daddy daughter dance

Natalie's favorite school event...the Daddy/Daughter Dance!  What's not to love about dressing up, seeing friends, doing crafts, dancing, eating treats, and spending time with Dad?

The pictures Kevin took at the school were pretty dark, but at least I got some before they left and the one below was from the photo booth.

asu night

My friend who used to work for ASU told me about a great event they host every February.  They open up their 5 campuses for people to come tour their buildings and do lots of fun things...all for FREE!  We chose the ASU Polytechnic Campus because it was closest, the date worked with our schedule, and their focus is all Science and Technology so we knew our boys would enjoy it!  The kids especially liked the Tech Labs - we got to see cool printers, copiers, robots, and drones in action. 

The kids (and especially Kevin) were very excited about the flight simulator building.  They have a program for pilots and air traffic controllers.  All of the people working the event were current teachers and students.

Below was their full size flight simulator where the kids could take a turn with a pilot student.  I was inside taking pictures and Kevin was outside.  

This was a fun start to our college touring that I'm sure we'll be doing over the next few years with Brandon. The kids liked the bags of free stuff, and they even gave out some free snacks! We'll definitely be back next year!

christmas gift experiences

For Christmas, Kevin and I decided that we wanted to give each of our kids an "experience" for part of their Christmas presents instead of more "stuff."  And to our surprise, we gave each other one too so all five of us had fun experiences in January or February.

Brandon got tickets to the Barrett-Jackson Auto Show.  He and Kevin went a few years ago and had a great time.  He missed it last year due to the youth snow trip.  (PS - when you send men to a car show and say "don't forget to take pictures," you need to specify that you want photos of THEM with the cars, instead of just dozens of car photos!)

Kevin got a plane ticket to go see Danika's brother Mark in Texas.  They have pretty much all the same interests and haven't seen each other in a few years.  They played golf, took a drive in the GTO that Mark restored, and ate some yummy Texas food!

Tyler received a ticket to a Broadway show called The Illusionists.  Seven performers including a daredevil, an escape artist, a mind reader, a trickster, an anti-conjuror, a weapons master, and an inventor made for a fascinating kind of magic/illusion show.  Funny story...I wanted a picture of Tyler and I in front of this screen.  I handed my camera (cell phone screen was shattered) to a teenager.  She seriously did not know what to do with a real camera!

Natalie was given a day at horse camp which she absolutely LOVED!  It included a horse ride, barn tour, crafts, grooming, etc.

I was given a ticket to see the Dancing With the Stars show and went with niece Kelly who also loves watching the TV show.

Everyone loved their events and hopefully we created wonderful memories instead of just more clutter!  We may have a new tradition...

choral festival

Natalie is part of the school choir again this year.  They have performed (and will a few more times) at nursing homes and school events and are part of the Drama Club production at the end of the school year.  They participated in the district elementary choral festival and I was able to go watch them.  I saw a few other schools perform and ours was by far the best (not that I'm biased or anything).  It was not a judged event, it was just for learning and practice and seeing the other schools perform.

I caught this when she was walking down to perform.

 

The good thing about being short is she's usually easy to find!  She is on the front row, second from the right (black pants and brown boots).  

Such a beautiful song about peace and hope!

Enjoying lunch with her friends afterwards.

Natalie LOVES to be on stage and performing!

science projects

Here are science projects for this year.  No awards this year, but considering I didn't have to do a single thing for them, I consider that an award in and of itself (as least for me)! Brandon's science project done over two years, so he didn't have one this year.

Tyler - 6th grade

Natalie - 4th grade

natalie's first love letter

A few weeks ago our doorbell rang one Sunday night. On our porch we found this letter from a secret admirer of Natalie, along with some candy. We figured out who it was from and I texted the boy's mom. She said he just couldn't wait until Valentine's Day and pestered them until they drove him  over! I'm sure this will be first of many love letters Natalie receives...

Here's what it says in case you can't read it:

Dear Natalie,
When I first met you, I was like, "oh that girl is cute" and as we went to church and as I got to meet you, I started to like you. I am going to give you some clues about who I am:
* I go to the same church as you
* I played with you at the Hales pool party
* I am the youngest in my family
* One time in primary when Mikey Cardon and Ava Crosby were sharing about their baptism I said ladies first Mikey.
With that being said, I hope you have found out who I am.
Love your only Secret Admirer
Who am I? Write who you think I am here.