10 Second Timer Up Our Beautiful Canyon

Awards for 2018-19 School Year

 KayDee received Honors for getting a 3.9 GPA 

and Excellence in Math.

 Derrick received Honors for getting a 4.0 GPA 

and Exellence in Math

Sam was student of the month and recognized by the History department. She was acknowledged for being a great student and person in and out of the classroom.

She earned a 3.9 GPA this year as well.

Samantha Dating and Dances Junior Year

 Homecoming

 Sadies

Ugly Sweater, Christmas Dance

 Morp

Community Dance

Preference

Prom

Spring Band Concert with Special Guest

 Derrick really enjoys band! They did a great job for their concert and even had a guest conductor for the last song. We were belly laughing as this T-Rex did Michael Jackson moves! His director is great!

Derrick plans to continue band as he moves to the High School next year and has even joined the Marching Band.

Spring Soccer

 I was able to coach Derrick's soccer team for the third season in a row. We had 11 returning players and tied for 1st place. This was Derrick's last year playing city league and he ended up scoring for the first time in a game. He normally plays midfield but I rotate my players through positions depending on how skilled the team is we are playing. He is an excellent midfielder, he runs and charges after the ball. He directs the ball up the field to pass to the forwards and supports the defense. I am amazed at how much he has grown in skill this season.

This was at our soccer team party. He is by the goal, blue socks. As coach, I do not have time to take pictures during the games because I am focused on my team. The scrimmage was pretty fun!

Backpacking: Zion West Rim

 I was able to join 10 other women from my ladies backpacking group to do the Zion West Rim Trail. We went 20 miles total. 11 the first day and 9 the next. The weather was forecast to be cold and rainy but we had overcast skies the first day and sun the next.

 We hurried and set up camp, expecting rain but were surprised that we only got a sprinkle during the night and we woke up to a blue sky!

 Beautiful views!

 While at one of the springs, four deer decided to come see what we were doing. They were not scared at all and this one tried to get the apple that is in my top pocket! I walked up the trail from the spring just in time to see!

 My friend from elementary school. It is so fun we enjoy backpacking together!

 This is all of us! On a rocky trail, cliff. My knee was hurting from all the downhill hiking. There was about 4 miles of downhill switch backs and we passed the trail to Angel's Landing, which was a 3 hour wait with the crowds. We were not interested and continued down the trail.

We finished our hike in Zion and had to ride the buses down. It was a tight squeeze for our packs and the crowds. We stopped at Hermies and enjoyed a late lunch! I'm glad I get to go on some adventures and try new things and go new places. I hope to have a couple more adventures this year!

Orchestra Concert

KayDee had her spring orchestra concert. She still loves playing the violin and plans to play next year in school.

It's Time to Race! RAGE

 Packet Pick Up!

So I wanted to spend more time with my sister this year and I knew she was doing races, mainly triathlons. I called her up and said I want to do a race with you but I don't want to run (my joints are not happy with lots of running). She said she had this Aquabike race coming up in April so I signed up and started training. We were supposed to go 48 miles on the bike but they changed it to the Olympic distance a week before the race, 24 miles, so I was more than ready.

 Getting Ready to get into Lake Mead! 64 degrees! I was pretty happy with my wetsuit. After dumping cold water down it, Yikes that's cold, I was ready to climatize to the lake faster. The water was very wavy with the wind and I had plenty of adrenaline. I started out too fast and was breathing too hard to swim well. I finally held onto a buoy and relaxed, then I started out again like I should have at the beginning and was able to freestyle stroke the rest of the way. I wasn't the last in the water but I was definitely behind my category wave.

 On to the bike. I was feeling pretty good and was passing people on the up hills and being passed on the down hills. I'm a wimp going too fast, plus there was wind and quite a bit of gravel on the road. I like to feel safe.

 Yep! I got a flat tire! I was prepared and knew what to do since I get them all the time! I had a spare and one of the volunteers, which I knew from the women's hike to Phantom Ranch, stopped to help. I had 6 miles left and a bulging tire. She said I could easily do it! I was the last person to finish the bike course overall.

 Well I think I got some kind of record. I was last to finish the bike course but 2nd in my category. If you can't figure that out, there were only two women in my category. In the end I am listed as 1st place in my category since the other winner won an overall award. I'm feeling pretty great being first and last place all at once!

 It was a great race and I'm glad I was able to do it. I started training in January and had a lot of work to do. I had to learn how to freestyle swim and breathe between strokes. I had to raise my miles on the bike. I enjoyed the challenge and felt the rush of working hard for a race. I would love a do over but I am really happy with all my hard work. My sister did amazing and is training to do a half Ironman in Kona, Hawaii. She ended up doing the Olympic Triathlon, just added the run, since our race was cut shorter. I was able to cheer her on when she crossed the finish line for the run.

And I will be purchasing new tires! Hopefully thorn resistant!

Spring Break: LA Universal Studios Day 2&3

 We decided years ago to ask our kids what kind of activities they wanted to do for our vacations. Universal Studios came up and we did it! We spent 2 days enjoying the sites and avoided a lot of crowds.

 Harry Potter was definitely fun! It was closed in the morning and when we came back the line was long! We saw the single rider line and decided to use it. We were on and off the ride in less than 10 minutes so we had to go again! And again...

 We loved the live shows and the tour around Universal Studios to see all the things they use to make movies.

 We liked all the rides, 3D, roller coasters and holograph. Our favorites were The Mummy, Transformers and Harry Potter.

 We drove home on Day 4 and listened to conference and also The Ranger's Apprentice Books. It made the drive way more fun! 9hrs!

KayDee got a hat as her souvenir and plans to wear it, even to school. I think it's adorable! The Light Fury!

Spring Break: LA Day 1

 Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust

Sometimes our kids wonder why we take them places that are sad or difficult. This is something Kevin and I feel passionate about. We want our kids to understand history, the good and the bad, even the really bad. They need to know why they have it so good and what bad really means. Although not our favorite stop, everyone was glad we visited and learned more about history. They had a place to write a note to the children who were part of the holocaust and place in a hole in the wall. We all had something to write.

Los Angeles Temple

We wanted to do baptism for the dead while we were in Los Angeles. This temple is so beautiful and our drive was beautiful. Thank goodness for google maps with traffic reports to get us there in good time.

Bike Ride

We started our spring break with a bike ride. We went about 18 miles along a beautiful scenic bike path. We even had  a few friends tag along. It was a great day for a ride!