Fourth of July 2016

Michelle and I were invited to join Laurel and Stefanie on an 8 mile walk on the 4th of July at 5 AM.  Both of us agreed to go.  Michelle got blisters and her feet hurt so she barely finished but it was a nice walk for me.  I enjoyed visiting with Laurel and Stefanie for the first 5 or 6 miles (after that Michelle and I slowed down since her feet were hurting).  As we finished, we stopped to walk around The Wall that Heals.  It is a mobile re-creation of the Vietnam War Memorial (much smaller) that was at Centennial Park for about 5 days right around the 4th of July.  Michelle was pretty focused on her feet hurting and being tired, but I really loved reading the displays and walking along the wall.  It was a great way to start my day.  I am so thankful for the freedoms I enjoy and the many men and women who have sacrificed so much so I can enjoy these freedoms.

After we got home and had breakfast, we all headed outside to do some yard work.  Alfredo had purchased 3 dogwood trees to plant in our front yard...one for each girl.  They each helped him dig the hole for their tree and they named their trees. 

We just relaxed around the house most of the day, did a tiny bit of shopping at Target and then Michelle, Gabby and I drove to Magna to watch the fireworks there. 

Swimming and Drive-In

I've missed Brenda.  She has been one of my dearest friends for years.  We worked at Parkview together for 11 years.  We had Ella and Aelora a week apart.  (Well, technically 8 days apart.)  We were on the same grade level team for about 6 years.  We were a great team!  We have many differences but also much in common and have spent countless hours talking, going places together, etc.  I am so, so happy for her that she was able to get a job in Japan and that she has loved it so much.  But I have missed her.  So I am so glad she has been here for a few days visiting.  She has stayed at my house and it has been so great to have time to visit.  Ella and Aelora have had fun together and it has just been great.

On Thursday, Brenda went with me on my Trek walk.  (We have been walking 3 miles/day, four days a week to prepare for Trek.)  We saw this beautiful sunset.

 On Friday, we went to the West Valley pool.  The girls enjoyed swimming, relaxing and eating funnel cakes.  Gabby especially enjoyed the funnel cakes...or I should say she enjoyed the powdered sugar on the funnel cakes.

Ella, just before we left, wearing silly glasses.

 Friday night, we headed to the drive-in.   We brought lots of snacks and goodies with us.  We stayed and watched both features.  First, we saw "Finding Dory."  That was adorable!  I liked it so much.  Then we saw the BFG.  It was also really good.  We were up way too late and slept in the next morning (some of us more than others), but it was really fun!

Parkview Family

I feel very grateful to be working at Ensign now. It's a great school and I genuinely like the teachers and principal.  I had a great, challenging year there and I'm really looking forward to next year.  But after working at Parkview for 11 years, the people from Parkview hold a special place in my heart.  We had a wonderful staff and developed close relationships.  Not all faculties get along so well or genuinely like to be around each other, especially outside of work.  But we do.  But now most of us are no longer at Parkview.  Only a couple of "us" are left.  Brenda has spent the last 8 months in Japan but is here visiting for a few days.  So we planned a Parkview Get Together at my house.  Lots of people were out of town or had other plans, but we had a good turn out and had a great time visiting.  It was heartwarming to look around at these amazing people that I count among my friends.  A couple of years ago, during a student of the month assembly, we did a flash mob to "We are Family."  And that feels true.  They do feel like family. 

We talked, laughed, ate and enjoyed one another's company.  It was a great night.  I'm so fortunate to have so many great people in my life.

She's a teenager!!

Two months ago, Michelle turned 13.  It's hard to believe that Michelle is getting so grown up so fast.  But how pleased I am with the beautiful, talented, responsible young woman she is turning into.  She has darling friends and she is such a good helper.  There are moments when she gets embarrassed by her parents or rolls her eyes, but mostly she is such a good girl.

She had a late over for her birthday.  Friends came and ate pizza and had ice cream cake and opened presents and played some games outside.  (I was surprised but they decided to play Musical Chairs and they had a great time!)  Then they headed inside and watched a movie.  They are such cute girls.

Playing musical chairs

Michelle got this beautiful dress for her birthday from us.  She wore it the next day to church.  She is looking so grown up.

Another of her birthday gifts from us was this vinyl that is now on her bedroom wall.  She loves it.  (So do I!)

 

13 Things that Michelle loves at 13:
*electronics
*hot cheetos
*ice cream, especially Moose Tracks
*social studies
*reading
*being a TA (teacher's assistant) at school
*American Ninja Warriors
*doing obstacle courses
*HGTV because she wants to be an interior decorator
*painting her nails
*night games
*camping
*Lagoon...especially the big rides

She has a love/hate relationship with violin and piano.   Sometimes she enjoys it but often she dislikes practicing.  But she is progressing and I love listening to her play.

I am so glad she is mine!

Time with my girls

There are lots of things I love about summer:  the warmth, the time off from work, the outings and vacations, Girls Camp, sleeping in, reading lots and lots of books (although I do that year round).  But the thing I love most about summertime is having more time with my family...especially the girls.  I love being home with them and going on outings, talking more with them, playing games with them and watching them play (or hang out) with friends. 

I was given a gift card to Applebees, so one afternoon after all our chores were  completed, we headed to Applebees and got desserts.  Our cute neighbor, Kodi, came with us. 

 Gabby and Ella each got new dresses from Alfredo one night while Michelle and I were at Young Women's.  Here is my cute Gabby girl with her new dress on.  I sure love these girls!