karlee

 
 


•  Karlee has 4 AP classes.  I'm surprised the homework that she is still getting.  This one was cool.  It's a coat of arms.

~ red ~ warrior (I fight for who I am)
~ blue ~ truth (I always try to be honest)
~ white with black spots ~ justice and dignity (I have dignity and work to make things fair)
~ snowflake ~ I am the third daughter
~ theatre masks ~ I am animated and dramatic at times (I also love the theatre)
~ swan ~ music (I can't live with out my music)
~ eagle ~ freedom and strength (I am the strong one for most of my friends and I've always wanted to spread my metaphorical wings and be free)

~ nest/eggs ~ family (I always come back to my family and I don't know where I'd be without them)

 

She also had a Romeo and Juliet project.  She made a crossword puzzle, a children's book with illustrations, a board game (she used Candy Land). Plus she made two Italian recipes that had to have some history to them.  So after school the boys would swim and Karlee would work on more homework. :( 

 The Young Woman had a fundraiser washing windows.  I didn't sign up so I told Karlee I would pay her to clean a few of my windows.  She couldn't reach from the ladder so she climbed/fell into the shrubs.  She did a great job but her legs had lots of scratches from the shrubs,

 

Awards, awards, awards!  That's what May is all about. And field trips.  ;)  Karlee was nominated for Freshman class favorite.  Which means she got a new dress, and jacket, and shoes.  She was very excited!  She didn't think she would win but was very pleased she was in the top 5.  She looked beautiful as always! 

 

Mason's bday

Life has been busy and I've been slacking.  Mason's birthday came and went and I haven't posted a thing!  That's so wrong!  I have many things to share but Mason is first. 

 

He decided to have a few friends over after school then stay the night.  A few friends always work best for him.  These boys were great.  After school we swam and ate pizza. The water was cold and it was overcast.  I did not get in.  It was Adams first time this season and he loved it.

 

 

Mason invited Nathan, Colby, and Colton.  After swimming we went to see a movie "Epic".  It was very cute. 

We had enough coupons to get all the boys their own popcorn and soda.  It saved us a fortune!!

 

 I think he had a great day!!  On Friday's I have Harley and Adam.  They came with me to have lunch at school with Mason.  Adam thought it was soo cool. 

 

11 things about the birthday boy:

• he loves little children
• he loves computer games
• he enjoys reading
• he likes to be right
• he has the best smile
• he loves milk
• very photogenic
• doesn't like to talk to many people
• very excited to be in middle school
• hardheaded
• has a great laugh

I love you Mason!! Keep up the good work.  You are amazing!!

 

Mother's Day

It's been another great Mother's Day!  I wasn't looking forward to it at all.  I've been thinking of Mom a lot lately.  It still hurts. 

Today was nice.  Brian gave me some roses last night, which was a surprise.  Then this morning Brian cancelled meetings before church and made breakfast burritos.  Bailee and Karlee gave me some tie dye roses.  They were originally white and they colored them.  They looked cool.  Carson gave me a tile coaster with his picture on it and many papers that he wrote about me.   I love my family very much.  I hope they know.  I try to tell them often.  I'm very proud of the people they are becoming.  They are not only my kids but also my friends.  I truly enjoy spending time with them. Thanks for a great day! 

another camping adventure

When Brian went to get our camp site number we saw 5 deer. The boys loved it.

 

They loved the whole adventure.  They climbed all over and under rocks.  Carson caught a lizard by it's tail.  I kept waiting for the tail to break off but it never did. 

 Our air mattress had a hole in the seam so it deflated in less than 15 minutes.  So we tried to sleep on the hard ground.  It was probably the longest night of our lives.  Brian told me he was grateful when 6 am arrived so the night would be over and he could get up.  LOL

Our breakfast was exciting too.  While Brian was cooking the bacon the grease caught on fire.  It was a little intense.  We started over and our breakfast turned out delicious.  It looked odd but we ate it all.

