Time to play "Catch Up"

A lot has been going on over the last few weeks, and I have been severely neglecting my blog. First, on Friday the 16th, Madison and Andrew competed in the District Science Fair. They were so excited (Madison was very nervous) and they had a fun day. Andrew took 3rd place in the Kindergarten group. He won a medal & $5! He was SOO excited about the money! When they announced the winners, they started with Kindergarten and started with 3rd place, so he was the first one called up. It took us quite a while to explain to him that he didn't win 1st place, but he didn't really care. He got 5 bucks!! :o) Madison was disappointed that she didn't win, but she did a really great job. The competition in 4th grade is much tougher than Kindergarten, and she was very lucky to have made it to the District competition. They had a long day, but a great time!

As soon as the Science Fair was over, Cory's mom took the kids, and Cory and I took off for a weekend in Park City. Cory's team with Nabisco paid for a 1-night stay (but we were able to talk them into paying for another night for us, since we had so far to drive). We had mediocre food, saw "Prince Caspian", did a little shopping, and hung out in our hotel. We had a nice room that we shared with another couple from St. George (he works for Nabisco also) and had a very nice time. It was great to get away for a couple of days and just relax. I like Park City, and would love to have a second home there someday, but there is no way we could ever afford it. The place that we stayed in is like a bunch of small suites/hotel rooms that people own. It was right on Main Street, so obviously "prime property", but the lady at the front desk told us that our room (2 bedrooms/baths and a small kitchenette/LR) would sell for around $750,000!!! That is 3/4 of a million dollars for a hotel room! Yikes!

Monday the 19th began the last week of school. Cory also had the week off, so it was nice to have him home. Madison had a class talent show and Cory and I went to watch. She sang a couple of songs (along with a CD) and also played the piano. She did a very good job & was so cute. Andrew had a class program on the 14th that was so fun. They sang a bunch of songs. I sat in a really bad spot, so I was barely able to see his head, so the video isn't too great. But, he did a good job and the kids were all so cute. On Thursday, the 22nd, Zach's class did puppet shows for the parents. Zach was so funny. He was the narrator in his puppet show, and he kept peeking his head out of the curtain. Silly! Thursday was also Madison's birthday and the last day of school! The kids will miss their teachers and their classes a lot, but they are so excited to be out of school for the summer, and to move on to the next grade in school. I can't believe I will have a 5th grader next year! Next year will be Madison's last at elementary, then onto Jr. High!! Yikes! Madison got lots of fun stuff for her birthday. We gave her some new clothes and a bunch of Littlest Pet Shops (her favorite toy right now). Thursday evening we all went to dinner at Wingers with Cory's parents for Madison's birthday. Then, on Friday Madison had her friend party. She had a "Fiesta" (that was all her idea) and had 7 of her girl friends come. They decorated candy bags, had chips and salsa, made shrinky dink necklaces, beat up a pinata, played freeze dance, had cake & ice cream, and opened presents. All the girls had a lot of fun.

It was so rainy and cold all weekend, it even hailed quite a bit on Friday, so we couldn't really do anything fun for the Memorial weekend. On Sunday we drove over to Minersville and had lunch at Cory's sister's house and went to the cemetery to put flowers on Cory's grandparents' graves. It was a nice day and the weather wasn't too bad.

On Sunday we are having a huge joint birthday party for Madison, Andrew, Zane, Lily, Grandma Joleen, Amelia, and Uncle Steve in St. George. Amelia & Justin & my parents are driving up Saturday to meet Abi & me in Las Vegas for a bead show, and then they will come up to St. George for the party! It will be so fun!! I will post pictures next week.

So, I think this wins as my longest post ever. I feel much better getting all of that down. Enjoy the pics!

gone fishin...

Cory took the boys to Lake Powell last weekend to do some bass fishing and ride around in the boat. He has been so anxious to get the boat out on the lake this year. His dad and bro-in-law Caleb went also. The boys had a blast! They each caught 3 fish, which were the first fish either of them have ever caught. Andrew was the first one to catch a fish, and Cory said he was pretty excited.

Zachary was too chicken to touch any of his fish, so there are no pictures of him holding up his fish! But, they both had a great time. They had fun hanging out on the beach and playing in the water too.

Andrew learned how to cast his own fishing line, and Cory said he walked up and down the shore line just casting & reeling in & casting again. It was pretty cute!By the time they got home on Saturday night, they were totally exhausted. They had a fun trip, and I am looking forward to the next time when we can all go together!

It's official...

I always knew I was the black sheep of my family (the only sister with a name not starting with "A", the only brunette in a sea of blondes, etc.), and this weekend it was proven once again! My little sisters, Amanda & Amelia, both graduated from ASU, making me the only one in my family NOT to have graduated college (including my parents, and 3 bros-in-law)! :o) I am so happy for them and all the hard work they put into getting their college degrees. Now that I think about it, I guess Cory is sort of the black sheep in his family too. He is the only one in his family that DID graduate college (including his parents, and 2 bros-in-law). So, at least he makes up where I lack, right? Anyhow, congrats to PanPanda & Meme!! I love you both & wish I could've been there to celebrate with you!

Girls' Night Out!!

So, last weekend I drove up to Salt Lake for a girls' night out with some of my high school friends. Of course, I forgot to get out the camera, again, so no pictures this time :o( On Saturday evening I went to dinner with Jen, Emily, Lisa, Lisa's cute baby Nora & her sister Sarah, Emily's SIL Andy, and Emily's friend from Heber, Raquel. We ate at the Cinegrill downtown. The food was decent, but mostly it was great to catch-up with old friends, and meet some new ones. After dinner, some of the gals had to leave, but Emily, Jen, Raquel & I headed over to the Tavernacle for the Deuling Piano Show. It was loud, and crazy & very fun! I mostly enjoyed watching all the drunk people make fools out of themselves. The piano playing was great, the language, not so great. But, we still had a great time. I spent the night at Emily's house in Heber, which is darling. I got to meet her adorable little boy, Jonah, who was not shy at all and we spent Sunday morning playing & laughing together. I headed home around 11am. It was a short trip, but lots of fun. Emily is having a baby girl in 3 weeks, so she planned this last "hurrah", of sorts, before the baby comes. Thanks, Em!