Busy Busy Busy Emily

Emily's been really busy.  At the end of the school year the 5th graders presented a wax museum.   I initially thought the kids would be able to pick there own Historical Character and we had prepped for Emily to be Eleanor Roosevelt but then she came home with a slip that said Betsy Ross so Betsy is was. 

Instead of a  big ceremony Sprucewood opts for the 5th Grade Graduation to be fun party with the class.  I'm pretty sure the kids all agreed it was the best way to go.

At the end of year awards Ceremony, Emily was honored for her work with Safety Patrol as well as an outstanding student award!

A couple days after school ended we drove Emily down with her cousin Bentley to Cedar City where they attended the SUU science camp.   The theme was survivor and Emily learned all kinds of stuff I didn't know about like what to do for sunscreen when you are in the woods and don't have any.  (Rub some Aspen Bark on your skin).  They also fished for Crawdad's  and had a great time.

Next up Emily attended the Intermountain Suzuki Strings Institute.  A full week of Viola Practice taught by experts from around the world.   The teaching was excellent and so were the concerts that the staff as well as the students performed.

Emily finished her Viola camp and then was off to Teasdale where she Jane and Bentley did there cooking camp for 2 days.   The Camp was all about Pasta and my girls now know how to make fresh homemade Pasta.

Along with the Cooking Camp Emily woke up bright and early and did Swimming lessons all week.  Emily has officially passed off Lcvel 4 and is a champ at diving,  the breaststroke, butterfly, backstroke, sidestroke and more.

Lake Paddle

My family, Sarah's family,  Raquel's family, my mom, Brooke Bryler and Belle and my cousin Jill!

When 2 of my sisters started looking for a boat to buy we started talking about how much fun we both had at Lake Powell when we were kids.  My kids were confused with questions like "What's so fun about that?" What do you do all day at a Lake?"  "What do you do in a boat?"      After a few days at Lake Paddle (as Aaron kept calling it) with 3 boats all those people.   I think they can answer that themselves.   

My cousin Jill has the most awesome boat,  incredible patience to teach the girls to ski and the best laid back enjoy life at the lake attitude.  My kids are all hoping to go back with her again.  

Jane's pretty proud and may "brag" a little that she got up first time on skis.  

Emily preferred to knee board and would have me time her to see if she could go longer than the time before

Aaron's Preschool Year 2016-2017

Aaron loves Preschool.  He loved his teacher Miss Juliette who in turn would tell me how much she loved him and he brought her so much sunshine each day he came to school.    It does a momma's heart wonders to hear those words!  I came across these fun pictures the school sent home throughout the year and wanted them in my memory books!!

Spring outtakes

Spring wouldn't be Spring without watching a lot of Jane play soccer

Spencer eating his birthday cupcake

We also spent a lot of time doing yard work.  Spencer's favorite place is digging in the dirt.  My girls favorite thing to do while doing yard work was to take lots of "breaks" to take pictures of Spencer in yard.  

Jane at her 2nd grade "city" day.  She was in charge of the toy store

"Kick off to Summer Reading Program Party"

Spencer's first train ride at Lagoon

Ok maybe I'll try....

Spencer took a very reluctant first step on April 30, 2017.  I know he's been ready for a while because he will push the baby walker around and when he needs to change directions he will lift it up pivot himself and the walker and go in a different direction.  Since his first steps he occasionally walks 10 or so feet  but continues to prefer to crawl.   Recently he has made up his mind that the best way to go is to simply be carried.  Smart cookie he is!!  And oh he will let you know what he thinks about you if you put him down on the floor.   He howls like a coyote and arches his back so far we are considering starting him in tumbling since he's close to doing a back over bridge.  Sorry Mr. Spoiled but sometimes I've got things to do that require 2 hands.

Become ye like little children...

Sometimes we teach our children and other times they instruct us.  I've had a couple of these moments lately.

Having spent the better part of 2 years being pregnant and then nursing I was out of the habit of fasting.  It's Saturday night and something was mentioned that it was fast Sunday.  Without any encouragement Emily says "I'll fast tomorrow".  This was a huge statement considering Emily previously would say she isn't strong enough to starve that long.  Jane also said she would commit to trying it for the first time as well.  Seeing my girls resolve to follow this commandment gave me encouragement to do the same.    I was strengthened by their strength as I did not hear one complaint about being hungry or miserable.  

The day before Spencer's birthday Jane and Emily convince me to take them to the dollar store to buy Spencer a birthday present.  After a long day of work I reluctantly drug myself back out of the house as they gathered up some of their own money and set off to the dollar store.    They ran in by themselves and came out a few minutes later with the gifts.    Half way home Jane declares that the lady in the store gave her too much money back.   I having no desire to go back through the rush hour congestion question Jane about maybe she brought more money than she realized or maybe the 5 was really a 10 that she brought.  Jane would not be deterred.  She was sure as fire that the lady gave her back her 5 dollars and that it needed to be returned to the store.    Jane would not let up as we got closer to home so I turned the car around and headed back to the Dollar Store.  Once again the girls ran into the store and a short time later came back.  I asked Jane how it went down and she said "The lady was so happy I brought it back because the 5 dollar mistake would have come out of her own pocket".  Once again I was touched by her honesty and strength.  I then told her how proud I was Jane was so honest because that lady probably only makes 7 or 8 dollars and hour, which is not very much when you have to pay for a lot of expenses.  I said if Jane would have kept the money the lady might not have had enough to pay for her food and other things she needs.   I also said when we are honest we are often rewarded especially with feelings from Heavenly Father that he is happy with us.   I felt the spirit confirm to Jane she made the best decision and I got to see her swell with pride  when I related to Bart later the experience.   After I told my mom this story she sent Jane a little package with $10 and a shirt saying how proud she was that Jane told the truth.  Jane lit up with delight knowing she made a great choice and received a much better reward.  

I'm so proud of my girls and have confidence they will stick to their morals and continue to keep the commandments even when I won't be there watching their every move.

St George

My mom is having her 50 years high school reunion and needed a current family photo to submit.  So my family met half way between us and Allyson in St. George to take a picture.    We rented a big house that fit all of us.   


On Friday we were able to check in early and hit the swimming pool. 

Later that night we celebrated these 2 cousins who are 10 days apart. 

Saturday we had the morning to swim and then the afternoon we took first our own individual families and then the big group picture.

Jane spotted this big red rock mountain and convinced her dad and Aaron to walk with her up to the top.

We finished our stay with over a third of the extended family throwing up.     Everyone had someone or 2 or 3 people sick so as my nephew Ty said to his girlfriend "We've got to get the heck out of this place" and that's what everyone did the next morning.  Throughout the day we'd update on the group text the next person that started throwing up.  Allyson while watching the Jazz said the Gordan Hayward was sick with food poisoning but she's convinced it was food poisoning it was the virus from hell that a lot of us fell  fell victim too.

As Raquel was leaving she said "Oh I can't wait to do this again it was so much fun"  that says a lot about our family that a stomach bug can't prevent us from enjoying our time with each other.