Spring Break (yay!)

The last week of March was Spring Break for us. We headed down to Utah to see Rachel (who is currently going to Brigham Young University) and Amanda's parents. We also were able to see Aaron's parents as well. We had an open house for Rachel and Aaron's parents, who are both going on a mission.  In one of the earlier posts, I said that Rachel was going to Vancouver, Canada. Aaron's parents are going to Vladivostok, Russia. Several family members were there, we had fun!

Amanda made a flyer to hand out

Kids with Canadian flags

Then later that day we went down to a chocolate shop called Taste with Aaron's parents.

Emma, Rachel, and Aaron's parents


Josh looking out of a window

Some of us got hot chocolate and some of us got what is called an "iced chocolate". It is a mix between a chocolate frosty and smoothie. The chocolate was a little too dark for some of the kids, but we had fun!






Before the open house, Rachel went for her first session at the temple. It was lots of fun for her and a great experience!

Rachel at the temple

While we were there, we re-created the Tree of Life photo we took so many years ago.

First picture

Re-created picture

That time everyone was smiling and looking at the camera! :)

Here's Emma holding her newest cousin, George

We then headed on down to Amanda's parents house. Aaron and the boys stayed with his parents and  then left the next day. Amanda and Emma stayed for the rest of spring break. Emma got to play with Clara for the week, and we watched General Conference there.








We had a great spring break, but we are glad to be back and into school!

Glasses

About a month ago Emma went to the Eye doctor and found out she needed glasses! She really wanted them and was excited to get them. She picked out nice purple ones and was very excited the day them came!

Solo and Ensemble

Both Emma and Josh participated in a festival called Solo and Ensemble. Emma preformed an Ensemble and Josh preformed an Ensemble and a Solo. They both did really well, getting 1's on all of them! A 1 is the best that you can get, lower is better.

Emma with her ensemble

Josh with his some of his ensemble

Josh's performance (his ensemble preformed "The Entertainer") 

Josh's solo (his solo was called "Andante and Allegro") 

Emma's performance (her ensemble preformed "March from 'Peasant Cantata'") 

They all had a great time and were excited to see their scores afterward! They got to play with friends from school, and that made it even better! 

First Snow of the Season

While I was away at Time Out for Women in Denver, the kids & Dad got to enjoy the first snowfall of the season! I think it snowed about 6 inches, but it didn't stick around for long.


Looks like Josh is getting ready to throw a snowball at someone.


Cute little snowman.




Emma got bundled up!


Gotta love that bright, beautiful, blue sky after it snows.


Feet in the snow.


Handprints.


I'm sure this is the first of many snowfalls to come!

Fall Family Photos

We had our pictures taken again this year by the talented Rachael Sherwood. She did a great job last year, and we were excited to try out a new venue. We started out in a park in Manitou Springs.







Then took a few downtown, by the library and the shops.








And finished up at Garden of the Gods.


I love living around the beauty of Colorado.

Dance

Emma & Rachel both started some dance classes this fall. Rachel did dance when she was very little, then tried a variety of sports, before she decided to try dancing again. With us moving around a lot, we never really had a chance to find a good studio. Luckily, there is a great dance/gymnastics studio right here in Monument. Emma decided to give it a try as well.

Rachel takes Ballet and Modern. I think she likes the modern the best, but ballet is really good for improving your technique. She really enjoys what she is learning. I took this picture really quick one day with my cell phone, so excuse the poor quality.



Emma is taking a combo class - it's tap, ballet, and gymnastics. I'll let her decide which one she likes the best and focus on that next year. Again, another cell phone picture. I need to keep my camera handy!



Emma's class had a little "recital" for the parents. Emma's class won't be a part of the official recital in the Spring, because it is a special combo class.


Emma thinks she likes gymnastics the best, I guess we'll wait and see!

First Day of School

After a fun and enjoyable summer, the kids were ready to get back to school. They were also glad they got to wait until the end of August to start, instead of the beginning like their old school.

Rachel had to get up bright and early to catch a 6:56 am bus. She started 8th grade at Lewis Palmer Middle School.


David, Josh, and Emma were also excited to begin their new school year at Lewis Palmer Elementary.


Emma is a big first grader now, ready to go to school all day long.


Josh is ready for 3rd grade.


Last year, they decided to move 6th grade into elementary instead of middle school. I was glad that we got one more year before moving to middle school. David doesn't seem to have a preference but he's just excited that he can learn the trumpet.




David insisted on riding the bus to school, but I drove the other kids and got a quick picture of Emma and Josh by the school sign.


Emma's waiting for her teacher to come out and get the class.


We tried a cute, fun hairstyle for the first day.


Here's Josh with his teacher, Mrs. Hilton. He was lucky to have her last year as well!


Emma also had the same teacher as last year, Mrs. Besler. She was excited to get her name tag and wait to line up.


Here is Emma with some of her cute friends, Morgan & Dryden.


Of course I had to embarrass David by taking a picture of him as he got off the bus.


Time to go in!


And here is the very important second day of school.

Emma, the Kindergarten Graduate

Emma graduated from Kindergarten in May! They put on a cute program in the gym. I was sitting near the back, and the pictures weren't great, but they sure were cute!


Here is Emma and her friend Morgan.

Congratulations Emma! I can hardly believe that my youngest is done with Kindergarten and will be in full day school next fall. They sure grow up fast.