Eli's Adventures

Here are a few things Eli's been up to:

Cardboard armor:

Sealing letters with fancy wax stamps:

Putting together puzzles and then gluing them and putting them on the walls:

Climbing trees:

Sure do love him!

Clarks Come to Town

One of my best friends moved away last year, and we were so excited when they came back to visit. Josette's son Scotty was one of Jake's best friends too, so we were thrilled to meet up with them at the ninja park and to have them over to play for an afternoon. I also got to have a girl's night with Josette and several of our other friends, and go out to dinner with Jason and Chaz as well as another couple. I tried to be patient and share her with all our friends who missed her too, but it was hard! We loved that they came for a visit and hope it becomes an annual tradition!  

Isolation

Ali participated in a local theater's production of a play called Isolation. It was an intense three weeks of at least four-hour-a-day practices and then four nights of shows. A few of Ali's friends were in the play with her, and she had fun!

A couple of church young women's leaders came to the shows and brought flowers!

It was a lot of work, but I think Ali is looking forward to doing another show next summer!

Post School Year Clean Up

It feels good to clean out the backpacks and get rid of all that garbage at the end of the school year (here is only one of many piles that we trashed!).

Happy Marry-Iversary!

May 27, 2023 marked a fun anniversary for me- on that day I had officially been married longer than I hadn't been. I dubbed it my "marry-iversary" and went out with my sweetheart to celebrate. It was a fun day to think on what a lovely life we've created together and how grateful I am for him.

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

I'm glad I get to spend my forever with Jason!

Last Day

The last day of school is finally here! We are sure proud of our kids and how well they did in school this year-everyone held onto their good grades (some by the skin of their teeth, but still!) and they all did so many other things that were outside of their comfort zones. Jake did swim lessons; Eli did flag football, learned a new instrument and participated in a musical; Logan did football camp, track and Jazz Band, and Ali did theater crew for two shows, student council and knitting club. Add to that the first year of seminary for Ali and Logan as well as Drivers Ed for them both, and church callings and activities for the older three, Piano lessons for Ali and Eli, and activity days for Jake and it was quite a year of growth for everyone.

I am so glad that I started the end of year ice cream party a long time ago, because now it's just something we do, and the kids don't feel self-conscious about inviting people over. I didn't get a picture of Logan's friends, but here are the other groups:

I sure love these kids and the adventure it is being their mom.

Field Day and Bulldog Bash

I was able to help at Jake and Eli's end-of-year, school-wide celebrations. At the Elementary School I helped with second grade in the morning and fifth grade in the afternoon and it was funny to see how differently they approached it: the second graders took everything very seriously and everyone participated in every game, while the fifth graders only participated if the game appealed to them and otherwise flat-out refused. Silly kids. This was the ice cream relay I was in charge of-I was disappointed it wasn't real ice cream and I'm sure the kids were too!

The Junior High Bulldog Blast was a big free-for-all; there were many activities set up all over the school and outside, and the kids could come and go to activities as they pleased. I had barely walked up to the school when a couple girls I didn't even recognize said, "Hi Eli's mom!" The kind of illustrates how many people know and love Eli, so he obviously had a great time running around and hanging out with lots of kids.