5th grade music program

Today was Ashley's 5th grade music program. The program was called Go West. The 4th and 5th graders performed it together. Ashley has been so excited for this program. We have been hearing the songs all week. She loves to sing and really has really enjoyed rehearsing for this program. They did such a great job and it was so fun to watch. I am going to miss these elementary school performances. This is my last one. It is hard watching my kids grow up.

Senior Pictures

Things are really starting to get real that Madison is graduating. Today we had her senior pictures taken. We have been going back and forth and trying to decide if I was going to take them or if we were going to have our neighbor (who is an amazing photographer) take them. I really wanted these to be special so we had our neighbor do them. She posted a sneak peak today when we were done and I am even more sure that we made the right choice.

I can not wait to see the rest. This one is amazing.

Soccer

Tonight there was a small get together to celebrate the soccer team. This season has been a growing season for the team and they haven't had a lot of wins but nothing has got them down. They go out and play their best game each time. These are a great group of girls and I am so happy that Ashley can play with them and be friends with them.

The night was a little chaotic with all the girls and their families in one room but it was fun to have the girls socialize and build those friendships even more.

Halloween

Our Halloween was pretty low key. Allison went out trick or treating with some friends. Madison and a friend hung out after basketball tryouts (sad Madison isn't playing but understand after her two knee surgeries). Ashley wanted to trick or treat with Kinnlie but it didn't seem to work out. She was going to be stuck with just mom and dad but we ran into the Johnson's right outside our house and they invited us to tag along with them. Ashley and Ava had a lot of fun together. I am glad that worked out that we ran into them for Ashley. They danced it up at one house that had a dance party in their garage and then took a break on someone else's steps to drink the soda they just picked up. Halloween is sure taken seriously in our neighborhood. The kids score big.

I tried something different for our Halloween dinner this year. I have been craving Kevin's chili so we had that and some fun bread bowls. The girls said this was their favorite Halloween themed dinner so far.

Trunk or Treat

Tonight was our wards trunk or treat. As we pulled into the church parking lot it started to rain. Ashley was upset at first till she realized that she didn't have to worry about getting wet because her costume had her covered. It was funny.

Madison was invited to a Halloween party and she ask Allison to tag along with her. They were cute in their costumes.

Montana and BYUI

Tonight we got home from a trip to see cousins and to check out a school for Madison. We started our trip on Thursday night when we headed to Nana and Grandpa's house to spend the night. We wanted to break the trip up for the girls. They don't enjoy long car trips. We got to Kimberly late Thursday night but it was worth it because we cut 2 ours off our drive for Friday morning. We were on the rode that morning just after 8 so we could make our 12:00 appointment for a campus tour at BYU-I. As we were getting closer to Rexburg I was excited to be back on campus and see all the places Kevin and I hung out 20 years ago. I might have been excited but Madison was nervous. She told us after we left that as we were trying to find a parking spot she has decided that she was going to work at McDonalds the rest of her life and that she didn't' need to go to college. After the tour she did feel better about it and didn't seem so overwhelming. I know she is going to do great when she goes off to college and I am glad we did this tour to help her with her nerves.
After the tour we showed the girls a few places that Kevin and I hung out at while we were there like the library where Kevin worked and Porter Park where we got engaged. We also met up with Sahara and Sydni so Madison got to see what an apartment is like. I have to say that they are a lot nicer then when I was there. I am so excited if Madison picks BYU-I for college. It will be a great place for her to go to school but I can't believe that she is old enough to be going on a campus tour. How is this going to happen next year?
Once we were done in Rexburg we hoped in the car for the rest of our drive to Montana to see the Wallis's. We are so excited to have them closer so we can see them more. We will all cousins lived close so we could hang out with them all. We had a fun time visiting with the Wallis's. The kids had lots of fun. They even made lunch fun as they played telephone. Issac made things interesting and there was lots of laughter. The girls had so much fun that they are already asking when we get to go back. The weekend was too short but I am glad we got what little time we had.

On our way home we made another stop in Rexburg to see our favorite neighbors ever. Ashley has missed Kendal so much. It was fun to catch up with the Giffords.

Permit time

Today Allison and I spent some time at the DMV waiting to get her permit. I can't believe that she is old enough to take drivers ed. My kids need to stop growing up so fast. I love being a mom and I want time to slow down so that I can have more time with them home with me. I am glad that she can get her liscense because early morning seminary is early and it will be so nice next year when she can drive herself.

There was a long wait so I voted while we were waiting.

It was nice to get two things done at once.

Renissance Band Concert

Allison has been adjusting to high school well. We were worried that the pressure of Renaissance High School would be too much but she has been managing it. Band has been an adjustment for her because she misses Mr. Sandvik and is having a hard time getting used to her new band director. Tonight was the first band concert. They sounded good. Allison is second chair. I am quite impressed since she is only a freshman. I love hearing her play and am so glad that she has music. It has been such a blessing in her life.

