June 18-21, 2007

Haylee and Tanner's performing group, the "Young Americans," traveled to St. George and Las Vegas to perform at several venues, including the pre-show at the Tuacahn Theater and the Adventure Dome inside Circus Circus Hotel. I went as a chaperone and we had a terrific time! Tanner's solo was "Under the Sea" from "The Little Mermaid," and Haylee's solos included "Hero" by Mariah Carey and "A Star is Born" from Disney's Hercules. The performers had the opportunity to take a couple of workshops at the Tuacahn Center for the Performing Arts, which was a highlight. They also got to play, eat junk food, stay up late, and talk, talk, talk! We all got great seats at Tuacahn for "Cinderella" and "My Fair Lady."

The kids came home with stronger friendships with their group mates and stronger bonds with their teachers as well. BRAVO!!!

I feel so blessed every time I enter my driveway! It's also a blessing to have the yard fully landscaped with shrubs, grass, and trees. Dave has been working on clearing the garden area in the back so we can make our own fresh produce this summer! Yum!

Guess What!!! We moved! We found a beautiful home and jumped ship from Draper, where we called home for 8 1/2 years. We moved in on April 2, 2007 and are still getting settled. We love our home and are meeting new neighbors in a wonderful neighborhood. We miss seeing our former neighbors, but know that true friendships are not limited by time or location, so trust that those will endure despite our relocation. The kids love their new big bedrooms, and we're off on a new adventure.

Ben is our little movie star! This photo was taken by a photographer during a filming of a new children's DVD by The Little Playdates company. He'll be famous and you can say "I knew him when..." What a cutie! (But don't tell him that, because he's just "cool." Not "cute").

What is it about getting in a car that makes people explore their alter-egos? There is nothing quite like 6 people being enclosed within the walls of a minivan for 5 1/2 hours, stopping only for potty breaks and sugar binges. Where else could we possibly learn how to share space without so much as grazing another's arm hair? Where else would Dad be challenged emotionally enough to ask a child if they want to walk home from the side of the highway in Southern Idaho and mean it?

The family picture is from the deck of the cabin where we stayed overlooking the lake. We have been in Montana for a week and have had a glorious time--it hasn't hit us yet that we're about to get back in the car for the ride home. Yes, Tyson is dressed as Spiderman.

Dave and Tyson are in a canoe fishing the lake. Fishing, not catching fish. This is about as close to heaven as Dave gets here on Earth.

Ben sees Old Faithful for the first time! "Look at the water shooting up to the sky! It's so high!"