Wax Museum

In their studies of Idaho History the fourth graders always put on a wax museum. They pick a person who has done something to enrich Idaho history, researched them, wrote a short speech about their lives, dress up like their person and then portray them in the wax museum. Rylee was really excited about this event and knew exactly who she wanted to portray, Statira E Gibbons, first teacher of Idaho. When the kids were supposed to write down their choices for whom they wanted to play Rylee only wanted Statira. She said she wrote her name down and then after looking around and seeing the other kids with their long lists of names felt compelled to add a second name to her list even though she only wanted Statira. It was a happy day when Rylee was told she got to be Statira and she spent time researching her and writing her speech. 

A couple nights before the event we were sitting as a family after reading scriptures talking about our schedules. Kefford mentioned that his Mom was not going to be able to make it to the wax museum and he was not sure he would be able to because it was a Baker day. The other three kids had plans to help out at the Meridian Middle School Neighborhood event and it fell on the same night as the wax museum so they said they wouldn't be able to make it either. Rylee was so disappointed and sat next to me silently with tears dripping down her face. I felt so bad for her and tried to cheer her up but nothing I said was helping her feel better. Kefford promised to do everything he could to rush home in order to make it to the school to see her before the end of the event. 

Friday night Rylee came home from school and was really excited to get ready for her museum. She dressed up in Kenedy's old pioneer trek clothes and I pinned her hair up in a bun. She was the cutest little school teacher I have ever seen. 

On our way to the school we stopped off at our mailbox to collect the mail and Rylee found a postcard inside addressed to her. A couple of months ago she found a life hack on Pinterest saying that if a letter was written to a Disney Princess and sent to a certain address that they would get a reply. She wrote a note to her favorite Princess Jasmine, mailed it off and promptly forgot all about it. The postcard was her reply to that letter and it made her happy.  

The first part of the Idaho History event was a musical performance by all the 4th graders singing songs about and from Idaho History. Rylee was in a shadow play done to the song "there's a hole in the bucket". It was so cute and I loved watching her. Kenedy sent me a text asking when the wax museum portion of the night started and that she was going to try and break away from the middle school to come and watch Rylee. After the songs the kids were sent off to get themselves set up before the parents were sent out. How the wax museum works is the kids hold a pose until money is dropped into the cup in front of them. When money is dropped inside the kids come "alive" and tell their speech, once they are done they freeze until someone else drops money in. The money collected is used to pay for the shirts the kids need for their rendezvous. 

On our way to the school it was discovered that Rylee left her note cards at home. They are encouraged to memorize their speeches but are told they can use note cards if needed. Rylee wanted to have her cards with her in case she forgot and was a little panicked that she forgot them. I told her she had done enough practicing that she would be able to do her speech and had her recite it to me a couple of times. Of course she did it perfectly and I gave her a good pep talk about how she will do great. 

As soon as we were let out of the cafeteria I went immediately to Rylees station and dropped some money into her cup. She gave her speech and hesitated a couple of times but she did it so great and I was so proud of her. Kenedy was able to come with her friend Isaac and Rylee had no idea she was going to be there. In her frozen state Rylee is looking down reading a book and so she did not see Kenedy until she looked up after she heard the money dropped into her cup. As soon as Rylee saw that it was her big sister who came to support her her face lit up. It was so sweet and it made Kenedy feel good for making the time to come and her being there meant so much to Rylee. I sure love my kids!

Kefford was also able to get there and watch Rylee before the event ended. She was really happy that he made it also and it was so sweet of him to rush home so he could support her. 

Another Prom

Saturday the 6th was Kenedy's second Prom. This time she was going to Rocky Mountains Prom with her friend Robby. Same dress, same girl, different hairstyle, different date. Since she had her hair down for her first Prom we decided to do an updo. It looked really pretty but of course I didn't think to get pictures of it. 

Maybe because this was her second prom of the year but it seemed a little more anti-climatic. Kenedy was not thrilled with me wanted to take more pictures and I was tired of feeling pushy and invasive so I backed off and almost didn't get any pictures of Kenedy and Robby. I am sad I didn't get any pictures of just Kenedy but circumstances made it very difficult. 

Avynlea took the pictures of the two of them and then Kenedy sent me the picture of her and Hannah. I thought it was so fun that Kenedy and Hannah had the same dress. I think if it were anyone else it would have been annoying but because it was Hannah it was more fun. These two have been friends since pre-school and while going to different high schools have made it hard for them to hang out, they are still friends and really enjoyed seeing each other. 

Fun with Pictures

I noticed on Sunday that Rylee's shoes were looking really tight. I asked her if they were bothering her and she said that they were a little bit. I promised that I would take her to get some new shoes that week and on Saturday morning I took her to find a pair. I had her feet measured at Payless and she is now wearing a 7.5 in women's. Her feet are growing like crazy and do not seem to be stopping anytime soon. We found her a cute pair of sandals and while we were there  Avynlea had fun trying on shoes with the provided stockings. She brought it home with her and enjoyed playing with it in the car, I told her she liked a little like Mr. Peanut :)

More snapchat filter fun.

It amuses me when I find evidence that Avynlea has been messing with my phone. Apparently we had the same snapchat playing idea.

Kefford had a pair of high prescription glasses that have been around since his days at Vision Pointe Optical. Somehow they were pulled out of where ever they were hiding and we had a little bit of fun taking pictures in them. 

Hunters Safety

Kefford decided that he wanted to put the kids in a Hunters Safety class. Kenedy opted out because she did not have time and she really wasn't interested. The other kids were excited about it though and Kefford signed them up for a week of classes, they had to go Monday through Friday 6-9 and then Saturday for an afternoon of in the field training. 

