Happy Easter

Buster

Benton was chosen to sit on the Student Advisory Council.

One student per school is chosen.

The SAC spend several hours every month with the superintendent over at district working on policies and procedures for the schools.  They take formal votes and their votes are counted as a legit member and noted when the School Board meetings are held. It has been a wonderful experience for him and has allowed him a wonderful opportunity to be a leader in his school.

Each student chosen was asked to organize and execute one charitable fundraiser at their school.

Benton did "Teens for Jeans."

He collected jeans and then they donate them to the shelters.

Benton took this assignment very seriously and did a great job.

He made posters, did video announcements and regularly met with the principal.

He even offered a popsicle party to the winning class.

Pretty cute that it was Max's class that won.

Benton proudly delivered their award.

What a great experience.

Mac Attack

Max took district!!

Max's poem won first place in 2nd grade in the school poetry contest.

The school sent it on to district level to compete against the other second graders in district...

And we found out yesterday that he took FIRST place!

Woo hoo!  

We are so excited!

He will be heading to a special Governing Board meeting to be presented his certificate of achievement. 

He is super excited.

Here is his poem...

Colors

Red looks like an apple, growing on a tree

Orange smells like a cup of orange juice, bubbling in my cup

Yellow feels like a soft lemon, making lemonade

Green sounds like big plants, waving in the wind

Blue looks like the ocean, making waves as big as me

Purple tastes like grapes, sliding down my throat.

White looks like a blank page, waiting to be written on

Black feels like a thunder storm, rumbling all night

Grey smells like fog, covering up what's in front of me

Pink looks like bubble gum, being chewed over and over again.

Way to go Maxie Boy!

Sue Sue

Aubrey is the aggressive defender for the JV Lacrosse team.

She LOVES it.

Who knew she would turn out to be so tough!

This week at one of her games, Aubrey took a very hard hit to the head.

The Xavier girl was going in for a kill shot.

She had her stick raised high above her head and came down with full force.

Unfortunately, she came down full force on top of Aubrey.

 She took a blunt force hit across the top of her head.

Needless to say, Aubrey was out for the rest of the game.

The pain has been intense.

Headaches, pressure.

Signs of a concussion.

Serious bummer.

Chloe' Girl

Chloe has a cute friend named Lauren.

Lauren's parents called up and said, 

"We want Lauren to try out for the basketball team.  Can Chloe try out with her?"

Chloe' wasn't super excited about the idea, but agreed to go.

After tryouts, Chloe' made the team, Lauren did not.

We were very sad.

But we have learned that our Chloe' has loved this experience, 

so we are very grateful for Lauren's push.

Chloe' is the center for the JV team.

She was award the MVP for her team this week, with her aggressive defense and assists.  

It has been SO SO SO fun to go to her games.  I hate to even be late!  

Who knew this would turn into such a craze for our family.

Preston Updates

Preston LOVES school.

He came home elated with himself because he got to "clip up" all the way to the top.

(One "clips up" after they make good choices.)

They sent him home with a little pink slip to share the good news.

He carried his pink slip around with him everywhere he went for 3 days.

Preston currently asks me 100 times a day, "Mama, what time is it?"

We usually answer him by telling him the actual time.

He has no clue about time, so really, any answer would satisfy him.

His constant need for time knowledge has become very excessive.

Britton has started replying "Time for you to get a watch."

He finds that answer completely satisfactory and carries on.

Preston LOVES Sunbeams.

Period.

Sings little Primary songs all over the house and will even get the children's hymn book out, 

take it to the piano and try and play himself a little number.

Preston calls me Mama.

I love it.

Preston IDOLIZES his brothers.

While the boys are away at school, he asks, "Where's Benton?  Where's Max?"

When we drive past their school, he says, "That's Mackie's school."

When they come home, he runs to the door to greet them.

If they like green, he likes green.

If they wear their basketball shorts, he wears his basketball shorts.

When their friends come over to play, he is right there with them.  The WHOLE time. 

Spring Break 2013

We took DC and NYC by storm!

Just a few pictures to capture the week.

Happy Valentines Day

Our loves.

They're home!

Grami Pami and Papa Bruce are home from Africa!

Max's Baptism

January 12, 2013

5 PM

Max came home from school on Friday and said, 

"I can't wait for today to be over and my baptism to come!"

He said this was the best part of his whole birthday!

 Papa Leo spoke on the Holy Ghost.

Taani and Neeley came in from California.

It was a highlight of Maxie's day.

Uncle Patrick, Aunt Ashley, Kaytee and Sammie came in from Utah.

So fun to spend time with them.

  Such a very sweet night for our family.

We felt so loved and supported by wonderful family and ward members.

 Britton, Uncle Ryan, Papa Leo, Bart Dewey, Bishop Tanner and Uncle Joseph 

stood in the circle to confirm.

 What a very fun and very special night.

Max was beaming.

Pinewood Derby 2013

 Max's Subway car.

The crowd called it, the "Eat Fresh" car.

Max's car took first place.

Funny story:  

Max choose how he wanted it to be cut.  You can't see from the pictures but it has a downward angle that edges to the bottom of the car.  When they were trying to get the axles and wheels on, Britton was SO nervous that it was going to break.  It was so narrow they couldn't get the axles all the way in.  Britton was certain we were going to have a tragic day with this car.  It turns out... because the axles weren't flush, it created less friction, making a super fast car.  Max won every race.  It was almost funny.  Who knew!

 Benton's BYU car.

Took second place.

Gave Max a good run, but just couldn't beat him.

They had so much fun... but mostly racing against each other.

 The judges.

 The cheering crowd.

Christmas Recap.

 Bowling on Christmas Eve.

Preston LOVED it.

Check out his score... no help.

No joke.

 Mani and Pedi's with Aunt Whitney and Aunt Meggie.

 Light rail down for lunch with the Aunties.

 Holiday concerts...

Nothing cuter than Preston's though.

Proudly sang his heart out.

 Holiday ornament exchange and snow-balling.

 Cousin book exchange.

 Zoo lights with friends.

 Temple lights with cousins.

 Papa's birthday.

 The year of the ugly Christmas jammie theme.

 Fun!

It's great to be eight...

Happy birthday Maxie boy.

Our little handsome man.

What a joy you are.

We are so excited you are EIGHT!

A fun memory of Maxie boy...

When you were four, the two of us were driving to swim lessons.

I look in the rear view mirror to see that you were quiet, but deep in thought.

You had your blue goggles on.

I ask what you were thinking about and you replied,

"Mom, these goggles won't work for when I get baptized.  I need white ones."

You will surely find white goggles in with your birthday gifts today.

Can't think of a gift I've been more excited to give you.

We are so proud of you sweet boy.

You are our obedient one.

You strive to do what is right in everything you do.

You are a good boy.

You love little babies.

You love spaghetti and plain cheeseburgers.

You love playing with Benton.

You are very content... a little goes a long way.

You cherish time playing with your friends.

You've got some seriously good dance moves.

You have an active imagination.

You are very sensitive.

You are a good reader.

You love school.

You are STILL crazy about the color green.

Happy Birthday Maxie boy.

We love you more than you can possibly know.