A scout in training

Aaron's scout troop met each Monday and did all sorts of fun things.   

They made homemade marble runs.  

experimented making Rogberg machine 

For the Blue and Gold Banquet Aaron wanted to make a Sarlacc Pit from Star Wars to be auctioned.  It was a huge hit amongst the star wars peeps out there. 

Aaron's troop spend a few hours learning about

Aaron's troop was in charge of the Spring Carnival.    He decided he wanted to make a rubberband gun  shooting stand.  I got pretty good at reloading the gun.   It was such a hit we should have brought extra ones.     

Bart's childhood Mitt has been well loved.  First by him and then with Aaron and now with Spencer who often goes out with Aaron to play catch.   One day he told me he couldn't go play ball with Aaron because the Mitt was broken.   I noticed that the leather strings were missing.    I said Oh Well it's had it day.   Aaron being a MacGyver on the other hand got out a shoe lace and ties it back together and it's good as new.   Actually better than new because a worn in glove is priceless 

Aaron practiced his handyman skills for me.  My mom gave me this lamp for Christmas that came in a million pieces.  It promptly made it's way to the piano room corner and stayed there for months.   When I realized I needed a lamp for my guest room and Aaron needed something to do I gave him the box and without any help he got the tools out, read the instructions and assembled it in a jiffy.  

The troop ended their year as Wolves at Cub Country in Camp Tracy.  

Undaunted

 After reading the book Undaunted I was so proud that both Bart and I have ancestor's who took the incredible journey.    Brooke ordered a picture of the Last Wagon and when I saw it I wanted one.  She told me the artist Lynn Griffin from Escalante did it and to get one I have to call him directly and buy one but I procrastinated calling.     A couple of years ago we were at the Cabin in Escalante and I noticed a small framed one in the gas station.   I wanted something bigger so called the number on the website and talked to his wife.    As I considered the Last Wagon print, which is an amazing story but I was drawn the the painting undaunted because although everyone claims to have been the first wagon down the historians believe it was the Barton wagon because his horses being blind were the only ones willing to go off the cliff and then the other horses and wagons followed.   

Drawing from the connection to our family history.  Thinking this was the Barton's horses and most likely my great-great grandfather James Pace who was in the mix of men.  I wanted it in my home.  

I love learning about family history because a part of them is in us.   In all of the Pace family women including Emily's patriarchal blessings it mentioned something about our ancestors and the great heritage we have.   We are from strong and sturdy stock.   Tough people who didn't back down when things got hard.   They were still humans who must have felt the same emotions we feel like fear, overwhelmed, sad, happy, mad etc.  but that never stopped them.

I find courage in the picture.  These ancestors came to a cliff that was impossible to cross.   Did they send a telegram to Salt Lake saying "I know the Lord wants us to Settle the Valley on the other side of this but its too steep and our anxiety is to high that we have to stop."   No they said Where there is a will there is a way.  Let's figure it out.   It stopped them in their tracks for a time and they had to come up with a different plan and have patience and faith.   They did the impossible and then had to continue on a hard journey but they made it!!!  

I wanted this picture hung in my living room.  The world would say "I have anxiety so I just can't".    "Life is unfair I'm just going to quit"  I want this picture to remind my family that they have the same genetic make up as these ancestors who faced the impossible.   We most likely won't come up to a literal cliff in our horses and wagon  but there will be other cliffs we face both big and small.   It's ok to feel afraid, sad etc. and question why it can't be easier.  In those moments I want us to dig deep, saddle up, grit our teeth and keep going.  Don't lose your faith in those moments because with the Lord's help  we can do anything!  It might be a different path.   It might be harder path than expected but we are strong capable and resilient.        

After we took our couch down to the Hilltop house I really wanted my front room to feel like a quiet retreat.   No TV allowed.   We redecorated with this picture in mind and I love how it turned out.   The room is light and bright and the focal point is this grand picture.  I find my  peace here.

Performing the arts

Spring time means performing time.   

Jane performed  "Fountain in the Rain" for her Spring Recital at the U.  

Spencer finished his 2nd year of Let's Play Music and did a fabulous job accompanying his class to the song "Primary Chords"

Aaron played the duet "Rocking Around the Clock" as well as "Humorous" at his Spring Piano Recital.  

Emily hardly went a day or so without some sort of recital, performance or competition. 

She played Hilltop Road" at her Spring Piano recital

Concerto Night with Alta Chambers Orchestra

Emily and Alix during intermission looking for their friends.  

Emily was one of the few select violist in the district chosen to play with the Honors Chambers Orchestra for Canyons District.   This was their rehearsal performance for family and friends. 

 

Alta students chosen for the Canyons District Honors Orchestra after they played at Abravenal Hall

Alta Chambers Orchestra after they performed at the State Competition. 

Emily auditioned and was chosen as the whining  hungry child "Patty" in the one act play "The Donner Disaster" 

Emily and her Viola teacher Devon after her Spring Recital at BYU.  

Henry's mom finding out Emily plays the viola begged her play with the Midvale Philharmonic Orchestra because they really needed a violist. 

Alta's Chamber Orchestra Spring Recital playing Mr. Rogers Neighbor.  (Emily suggested it)

My parents were in town and happily came to support her for the end of year chamber orchestra performance 

Emily and Alix all dressed up in 20's attire for the Theatre closing social.  She shared an award for the best pianist.   

3rd Grade Aaron

Aaron loved his 2nd grade teacher Mr. Folau.   He especially loved his stories he told every day.  Aaron retold me often the one about  how Mr. Folau worked at Walmart to pay for his college at Ricks and how he knowing Spanish helped some elderly lady who didn't know English and didn't know the correct money and she handed him $20 and thought that was worth $5 or something and he could have easily stolen from her but instead had "integrity" and gave her change back.   I could tell it really had an effect on him to always be honest.    At the end of school to nobody's surprise Mr. Folau was awarded teacher of the year.  He made it a class celebration building up the students by saying it was them that made him be a good teacher.  

So when Aaron went into 3rd grade he was so sad Mr. Folau wouldn't be his teacher.  When he found out his teacher was going to be Mrs. Allen, Jane was over the top excited because Mrs. Allen was her favorite teacher in 5th grade.    

Aaron on the other hand refused to think anyone else could be a good teacher and did not want to like her.   Jane sympathized because in 4h grade Jane had Mrs. Hamm who she thought was so amazing and at first compared her to Mrs. Hamm and did not want to like her either   

Luckily for both of my kids Mrs. Allen doing what she does best by loving her students won the heart of Aaron like she did Jane and he ended up having a fabulous year.  I'm also so extremely grateful for good teachers who show up everyday with positivity and confidence in my kids.  I loved that on Class DoJo Mrs. Allen would send home random pictures of special events as well and every day moments.      

first day picture of the class

first day getting to know each other and team building activity

reading time with the social worker who called himself Mr. Potato head

pajama day and free time reading as a reward for good behavior

making Gingerbread houses at Christmas time

making a group marble track

building a marshmellow structure as a group 

Science experiment.  Making static electricity

group photo after the checkers tournament 

grow your own hair with grass

ice cream reading reward

group of 3rd grade boys at end of the day

reading to the kindergarteners

Aaron with some of his school friends at a Real Soccer Game for Tyler's birthday party