Day in the life of....

Chase swam in his first meet.  He had told me he would take swimming on the condition that he didn't have to swim in any meets.  Ok with me.  His coach, however talked him into trying this one.  It was a meet for 12 and under, so it wasn't as big as some of the others.  The other perk was that they all got a four-square ball.  He swam a 50 back stroke, 50 breast, and 50 freestyle.  His age group was the biggest, with about 11 kids in each event.  He got two fourth places and one sixth.  He was very happy with that, but says he isn't swimming in another meet. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXOtfAKj6Dk to see him swimming.

This is Kenna in one of her diva modes.  She loves boots.  She has a pair she wore every day all winter.  She only stopped wearing them when Grandpa bought her some even better ones.  Kenna said to me this week, "Mom, everywhere we go, people just think I'm so cute"  We've been talking to her a lot about being pretty on the inside.  Today at church, when one of the ladies started to cry while bearing her testimony, Kenna said, Mom, she's only crying because she can feel Jesus.

Connor went on his 1st high school trip.  He was invited to play with the 9th grade band.  They drove to Provo to compete in a state band festival.  He got home about 10 that night.  He had a great time.  I'm so excited for him to have all these fun high school experiences and scared to death all at the same time.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqBYXjxEDXA for some video of Connor with the band.

We had parent teacher conferences this week.  Kate had a bad year last year and really struggled with her reading and her confidence.  At the beginning of this year (2nd grade) she tested at a 1.6 (1st grade, 6th month) reading level.  Last week she tested at 3.3 (3rd grade, 3rd month)  I am so proud of her.  She is already learning that she can do hard things.  She is a tenacious little thing and won't give up.  Hooray for Katie!
I took a part-time job with the census, starting this week.  I thought it might be fun to get out a little and I like meeting people, so this could be a great opportunity.  I'm already stressing out over if this will hurt my kids, will I be able to fit everything is.  Silly huh.  It will probably be good for my kids and besides, its only temporary.
Mike has been playing some racquetball with a guy from our ward.  He has fun because it's a game, but grumbles because it's exercise.  Work is good.  Play is better.

Connor's 14!

Connor's birthday was right in the middle of spring break.  Luckily that allowed some of his cousins to come up and stay with us for a couple of days.  We usually let our kids choose one activity for their birthday, instead of a party.  Connor wanted to go to the Fun Park with his cousins.  They played a few of the games,

but the highlight was laser tag.  They had a super time.  They also had lots of fun at the house, playing on the tramp, playing soccer at the school and just hanging out.

Connor choose steak and baked potatoes for his birthday dinner.  Expensive taste, huh?  Luckily, thanks to my sister in laws Dad, we had some awesome steaks.

                        All he wanted for his big day, was a new ipod, so spoiled kid he is, he got it  :)
                        If he wasn't such a good kid, it would be so much easier to say no!

Topped off the day with a mint cheesecake, yummy.  We LOVE Connor.

Crafty Spring Break

For Spring Break, we didn't have a big vacation.  I swear everyone else in Cache Valley went to St. George or Disneyland, but we had fun anyway.  Chase, Kate, Kenna, and I did travel to Rexburg for a couple of days to visit our friends, the Rowes.  Rexburg has a great craft store, that not only has all your supplies, but lots of ideas too.  Camille and I made curly ribbon barretts,  which started my craft week.  When I got home I decided to make a board for my bathroom to hang all Kenna's hair stuff on.

This led to my week of modge podge.  First I finished my board.

At the craft store while buying the modge podge, I saw this mirror and got it for the bathroom.

We also had my niece and nephews over, so I got a craft for the girls.

They each did the first initial of their name.  Chase did one also, but his picture didn't turn out.  Last I made this sweet recipe holder.  I did spell recipe wrong the first time.  How embarrassing and had to peel a couple letter off and start over.  I haven't been crafty for so long, it was super fun.

Easter

Most years for Easter, we head to Grandma's to visit and hit the Mackay Easter egg hunt.  A great tradition.  This year we stayed home to watch General Conference.  When we woke up on Easter, here's what the Easter Bunny had done, string all over our house.  Each child had a string with their name on it and had to follow it to find their baskets.

It was over under and through.  Our teenager was a little grumpy and could be heard mumbling things like: why did I have to get up this early.   I can't believe I have to go through all this dumb sting, etc.

Everyone else had a ball and thought it was pretty fun,

Miss Katelyn is careful and meticulous so she was the last to find her basket, but happy day all baskets were found and there was candy galore.

Kate and Kenna got hats and sunglasses.

                                        Con and Chase got new goggles for swimming and a book.  Chase was
                                        pretty upset at the "dumb book" at first, but he ended up liking it.