Off to Ami and Poppi's

Nate and Coop had the rare treat of spending a couple of days with Ami and Poppi with no other siblings.  I have such wonderful memories of doing this with both sets of grandparents!  Birch was heading to Portland for a continuing education course so the boys rode along and then my parents picked them up in Portland and took them to their house for almost two days.

They packed it in!!!  A little fishing on the way to their home but it was way windy and the fish weren't biting.  Yummy meals, some time with cousins, and several special excursions.

Coop

Nate

This was certainly one of the highlights for the boys - OSU baseball!!

Coop Rock Climbing

Nate

Collecting eggs from the neighbors chicken coop

Nate feeding the chickens

So glad the boys were able to have this time with Ami and Poppi!

The LAST Blue and Gold Banquet

I won't lie...no one shed any tears at our house for going to our last Blue and Gold banquet.  Next time I'll be with the grandkids, right???

Cooper has never loved scouting but once he finally gets out of the house he normally enjoys the activities.  I didn't get a picture of the delicious apple cobbler that the two of us made for the banquet but let me just say -- there was not ONE crumb left!

Shane Anderson has been a steady leader during Coop's Webelos year.  

I love scouting!!  not.

Cooper just has a couple of things left to complete before his birthday next month so he can be awarded his Webelos badge.

Tis' the season

Spring has sprung...FINALLY.  Longest winter E.V.E.R.  As the trees start to get buds and the daffodils bloom -- our Saturdays add a SOCCER game each week.

This year we only have one spring soccer player...Cooper!!!

Looks like we have another tongue kid.

Coop is on a new team this year.  He made the hard decision to leave his team that he has been on for several years.  His new team is full of friends from church and they practice just a couple of minutes from our home (my favorite part). 

Like Alex, Cooper's favorite part of any sport is the outfit.  He loves his new uniform!

I spy...a french horn player

Peeking over the music stands you will find an excellent french horn player...Nate.  Nate has really enjoyed this year in band.  His teacher is kind and fun which has made all the difference.

His band director commented that this seventh grade band is unusually amazing because the previous year they were selected to play at a competition thing and had many extra after school practices.  He said that he is able to give them high school music and they crave the challenge.

Way to go Nate!

Girl Buff

Chloe is a dreamer AND a planner.  She has been dreaming of being a gymnast and planning by researching the prices, time commitment, and practicing daily at home.

For a brief month Chloe's dream came true and she was able to take a gymnastics class.  It was extra fun because cousin Mila was in her same class.  Chloe's favorite events are the bars and beam.  This girl is buff and almost daily does pull ups on the boy's pull up bar in their room.

Muscles and Flexibility!!!!!

Tyler puts on his dancing shoes

I've been so impressed with Tyler's leadership skills he has been developing this year as Sophomore Class President.  His biggest event he is in charge of is putting on Tolo (girl ask guy dance).

Tyler has spent lots of time looking up decorating ideas, ordering tulle, and a massive pharaoh head, advertising, hiring a DJ, selling tickets, etc...  He spent hours and hours decorating with a great team of students and finally Saturday arrived and he got to enjoy the fruits of his labors.

Tyler and his beautiful date, Lindsay Shefield.

Lauren Bauer and Isaac Fillmore; Lindsay and Tyler; Savannah Kimzey and Steven Dray

The Shefields made an absolutely delicious meal of steak, mashed potatoes, rolls, and corn.

Tyler had like the BEST TIME EVER!!!  He begged for an extended curfew as everything was so fun...imagine that!  I sure an grateful for good wholesome friends!!!

Watch ya' Mouth??

Stake Conference just wouldn't be complete without having waffles and friends!!!  We almost missed out on having friends over as I wasn't sure how Birch's afternoon would be but thankfully the Cobia family was able to last minute join us.  The waffles and company was wonderful!!

The kids all had a great time playing a new game!

Front row:  Nate, Emiline, Chloe, Coop, William.  Back row: Alysee, Luke, and Mathew (Tyler was gone taking down decorations from Tolo).

What we learned...you can totally tell you has had braces, who needs braces, and who still has their cute baby teeth.