Family Photos

It's been 3 years since we last got family photos, so when Kate and Ben were down for Ruth's graduation we got some taken.   I got the photos back this week and there were 100 of them!  It's a lot for me to sort through and make decisions about.  I'm a little overwhelmed, honestly.  But instead of being paralyzed by it, I just quickly chose some I liked and here they are.  I haven't decided which ones I want printed yet, but if any of you grandmas want a larger file size on these I can send them to you.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to this guy who has always worked so hard on behalf of our family.   To celebrate the weekend I made him breakfast, we took a motorcycle ride, went out to dinner, went on a walk, and Chuck detailed my car (no, he really did. That's what he said he wanted to do.). 


Ruth's New Job

Ruth started her new job at Petsmart this weekend. It's a brand new store and she worked the first day it opened.  Who knew that selling guinea pigs would be her next step on the road to world domination?   Ruth also started her summer college classes this week.

HEROIC 

I also had an event with HEROIC and with FanX this weekend.  For HEROIC we went to a 5K Princess themed fundraiser. This is the first time I've worn Mother Gothel to an event.   And then with FanX I worked a table at a city's "Halloween in Summer" event.  Every time I volunteer with FanX I earn free tickets :).

Happy Aniversary Trip

We borrowed a trailer from a friend and loaded up our two new (to us) dual-sport bikes.

After getting settled in our hotel in the beautiful town of Payson, we drove to Springville to enjoy the Art Days festivities.  We went to a craft fair and a quilt show and ended our day at the Art City Trolly restaurant. 

Also in Springville, we stopped at the Legends Motorcycle Museum and saw some wonderful old motorcycles.

The next morning we took off for the Nebo loop - driving through some rural towns and Goshen canyon to get there. 

We quickly learned at the dual-sport motorcycles were not nearly as comfortable to ride as our street bikes. Luckily there were lots of places to stop to walk the numbness out of our butts along the route.  

On the whole, we didn't have much traffic along our route and it was smooth sailing.  And see Mom, we are wearing full riding gear - pants, jacket, gloves, helmet.  

Later that afternoon we drove back to hiked the Grotto - a gorgeous little hike that follows a stream up to a waterfall. 

Not far from our hotel we found this historic school with beautiful gardens and fountains.  It was a quiet way to wind down from a long day.  Our hotel also had a nice pool and whirlpool which we put to good use. 

Graduation Week!

Graduation morning photos.  

The cowl is for National Honors Society. The medal she is wearing from Debate.  The cords are for Debate and Social Studies, 

Quaid drove down and spent the day with us.

Ruth is being a T-Rex - or a ghost - I don't remember.   

Ruth's graduating class was over 850 students.

We are glad we survived such a super long ceremony. 

My mom and sister Kathleen came down for the ceremony.  Afterward, we ate at Zupas. 

This moment gave me pause more than any other that day.  At Zupas the two couples talked and laughed and for the first time, I got a glimpse of what my family is becoming - what it will be when the kids are all married and grown.  It was super satisfying to see them all becoming adult friends. 

Best in Band

The school called me last week and invited me to attend the end of the year awards ceremony at the middle school.   At that ceremony, Jared was awarded the Band Student of the Year award.  I was surprised and super happy for him. He has spent many many hours practicing the last three years and he assures me that he is the best percussionist at his school - I guess the teacher agreed with him.  Jared also got a certificate and pin for outstanding citizenship in Chinese.  He says he has no idea why he got that one. 


Kate and Ben Visit

It was so nice to have Kate and Ben down for the weekend.  In addition to graduation stuff, we also went on a shopping adventure, played some games, went to the Natural History Museum, took some family photos,  and made Kate a crown for a costume. They are delightful and we are always glad to have them.  I'm just so proud and pleased at the excellent human beings my children have become.

On the top deck at the Natural History Museum.

Last Day of Work

Last week was my last work week before summer break. On Monday I had a meeting with my boss wherein she told me that my job was being defunded next year but would I be interested in a different aid job?  I thought about it all week and in the end, decided to turn down the other opportunity (there was no guarantee I'd get that one anyway).  The new aid job took away everything I loved about my job.   During the challenges of the last 12 months, my job has been a stable source of joy for me. I'm a little bit heartbroken.  I'll start my job hunt by looking for similar jobs in schools nearby. 

Here is me standing in front of the last bulletin board I made a month or so ago

School is Winding Down

This past week was the last full week of school for Ruth and Jared.  Jared's final project was the Culture Fair where he and his best friend presented their project on Sweden. We also got word this week that Jared was accepted into the Front Band for marching band in the fall.  That's the kids in the marching band that play at the front of the field during the performances - like the marimbas and drums and bells and such.  Jared's excited because he loves to play - marching not so much. 

When I was out doing HEROIC stuff last weekend my teens decorated the house with streamers and balloons for the week long celebration of me :)  It was a really good week.  We should celebrate me more often.

This week was also Jared's final band concert.  He got to play the drum set on the final song and he did a great job.   As I watched his concert it occurred to me that this was my final middle school concert ever.

It was also the Royal Wedding this weekend. My English neighbor invited me over for a tea party and then we watched the wedding.  About half the people there were from England.  All royal weddings need to be watched with English people - it was hilarious. 

We also went on a hike up to ghost falls, above the Draper temple.  We've never hiked up that way before. The falls weren't much to talk about but the hike itself was very nice.

Ruth had her end of the year debate banquet where she was given all of her trophies that have been in the school trophy case. She came home with a bag full.  It was 3 years ago that she came home from a high school orientation and told me (quite nervously) that she didn't want to take choir and that she was going to take debate.   I had no idea then how much she'd shine and find a purpose and family there. It's been good for her and it's helped give her skills that will serve her well for a lifetime. 

Chuck worked on our new little motorcycle this week, adjusting everything and replacing the tires.  Jared went to his first drum line workshop at the high school. I had a HEROIC event at the hospital.  Batman and I were super excited to see a brother and sister there that were dressed just like us!  

When I got home from HEROIC the house was decorated for mother's day/my birthday with streamers and balloons.  Today for mother's day I enjoyed some fresh donuts from a new fancy donut shop that just opened and I had a very enjoyable and relaxing day with the family.