Science Maniacs

Since the beginning of the semester Torey has been waking up early in order to get to school one hour before the rest of the students.  She is in a club called extensions and they put on this cool and educational song and dance assembly entitled "Science Maniacs."  I was lucky enough to attend both showings and she did a great job.  She is quite the little dancer and we were so proud of her.  She will probably also never forget what they sang about as those songs seem to reside in your head for a long time!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

This year (for reference) the leprechaun dyed the toilets green, and left little green footprints as a testimony to his being there.

The lunches contained:

1. Green sandwiches (thanks to Lehi Bakery for having the only green bread in two counties.)

2. Green chips called Guacachips, which were very tasty.

3. Green grapes

4. Sugar Snap Peas (which a boy in 8th grade had never tried before.)

5. Green Shasta soda.

6. Green wrapped string cheese.

7. Green Jello

and a delightful St. Patty's Day napkin.

To quote my friend on facebook: "If you are lucky enough to be Irish, you are lucky enough."

We are just that lucky!

Happy Birthday Jake!

My baby is turning nine today. I wish he could stay little forever, but he is turning into such a little man. He has become such a hard worker and is really helping his dad get the yard put in. He gets up, changes into his work clothes, and goes outside to shovel without being asked. He is the families sunshine and we would like to share nine things about him with you.

1. He loves to snuggle, and we love to snuggle with him. He is a very loving boy and people are just drawn to his personality.

2. He is a hard worker, and recently talked his dad into a shovel more his size. That same shovel flipped back and hit him in the head the other day. I think we are over that grudge but I can't be sure until Saturday.

3. He loves to tinker and build things.

4. Jake is FUNNY! He is very witty, so much so that Reed is convinced he will receive a knuckle sandwich one day because of it.

5. Jake is very smart and has received 100% on all of his spelling tests since the beginning of the year.

6. He was the third person in the class to pass off his times tables and has since taken it upon himself to help others do the same.

7. He loves Boy Scouts. A lot.

8. He is quite a gentleman.

9. His mannerisms sometimes remind me of an old man. He is wise beyond his years and gets along well with all of his grandpa's.

We love him so much and are so happy he is a part of our family!

Happy Birthday Taylor!

What I wouldn't give to have a few more days with this kid!

But as it turns out she has turned into this kid. A beautiful young lady of 14!
Some things about Taylor at 14 and highlights of 13 (for historical reference):

1. We bought her first pair of high heels.

2. She went to her first stake dance last night and won the "Who can dance with the most boys contest" and we will now be the happy recipients of baked goods.

3. She was the Beehive class president.

4. She hit the game winning home run in extra innings and made her dad scream out loud and her mother cry.

5. She has been somewhat brave with the new move, and a lot pouty.

6. She has excellent grades.

7. She loves learning and has a high expectation for it.

8. She is now playing hymns on the piano, but I am not sure how big of an accomplishment that is, as I have no point of reference.

9. She just finished an excellent season of Junior Jazz which included some three point shots and a left handed lay up - her first.

10. She still loves to play.

11. She hates change.

12. She is a great, big sister - not a great big sister.

13. She recently made her history teacher weep when he read her paper on the Bill of Rights.

14. She thought she would be in trouble for the above.

Taylor, we love you so much and can't wait to see the woman you become. You are an amazing kid and we love having you in our family!

First Stake Dance!

Taylor somehow talked the Bishop into giving her a dance card one entire day early, and then she found herself preparing for her first Stake Dance.  It was everything she dreamed it would be as she danced every dance, and won a contest to boot.  In Taylor's opinion the night was a complete success!!!

Grandma Simper

Grandma returned home to Heavenly Father on January 27, 2011. She spent 68 years with this ol' dog and they really taught us about joy in marriage and in life. She suffered a stroke on the Thursday before and never pulled out of it. We got to sit with her for a while and Reed gave her a beautiful blessing. Her funeral was yesterday and I got to speak along with my sisters and cousin. We had to give her a proper send off and tell her how much we loved her. She was always so good to all of us. She taught me how to make the best cinnamon rolls, how to embroider, and how to stay happy through adversity. Still working on that last one. She was quite a lady, a Rosie the Riveter, and the World's Best Grandma.

15 Years!

Today is our fifteenth anniversary. It's true what they say that you love them more and more as time goes on. After we moved Reed promised he would be my BFF until I found someone to hang out with up here. I stopped looking months ago, because I like him the best!