Puppet Show Time

Hollie's class put on the cutest little puppet shows. Each group wrote their own story and then made their puppets to go with them.

So cute! She did a great job!

Holl got asked to jump in and take the place of one of the students who was absent, and did a great job without having practiced the part.

Kambri and I, Grandma Leslie, Grandma Brenda & Grandpa Mike were all able to arrange our schedules so we could be there. Great job Holl!

Tay's Choir Concert

Taylor was in the choir this year and we got to go to 2 of his concerts. They did a great job and I LOVE to see him interested in music, as it's something that I very much enjoy. He has a great voice and I look forward to seeing him in more time to come as he matures even more with the singing.

I got a new camera not long ago and I need to learn more about the settings. Unfortunately, this was the best picture I could get of Tay on the stage. Hopefully we'll have better luck next time.
Hollie & I were glad we were able to attend his concert.

Grandma Brenda & Grandpa Mike both came and Grandpa was being a little goofy at first when it came time for pictures!

(We didn't get a picture of Uncle Chris who also came for the concert.)

While we were at the school I made Taylor open up his locker so I could see the inside. All I could do was laugh. Boys are much different than girls. I remember my mom driving me and my friends up to the school before school started in the summer so we could decorate them.
Last concert of the year...
Oh, he's becoming so grown up!!

Teenager in 'da house

We have officially had a teenager in our house since November- I can hardly believe it. Better late than never for some long overdue posts, eh? It feels unreal to have a kid that old.

A sad attempt at an iPod cake.

And I've forgotten how a teenagers needs are fairly simple. Music, books, video games, friends, distance from the family.

We had a fun little family party and then he had a friend sleepover/party with the 'boys' on Friday! And due to the whole 'distance from the family' thing, I regret the fact that I was unable to get pictures of them doing the teenager thing.

This is such a Taylor-type expression. He is such a joy to have in our family. In celebration of his 13th birthday, a list of 13 of the MANY things we love about Taylor.

1. His goofy antics that make him who he is!
2. He is such a wonderful helper to those around him.
3. His tender heart.
4. His hugs! I hope he is always as free with hugs as he has been.
5. He is a great singer! Love to hear him belting out a song when he thinks no one is listening.
6. His trust worthiness.
   
7. He is incredibly smart! You forget how much you don't know until you have a smart teenager.
8. His love for reading.
   
9. He is focused & determined...relentless at times, too!
10. He tries hard to be a great kid in a nasty world. (We'll exclude his sisters in this one.)
11. His persuasiveness.
12. His uniqueness.
13. That we are lucky enough to have him in our family!!!

Get on your feet

The girls decided it would be a lot of fun to walk in Dad's work snow boots! We laughed and laughed as they kept trying to stand up all the way in them.

Almost there...

Tada!!!

30 before 30

My dear, sweet cousin Anne just gave me the idea of a 30 things before I turn 30 list. (Sidenote: she's always given me grief over being older than me...by like 10 or 11 days. Joke is on her this year! She's gonna be the big old 3-0 before me!!! Haha!)

30 things before 30- Updated

1. Weekend getaway with Shaun
2. Go to the temple 3 times, all different temples
3. Lose 30 pounds
4. Learn and perfect a new song on the piano
5. Prevent a divorce of the van- marriage counselor advises new tranny
6. Learn how to hem pants
7. Get 2 rooms in my house JUST how I want them.
8. Learn to use and cut something out of wood with the saw
9. Complete stairway project
10. Learn a new household/home improvement skill
11. Read a self-improvement book
12. Watch the news each night for one week
13. Plan a vacation
14. Complete 10 scrapbook pages
15. Shoot a gun
16. Play 3 new games with the kiddos
17. Plan and carry out a cousin night
18. Complete kitchen project with walls
19. One month straight without missing church
20. Tear down metal shed
21. 10 songs in one day on Just Dance 2
22. Two lunch/dinner dates with different people- One done
23. Pack lunches and go hiking
24. Post blog entries 3X monthly February- June
25. Take an aptitude test
26. Make something crafty for my house
27. Buy an outfit that is not of my 'normal type' of choosing
28. Try Zumba
29. Help in selling Mom & Dad's house
30. Cook 12 out of 14 days (can count if we eat somewhere else, as long as we don't eat out)

I realize some of these may not seem like a big deal, but some are things to mark off my never-ending to do list and some are just things I've been wanting to do for fun but haven't made the time for. Wish me luck!!!