Powder Mountain

Memorial Day Weekend at Powder Mountain....

Our friends the Linde's invited us to go up to Powder Mountain with them to stay at their 3 bedroom condo. Since the kids and I weren't doing anything because Craig had to work long hours, I decided that we might as well go. It had been warm weather, and so in my mind I was thinking we would go hiking, swimming, and more hiking. But I am a geek and forgot that Powder Mountain is at the tip top of Ogden Canyon, so when we got there we discovered there was still lots of snow, and it rained almost the entire time. But we still had a BLAST!!!


We went swimming at least 2 times each day, played a lot of ping pong and basketball. And when it wasn't raining we went on walks. Sara had to make a log cabin for school and so we also collected tons of branches and then started glueing the cabin together.

We ate tons and tons of food, watched movies, and played games. There was never a dull moment. Ben and Ashlee were tired after the 2nd time we went swimming for the day, and decided they needed popcorn, bottles, blankies, and a movie.
We had a special friend who came to visit at night. The kids would wait each night to see if he would come. They named him Joe. The last night we fed the racoon a roll. The kids were sad that it was going to leave so we fed it a few more. What a fun time we had.

Kindergarten Graduation

Nicole's Kindergarten Graduation was on May 22nd. She was so excited and yet sad because this was her last day of school. She has grown so much this past year. It is crazy to believe she will be in 1st grade next year, and at school all day. It will just be Ben and I at home. It is kind of sad. Nicole has excelled in school this year. Reading at an F level, learning basic math skills, writing stories, and the list goes on. She is so DETERMINED to SUCCEED that she doesn't stop trying until it is mastered.

Nicole at her program doing the Pledge of Allegiance.
Nicole singing the songs at the program. This is a picture of her singing Baby Eagle, which happens to be her favorite song. She also learned sign language for some songs. The program was simply darling.
Grandma and Nicole with Nicole's graduation present: A Webkinz Monkey, which she named Rosie. Nicole was so excited for her present.
Nicole with her teacher, Mrs. Hall. Mrs. Hall has been such an excellent teacher for Nicole. She kept pushing her to do more, and let her go past the class with certain things that Nikki already mastered. She was the best for helping Nicole continue to grow and kept learning fun.

This is the Place Monument

On May 22nd, Sara and her school mates traveled to Salt Lake to This is the Place Monument.
Because of the noise, smells, etc. Sara wasn't able to ride on the bus, so I took her up in the van.
We followed the first bus up to Salt Lake, so we made sure we were at the right location. The second bus had her class on it, and so when they got off the bus, one boy ran up to Sara so excited that we had made it. He told me, I kept looking for your car and couldn't find you and so I thought you were lost. How sweet is that!
Sara with her friends Lexie and Maddie after they got off the bus.
When we got to the park, we were split up into groups by teachers. We all went to the same places but at different times. Sara's class first went to the dance hall where they learned the Virginia Rail.
They had a lot of fun dancing, even though they had to touch the boys hands! Yuck!
Drew and Sara walking to their next location.
Sara in front of the barn on her way to the public school.
Sydney B., Maddie, Lexie, Sara, Drew, and Sydney A. taking a small break. As we took the picture in the distance we heard the bell stating they had to hurry because school was starting.
They found their seats in the school house. They were taught a few things and were surprised on what the kids had to do so that they were able to attend school. They even were shown what would happen if someone got in trouble. It was a good eye opening experience for them all.
The class taking a break before they had a turn at pushing a hand cart a quarter of a mile.
Sara and Sydney A. pulling the hand cart, while the boys helped push from the back.
After seeing the black smith shop, we took the train on a tour to see the rest of the city. We saw the Indians, Brigham Young's house, the hospital, and many other neat buildings.

After lunch we had a few minutes to spare before we had to go home, so the girls started playing, Little Sally Walker. 1 person is in the circle walking around while the other girls clap and chant the song. The person in the middle at a certain point makes up a short dance, probably 5 or 6 counts in front of someone in the circle, who then copies the dance and is then the one who is in the circle walking around and dancing. Sara doing her dance while Lexie watches to copy her.
The boys were intrigued with what the girls were doing and pretty soon there were 10 or more watching, so I told the girls to let them join in. This is when the fun really began. I was laughing so hard at the boys and there funny dance moves. It was great!
Dalton showing off his moves.
Now it is Evans turn.
Sara in front of the monument before going home.
It was a fun day!

Swimming Buddies

Ben was bored so he decided to invite Christian over to take a dip in the pool. As you can tell by there faces the water was ice cold, but they had a great time together playing.

