Time for some Magic!

While Ryan is away on his week long bike trip, I decided to take the kids for a little getaway ourselves to Disneyland!!! Wyatt was able to join us and we had soooo much fun!!! We spent two very full days of goofing off and loved every minute of it.
It was pretty crowded on both days, but we were able to get in all the rides we wanted to - Gotta love those fast passes! We were even lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the newest Disney Princess, Tiana in New Orleans Square. She was singing and signing autographs. The boys had so much fun together it was never a dull moment with them around
We ended up staying until midnight on the second night so we could see the new show World of Color! It was a great show and I highly recommend it, but It was a lot of work to get the fast pass tickets to see it. We stayed for the 11:15pm show and we were very tired.
It was a long exhausting, but definitely fun three days full of never ending excitement!
Can't wait to go again!!!

Happy Dad's Day!

We had such a great Father's Day this year. While Ryan finished up Church duties, the kids and I prepared a meal that included some of his favorite things, Hamburger's, Asparagus and Salmon ( I know, strange combo right)
The kids had fun setting the table and making it just perfect.
They made him adorable homemade cards too.

Shortly after dinner, Ryan left for Cedar to go on a Harley trip with his brother Eric (hopefully I will get pics of that trip).

Unfortunately with all the hub-bub I didn't get my traditional photo of Ryan with the kids... they weren't very cooperative either.
Happy Father's Day!!!

The Greatest!!!

Every Day I listen to the radio while driving the kids everywhere. I always listen for the contests they have and have tried to call in and be #29 and win... but I'm just not that lucky and have never won....
Until NOW!!!
I was driving along, minding my own business, when they announced it was time to call in and try to win... so I did...and it rang!... and I was #16. No way! I couldn't believe I actually got through. So I hung up and dialed again...and it rang again... and this time I was caller #29... I WON!!!

My heart was pounding I just didn't even know what to say... I'm sure I sounded like a complete fool to the announcer. So, what did I win?
I won a family 4 pack of tickets to Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus!!
Woo Hoo...
When I told my family of my amazing win, they were... shall we say... not quite as excited as me, but were happy to go along since after all they were free :)
It was a little tricky picking up the tickets, but we finally made it to the Circus... It was full of everything you would think that a circus would have... tigers, clowns, elephants, trapeze, you name it.. they had it!
We all had a great time and enjoyed the whole Circus experience! It was the first Circus for the kids and truly for Ryan and I as well since it has changed so much since we were little.
Here is a little slideshow of some of the fun acts we saw!

Miranda's got Talent!

I know... I know I just bragged about her talent of being a great artist, but now I have to show off her dancing abilities!!!

Miranda started taking tap and ballet lessons when she was only 3 or 4 years old. She always loved to dance and was pretty darn good if I do say so myself. When we moved to this house when she was 8 it was difficult to take her to her old studio so we signed her up with a nearby studio. It didn't go so well and Miranda lost interest....So dancing fell to the wayside.

Flash forward 3 years.... Miranda started Broadway Bound at Summerlin Dance Studio and besides Broadway classes she started adding in Jazz and Tap.... Miranda now has a new-found love for Dance! She especially loves tap and is moving up to a much more advanced class this coming year.

So for the end of the year recital, Miranda was in 3 dance numbers. I couldn't believe how wonderful she did!

Here are a few still photo's I took at the recital.... (I have a video, but since I have computer issues, I can't load them on...aaargh)

This first is from her tap number.... she really enjoyed this class and re-learning all the steps. She loves to go around the house or anywhere for that matter and practice her tap steps!

This next photo is of her Jazz class... (it was also her least favorite costume) but the number was super cute! Finally in the Broadway Technique class they did Footloose! It was super fun and colorful and Miranda had a ton of fun with it!

I am just the most amazing photographer ever because this shot was taken on the final beat of the song...they only held this pose for a second!!!
This is Miranda's favorite costume of all the dances... she just loved the flapper style and that she was able to add her own flair with her colorful tights! It makes me both happy and sad to see her in these recitals... happy that she has a love of dance and sad because she has grown up so much since her first days of tap.

Sole Talent

Miranda has more talent in her little pinky than I do in my entire body!
She decided that she wanted to paint some shoes for her friend's Birthday Present.
She has another friend that has done this and she wanted to give it a try. She was unsure at first what to do, and how detailed she wanted to be, but she finally decided on just doing a simple design for her first time around.
THIS is what she came up with! Honestly... I couldn't do this good even in my dreams!
She put a couple Japanese symbols on the side because her friend likes it. (not sure what they say)
To top off the gift, she made a coordinating card and bought a frame that she coordinated the inside with the rest of the gift...
She claims she isn't crafty, but this proves otherwise. Perhaps she just doesn't want to let the secret out ...oops.... too late :) She is anxious to try another pair of shoes for her other friends... perhaps getting a bit more detailed.
Anyone want to place an order?

End of School

As school winds down... we all brace ourselves for the night after night of concerts, activities and award ceremonies. Not exactly the most exciting, or comfortable, thing to sit through, but we always want to show our kids the support they deserve.

This year Parker received 3 awards at Cadwallader....
The first one for straight A's all year! I guess I've just come to expect this of my kids.... and would be shocked if they didn't get straight A's (oops... is that bragging?...sorry)
Parker keeps telling me that all his friends get paid for the A's they receive and would like us to do the same for him. Well, It might be a shot in the dark, but I think that his friends get paid because getting an A is not an everyday occurance for them and they need some kind of motivation... just guessing anyway :)

The other two awards were from specific departments. Each teacher chooses a boy and girl from their classes to receive the Excellence award.

Parker received one for Math and English!

We are quite proud of him...he had a terrific 6th grade year and I expect nothing less of him next year!

The Great Outdoors

Miranda is quite excited for Girls Camp this year because she will be a 4th year. One of the requirements this year is to go on an over night hike. To get the girls ready for the 15 mike hike, they are going on a few shorter "warm up" hikes.
A few weeks ago Miranda went on a little 3 mile hike and yesterday they tackled Bristlecone Trail for 6 miles. Miranda trudged along in great stride ahead of the pack
She had a great time chatting with her friends Mizlon and Tara
Ryan volunteered to go along at the Priesthood chaperon for this hike and had a great time... (even his knee didn't bother him after having surgery a couple months ago)
I think Miranda will have lots of fun when they go on the actual 4th year hike in a couple weeks... she is definitely ready!