Spring Break in Moab

We headed to Moab's Arches National Park for our spring break and can I just say "WOW!" How have I lived here 10 years and never partaken of this beautiful wonder?? We had such a good time hiking and taking in the scenery. We are thinking this may need to become a new spring break tradition. The weather was perfect, Sunny and Warm!

Half way through our first day of hiking, Jake decided he couldn't go any further since his feet hurt. This is the first time mom noticed that he only packed one pair of tennis shoes and they happen to be the shoes he wore the beginning of 2nd grade (he's a 3rd grader now). I didn't even know those shoes were still in his closet. Our hiking was pretty much over that day. There are no Famous Footwear, Payless Shoes, Target, etc. (you get the idea) in Moab so we had to settle for the good ole Dollar General store. Jake got a $1 pair of flip flops (still slightly small) and a $7 pair of shoes that made him look like Don Johnson in the 80's playing Sonny Crockett in Miami Vice. True Story! Between the shoes and his recent growth spurt that caused ALL of his pants to be about 2 inches too short, I kept giggling every time I saw him. He was truly a sight to behold. Hey, he looked awesome and at least he was back to hiking. These are memories I will always cherish.

Fishing

Continuing with spring break entertainment, Joe got creative once again and took the kids out fishing. Don't the pics just scream spring break?!? He was told that Strawberry Reservoir was no longer frozen over. As you can see, they were correct. At least a good 10 foot x 10 foot of the lake is no longer frozen over.The kids had a fun time and there were lots of fish to catch. The girls even baited their own hooks and removed the fish from their lines. Pretty impressive.

Thanks honey for being so good to our family!

Jake was so excited to go fishing that the night before he didn't fall asleep til after 11:30 pm. He was so tired and frustrated after 10 minutes that he went to the top of a hill, plopped himself in a lawn chair and promptly fell asleep. Apparently, his chair eventually tipped over and he slept right through it. Morgan had to go pick him up as his face was in the snow. The girls are still giggling about it.The only "downer" for the day was the accidental omission of sunscreen. With the snow and cold the kids and Joe forgot that the sun still burns whether it's hot or cold. Here is proof of the burns 2 days later.

1st day of Spring Break

*Warning: poor quality pics from cell phone.

First official day of the kids' spring break and what do we have? Cold weather/rain/snow....blah!! So Joe got creative and headed out with the kids to the Hill Aerospace Museum.

Can't tell if that's my son or a test dummy. (j/k, kinda)

Kelsey was obviously in deep thought with all she was learning.

The kids were in good spirits even with the yucky weather.

The forecast is looking good for this weekend. That's because we're heading out of town and away from this garbage. 70's and clear skies....Moab, here we come!

OUR First Lady

Kelsey gets to participate in the 5th grade wax museum tomorrow. She had to write a report on a hero and she was assigned Eleanor Roosevelt. She gets to sit completely still for 2 hours
while the rest of the school "tours" the museum.

There will be a button on her desk (along with her props) and when
another student pushes the button, she gets to recite her poem.
The poem was a painful project that the entire family helped with.
Who knew it was so hard to rhyme about the First Lady?

I'm known as Eleanor Roosevelt
But that's not my real first name.
My parents named me Anna,
And my childhood was lame.

My father drank a lot of alcohol,
My mother was demanding.
They both died before I was ten,
I had a hard time understanding.

At 20, I married Franklin,
Who became a U.S. President.
That made me the First Lady,
And an official White House resident.

After Franklin died,
I had opportunities to serve.
Advocating Human Rights,
Ensuring freedom we deserve.

Kiddos' Update

The kids have had some cool experiences this past week. I'll start with the most recent and work backwards.First, Morgan and her friend, Katie, competed in the Central Utah Science and Engineering Fair. They did fantastic and got lots of "loot" to prove it.
They were awarded the U.S. Air Force certificate of achievement for an Outstanding Science Project. They loved this award as it came with "stuff." They got a nice shoulder bag, leather day planner, fancy pen, USB drive, etc. I teased Morgan about this award since the presenter, Major Hanks, is actually in our Ward. Just to prove "it's not what you know, but who you know."
Then to prove my theory wrong, they won Second Place in Energy & Transportation (Grade 7-12) category. They only give out one 2nd place in the individual categories, so this was pretty cool. (Unlike the District Fair that gives 40 first places) There were over 900 participants this year.

Way to go girls! Job well done.Second, our little Jake got to go on a field trip to the new Jack-n-Jill Bowling alley in Lehi. Joe was able to go as a chaperon and Jake was SO EXCITED. He was counting down the days all week. He had a great time.

Last, but not least, Morgan had dress rehearsal at the Conference Center for the YW General Broadcast. Joe and I attended the rehearsal and we were so touched by the spirit.Sister Dalton, YW General President, spoke and it was amazing. Morgan was blessed to be one of two girls to present lays to the Director, Marilee Webb, and the organist. These are such talented women. The music was beautiful and brought on goose bumps.Finally, at the final Sunday night practice, Morgan gave hugs to Sister Webb and she said, "Aloha Morgan,"(Hawaiian heritage). Morgan was so impressed that she knew her name as there were over 300 YW there. Also, Sister Dalton hugged Morgan and said, "your eyes are sparkly," and "I can feel your spirit radiating." How awesome are those leaders?!? This has been such a great experience and I have seen Morgan's testimony growing in leaps and bounds.The YW broadcast is this Saturday, the 27th at 6:00 pm. Morgan is sitting in the middle section, on the second row from bottom, second person in from right aisle (near the organ).

Busy Mama

So it's been a while since I posted....can you tell I'm busy?? Things have definitely changed in our lives. Not that we weren't busy before, but holy cow, now it's out of control. The kids are busy with school, scouts, activity days and YW. Morgan has been busy practicing with the combined Lehi Stake YW choirs. She will be singing in the choir for General YW Conference on March 27. This has been such an amazing thing to watch. It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience for her. We have a dress rehearsal at the Conference Center on March 20th that the whole family can go watch and be a part of. So....if you are a YW or mother, watch for Morgan during the conference. She'll have on a pink shirt (just like every other YW).
Joe has just changed his position with Novell and is now working out of our home. He still goes in once a week, or so, but the majority of work is at home. This is a new experience for him and we hope he'll like it once he's used to it. I LOVE that he always puts the family first and is willing to do what's best for the kids. Now there is someone home each day when the kids get home from school. That was a major stress with me going to my new job.

Speaking of new jobs- can I just say that I LOVE MY NEW JOB!!! I know it seems weird to love a job, but I really do. Even though I'm still the "new girl" and have a ton to learn, it is so rewarding. My boss is going to be gone next week and I get to officially step in and do her job for a few days. I'm excited to get to teach the patients all on my own. We have SUCH amazing patients.
I read a quote from President Spencer W. Kimball this week that I thought was so true. He said, "I'm grateful that my priesthood power is limited and used as the Lord sees fit to use it. I don't want to heal all the sick - for sickness sometimes is a great blessing. People become angels through sickness."

This is so true. I am seeing angels every day. I am so grateful for a Heavenly Father that is so kind and gracious to me and has led me through my path of schooling and to this job. He knows me so much better than I know myself!! I am where I belong doing what I'm meant to do. It is truly a beautiful thing.