Smile big Ben! You can do it! Kids are amazing, because I can promise you all I would not be able to sit in that water with that expression on my face. I would be screaming!

Pinewood Derby

The day finally is here, May 15th. Tyler has been so excited all month getting his car ready for the big race. With the craziness of our lives this past month, Craig and Ty have had many late late nights in the shed getting the car just right. And of course Ty's car is decorated in BYU blue.
All the cars that will be racing against Ty's Cougar Car.
But before the racing began they had many awards to give out. Tyler received 2 belt loops. One for computers and the other for flag football. Way to go Ty!
Ty, Nicole, and Craig were excited for the racing to begin.
Ben wanted his picture taken in front of the track.
Tyler watches his car before the race begins.
They informed us that the cars go faster the louder you cheer. Ty and Nicole were cheering very loud. The times they were cheering the loudest his car won. He didn't win overall, but did a great job.
Tyler got the award for being True Blue!
As soon as we got home, Tyler was figuring out how to design his car for next year! He had so much fun!

911 Basket

On Monday, May 4th Sara got her stitches out. Dr. Bennett took them out. She was very brave, but it hurt her a lot. Her hair, and skin had started to cover the stitches at so he had to pull pretty hard to get them out. After we got them out, I received a phone call from Sara's school teacher wondering if I would come to the school and pick up something for Sara. When we arrived to the school around 4 p.m. we were shocked with what was waiting for her.

It is call the 911 Basket. Her class all brought things, that they thought Sara would enjoy to help make her time at home more enjoyable. The basket weighed over 30 pounds. This is Sara and her friend Drew with the basket.
Sara waited until Craig got home from work to open the basket. Sara was amazed at the love she received from her classmates.
Sara opening the basket with help from her brother and sister. They too were excited for the new treasures in the basket.
Sara with a homemade cookie made by Mrs. Terry, a mom who is so wonderful and is always volunteering in the classroom.
Once again this just shows how much people care for Sara! Friends are amazing.

Welcome Home!!!

After picking up the kids from my mom's house, we finally made it home. We were welcomed by this sign made by my mom, Tyler, Nicole, and Ben.
Then Sara went into her room and was surprised once more. Her friends came over and decorated her room. It is so darling.



Sara has always had such wonderful friends. She is so lucky.

April 30th, Sara received her long a waited for strawberries, delivered from Mindy. Mindy told her they were all hers and she didn't have to share. So if any of us wanted to eat one, we had to ask Sara or we were in SUPER Big trouble.
Sara's battle wound. She hasn't seen it yet, so I took a picture, so she could look at it. I think she was in shock and what it looked like.
Everyday for the next week we received meals from people in the ward, had many phone calls, and Sara received many gifts welcoming her home. She is so loved. These are our wonderful friends who brought us dinner. Jennifer and Katelyn are the ones who also decorated her room.
Ariana brought Sara a fish to take care of. This was great so she could think of something else besides being dizzy and tired.
Our sweet next door neighbor Emily, who absolutely adores Sara, brought Sara some nail polish and a cute card.
Haylee Thueson, a girl who dances with Sara brought over a trophy for Sara to keep. They dedicated 5the Roy competition to Sara because they were dancing while Sara was having surgery. Sara is so lucky to have such a caring friend like Haylee.
Sara and Great Grandma Hughes with a special gift.
These are only pics of a few people who came over to visit Sara. Everyone was so concerned. Thank you for all everyone has done to help in her recovery. Your visits and phone calls mean so much.

Coming Home

On Wednesday, April 29th we took some pics of some incredible people who performed miracles in our lives the past few days. These are the wonderful doctors and nurses that helped Sara during her stay at Primary Children's hospital. L to R- a resident doctor, Syd the nurse practitioner, Dr. Brockmeyer (surgeon her performed the surgery), and Roni our miracle nurse.
Sara with Dr. Bishop (resident who helped with the surgery)
On Wednesday, Sara decided after fighting me with eating, she decided to eat some chicken nuggets. Yahoo! This is one of the last steps she has to take to be able to come home. The final step is to go to the bathroom.
Sara finally gets to come home! She passed off the check off list which included her eyes, and at 7 p.m. we headed back to S.F.
Tyler and Nicole were at a LPM concert performing in front of my mom and Cindy. There sweet director told everyone what had happened to Sara and she passed around a card asking for donations to help with the traveling expeses of going to and fro from the hospital. Everyone has been so carrying and helpful. I can't even explain how full my heart is right now. Thank you!!!