Family Reunion

Over the 24th of July we went to Wyoming for a family reunion. We had a great time. We got to see all the cousins, Aunts and Uncles, and Grandpa and Grandma England. Most of the family went down the snake river on rafts and the younger ones went down the small creek in the back of Grandpa's land. There were so many good pictures that I had to put a few in a slideshow. It was really nice to get away from the 100 degree weather in Las Vegas. Thanks Aunt Kathy and Uncle Matt for a wonderful time.

Kindergarten Graduation

July 9th was Josh's Kindergarten graduation. We thought we would download his singing portion of the ceremony. He was really rocking out. I can't believe that he is now a first grader. He is having a hard time. He loves his teacher Mrs. Sleight soooo much that it is hard to be going to a new class. They gave him a really cool graduation certificate with a picture of him in his cap and gown. Tomorrow is the last day of school and I think we are all excited about that. It is now 104-110 degrees so going to get the kids is a very HOT experience.

Keep in mind that I was trying to record the performance behind people who sit taller than me and kept moving in the way. The last one my arms were getting really tired so it isn't as steady as I would have liked. Oh well, he is still cute moving. I just thought since we were so far away you could still see his singing. There are definately some dancing skills there. I can only get a couple parts on because the last one is too long to download.

Wednesday I went to a awards ceremony for Bethany and Spencer. Spencer got the most improved in reading. Bethany got in the straight A's club and most improved over all. It is amazing how much they are growing and changing. Moving on to 3rd and 4th grade. WOW!!!!

Today June 19th was Lyn's commencement for her BSN. She didn't get to fly to St. Louis to walk the stage, but they will be sending the diploma and honor cords in the mail. Amazingly enough - Lyn graduated summa com laude.

Josh's Birthday

This last Friday was Josh's Birthday. He turned 6. It is amazing at how fast the kids are growing. We took some kids from the ward and his kindergarten class to Chuck E Cheese's to celebrate. They stamp the kids and parents with stamps you can only see under black lights so you have to match you kids or they don't go home with you. It was a good thing that both of us were there since Matt's stamp didn't show up when we left.

The kids got to earn little treats with the tickets they earned playing the games. We had a great time. Even Mom and Dad had fun playing the games.

Then we had a cake at home as a family. It was Batman because they didn't have HULK. Between his party and the kids at home Josh got 4 of the transformer walkie talkies so all the kids have had a great time playing with them.

Championship game

After a really close game Spencer and the rest of the Cinncinati Reds got 2nd place in the Rookie age group. The really played really good. They have all really improved. Bethany has become the team official score keeper and is really good at it. The other kids have really enjoyed visiting the snack shack along the way.

May was really hot this year -the hottest May on record. June so far is in the 80's. It has been a nice break. We have had a couple of tomatos and peppers so far from our garden. Zucchini is coming shortly and a lot of it. We are excited we have been able to have a garden in Las Vegas. We are waiting for school to be out - July 10th. Almost there - yeah !!!

Baseball season again and Easter

As of April 4th it is officially baseball season again. Spencer is with his coach that we loved so much last season. They are the Cinncinati Reds this time. Spencer has been loving playing again. Last game the coaches gave him the game ball because he caught a pop fly on third base and got an out. WAY TO GO SPENCER!! He was so happy with himself.

We really enjoyed General Conference on April 4th and 5th. We were really touched by Elder Holland's talk. I was excited to see that they had made it a small video. It made us teary all over again. I posted the video below.

We were very excited to have Kyle spend Easter weekend with us. We went to the Adventure Dome at the Circus, Circus. It had all kinds of rides. Kyle got his big roller coasters and make you sick rides and the younger ones got to ride rides their size. Natalie loved the roller coaster. She laughed and laughed the whole time. Josh wasn't so sure, but after the first time loved it. The next day for Easter we went to church. It was an absolutely beautiful day. It was 77 degrees with a slight breeze. The girls looked beautiful in their new dresses, and the younger boys had handsome new ties. Kyle liked the one he brought with him.

We did get family pictures taken for the first time in a long time. This picture is different from the ones the grandparents will be receiving. That was the best Easter present for Mom. We can't believe Kyle is as tall as his Dad at age 14. He is becoming a handsome young man.

We were finally successful at getting Lyn a new job in an adult ICU. We are still looking into different CRNA programs to find the right one. We know the Lord has had a hand in our lives and see it daily. We know that what is best for us will happen in the Lord's time. In the meantime, we are loving being in our ward, making friends, and being a family. We are truly excited for Grandma and Grandpa England to be coming home soon.

Day at the State Park by RED ROCK

We all decided to get out of the house so we went to the state park over by red rock. These aren't red rock, but they were the back drop for our lunch. It was a nice little area and we all enjoyed being outside with fresh air for awhile. It was 69 degrees outside according to the car, but it was cool and windy. Here are some pictures of the kids and family.

Josh and I wanted to take a picture of him by a Joshua tree. He found out when he got too close to the tree that they bite. He got poked in the head.

In the distance behind Matt you can see red rock. It is right in the middle of all the brown. This is Matt's bear pose. We had a great time and it was a beautiful day.

Blue and Gold Banquet

This past week we had our cub scout Blue and Gold Banquet. The theme was Death Valley. The kids all got to paint rocks. Then we had a bingo game to see which tables got to eat first, second, third, etc... Spencer is looking way to grown up in the scout uniform.

Spencer got his Bobcat. When they first get the pin they have to have it upside down until they do a good deed. Then they can turn it over. You can't put the pin on upside down soooo the kids have to be upside down to pin the pin on right side up. It was fun. Now Spencer can work on his Wolf.

We had Grandma Barker with us for the evening. It was sure fun to have her there.

Adventure in Wyoming

Matt and I went to South Dakota for a interview get into a masters program for me. On the way there we got just past Evanstan Wyoming and the slush turned to ice. We clipped the median with the front left lights and then landed straight into the median. The airbags didn't deploy, but we are all safe. After we finally stopped we heard a pop and there was a piece of ice 3 inches thick and about a football and a half long that had come through the back side window. We were grateful the kids were not with us. I was a little sore for a few days, but we were neither hurt. We are grateful for Heavenly Father watching over us. It snowed the whole way there and most of the way back. We made it though. We will find out if it was all worth it by March.

Fun at Grandma Barker's

While we were gone, the kids stayed with Grandma Barker. They had so much fun playing in the snow!!! They are all ready to learn to snowboard. Even Natalie was going down the hill standing up. We are all grateful that Grandma let them stay and play with her.