The Craziness Of It All

Everything is so crazy right now!  So many different parties, awards, dance festivals, field days, etc.  Part of me is excited for summer to be here, but the other part is a little panicked.  I keep worrying about keeping my kids busy and making sure they stay up on their skills.  Blah!  -Just keep swimming.  :)

 Brody's class had a slide show, 2 puppet shows, and an awards ceremony today. 

 Brody got the award "Most Improved" all around.  -I think that award fits him.  I think he's improved in all areas.  -Very proud of you buddy!

Brody's friend Justin got the "Best Friend" award.  I thought this fit him perfectly too!  He's been such a good friend to Brody this year.

Breelyn got her Kindergarten diploma today (below). 

 Breelyn also got a picture from her field trip to Farm Country at Thanksgiving Point.  

Bree is on the front row.  She's the 4th person on the left.

Abby is officially advancing from 1st to 2nd grade.  

He's Our Hope Of America

Our awesome little I mean big guy Andrew got the Hope of America Award yesterday!  We're so proud of him.  The Hope of America award is given to those who have demonstrated academic accomplishments, leadership and good character.  Only one boy and one girl from each 6th grade class are chosen.  -Quite an honor.  Good job Andrew!

 ...Just before his name was called.

 That's my brother!

Memorial Day 2013

I hope that everyone had a nice Memorial Day yesterday.  -I sure did. In the morning, I stopped at AF cemetary.  I had a good visit with my cousins and my aunt.  A little after 12, Aaron and Andrew got home from Father and Sons (Oh how I missed them).   We had the Jacobsons, the McCrackens, and the Corbetts over for dinner.  Aaron smoked some ribs and the Jacobsons brought fish.  -We had a ton of food.  -It was so nice!

My cousins and Me at Robert Wilson, Troy Wilson and Lamar Argyle's graves.

Grandpa Argyle's grave (My mom's dad)

Grandma and Grandpa Bell's grave (LouJean's parents)

Grandpa Walker's grave (Kent's dad)

My nephew's grave (LouAnn and Doug's son Jared

Bro. Leslie (Above) and Bro. Laycock's graves (Below).  Their wives are mission companions from our ward that are currently serving in New York.  We wanted to let them know their husbands weren't forgotten on Memorial Day.

Brody's Incentive

A couple months ago, I received a phone call from Brody's teacher.  Brody was having a difficult time staying on task at school.  She contacted me hoping for ideas to help Brody.  "Brody has always loved everything electronic," I replied.  I asked about letting him use an ipad, computer, etc.  -Apparently, Brody was already being rewarded with these items.  Mrs. Drzayich mentioned videos.  "Videos?  You mean VHS?" I asked.  "Yes," she replied.  (Ever since Brody was little, he's loved looking at the covers and watching the beginning commercials of videos).  We came up with an idea.  If Brody would work hard at school and do his homework, he would be rewarded with biweekly trips to the DI to pick out a video. 

  Mrs. Drzayich made out a calender.  I take Brody every Tuesday and Friday.  Brody has done so well with this.  He works hard at school, he's quick to do his homework whenever I ask him, etc.  I love it!  Brody makes plans before each trip.  He draws a picture of the video he hopes to find.   The picture includes everything (The title, the date it was released, the producer, what it's rated, how many minutes, and usually a picture).  Here are some pictures I found.  Love my boy!

Jett Corbett's Blessing

My nephew Brandon blessed his son (Jett) yesterday.  The blessing was really nice.  I wish Aaron and Andrew could've been there.   Brittany's parents weren't able to be there either.  They were in a really bad car accident Friday.  :(

Following the blessing we went to Neptune Park for lunch.  I got a little camera happy.  Here are some pictures I took during the day.

Jess and Jared giving Bryson high fives.

Trent the cheerleader!

Beautiful eyes

Jess and Abby

Bree, Addison, and Alyssa

Brody

Attacking Jared.

