SOOOO Proud

So, the big news in our family is this, which Kaydin got last week:

Dear Parent,

I am thrilled to inform you that, based on his academic achievements and leadership potential, your son, Kaydin, has been nominated to attend the Junior National Young Leader's Conference to be held this summer in Washington D.C.
Kaydin was nominated by his teacher, Mrs. Donni Baase, who recognized him as one of a select group of students with the scholastic merit, maturity and strength of character to represent Syracuse Arts Academy and the state of Utah at this unique leadership program for exceptional 5th and 6th graders. On behalf of the members of the United States Congress who serve on our Honorary Congressional board of advisors, I congratulate you on Kaydin's achievements. You must be very proud.

Well, I tell you what-I am very proud. Kaydin works so hard in school and is doing work at 8th grade level. At PTC last week, his teacher informed me that they have had to modify the curriculum for Kaydin and have purchased new materials just for him because he is so advanced and was bored with the regular class work. Dang, that kid is good. He will head off to DC for six fun-filled days in August, where he will get to tour the White House, Capitol Hill, the American History Museum, the Lincoln Memorial, all the war Memorials and will get to stage a mock trial. We are excited for him to go and he is totally excited about it. Way to go, Kaydin! We are so proud of you!!!!!

My adopted hometown!

I am so sad. This is a picture of downtown Bozeman this morning. A gas line exploded and leveled half a city block. They haven't reported any casualties or injuries, but they also said the buildings (5 of them destroyed) were too unstable to search. I truly hope there are no casualties or injuries. Maybe I am too emotional, but this just made me want to cry. We lived here for 10 years! I have been in some of those buildings! This is where they have our annual Christmas stroll! So, so sad!

Kellyn

Kellyn was sad that the kids get school pictures taken and she doesn't so this morning we had our own little photo shoot. I am in love with this girl. She is so flipping cute!

Science Fair

working hard, thinking hard
Kaydin's experiment

This week was the science fair. Projects were due on Tuesday. Did the kids have 2 months to prepare? Yes. Did that stop us from staying up all hours Monday night (I even called in to work) to get the posters done? No. In any case, they turned out ok, although I didn't get a picture of Maryn's display. She did hers (or rather, I did hers) on left/right side dominance. The poster that you see here is Kaydin's. I did the lettering for him, but he did all the work and even drew a diagram of how he wanted the display laid out. His experiment was about negative inflation. In a related subject, the kids are all kinds of excited because a Utah Jazz player is coming to visit their school. They met a school-wide goal of reading over 500,000 minutes in a month, so the Jazz player will come and their principal will dress up in a chicken suit and wear it all day. Kaydin read the most in his grade (just over 4,000 minutes for the month), so he gets his own prize. The school year is half over-I can't believe it!

Puppies!

These are Scout's babies. Back around Thanksgiving, I took him to a friend's hosue. She has a female Shih-tzu. Her dog and my dog had a date. Scout was very romantic with her and made sure to bring flowers and chocolates. He would never do something as ungentlemanly as start going to town on that poor dog the minute he walked in the door. Anyhoo, 2 months later, these little darlings are the result. So cute. We are taking one when they are ready. Probably the black and white one that Rylynn says looks like a cow. On a sad note, we still haven't found Scout. He has been missing for 9 days and the kids are pretty sad. We have called the shelter and he hasn't been turned in or cleaned up off the road. We have put up posters and ads on craigslist and ksl.com, but no luck. I think someone took him. I hope whoever has him is taking good care of him.

Movin on up

Hey George! Where's Weezy? Ok, if you don't get these references, then that just means I am old. In my defense, I have never actually watched the Jeffersons either. Anyway, yes, I did this to my son and then Joseph and I almost peed ourselves laughing. He needed a haircut badly, so we usually just get the clippers out and buzz him, but I had the presence of mind to stop halfway through this time and take a few pictures. No, we did not let him go out in public like this.

Birthdays, haircuts, good times!

At Joseph's b-ball game

Aunt Amielle took the kids to Krispy Kreme. Yes, I know they look homeless.
Trevin's #9

Tristan's #9

Haircuts!

Ewan's favorite toy!
It's not like I'm encouraging this

Happenings lately:
Tristan turned 9
The next day, Trevin turned 9
After much pleading and bribery, Kaydin and Trevin let me get their hair cut
Scout's puppies were born (4 in all). Yes, Scout is a boy. These are his offspring
We can't find Scout. Not at the animal shelter, hasn't been cleaned up off the road. Where is he?
My friend David came to visit. Thanks, Dave! Seeing you made my week!
Kaydin's on the honor roll.
Rylynn had straight E's (the 1st grade equivalent of A's).
Trevin's report card was amazing as well!
Fabiola went to Job Corps.
Ewan has leared how to tell us NO! I'm so happy.
That's all, folks!