Summer's Here!

After school ended, we headed up to the cabin for the week! We tried a new hike.

And were greatly rewarded.

Sometimes we like to stop by the Fairview park and library. We doubled their story time attendance one day we were there.

 

End of School Year

The kids finished their end of school year projects...I especially loved the part where Ginger wrote "Harriet Tubman's interests were sugar and freedom." Ha, ha...don't know where she got the sugar from  but I love it.
 

Ivy had the best kindergarten teacher anyone could ask for.

The kids had their school dance festival. I love this tradition.

They brought home a yearbook and it made Travis nostalgic for his old yearbooks. He showed me this picture of himself in a junior high yearbook and I thought it was just so adorable.

 

Battle of the Books District Champion!!

This was Violet's third time competing in Battle of the Books. Each year she's won her class, grade, and school competitions. Each year she's also gone to the district competition to compete against all the other elementary schools in Provo. In 3rd grade her team got 3rd place, in 4th grade her team got 2nd place, and this year...

To say she's worked hard for this is definitely an understatement.

It definetey got close towards the end- they were tied with another team, and after an extra round between the two teams, it was still a tie. So they started calling one member up from each team to answer the question without the help from the rest of their team. Boy, if that doesn't put pressure on the kids...

We were so excited when her team won!

Way to go, Violet!

 

The Daily Grind 2

Jaxon got a lot of volunteering done this year with Latinos en Accion. He would often spend his volunteer hours at the Food and Care Coalition.

Talmage enjoying his last months of being the only non-schooler at home.

Though he does get to visit his siblings at school every now and then.

Feeding the neighbors' goats on our lot.

Decorating spring sugar cookies.

Talmage loves to go to "mi edificio" (Talmage building). He dances around the patterns projected on the floor. The students think it's so funny.

Travis has officiated many a wedding now. I forget how many he's done.

Another trip to the Bean Museum. Still fascinated by bears.

...?

Stopped by the Spanish Fork Reservoir one Saturday afternoon.

Had to move some tenant's left-behind furniture...though we had fun with it for a little bit.

Another Talmage and mom trip to the BYU bookstore

 

The Daily Grind

Talmage has gotten into dinosaurs lately...

Stake conference, aka, Travis' day off.

Say it ain't so!

Ginger wanted to play in the school talent show. She worked very hard!

Violet's 5th grade wax museum.

Moments where you think...should I stop this?

Five little monkeys jumping on the tramp.

Ivy kindergarten class also had a wax museum!

Fun times at the cabin.

Violet and Ginger competed at Reach for the Peaks, they both did wonderfully!

 

Chinese New Year

I've decided to make this a "thing" in our home. It's a pretty big deal at school (think a second Christmas celebration), so might as well bring it home and celebrate it with a Chinese dinner.

We were delighted Zyanya could join us. She's practically our adopted daughter. One rule during dinner, however- you can only speak Chinese! It wasn't a problem for most of them. Ivy's excited to start learning next year.

 

Ginger's Baptism

 Ginger had a very special birthday in December- she turned 8! Can't believe how fast this girl is growing. She was so excited to be baptized!

It was a cold January day when we went to take photos, but she was a good sport putting her coat on and off..

We love our Ginger. She has such a kind heart and is very compassionate and considerate of others. If ever I'm going through a stressful time, she'll be the first to reach out- "Mom, I'm sorry you're having a hard day. Is there something I can do for you?" Such a sweet day for such a Christlike child.