swim season

my week mornings are now devoted to swim practice and the first half of my Saturday to swim meets.  And I really enjoy it.  The kids are doing great this year.  One thing I love about swim team is that is is an individual sport so they can see when they improve and they have a noticeable sense of pride.  

 this kid hung on the wall all last year during practice and this year is winning his heats.

 and I have to add this photo taken at a swim meet.  I love this head of hair.  she never went bald and it is so blonde and I just love it.  I call it my Angel hair.

more summer

my dad and brother were in town for the weekend, working up in SLC.  So we went up to spend the afternoon with them.  We hung out in downtown and it's so nice to be in the city and of course so nice to spend time with family.

 playing chess with Conrad in a cafe

 selfie at costume shop

 my mom and I took the kids one day to see the progress of the Provo Center temple and then for ice cream at the creamery.  

 on our walk to the temple site, we stopped in a bike shop and Cloe found "her bike".  It is over $600 and she has decided she is saving her money for it.  Then she wants to take it to France and ride through the country with a puppy and loaf of bread in her basket, wearing a cute outfit and a beret. 

 summer business as usual.  Charlotte and Brody selling lemonade and candy.  CLoe and Abbey are doing nails for their business.

 my mom and step dad were camping up our canyon so we went up for the evening.  My step dad has cancer and will most likely die this year so these moments are bitter sweet.

summer kick off

swimming at the pool.

 Aiden's first time swimming and she loved it.  I couldn't get her to look at me because she kept staring at the water and kicking. 

 softball and baseball season.  The three older kids are all playing.  But CLoe ended up losing interest after 3 games because of her coach, Brody played all season but wasn't totally interested, kind of a slow boring game for his liking and Abbey did great and had a lot of fun.

 Art City Days.  In the past I have been all about participating in all that is going on during Art City Days but this year, all we did was the carnival.  

 the older kids went on this ride and one other scary one and I was watching them just cracking up.  They were so scared and so it was so hilarious!  I know it looks just like a ferris wheel but the little cages rock and spin and the whole thing spins around fast.  It was great.

showing our respect

thanks to social media, word spreads fast.  A local solder in Afghanistan was killed and one of his good friends did an awesome job spreading the word about his body returning home and the route it would take. He encouraged all to line the streets from the airport to his house (not including the freeway of course)  He flew into Provo airport and lived in Elk Ridge which is about 20 miles or so.  His flight landed at 12:00 and I remembered the day of at 12:00.  I panicked a little that we were going to miss it (of course we wouldn't) so I told the kids "hurry, let's go!"  

This boy of mine, made me very proud.  After I told him what we were doing, he went into his room and got his scout shirt on AND tucked it in.  He doesn't even tuck his church shirts in until we make him.  He held the flag and saluted the ENTIRE precession which was very long.  We stood on main street in Spanish Fork, close to the free way exit.  And just as his friend had hoped, all streets were lined with citizens paying their respects.  It makes me emotional just thinking about it.  

 There was a police escort, then the Hurst, and then his family.  His mom was sweet and waved to the kids.  And I kid you not, the line behind them went on forever. Cops, UHP, Firetrucks (and these are from all surrounding cities), ambulance, military vehicles, war veterans, tons of motorcycles.  One thing these hard, rough, leather wearing men are is loyal.  It was all incredibly touching.  I'm so thankful I took the time for my kids to experience this and show their patriotism.  

It's also nice to know we live in an area that supports the troops.  He obviously isn't the first Utahan to be killed in the war but I know this type of homecoming is unfortunately, not normal.  My good friends husband was serving in Afghanistan and the day he came home, our church and neighbors lined the streets with flags and yellow ribbons all the way to their house.  

.

Abbey had one more week of school after Cloe and Brody got out.  Her school has a little end of school dance performance.  "Around the world" sort of theme.  I didn't make it last year but I'm under the impression it is the exact same thing every year....

You see Abbey?

 there she is, front row, second from the end on the right, jean shorts. 

 we then joined her for an ever so delicious school lunch.  That was a waste of money because the kids didn't like it.  Cloe and Brody's school actually has descent lunches, Abbey's not so much.  And then they played outside during recess.  Brody didn't even hesitate and joined right in on a kickball game. Shy is not one of his personality traits. 

memorial day

we live by a great canyon.  It's a smaller one which means it is also less crowded.  We always seem to go up there for BBQ's with my family, on holidays during the summer.  Nothing too noteworthy but relaxing and enjoying each others company.  There's also the amazing strawberry cake that I made.  That was pretty spectacular ;)

May 24th

last day of school

Brody is now a 5th grader and Cloe is a 6th grader.

 This is typical Brody.  He drew a mustache on his face. Why? Just because.  

 Brody with his class.

 This is Cloe with her friend Bella.  She has Williams Syndrome.  I am very proud of this girl of mine.  She is a real friend to Bella, enjoys being with her and helps her out when she struggles socially.  She was asked to work with Bella and the school psychologist to practice scenarios so Bella knows how to act at different times.  

Cloe's wonderful teacher.  I requested her next year for Brody but she will miss the first couple months because she is having a baby.  I am a little worried she won't end up coming back....

I never got any pictures of Abbey with her teacher, hmmmmm.  But she is now a french speaking 3rd grader :)