Sarah's Winter Recital

 Sarah switched teachers to Mike's old teacher Gail who finally came home from a senior mission. She didn't have time to learn a new song, so she recycled the song she played last year. 

Random November

 I watch a four year old girl on Monday named Hazel. She and Audrey have a lot of fun together and I get more done around the house. They both normally nap, but don't nap on Mondays, since they're too busy playing. On this particular Monday they'd "built" a little toy fort and Audrey decided to pass out after Hazel went home. Mischief managed!

Heidi and I went to see Carrie Underwood and she was AWESOME! It was a lot of fun. 

Audrey and I went to listen to Lynette speak in her ward. She did a fantastic job. Audrey noticed that they both matched in their green dresses and told me to take a picture. I love that she still considers it fun to match people. 

With Mike gone I thought all the kids and I could use a good dose of gratitude, so I brought out my gratitude tree and laminated some more leaves. Audrey was really into it and would constantly tell me things she's grateful for and hang them up on the tree. I appreciate visual reminders of all of the gifts in my life, which are many. 

The Montgomery family was kind enough to invite us to their annual Thanksgiving pie breakfast and we gratefully attended. We'd celebrated Thanksgiving with Mike before he left, but it was nice to do something day of. The girls and I went home and the boys stayed and played air soft all day long. They were in heaven. Audrey was brave and wore their snake around her neck. 

Happy Birthday Princesa!

 It's mid April and I just realized I hadn't blogged Sarah's birthday. I use Dropbox to store pictures before I transfer them to a jump drive and sometimes it doesn't download them in order. I blogged through March and now they finally showed up. 

Sarah started her day with a giant cinnamon roll and then came home for some Raspberry Delight for lunch. The real excitement was learning how to perm her eyelashes. There is definitely a learning curve, and it worked better our second time around. 

Sarah is a delight. She is kind, loving, smart, witty and as beautiful inside as she is outside. I love spending time with her. For the last few years we've cycled through shows we could watch together and I cherish these moments. We feel lucky to have her as our first born. 

Happy Birthday Princess #1!

Tatiana's Quincenera

 Our neighbor Tatiana turned 15 and her parents threw her a Quincenera. I've heard of these elaborate Latino rights of passage, but have never attended one. Sarah was invited to be a Dama and Steven a Chambalan. They both got to be special guests and even learned a dance to perform at the Quince. It was a fun night and we stayed pretty late. Tatiana looked like una princesa! Audrey found a group of kids her age and hung out with them most of the time. A little boy tried to kiss her and she denied him. He then stood on her foot so she couldn't back away, and she pushed him. It was pretty cute. 

Zoo with the Case Crew

 Hogle Zoo was having free winter admission, so we decided to go on the first day of Thanksgiving Break. I mentioned it to Dolly, and she and her family decided to join us. It was COLD. Really cold, but the kids had fun. 

Veteran's Day Color Guard

 Steven's JROTC unit was invited to participate in the Herriman City Veteran's Day Color Guard presentation with the Police Honor Guard. I invited Steve and Lynette to come, so they could see him in action. I'm always proud when I get to see him participate in things like this. I'm incredibly grateful for those that have served in our armed forces, and the wonderful liberties we enjoy as citizens of this imperfect, yet great country. 

Sarah gets Student of the Month, again.

 It was a pleasant surprise to open the HS newsletter and see that Sarah had been chosen as the November 11th grade student of the month. Last year she was chosen in October. I'm sure they like to spread the wealth and choose a variety of kids, but Sarah tends to be on her teachers good graces, so she got it again.