Trip to Boise

Last Sunday, after chrurch, Dallin, Sarah, Elphie, and I went up to Boise to visit my sister Chris and her family. One of the purposes of the week was to learn to can meat. We did and I am excited to eat it with my family. We also pressure canned pinto beans and they turned out wonderful! While Chris and I were busy canning, the kids had a great time playing together. Elphie and Aisa, the dogs, also had a great time together. Dallin and Ethan are beginning to become great friends which makes me so happy. I am glad that they each will have a cousin they enjoy hanging out with when we get together as a family.
Friday night was girls and guys night. Steve took Dallin and Ethan to the father son camp out and they had a great time. Dallin came home very excited that the had roasted hot dogs and made s'mores. He also enjoyed riding the 4 wheeler. Thanks Steve for taking him.
While the boys were camping the girls got a pedicure, went to dinner at Johnny Carinos, and went home to eat junk food and watch Beverly Hills Chauaua(I have no idea how to spell it). IT was soo funny!
Thanks Chris and Steve for a great week. It is always so fun to vist you all.

Chris and Steve bought new couches that are electeric reclinars and have to be plugged in to work. Ethan set his littl piano on the cords and I had to take picture because it made me laugh when I saw it.

Sarah poising for Chris and I while Chris taught me how to use the apature and shutter speed on my camera. Thanks for being so patient Sarah! I am excited that I now know how to use it and will not have to use auto or program any more!

Dallin showing Ethan something on the computer.

Dallin and Ethan plying in the sandbox. Dallin had so much fun playing in the sandbox that I have convienced Richard to build him one in the next week.

The first batch of meat. As you can see in the background we also made ice cream.

Dallin playing on the swing set

Ethan saw me with a camera and posed for me. Soo cute! Miss you guys lots and cannot wait to see you all soon

One of the days there we went swimming. When we got home, Dallin wanted to wear his jammies insead of cloths. He asked for a pickel, went to the couch to watch tv and this is how i found him about 10 minutes later. Swimming can really take it out of you.

Last day of school

The last hour and a half of school I was at Kiersten's graduation. When I returned to my classroom, my board was covered with notes from the students. It is little things like this that make my job all worthwhile. It also makes summer break a little bitter sweet. Just when you get this years class trained as to how you want them be behave in class and in the halls, the school year ends and a new group comes in.

Kiersten's 6th Grade Graduation

On June 5th Kiersten graduated from 6th grade. My little girl is offically a 7th grader now. She will no longer go to school with me every morning. I am going to miss that time with her. Kiersten gave a wonderful speech at the beginning of the graduation. You would never have known that she tends to be shy. She stood up there with great poise and spoke slowly. She was amazing. My video camera died right as she was beginning to talk or I would have posted her speech. She recieved the Hope of America award from the Kawanas and then was presented a diploma. Grandma Ranks came and brought her a beautiful flower lei.

Recieving her Hope of America award

Giving her speech

Walking into the Gym

With her favorite teacher- Terrilynn

Getting ready for the clap out. Each year the 6th graders walk through the hall while all of the classes stand by thier doors and clap for the 6th graders. It is a fun tradition.

May Craft

I have been meaning to post a picture of last months girls craft night. I love how the board looks in my kitchen!

Our Family Memorial Day BBQ/Craft night

Yesterday all the family came over to hangout. The guys and Becca (thanks boys for letting her come. She loved hanging out with all of you.) took off in the early afternoon to watch Terminator. The girls watched the kids and visited with each other and grandma Kidd. When the boys got home, we had a wonderful bbq. Thanks Erin for making your fabulous bean salsa and Drue for making your broccoli salad, they were both yummy. After dinner the girls began their craft! I was excited that we actually made it happen and this is craft month number two. For our craft this month we made magnet boards. Erin came up with the idea and it was a great one. It was soo fun to see how each of us could take the same board and come out with something completly different. They all turned out wonderful. I can't wait to do it again next month!

Becca crating on the computer

Kiersten and Sarah

A Great picture of Guy and Erin

Drue

Parker, he kept running away from grandpa while he tried to take the picture

Shantel working on her board

Kolby and Kenzie playing

Shantel's board

Mickie and AnnaBelle working on her board

I'm one proud mamma

Tonight Richard and I went to the Jr. High to the 9th grade honor awards night. We had no idea what it would be but Becca was invited so away we went. We were so proud of her. She recieved 4 awards for academic excellence and 1 outstanding for her district quartet. Wow!!! Unfortuantly I forgot to take my camera so I have no pictures of tonight. I am soooo proud of her. (have i said that enough?) She amazes me everyday. I am so proud to be her mother and she makes being a mother so easy (well, all my kids do). Keep up the good work Becca. I can't wait to see what you do in High School!

My Crazy World

What was I thinking last year when I decided that getting my masters was a good idea? I think I had a moment of insanity. While, i guess it is probably not my first nor will it be my last, but tonight it is really getting to me. I am trying to write a paper that I really do not what to write, the schools web site is down and I am sitting here wondering what I was thinking. It does not help that this particular class I have just not been able to get into. Educational Finance. I know it is important, and if they would have just given my number to cruch I would have done it easily and been a happy camper ( in another life I thought Iwanted to be an accountant. I have a degree in accounting finished except for a semester but that is another story). I guess that when it comes to finance, theroy just does not float my boat, i want something that actually gives me some examples of what I am going to be expected to do when they put me in a school and tell me I am in charge.
THanks for letting me rant, Next year at this time I am sure I will be posting about how glad I am that I got my masters and that I am almost done.