Happy Birthday McKay!

 

He had to up-date his photo for his web-site and I love all of them

So I thought I would share a little with you.

Happy Birthday McKay!

 

  

  

I think if I had to sum up McKay in a little sentence it would be

"Heaven is the consciousness of having made the world a better place to live in."

McKay is not only totally a blast and really loves all people but he treasures the ideal of

giving his best and taking no credit for it.

Valentine's Day and visit from Grandma

Grandma Earl came by and brought the kids cute little stuffed animals and heart shaped suckers.  Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

 

She also finished and gave Rulon his quilt.  She makes each of the grand kids an adorable quilt, Rulon 

was so excited!  Half of the horse tails have yarn tied on to look like the horses tail is flying in the wind!

  

Mom and Dad gave McKay and I a little puzzle that when put together read dinner for two

on them, so sweet. Thank you.

McKay and I did a special Candlelight dinner for the kids and sang a song to express our love for them.

Unfortunately we didn't get but one picture of this dinner.

"We Make History" Civil War training

"We Make History" is a none profit that holds all types of American history balls and battles that the whole family can get involved in.  We are wanting to sign up and get some costumes for acting but mostly we just love to go and watch them bring history to life!  They are ten years old and do tons all over AZ including a large, thousands come, history fair in the fall.

We went to a civil war battle and they let all the kids learn by having a battle and fireside afterward in the fashion the soldiers would have had after battles and at their camps.  They are Christian, not any denomination, we just loved our experience with them.

 

Essie playing "Mouse Trap"

Damian getting instruction from his Captain

The kids at full charge against the parents

Essie was chosen to be the General of the last battle, she was pretty proud

Rulon and Jeffrey loved shooting everyone

They taught the kids some pretty intense march drills and learning to follow orders!

At the end we had a little testimony meeting and sang some hymns.  It was a great experience to be 

a part of the community outside of our normal church group and make friends.

 

LEMI Training

Home-Schooling has never been so exciting!  There are so many "trains" to jump on that you never feel alone or lost as you press forward through the hills and valleys of raising a family in this intimate way.  I just love Home-Schooling for so many reasons but I would be lying if I didn't say it is the hardest challenge I have ever tried to accomplish.  I am so grateful for wonderful Home-School groups, higher education training, so many families that have done it that I can learn from, books and my favorite Leadership Education seminars centered on true principles of great education.  LEMI is one of them.  LEMI stands for Leadership Education Mentoring Institute.  I just loved the class I attended...can you tell!

 

Brenda, one of the trainers

Anelodee, She is one of the founders

Austin, a sweet friend of mine came along!

When I came home I of course was tired and full of stories and thoughts to share with my family

but normally I come home and the kids are missing me and needing Mom again.  This was one

of the longest training I have ever been to, two all day long classed.  But I came home and the

kids with McKay were dressed in their "fancy" clothes and had made me a candlelight dinner!

They massaged my feet and wouldn't let me clean up!  Thank you so much McKay and kids.

  

I love being a Mom!

Friends and Sweet Neighbors

So we have the nicest neighbors in the the whole world!  Stacy, a neighbor of ours, found this awesome telescope and gave it to Damian just because she is totally sweet.  The telescope is an antique, it must be 50 plus years old and it beautifully placed on it's original stand.  We look out all the time on the reservation not too far from us and will be doing star gazing soon.

 

Essie had a group of her cute little friends over to sell Cookies and Lemonade!

After the girls eating half of what they all brought and only being outside for one hour

the still made $22.00.  They all split it up and can't wait to do it again.

 

This is one of my dearest friends Austin, she is an amazing mother of four, the two 

youngest are twin boys, and she is going to be homeschooling this fall!

She and I went to an awesome training together for two days and learned so much!

 

 

Damian's Pine Wood Derby

At last its here the famous Pine wood Derby came into Damian's life.  He worked hard and learned a lot!

 

Damian and his friend Nate

 

Ben and Damian

 

Loading the "Fluke" on

 

Not first place but he did the Cub Scout motto

"Do My Best"!