3-10-2011 Thursday - Noel's Cheer Banquet

Noel finished up her songleading at MVHS and had a really fun year.

There was a banquet in San Clemente all the girls and parents attended. Here is Noel with two of her closest friends on the team, Gabby and Maya.

Each of the girls had collages made of their cheer season and then laminated for place mats. The tables were decorated in Mission colors. They had a good time together celebrating.

Very cool cake, huh?

The Athletic Scholars each received personalized plaques - Noel's was the highest in both JV Song and JV Cheer - 4.31 GPA!
Way to go Noel!!!

3-9-2011 Wednesday - Luke & Shera's Sick Day!

Sick of school that is...

Yep, you got it! Time to hit Disneyland with our annual passes!
Luke's favorite was Thunder Mountain!

Luke and Shera were having a thumb war for the Space Mountain Picture! Jeff always does a funny face - but I never know when it's picture time!

Of course, I love the spring with all the gorgeous flowers. There are azaleas, tulips and rununculas everywhere!

I loved Shera's sweet face here...

We had lunch in New Orleans Square and listened to this great jazz band. The kids loved their outfits!

In California Adventure we walked in on Toy Story's army men. I couldn't stand to wear all that green on my face! They were good drummers though!

The Ferris Wheel was a little more than Jeff and I could take. The cages rock ALOT! He's trying not to get sick in this photo.

3-3-2011 Thursday - Noel's Roadshow!

Yes, it's that time again - singing, dancing, auditions, practices, silly costumes, hair and makeup too! This year Jeff and I were not involved with it - a little break...

We had a fairytale theme on honesty. Noel and Carissa were dancers and got to wear flickering lights on their fingers in the dark - it looked pretty cool.

Pinocchio had to learn honesty and to overcome temptation by the "Goldfish Crackers" - it was very cute! Of course, I think ours was the best!!! (They were all really good actually!)

3-2-2011 Wednesday - My Cat In The Hat

Luke had his biography book report due this week and in honor of Dr. Seuss's 100th birthday, he chose his favorite author! This is Luke's puppet of "Fox" from the book, Fox in Socks. We watched a tutorial from Jim Henson, the Muppet puppetier, on youtube. We had fun making this out of mom's old fuzzy sock, white buttons, googly eyes and blue felt.

The puppet is the one who actually gave the report (Luke was supposed to be creative). We quickly made the hat that morning - it was a nice touch. Luke got a B+ on it so he was happy!

2-22-2011 Tuesday - Holly's Opera Scenes at BYU

Holly had the opportunity to perform a lead role in the BYU Opera Scenes this winter semester.

She played Marie in La Fille du Regiment which translates from french to The Daughter of the Regiment. She is raised as an orphan in Napoleon's army and doesn't want to take her proper place in society when she discovers she is a duchess. This opera has great comedic flair and has been performed by coloratura, Joan Sutherland and Luciano Pavarotti.

Holly did a great job with such a difficult piece - here she is with her co-performers...

Holly has made some really close friends in the program like Karen Neumayer.

The whole family came to watch her perform!

Holly has a wonderful support group - these are some of her friends on her floor that came one night!
Way to go Holly!!! We can't wait for the next one!!!

2-19-2011 Saturday - President's Weekend in Utah

We got to see Nicole perform in the community musical, Hairspray! She did an awesome job!!!

I video taped Jeff's parents life stories based on questions I asked them. It was wonderful to learn so many intimate details of each of their lives...

All the fun things there are to do at Papa & Grandma's - how about table tennis on the dining table?

Or reading in bed and planning the next days' ski trails?

Skiing Deer Valley ~ our favorite...

Snow Bunny Wellie!!!

Shera & Luke didn't even fall off the ski lift this year!!! (JK)

Chili Cheese Fries, Hot Dogs, and Cookies - oh my!!!

Here is Luke's sledding snowman in the front yard...

Going tubing was cold, crowded and crazy fun!!!

I stayed a few days over with Barb and did our annual photo album getaway - totally therapeutic! PJ's, Movies, Music, Snacking, Chatting - what could be better than doing all that with my best girlfriend?!?

2-14-2011 Monday - Happy St. Valentine's Day!

Okay, so I know they officially took out the Saint in the holiday (did you know they took away Valentine's sainthood?) but I just think it sounds nicer with Saint in front of Valentine!
So there's my piece - and I won't say another word about it...
Grams and Drago joined us for a Valentines Family Night where we had breakfast for dinner!

Our lovely napkins...

Goofy little heart pancakes...

Shera loves our oranges from our tree on our balcony...

We played some Valentine Bingo - Grams was so funny mixing up the pictures and calling out BINGO late!

There's always room for another stuffed Teddy...

Never tried this frosting before - so we thought we'd give it a whirl...

It was fun to decorate cookies in front of the Valentine Peanuts movie...

2-8-2011 Tuesday - Noel's Final Game!

We came to watch Noel cheer her final basketball game of the season. Andrea and Lucas came to see her too!

Of course, I'm not prejudice, but I think she's the cutest little thing out there!!!

Noel's final photo with her JV Song Pep Squad...
It's been a fun year!

2-6-2011 Sunday - Fun-Filled February!

It was a very busy February, so here's a quick update on lots of fun activities we've been up to...
The Giant Cookie we made for family night...

Jeff took Noel, Luke and Shera ice blocking on Saturday...

Yes, this is grass in Noel's mouth from biting it going down the hill...

My life has been working on photo albums for the past 3 months...
This is all overflow into the game room...

Alright, fess up... Who DIDN'T watch the Superbowl???

The girls and I did homemade pore strips from egg whites during half-time...

All dried up...

We saw Mission's production of Pinocchio.

Noel made this amazing family tree for french class - she got 100%!