Mel and Cole

Jess, Bryson, and Abby

Tyler, Joseph and Ed

Brody, Tyler, Joe, and Ed

Kent and LouJean = SoMuchInLove

Brandon, Jett, Addison, LouAnn, Doug, and Zack

LouAnn, Addison, and Jett

Brody, Jess, and Abby

Addison, Bree, and Kari

Missing My Boys

I'm really missing my boys right now.  Aaron and Andrew went to BYU Fathers and Sons Camp Friday afternoon.  Both of them are having a great time.  I've spoken to Aaron a few times.  Every time I talk to him they're off to a different activity.  -I'm glad they're staying busy.  :)
Here's a schedule I printed off of BYU's website:

BYU FATHERS AND SONS CAMP 2013
May 24-27, 2013
CHECK-IN All participants must check in. Friday, May 24 2:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Cannon Center Room 127  Camp agendas, meal cards, t-shirts, jerseys, and room assignments will be given out during check-in.  If you are arriving late, please check in at the Cannon Center (Helaman Halls) front desk.  Parking will be available in the parking lot west of Helaman Halls and/or north of the Indoor Practice Facility.  Important: If you know that you will be arriving late, please call 801-422-5724 and let us know! **Please remember that traffic into Utah Valley on Friday evening will be very congested Memorial Day weekend travel. In order to arrive
at check-in on time, please allow yourself extra time to arrive at BYU.**
CHECK-OUT Fathers and Sons’ Camp ends at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, May 28. All campus housing participants can check out at their residence hall with a counselor between 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. on Monday. GENERAL SCHEDULE A detailed agenda will be provided at check-in. A general agenda for the week is as follows: Friday 2:00 p.m. – Check-in
4:30 p.m. – Dinner 6:30 p.m. – Orientation at Smith Field House (Please be on time for orientation) 7:00 p.m. – Instruction
10:00 p.m. – End of instruction Saturday 6:30 a.m. – Breakfast and preparation
8:30 a.m. – Camp Meeting
9:00 a.m. – Morning Workouts
11:30 a.m. – Lunch
1:30 p.m. – Camp Meeting
2:00 p.m. – Afternoon Workouts
5:00 p.m. − Shower and rest
6:15 p.m. – Dinner and evening entertainment Sunday 6:45 a.m. – Breakfast and preparation
7:15 a.m. – Load buses
9:00 a.m. – Music and the Spoken Word
11:00 a.m. – Sacrament Meeting
1:00 p.m. – Lunch
3:00 p.m. – Load buses
4:30 p.m. – Dinner
7:00 p.m. – Fireside and refreshments Monday 6:30 a.m. – Breakfast and preparation
8:00 a.m. – Instruction
11:20 a.m. – Closing ceremony
12:00 p.m. – Lunch and check out of residence halls *** Fathers and sons, remember to be on time for camp meetings! *** FOOD AND HOUSING Camp participants will eat most meals in the all-you-can-eat cafeteria. There is a $2 replacement cost for lost meal cards. BYU dress and grooming standards are strictly enforced in the cafeteria; therefore, please remember to bring pants, sweats, or knee-length shorts to wear at mealtimes. Flip-flops, slippers, swimsuits, and tank tops are not permitted in the cafeteria.
Campus housing participants are lodged Friday through Sunday nights. The residence hall room is furnished with linen, bedding, towels, and a pullout drawer for valuables that can be locked (padlock must be provided by the participant). Laundry services are not available. Messages for those staying in campus housing can be left by calling the Cannon Center front desk, 801-422-2034. CHECKLIST OF ITEMS TO BRING TO CAMP  Non-marking gym shoes  Clothing for workouts—shorts, t-shirts (no tank tops), athletic socks  Clothing for free time and in the cafeteria—knee-length shorts, sweats, etc.  Clothing for Sunday activities – slacks, a nice shirt, tie, etc.  Towel  Sunscreen  Emergency phone numbers  Information on past injuries for trainers  Alarm clock (campus housing participants)  Padlock for valuables drawer (campus housing participants)  Spending money (optional) for snacks, souvenirs, prescriptions, etc.  Water bottle  Camera (optional) *Note: Write your name clearly on all items you will be bringing to camp.
Items to leave at home include rollerblades, skateboards, water guns, water balloons, fireworks, firearms, and knives. These items are inappropriate to bring to camp and will be confiscated upon your arrival. We also discourage you from bringing media devices, laptops, expensive items, and excessive cash. Cell phones and iPods are acceptable but must remain in your residence hall. 

 Here are a couple pictures Aaron sent me from his phone:

 Henry B. Eyring spoke at Music and the Spoken Word.