Stick pull

Ashley came home from activity days with a family home evening lesson. She has been talking about it since Tuesday and couldn't wait to give her lesson. She did a great job and I love her enthusiasm to keeping us on the right track. We finished FHE with a good old stick pull. It was fun to see who would win. No one was a match for dad though.

I love that Allison plays for us during FHE.

Basketball tryouts

Ashley tried out for AAU today. I can't believe that she is old enough to try out. She is so excited to play this winter but is sad that Kinnlie and her won't be on the same team. She certainly misses seeing Kinnlie so much. These two are so cute together and I love watching them grow up together. I envision that they are going to be roommates at college one day.

Zucchini

Allison has done a great job going out and checking on the garden and weeding it a few times a week. I am impressed because I thought that I would have to keep reminding her all summer. She has been patiently waiting to have something to pick and today was the day. She picked her first zucchini. She has two more that are close and many more right behind them. She came in frustrated because she wants the rest to start producing so I went out to take a look with her. We found many tiny tomatoes, a few cucumbers, and one watermelon started. It will be fun to see more come out of the garden. I can't wait to cook up her zucchini.

Cow appreciation day

Madison follows the Meridian Chick-f-la on instagram and she saw that they were having their annual cow appreciation day today. If you came dressed as a cow they would give you a free entree. She told Ashley about it and she got so excited to do it that Madison couldn't say no. Ashley talked with Kinnlie about about and they made plans. At first it was just going to be Madison, Ashley and Kinnlie but Bri and Allison decided to tag along at the last minute. They looked so cute all dressed up ready to go get their free food.

I love that the girls are having fun and making memories together this summer.

End of swim lessons

Ashley was so excited that she got to move onto the big kids swim lessons. Levels 1-4 classes are 30 minutes long and for 2 weeks. Level 5-6 classes are for an hour and only a week (these are the big kid classes). Ashley has been a little fish and done great at swim lesson. Madison did all the driving this week (I love teenage drivers) and I was able to stay home to work on homework. Every day I would ask Ashley how she did and got mixed reviews each day. Today the last day I went with them to see how Ashley was doing and talk to Christine. On the way there Ashley was sure that she would not advance to Level 6. I didn't think much of it because it is normal for kids to do a level twice. She was bummed because she was sure Kinnlie would move on and there was no way they would be in the same class next year. She struggles a little with her dive and has belly flopped many times this week but I know that is not a huge deal until level 6. She dove in the first time and it didn't look that bad. She just needs to remember to keep her chin tucked. It is hard because kids want tot see the water and with your chin tucked it is a blind entry. She did a few more dives and and had the same problem but Madison did say they had improved from the beginning of the week. I watched her swim her strokes and they looked alright. I wasn't sure if she would advance but when Christine came and talked to me she said that she looked good so she could go either way. Ashley was so excited that there is a possibility that Kinnlie and her could be in the same class next year since they both can advance.

If you ask Ashley this might be the best year of swim lessons according to Ashley.

Surprise!!

We have been doing swim lessons at the same place since Madison was four. Over the years we have learned of many people that we know that also use them. Several years back we learned that the Bartletts use them also. Jennifer and I have tried to get Ashley and Kinnlie in the same class for swim lessons but it never has worked out. This year we didn't talk about it and Ashley got a fun surprise when she showed up to her first lesson today. Kinnlie is in her class. I don't think anything else could have brought such a big smile to this little girl. She misses seeing her best friend as much as she did before we moved and then Kendal moving has been really hard on her.

4th of July

Today was a great day. Our neighborhood had a parade and celebration in the park.

They had blow ups and swings. Ashley had fun going around and doing all the activities.

They also had a photo booth that was fun for the girls.

I felt bad because Allison woke up not feeling well so she missed out. I love our neighborhood and look forward to many years of enjoying the 4th of July celebration and parade.

We ended our day at the Ewings. We have been going to their house for 8 years. We look forward to it every year. One of our favorite parts is always the food.

It is always fun to see what everyone brings and also it is great to eat food that I don't let myself eat all the time. Their are always so many desserts and they are so good.
There was a few more people this year so there was a lot of visiting which made little time for games. Everyone seemed to be ok with it because there were so many people to catch up with.

As we were visiting one thing I noticed really made me excited to see my kids grow up.

These two have really become close lately. I never thought this day would come because they are so different and just really butted heads. Lately this is how I find them. Laughing and just having a good time with each other. I love my sister and the friendship that we have developed over the years and I am so glad that my girls are going to have that too. Sisters are the best.
Ashley is always the life of the party. She made her rounds to everyone. I love seeing how at home she is at the Ewings house.

We had a great time and I look forward to many more years of 4th of July's at the Ewings.