Salt Lake Jordan Stake Pioneer Trek June 2012

 

Eric, Brandon and Dallin were able to go on Pioneer Trek this summer.  Our stake president felt that the 12-year olds should be included this year, so that's why Dallin got to go.  This world is getting more and more wicked....even those young kids need some experiences to help them get through this crazy life.  Everyone had an awesome experience.  The first day, however, was quite an eye-opener.  It was REALLY hot and the wind was blowing, so the dust was almost unbearable.  Apparently ma's and pa's (and kids) were dropping like flies from pure exhaustion.  I think everyone was a little worried on that first day...and that was pretty much the consensus with everyone you talked to.

 

Luckily, it improved from there.  Eric had to give a talk in church after trek, and he told about the women's pull.  He did a really great job of describing what those girls went through and how the boys were having such a hard time watching them struggle.  The dirt was at the deepest part on the trail and the girls were getting stuck quite a lot.  I guess eventually the boys couldn't take it any longer, and started to help.  I think this challenge was one of the greatest ones on trek and I'm thankful my kids had the opportunity to experience it.

 

The kids came home on Wednesday night at around 10:00.  Boy, were they dirty!  And tired!  I was lucky to get a picture of each one of them....none of them were too happy.... 

 

 

Dallin's hat was completely destroyed....wow!

 



Even look at Dallin's hands.  It's probably hard to tell from this picture, but trust me, they were DIRTY!

 



 

 

And one last picture of Eric....his face tells it all.  "Mom, what are you doing?  I'm exhausted.  I just want to eat something and go to bed." 

Okay, got it!

 

 

Good job kids!  I'm so glad you got to go!

 



Swimming Lessons 2012

 

We signed Kyle and Jacob up for swimming lessons this summer...finally!  We've done it several times before, but it I've taken a couple of summers off.  We've gotten a pool pass the last couple of summers and just used that for fun.  I think it was because Todd got sick a few years ago, and it took awhile to get back into the swing of things....But, it's never too late, right?

 

 

Cute Jacob!

 

And Kyle is actually smiling in this picture.  Maybe there's hope yet.... :)

 



Way to pay attention, Kyle!  Awesome job!

 

 



Jacob is always ready for a picture, it seems.  I hope that continues into his teenager year, but I won't hold my breath....  :)

 

 



These next two pictures are just a couple I snapped of Jacob one night when he was sleeping.  I couldn't resist.   His teddy bear is wrapped around his neck....oh, that just melts my little heart.  I figure I don't have many more pics like these to take, so I'd better take them when I see them.  (And for the record, I can't STAND it that my kids are growing up so fast)!  sigh...

 



random end-of-the-year pics

 

Here are just a few pics I had that were taken at random times, but I thought they were cute, so I wanted to put them in....

 

 

Eric, Woodstock, and Charlie Brown, after the play...

 

 

Brandon and Cy Kitchens, performing at the Awards Assembly at Bonneville Jr.

Brandon standing for one of his awards....

 



 

Brandon, after the awards assembly....Look!  A smile!  Hallelujiah!  (It was probably because he was hanging around all those cute girls at the assembly)....  I'm on to you, son... :)



I just love this picture!  Dallin is so creative...he literally makes gizmos and gadgets all the time....In this case, a belt to hold all of his water guns....funny kid! 

 



 

 

And this is Dallin and Hunter VanBeekum, showing off their awards/trophies/patches for Math Olympiads!  Way to go, you guys!  So cool!

 

 



Eric graduates from Cottonwood High School

Congrats Eric!  Our First Graduate!

June 1st, 2012

 

Well, he did it!  Eric graduated from Cottonwood!  It's been a long 12 years of school....actually, I'm wondering where the time has gone...how has he been in school for 12 years?  Seriously, how is this possible? 

 

Here are some cool pics to mark the special occasion...

 

I put this stuff on Eric's bed for him to find on the last day of school.  So cute, huh?  A little graduation bear, and look at that cute card.  Yes, I made it.  :)  The other stuff?  Random dollar store items, but hey, they still count! 

 

 

Here is a picture of Eric before graduation.  He was still getting ready at this point, but I couldn't wait!  (He was a little annoyed with me, but I figure that's my job, right?)  :)

 

And one more before heading out the door....see all those cool cords hanging around his neck?  They represent some honors he earned, but I can't remember what they all are....one was for 3.7 GPA or higher, I think one was for lettering in Music and the last one?  Not sure....darn!  But we are so proud!  :)  (No, we really are).  He worked really hard for those!