Unfortunately the girls weren't able to come with us.  Bailee had to work Friday night.  Karlee had a Thespian banquet on Friday, then Saturday she had an AP help class.  Then she had rehearsal for a Hairspray act.  Their musical was  nominated for 11 awards and they are performing at the awards banquet.  Of course they are all very excited. 

Bailee hasn't been able to go camping with us yet.  Maybe next time...in the fall.

licenced

Friday this girl took her practical test.  I was her model for the manicure and facial.  She was so very nervous.  I was limited on what I could say to here.  As I left all I dared to say was to take a couple of deep breaths and relax.  I watched her take a couple of breaths and she smiled.  When I went back to pick her up 2 hours later she came out with her results. 

She passed!!  Once she sends in her application and fee she'll have her licence.  She's worked very hard for this.  I'm very proud of her.  Way to go Bailee!! You rock! 

family fun

Last Saturday, not yesterday, was probably the busiest days we've had as a family.  We were out the door at 8:30 for Carson's game.  Brian left before that for a Bishops training meeting with Elder Cook from the Quorum of the Twelve.  Brian thoroughly enjoyed the training.

 

 Carson had two games, his last games of the season.  He wanted to score a goal so bad.  He came close a number of times but it never happened.  Maybe next season.  I'm sure he'll be playing soccer again.

 

 

Between the games I went to our cub scout hike at Eagle Mountain Park.  It was a beautiful day. The boys all did a great job.  We hiked 3 miles and the boys gathered trash.  We didn't find much which is always nice. 

 

After the game we all cleaned up and headed to Dallas for one our favorite musicals.  We took the family when we were in Chicago, 5 years ago.  The three littles didn't remember much about the play, only the soundtrack that we played over and over.

It was so fun to watch their reaction as they remembered the songs then putting it together with the story.  It was a very long day.  We didn't get in bed till 11:30.  Super fun and exhausting day. 

Rome ~ Basilica of St. John Lateran

I took this picture from the bus. We didn't go inside.  If that McDonalds sign wasn't there it would have turned out great.

The statues are of Jesus and his apostles.   

fun day

She's rolling and reaching and she'll grin for almost anyone.

 

Grandkids are the best!

Senior Prom

Bailee's Senior Prom was last Saturday.   She looked beautiful!!

We struggled finding time to go shopping between our schedules.  Then when we did it was a little rough.  It's hard finding a dress that's modest, and Bailee wants to be modest.  She didn't want to wear any kind of jacket or cover up.  When she found this dress, which looks just like her, we realized a jacket would ruin the effect of the dress anyway.  I think what we found worked just fine.  She was very happy and that was my goal.

 

Saturday ended up being a very busy day.  Bailee went and got her nails done in the morning, while Karlee and I attended a YW hike then Carson's game.  That afternoon we went to the mall and she got her makeup done at the Estee Lauder counter.  She said she's now ruined.  She LOVED the feel of the makeup.  Then we hurried home so Karlee could curl her hair.  Karlee did a great job! (btw) 

 

A few days ago Bailee was worrying about prom and the logistics.  She's kinda a worrier.  When the day arrived and she finally made it over to Tyler's house it all fell into place.  She had an absolute blast.  She made great memories with friends she's had since 2nd grade. 

 

 These three have know each other since elementary school, although both Bailee and Jessica thought Tyler was weird then.  In middle school they became friends.  The three of them plus one or two other girls would eat lunch together.  I think it's great they are still good friends.

This is the group they went with.  After prom they went to IHOP.  Then Bailee, Jessica, and Tyler went and played on their elementary school playground.  In their nice clothes! The whole evening was a success!

 

 

 



Rome ~ hotel in the countryside

Our hotel in Rome was simple.  The surroundings were beautiful though.  

 

The picture above was taken from our window.  The large windows opened all the way.  There weren't screens either.  I was tempted to climb out the window and stand on the roof outside my room.  Just because I could. 

 All the antennas on the apartment buildings surprised me.  Not too pretty to look at.