Homework

The last few days have been really nice. The girls

enjoy the warm weather so much. As soon as they get home

from school they head out back to do "homework".

I could hear lots of screaming and laughing and looked out

the window to see what was going on.

This is what I saw!!!

About 20 minutes later I noticed it had gotten quiet,

they were finally sitting on the porch doing homework together!

Yard Work

Raychel thought it would be fun to rake our
neighbors leaves. She got busy on Saturday morning while

I worked in our yard with Jolene. Our two neighbor girls

across the street thought it looked like fun and came to help,

then my little helper disappeared to rake leaves as well.

I guess raking leaves and being covered in them was more fun them

pulling weeds!! They may have played hard, but they also worked hard,

they ended up with 5 bags of leaves!!

First Soccer Game

The day finally came!!

Jolene's first soccer game!

She was putting in as goalie after the first little boy

watched two goals roll right past him!

Jolene was determined not to let the ball get past her.

She did it!!

She stopped two goals!!

She was so excited.

It was about "half time" when she looked over and noticed her

daddy had made it to the game! The smile that came across her

face could melt your heart!

Day at the park

Today was our lucky day!!

NO SCHOOL!!

We headed to GWS to get Jolene some soccer

cleats and shin guards for her first soccer game this evening.

When we finished our errands it was off to the park

for lunch and play time!! There is something

so refreshing about being at the park. I don't

realize how much I miss the park until we

are able to go after the long winter. To hear the girls

laugh, play and explore makes the day the best!

Writing Contest

Jolene came home with a piece of paper last week saying she

was one of three finalist in the first grade writing contest!!

I felt so proud. She was super excited. At literacy night they would

announce the winners out of each grade. It was a crazy night!

First we had homework to do,

soccer practice,

change clothes in the van,

meet up with Ward then race in for literacy night.

Jolene ended up getting 2nd place in the

first grade writing contest!!

Jolene and Mrs. Montoya as Mother Goose

Field Trip #1

The first graders have been learning about their community,

and what better way to learn then to see for themselves.

The four first grade classes loaded up on two buses and

headed over to the hospital.

They were able to see

X-rays,

the ER,

surgery,

a normal hospital room,

receiving,

and the best was getting

milk and cookies out on the grass before heading back to school

Another Sunday Photo

I know, another one???

At least that is what these two

said when I told them I wanted to take their pictures.

I just love these two!

I have been married almost 15 years,

Raychel will be 11 in 6 weeks,

Jolene will be 8 at the end of the year.

I don't want to look back and have one day

where I say, "I wish I had......"

I want to look back, even if its in photos,

and be able to say, "I remember when...."

So say Cheese and smile!!!

5K Run

What a great day!! Several weeks ago JM informed me

of a 5K run if I wanted to do it!

YES!

The last time I did a 5K it was with Raychel so I asked

her if she would like to run another one, she did!!

I couldn't help but feel on overwhelming love and pride for

Raychel as she made this choice.

It was a perfect day to run, not to hot and not to cold.

The sky was a beautiful shade of blue, the birds were singing and

the wind was calm.

We didn't set any records but we finished. We had set goals before

we started and we can proudly say we kept them!!

There is something so spiritual about running for me, or

just being out walking. To be in the world a loving Heavenly

Father created, to not be interrupted by phones, TV or people.

To be one in nature, to take all my worries, fears, and frustrations out on the

road. I always come back so renewed and refreshed, I

can hand life again.

Our little cheer leader!

We finished!! Walking over to Ward and Jolene.

Spring Soccer

Don't let the sunshine in these pictures fool you,

it was really cold the first day of Spring soccer!

The sun was nice but the wind we could have done without!

Jolene has loved soccer for several years now. I'm

not sure what the attraction is for her, but she does.

Last year I missed the cut off for sign ups, so this year

I could not make the same mistake twice. She was

so happy to hear she was playing on a team!

I hope she can

learn sportsmanship,

how to lose gracefully,

how to be more aggressive

and just have fun!

Sleeping Beauty

Our little family sent most of Spring Break inside

because all of us girls had bad colds. Poor Jolene

caught it over the weekend, missed her first two days

back to school. Wednesday after school she said she was tired,

by the time I got snacks out she was asleep!!!

Easter 2010

We couldn't have had a better Easter.

It was a beautiful day!!

We got up early to color Easter eggs, have a

wonderful breakfast, the girls hunted for eggs

while we clean up so we could sit and enjoy

General Conference. I can't think of a better way

to celebrate Easter then

listening to the Prophet and other leaders of the church.

Each message spoke to me personally.

To sit with my family, listening to the council, and enjoy

the day was perfect.

One of my favorite quotes was,

"A journey of 1000 steps begins with the first step".

~Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Spring Break

First Day of Spring Break