 

 

Before the ceremony....looking all grown up and cute.  UGH!  Am I ready for this?

 

Waiting for the ceremony to start....

 

But first....a musical number!  Eric is on the front, right-hand side, second man in.  Cute little singer!

And one more, except I think this one was at the end of the ceremony....one last time in this choir...

 



The proud Mama!  I get to be the first with him to take a picture.  Period.  End of discussion.  :)

 



 

Now, all the friends....I don't know all of their names, but I'm going to try my best...Here goes...

 

Eric and Jayme Loveland

 



 Jayde Ford, Eric, and Kacee Greeff

 



 

Kevin Ponce and Eric

 



Eric and ?  (have no idea, sorry)...

 

 

Ashleigh Hand and Eric

 

 

Kevin Ponce, Adam Wilkinsen (drama teacher) and Eric

 



John Duffy and Taylor Szemerey

 



Rachel Colby, Taylor Szemerey, James Steur (played Charlie Brown in the play), Haley Merrill (played Peppermint Patty in the play), John Duffy, Eric, and Kevin Ponce

 

John Duffy, Eric, and James Steur

 

 

Eric and Haley Merrill

Eric and ? (have no idea again)...

 



 

 

Eric and Mr. Sullivan ( aka "Sully"--choir teacher)

 

 



After graduation was over, and all the hugs were hugged, and all the tears were shed, Todd and I took Eric out to Olive Garden for a late dinner.  It was really nice to be there with him.  Afterwards Eric went back to Cottonwood and "partied" until 4 am, when the party ended.  What an awesome way to to go out....

 

Eric has had an amazing Senior year!  Really, it doesn't get much better than what he experienced.  I think he loved it and I'm so glad he will have great memories of his Cottonwood years...We are so proud of you Eric!  You are destined for great things!  Keep up the good work!

 

 







And one last picture of the graduate himself!  What a crazy dude!  But we love him!

 



Last Day of School June 2012

(Okay, yeah, I'm really behind on blogging...I'm aware, I'm aware, but I'm just going to dig in as if it just happened, so here goes)...

 

School is OUT!  Holy cow!  Can you believe it is summer?  I'm ready for a break from school, and we are doing some fun things this summer, so bring it on, I say!  Here are some pictures of the kids on the last day of school....

Jacob came home with his shirt totally "signed" by all of his classmates.  He thought that was so clever and cool.  I can still remember when Eric came home that first year with his shirt "autographed" and I thought, "What did you do to your shirt?"  I've come a long way since then....now I say, "Here, use this one, or this one....oh heck, take two!"  :)

Jacob was on the honor roll the entire year, so here he is holding his last certificate for 3rd trimester.  What a little cutie, smartie pants!  :)

Beware of the bragging.....speaking of smart, Dallin got 19 out of 25 questions correct for Math Olympiads.  It's a math competition that kids all around the world compete in.  Math Olympiad tests are given several times throughout the year.....there are 25 questions.  Because Dallin got 19 correct, he got a pin, trophy, and certificate, and was among the top 8% of all those kids involved.  I've seen these questions and they are HARD!  Way to go, Dallin!  You are so awesome!  (And of course he got on the honor roll too, but for some reason I didn't put that picture in....ugh!)

And more bragging....Brandon got 4 awards this year in the 9th grade awards assembly.

 

Here they are close up....but they're still a little hard to read, so I'll tell you what they are:

1.  Certificate of Excellence for band

2.  Citizenship award for 3.9 or above CPA

3.  Certificate of Excellence for biology

4.  Scholarship award for 3.8 or above cummulative GPA

So awesome!  Congrats Brandon.  Those are great achievements!

Kyle got on the honor roll all year also, but he wouldn't let me take his picture....so here is the first attempt. 

Top part of the face.....getting closer....

Whole face, no smile.....we'll take it! :)  Good job Kyle! We are so proud of you!

And here's Eric on his last day of school....chillin' on his guitar!

Here he is right before graduation, all dressed up. He received a couple of "cords" too.  One for 3.7 or above GPA and he lettered in music also.  (I think there was one more, too, but for the life of me, I can't remember what it was---so sad).  Great job, Eric.  Great way to leave your high school experience...

The proud parents of our first graduate!  (more to come)...



We are so proud of all of our children!  They are all unique and talented.  How awesome it is to be their parents!