I have to give props to my kids for lasting the entire week and not complaining. Kefford was the one to take them most days but I filled in on Tuesday so he could go to his Bishopric meetings. I was so bored sitting in their class and was not having an enjoyable time. The kids didn't seem to mind the dryness of the lessons and always went willingly. Since I was their I took some pictures of ht kids learning their lessons.

On Wednesday Kefford called me after he left for work to tell me about the amazing rainbow that was outside. It was a beautiful full arched rainbow and pictures never do these justice. It was bright and gorgeous and it was a wonderful sight to start the day off.

I love that me kids can and do help each other with their homework. This morning Avynlea was more then happy to explain the tricky math that was a part of Rylee's homework packet. 

On Saturday the kids had their field training portion of hunters safety. They carried guns, followed blood trails and got to see and touch different cow organs. They were equally grossed out and excited about all of this field training.

After the field training the kids went back to the classroom for their "graduation". They were given their Hunters Safety cards, orange hats and were applauded by their peers.

Avynlea, Rylee and Ryker are now Safe Hunters for life. They are pretty proud of their accomplishments and I think it is pretty great for them to have done this class.

Choir Tour 2017 by Kenedy

For our 2017 choir tour, our main event was Lagoon. These pictures are a little out of order of how the trip went. I don't even remember where the two left pictures were but the one on the right is my friend Carter. He had a bag of cheeseballs on the bus and he decided he was going to try and beat Michael Scott's record of 32 in his mouth. He ended up getting 34 in there. Out of all the pictures I took of him stuffing cheeseballs in his mouth, this unfortunately happened to be the most flattering.

We had the opportunity to go and watch the Mormon Tabernacle Choir practice some spring songs they were working on. It was very cool to be in their practice space watching them produce beautiful music. From left to right, this is Caleb, Madi, Kara, me, Madison, Anna, and Karissa.

We were also given time to walk around temple square and visit the different things they have there. This is from the family history center where I found out that Alexander Hamilton is my 7th cousin 7 times removed which I guess isn't that amazing but at least there is some relation.

From left to right: Kody, Anna, Kara, Karissa, me, Madison, Caleb, and Madi.

I loved visiting temple square because it opened up neat opportunities to teach nonmembers about what the temple is for and why family history is so important.

On our way to Salt Lake, we stopped by East High School which is where all of the High School Musical movies were shot. We met up with their choir and we each performed songs for each other.

If you've seen High School Musical, you'll recognize this as Sharpay's locker. Apparently every year they have a raffle to see which lucky student gets to use it.

From left to right: Gavyn, Carter, Kody, me

This was the pretty dreamcatcher I bought at the souvineer shop at a museum we went to.

We took this picture outside of the museum. We were originally supposed to go to a zoo but it was snowing and cold and so we decided to go to the museum instead. From left to right: Karissa, Madison, Kara, Quinn, Caleb, Anna, me

someone took a picture of me sleeping on the bus

My AMAZING family came to watch me when my choir performed. I was so happy to see them and it definitely was one of my favorite parts of the trip. From left to right: Maddy, Ben, Matt, me, Andrew and Isabelle.

Throughout choir tour, I had been sick and I would wake up with different symptoms each morning. My family put together a cute little care package with I greatly enjoyed. Love you Emily!!

I don't remember where it was but there was this huge stained glass mural with all kinds of different cultures and historical events. These were a few of my favorites. If you look at the top of the building on the bottom right picture you can spot Batman.
Overall choir tour was very memorable and I was able to form new relationships with people I hadn't interacted with much before. It came directly after a very hard time in my life and it was nice to be able to distract myself and have fun.

Playdate, dance and treats

On the Tuesday after Mikell had her baby I sent her a text asking if I could stop by and pick up some of her kids after I went to the Temple. Her kids have been asking to come over for some time and I wanted to give her a break from the craziness so she could have some time with her new baby. By the time I got to her house Kelly had chickened out about coming but I was able to take Brooke, Jenna and James. They were pretty excited about coming over and I made sure to take a picture of the four of us in the car before we drove to my house.

We baked cookies, played at the park, watched netflix, jumped on the trampoline and played with toys. Basically we had a fun afternoon and by the time Mikell came to pick them up I was exhausted. I am glad I was able to have them come over and am happy that they love to come.

Thursday was Picture Day for our Dance class at Elevated Dance. The top picture the girls are wearing their crocodile costume for the crocodile dance they are doing for the Peter Pan Ballet. In the bottom picture they are wearing their Troll costumes for "Hair Up" which is music from Trolls. This class has been so fun this year and I love seeing these sweet girls every week. 

Hayden Rose, Ainsley, Kambrie, Lynden, Abby, Addie, Chloe, Quinn, Josie and Hayden

Kambrie, Chloe, Josie, Abby and Quinn

Hayden Rose, Ainsley, Hayden, Addie, Lynden

On Sunday Avynlea really wanted to make some treats and she wanted to make cheesecake cookie cups. They turned out delicious and I am happy she made them. Yum!

Trampoline Fun

Sunday night Kefford and I sat inside and watched our kids playing together on the trampoline. I love watching them bond and have fun together, we suspected that this was another "let's see who can do it better" competition since they all did the same tricks and then we would watch one person declared the winner. These kids are great!

I am glad that we got a new jump pad for our trampoline and that we were able to set it up and that the nights are not so cold. The kids love jumping together out there and it is a lot of fun to watch them. I would have liked to have joined them but, it was a bit too crowded on the trampoline for my taste, I don't like getting hurt, and jumping is not fun now that I have bladder issues. Also it was not warm enough for me, bring on true summer weather and I will be right out there watching just not participating. :)