brazilian Grill) and then they get to just hang out and mingle/reminisce with friends.  It's kind of like a nice farewell dinner for the Seniors.

A couple of days ago Amanda hinted around about me buying her a nice dress for the occasion and I just couldn't fork out any more $$$ so I told her no.  This month has been CRAZY expensive.  I'll tell you what, getting kids out the door is not for the weak kneed.  Every time I turn around I'm handing out money!!

Today she came to me and made this proposal...If she could find a (modest) dress for $20.00 would I buy it?    After I quit laughing, I told her to ask her dad, which she did.  He agreed to the challenge at which point I couldn't help but go along for the ride, just for pure curiosity sake.  I'm a doubter!  I admit it!

Well, Sarah came along too and we went to Ross...(dress for less).  We walked over to the dress section and Sarah pulled a dress off the rack and then then we spotted some more.  Amanda tried on 6 dresses but she ended up with the very first one she tried on.  And the price?  $26.99!!!!  Unbelievable!   It is perfect!

My cute girls: Amanda, Sarah and Celin

Sarah felt VERY short!

I felt VERY short!!

I love this picture!

Amanda, Grace and Celin

Three Beauties!!

Becca the Queen!

Who knew that we had a Thespian in our midst?  I'll tell you what, Becca has more confidence than just about anyone I know!  Seriously!!  She has always had tons of confidence.  She never shies away from anything that requires her to step out of her comfort zone.  You name it, she'll take a stab at it.  This time it was being a lead character in a school play.  It was really funny and she did a great job!!
She is also "playing" volleyball with the high school girls and she has already been told she can be the manager.  That means she will work her way into being on the team since she can't be this year.  She's too young but she practices with them.  She'll be a great player by the time she's old enough for the team.
She also ran for student counsel (but lost) and moved right on past that.  She just chalks it up to new experiences.  She sung a duet (two different times) with Amanda in front of a couple hundred people.  She is such a dynamic person and I have NO doubt that she will one day conquer the world!

Bravo Becca, Bravo!!

The End of 2012 Water Polo

 Jeffrey's water polo team (Utah County) went to state this year.  It was sort of surprising because they struggled but they came back fighting.  This is the game that would decide who would take forth in state.  They played Herriman, who had beaten them twice before.  It was a nail biter!!

Roll call before the game

Jeffrey #18 waiting for the ball

Jeffrey made the tie making shot!!  Went into OT

Temporarily lost the ball but he recovered it quickly

I'm pretty sure that Chris was feeling a little like a "water polo dad" because he seemed pretty nervous for Jeffrey.  He got up and gave him one on one training a couple of times and Jeffrey listened!   Thanks Chris!  Our team WON by ONE POINT!!

Sarah was a proud sister that day!

Sunny day + Teenagers = Lawn Gymnastics

Jeffrey trying to be the "spotter" for Celin and Amanda's handstands

Handstand contest...Celin won!!

What a good brother!

Eagle Project Finished!!

 BEFORE

 

AFTER

Jeff cleaning up paint off of the carpet...ooops!

Ready to use.

Gone are the two ENORMOUS pieces of equipment that were dangerous.  In fact, the day before the boys dismantled one of them, a kid was using it and the cable snapped and smashed his fingers!

Jeffrey putting the final touches on the paws.

Now for the final push to finish the PAPERWORK!!