Last Day Of School

 Mountain Ridge Jr. High had a 5K run on the last day.  I think she had a great time, even if she won't admit it.

 

Also, Jarom had his Elementary Graduation...again.  He had a graduation in Georgia, because 5th grade is the last grade in Elementary...but here he had to do another year to finish Elementary...which meant he got to celebrate twice...on to Jr. High!

Chad Lewis of the Philadelphia Eagles is a parent of one of the kids and spoke at the graduation...very inspiring.

Little brother LOVES big brother...

Budgeting and Tithing

Activity Days

This was another activity that I feel really hit home for the girls.  Of course they know they need to pay tithing, but some paid it last in our budgeting.  We learned what N. Eldon Tanner said about budgeting and tithing with our M&M's as money.  We also learned what wants and needs are and why saving is important.  It was also a good FHE lesson for our family as well.

East Grove Creek Backpacking Trip

Turning 12 just a few weeks ago, he was able to move up into the 12 yr old scout group and go on a camp outs once a month.  This was his first backpacking overnighter.  He was pretty excited to hang out with the older boys.

In preparation for this camp out, he knew he could only take 25% of his body weight.  So to minimize the weight, he split tent pieces with another boy, and also I introduced him to the buddy burner/hobo stove.  It's homemade and light weight.  It was fun testing it out and teaching him...having 7 brothers has it's advantages...  He had hamburgers for dinner and pancakes and bacon for breakfast.

9 boys and 4 leaders

He was definitely tired after this hike with the backpack, but he did an excellent job.  He learned what worked and what doesn't work...that is exactly what these camp outs are for.  I guess I'm living vicariously through him. :o)

Breakfast time and using his stove...glad to see him smiling

Thank you to the leaders for taking pictures...

PreSchool Graduation

 Ammon was in PreSchool held at the Elementary School.  It was a simple but fun class for him.  He did have a tough time with the younger kids in the class.  This class consisted of ages 3-5 and some triplets came in after Christmas break that had just turned 3 and really did not adjust well.  Ammon said they cried a lot and threw things all the time and just weren't really nice.  But having 2 kids from our ward in his class and carpool group, really helped him.  Although he already knew everything that was taught, I think it helped keep his mind moving and learning to adjust to new situations.  I was proud of him for sticking it out.

 Can you see which one he is?  Crazy kid just came from soccer practice and was dead tired...wasn't cooperative at all.

Teacher Miss Alison and Miss Kim did a great job.

Diploma

Eli and Celeste Davis were Ammon's little buddies and carpooled together.  This age is so fun.  I'm going to miss the little kid conversations they have in the van to and from school.

Imagine Dragons

Not much to say except...A-MAZ-ING!

Canyon Training

Blurry picture, I know, but it's my only evidence that I did get together with these fine ladies and run down American Fork Canyon at 5am.  We ran 8.5 miles and plan to do 10 next Saturday.  Candice Finch (left) and I are doing the AF Canyon Half Marathon, so this is perfect for us.  Kerry Traveller was along for the "fun".  For me, I learned that down hill can be brutal and leave me sore for several days...  Hope that changes by post race day...

Spring Soccer Season

 These teams, except Ammon's, were all a continuation from Fall season.  It's a lot of fun to see them come together again, and play.

Rian's team warming up

 Raegan playing goalie this quarter and stopping the ball...

 Ammon is a machine and loves to score goals!

Missionary Moment

Jena Underwood from back home in Georgia, came out to enter the MTC.  Her sister was going to accompany her, but wasn't able to get on her flight.  So I had the privilege to hang out with her and show her Utah.  She stayed the night at our house and up early for a temple session at the Timpanogos Temple down the street from us.  It was only her second time to the temple, so it was a pleasure to be with her.  Next, a final skype to her family and then off to check out some LDS bookstores and Sister Missionary Mall.  For lunch we went on BYU campus and ate at the Cougareat.  She loved it.  I loved being back on campus too.  It was such a pleasure to drop her off at the MTC and think of her as my own going off.  She is serving in the Odgen, Utah Mission, and is so excited!  Good luck Jena, and I know you will be an excellent missionary.

Little Buddies

 These two are so cute together.  Thomas James and Ammon just have so much fun.  We went on a bike ride on the pathways and stopped at Heritage park to play in the creek...Yep, it's flowing again, and the kids can't wait to get into it...I just thought they would take their shoes and socks off first...

 The creek flows under the street and they love going under...

Concerts

End of the school year also meant concerts.  Rian had her chorus concert and did a great job.

I do have to say I was taken back to my days in chorus in Jr. High and in High School.  It was so cool to be the one in the audience this time.  Proud of Rian. 

Piano Concerto

Rian had the opportunity to play a concerto in front of a judge and received a score of 95!  She did a great job.  The teacher then had a recital for all her students involved in concertos, to play in front of family.  Jarom and Tarin will hopefully try this next year because I think it was a neat experience.  Nice job Rian!

The Big 1-2

My big boy has turned the magical age of 12!  So excited for him to move on out of Primary and feel a little more grown up.  At the same time, I'm feeling my age more and more...but to see him progress, finish his Faith in God (Primary), move up in Scouts and receive the Priesthood this coming Sunday...makes me so proud of him.  Love my boy and can't wait to see what the next several years will bring him.  Love you Jarom.

Early morning for school, daddy made pancakes and Jarom got to make his first wish of the day.

A day to remember, it snowed!  Sheesh, I thought Spring was here to stay!  Also thought it would melt and warm up...it melted, but snow flurries fell all day long...a very cold windy day.

Tradition in the house is getting to make their own cake...or at lease making the mix and decorating.  I saw on pinterest, a very cool cake, that went perfect with what Jarom loves: Reeses Pieces and basketball.

Final product and a fun afternoon I got to spend with my birthday boy!

 Happy Birthday to you!

 To add to some of his birthday gifts, Jarom also went suit shopping for his 12th in honor of preparing to hold the priesthood.  Sunday morning I hope to get some good pictures of him at the temple...