Swim Team

ll three older kids tried out for swim team and made it! We (mostly Jeff) made a deal with them to just try out and see if they would even make the team and then we would discuss whether or not they had to do it. Unfortunately we never had the talk and they were signed up, like it or not they had to go! At first they were pretty miserable (swim team is hard!!!) but now they seem to like it, or at least the complaining has died down a little. They are all great swimmers and this will only help them get better - and cure a little summer boredom!

Memorial Day Weekend

We had a great Memorial Day weekend! On Friday we met Grandmummy and Tom to decorate Papa Porter's head stone and then we went out to dinner together. We also got to visit with our California cousins Friday night who were here for a funeral for Uncle Eric's friend Drew Brinley. Saturday we decorated Grandma Bills head stone and then made a quick trip up to Bridal Veil Falls. We had our first family BBQ on Monday in our backyard which was fun!

I must also note it was and adventurous weekend as well. Savanah and Justin had a pretty bad wreck on their bikes. Savanah went down first and Justin wrecked on top of her! Jeff ended up with a fishing hook in is leg - fun trip to Insta care and a painful tetanus shot! Ethan and Kate both came down with fevers for two days. The kids also got to go fishing twice, which included a fall from Justin cutting his leg pretty bad and a fall with Jeff holding Ethan - the excitement never stops around here!

Student Council/Service Club

Emily and Savanah applied to be on Student Council which is changing to Service Club and they both made it! There were over 100 kids from the school that applied and only a handful get in. It is always a little nerve racking when they both try for something - we want them both to get it/not get it so one isn't left out! We are so proud of them and are excited for them to be in a club together for their sixth grade year!

Savanah's Awards

Savanah was awarded "Achievement in Science and Social Studies" and a "Community Service" and "Principal's Award" for being in Student Council. We are so proud of her!

End of Soccer

Estelle, Savanah, Emily and Grace

Jeff with his team and assistant coach's Chad Pollard and Mac Sims

I forgot to mention that soccer even started and now it is over. Seems like that is how time goes around our house - it flies!!! The kids had a great year - Emily and Savanah's team improved dramatically and Justin's team was almost undefeated. This made for some exciting soccer games! A big change for the girls is Jeff wont be coaching their team any more. He feels like he is missing too many of Justin's games and we are anticipating two more soccer players starting this next year (Ethan and Kate). That should keep us plenty busy without adding coaching to the schedule!

Field Day

Justin danced to "Hoe Down Throw Down"

Emily and Savanah danced to the "Charleston"

Savanah and Addy Perkins

The kids had a great field day! We enjoyed lunch after with all our neighbors and then the kids were off to play games and buy treats! Justin skipped the festivities this year to help Jeff get ready to go on the Father's and Son's.

Father and Son's

Jeff and Justin had a great time at the Father's and Son's. Thankfully this year Ethan didn't ask to go...last year he wanted to go so bad I thought he would never stop crying! We are hoping next year will be his turn to try camping with the boys!

They were able to go fishing, and actually catch fish! They also got to ride a four wheeler around for a while that belongs to one of our neighbors. The biggest surprise? Waking up to 3-4 inches of snow in the morning!

Jeff's 39th Birthday

I think the older we get the less exciting birthdays become. Jeff had to work on his birthday, I guess that is normal for adults! We opened presents and enjoyed cheese cake when the little ones were in bed. We did get to go to dinner with Jeff's Mom and Tom the night before which was so nice to be with other adults and no interruptions for the evening!

Spring Recital

Emily, Savanah and Justin had their piano recital at Best of Music this year...a big step up from the church! Justin played "Divertimento in D", Savanah played "Sand Castles" and Emily played "A Whole New World". They all did a great job!

Mother's Day

This year Mother's Day ended up a little crazy at our house! The kids and Jeff made me breakfast in bed followed with the cute cards/letters they make at school for me (I have to say this is probably the best part of Mother's Day for me!) Jeff left to take his mom out to brunch, which was my idea. So, I knew I would be alone for a good part of the day.

After he left it seems everything fell apart! I couldn't get anyone to help, so that started lots of yelling on my part. Several fights broke out - older kids fighting with younger ones (still don't understand that). Kate got in the nail polish, she did get most her toes but also decided her clothes needed a coat too. I decided to take a shower with my door locked to get some peace - no such luck! Two of my children kicked their feet and hands on the door the entire time!!! Church alone with five kids didn't go any better either.

Once Jeff made it home and we were off to the cemetery things started to look up! We had a great time walking around the cemetery and the kids love to hear stories/memories of their other Grandma Bills. We even saw a para glider come down off the mountain and watched him land. After we headed to Grandpa and Grandma Bills' house for the most yummy dinner and dessert! The kids absolutely love being at their Grandparents house and love having their cousins there as well. It was so nice to relax and enjoying being with family which ended up making Mother's Day great!

Triathlon

Savanah completed another triathlon! It was in Bountiful, early in the morning so only Jeff was able to go with her. I stayed and did soccer duty with the other kids. Savanah did great and loved competing again!

Hope of American

Emily and Savanah's school participated in "Hope of America". Over four thousand students perform patriotic songs in the Marriott Center. The girls have been practicing for weeks to get ready. They did a great job!

New Ride

Justin has been so patient about getting a new bike - one with gears! I think he has been waiting for a year and a half, his mean parents kept putting him off! Now that the weather is getting nicer and the kids are riding bikes to school again, we finally bought him a new bike! He loves it and is so glad he can keep up with his sisters now riding to school.

Zoo

We went with our neighbors, the Pollards to the zoo over spring break and had a great time!