March 2011

March was pretty cool, rainy and gray, but the flowers are starting to bloom and the grass is starting to turn green, so there is hope for sunny, warm weather yet!

First of all, Storytelling Festival.  Unfortunately, Seth didn’t make it past the grade level round (I think he was actually a little relieved), but Autumn was selected as one of only 3 second graders to tell her story before the judges (who determine the top 3 from grades K-3 and the top 3 from grades 4-6.  Those 6 then get to go to the District competition.)  Autumn placed 4th in the K-3 division, just missing earning a medal (her biggest disappointment – she is all about the bling) and being able to go on to district level.  They are both determined to try again next year.

We started March with a weekend trip to Pocatello, Idaho to go to the blessing of our first great-nephew Max, son of my niece Amanda and her husband Tyler.  Max is perfect, and it was a fun weekend with family!  We all had a great time on Saturday night playing a game of noodle ball.  Bryce had a few bruises the next day from the time he dove across the gym to save the ball.  Let’s just say that Bryce and I were reminded that we are getting old.

Devin wore Bryce’s letterman jacket for a Jr. High 80’s dress up day.  It really made Bryce feel old to realize that our kids dressing like the 80’s is like him dressing like the 50’s. :)

I also attended Devin’s Men’s Chorus concert, where Devin not only sang several great songs along with his choir, but also performed “Linus and Lucy” on the piano and did a great job!

I took Devin, Seth and Autumn to Discovery Gateway on a Monday off from school.  It was fun, but it will probably be our last visit there.  Boy, these kids are growing up too fast.

 

Megan didn’t come with us and instead spent the day continuing her 8 month long search for a job – it has been a long and bumpy road.  The good news is, thanks to her persistence with a company just across the street called Mathnasium, which tutors kids in Math, she was hired!  When she initially tried to apply, they told her that they don’t normally hire high school aged people, and definitely not a high school junior.  She persisted and got them to allow her to take the 4 hour long math tests they require all applicants to take.  She passed with flying colors and was hired after they observed her tutoring for an afternoon.  She LOVES her job and has decided that she may want to major in education in college.  Megan also attended an overnight leadership retreat with the Highland City Youth Council and had a great time.  She is one busy little lady and we are seeing less and less of her around home, which we hate, but we’re glad she is happily involved in many things.

The kids once again tried to capture our mischievous leprechaun, Lucky, for St. Patrick’s Day, building 3 separate traps and this year even putting Cookie on patrol.  Once again, the tricky little guy escaped the traps, but left some treats and destruction behind.

Autumn invited 8 friends over for a “My doll and me” party – something she has been begging to do for months.  The girls did crafts, ate pizza, played games and watched “Felicity – An American Girl Doll Movie”.  The party was a huge success and Autumn is already planning her next great adventure.  She is a social little bug, for sure.

Bryce went with Devin on his scout campout and even took Seth along so he could finish his Outdoorsman pin for Webelos and also be spared the torture of coming with Megan, Autumn and I for Autumn’s first dance competition of the year in Logan. The boys had fun camping despite the cold, and the girls had fun at the dance competition.  Autumn’s team did great – taking grand champion in one of their dances and placing second in their other dance.  We are headed for St. George this weekend (weather will be sunny and in the mid 80’s – woo-hoo!!) for another of Autumn’s dance competitions, except for Megan who is on her way to San Francisco for her choir tour.  More info on those events next month!

Autumn’s required hairstyle for dance competition was completely above and beyond my hair doing skills and took lots of practice and a few near tears – for both Autumn and me.  In the end, it all worked out. :) 

Happy April!

February 2011

Although February was cold and snowy like usual, this year we had enough warm days in February to make us believe that winter isn’t going to last forever, which is always nice. Here’s a few things we did this month:

Seth played more basketball.  His last game is this Saturday and he has had a great season, with his team winning most of their games.  When he wasn’t playing basketball, he was bragging on BYU basketball – and this year, who can blame him?  Bryce took Seth and Devin to a game and they had a great time cheering the Cougars onto another great victory against Colorado State – GO COUGS!

As you can see from the picture, Seth has moved into the fun filled world of braces.  He still has his huge spreader retainer in for a few more months to keep his jaw in place, and he will be glad to see that thing go – it makes talking and eating pretty tricky.  He actually doesn’t mind the braces part too much – probably because he knows this phase will only be a few months and then he’ll get a break.

Seth and Autumn both competed in the school storytelling festival.  Seth told a story about becoming a pirate and Autumn told a story called “The Paperbag Princess” all about a princess who chases down a dragon and rescues her prince, only to discover he is a “bum”.  Both of them made it on to grade level, which is quite an accomplishment.  After they each told their stories to their entire grade yesterday, we are still waiting to find out if they will be going on to the school level – we’ll keep you posted.

Megan, Autumn and I went to a Cougarettes concert to cheer on one of my past Laurels who is now a Cougarette and we all had a great time – they are amazing!  It’s no wonder why they are National Champions, that’s for sure.  To no one’s surprise, Autumn has now decided she wants to be a Cougarette someday. :)

After Autumn informed us several months ago that her garden themed room is “too baby” for her, we repainted her room this month.  She has very definite and opinionated views about how she wanted her room to look – here’s the nearly finished product.  There are still a couple of things she wants to add to the walls, but you can tell she is definitely a lover of pink. :)

When the boys found out that I was posting pictures of Autumn’s new paint, they insisted that I include a couple of their room since we repainted it and added desks and a new bookshelf a few months ago.  They like being able to study in their room, although I’m not sure how Devin does since his desk is always this cluttered.

Hope you all had a fabulous February and that March brings us all warming temperatures and growing plants.