Put 1st Things 1st

Madison was awarded the Leader in Me award for Put First Things First today at school. The kids study and implement the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. She was asked to introduce the topic and wrote her own speach, seen above. So proud of her and never have to worry what she is doing because she always does what she knows she needs to be doing and does it. I'm grateful to trust her to babysit (Jack's proving to be a good babysitter also), help cook dinner, she loves to play the piano, sports and hang with friends. She is growing up right before our eyes. When I was looking at our family pictures we recently had taken, I had to take a double glance at her. She is so tall, 5'2" and is wearing my skirt and shirt because it was a last minute picture idea and the dress I thought fit her was way too small. Love this girl and all of her accomplishments. She'll be going far. 

Mrs Packard her teacher wrote wonderful things about Madison. 

Madison most certainly deserves to honored this month because she knows how to "put first things first." Madison has excellent organizational skills and uses them well in achieving top grades in class. She is smart, enjoys learning new things, loves to read, and always tries to do her very best on every assignment. Madison knows how to organize herself, so she can have time for school and lots of after-school activities. She also does a great job of representing our class as a student council representative. We're very proud of you, Madison! 

Jr NBA, Basketball and Volleyball wrap up

Jazz hosted a Jr NBA night at the Vivant Arena, Mike met us at work and we headed over. We arrived about 20 minutes early and waited in line, the line kept growing and growing. At 6 they opened the door. We got a grab bag with a Scheel's ferris wheel token in it and Jazz tickets. We went to get signatures. Lexi is looking at me like, who is this and why am I getting his signature. 

 Yeah, I really don't know who he is either. We also took selfies with certain images found and the kids got a pair of jazz socks. They had prizes, and the rec leagues were there handing out candy, we got to go in and see the new locker room--ok that was an option the line was so long to that and Big T Bailey that the kids took a shot on the court and we left.

 Even the Jazz Bear was there for us to get a picture with.

 Jack has also been playing fall basketball. His team is small but that's just what he likes, more playing time with a small team. He is improving each day and learning.

 We love having a tall guy on the team, Ethan grabs rebounds just like this and no one can get it. He made his first basket yesterday and was so excited. Jack scored 18 points one game and 24 another. His shots are finally falling. Jr Jazz will start in a couple weeks. This was the perfect opportunity for him to warm up for basketball season. They have been playing some really good teams, yesterday the score was 53 to 6. Ouch!

 Yep, Ethan really is a big kid, almost as tall as the coach!

 Maddy finished her volleyball season yesterday. She really enjoyed playing with lots of friends and learned a new sport that she enjoys. Alli even spiked it yesterday and then flexed. Love that girl!

 The team had 12 girls on it. Some games we had just enough to play. Sophie's Mom Marci coached the team, they were the Lucky Charms! The blue team beat them twice, the only team they lost too. Treats and a small volleyball trophy helped to make the end to a great season.

 And sometimes you get creative in the hall watching your siblings play. Yep. It's always fun to go watch siblings play when they play with friends!

Vollyball

Happy 90th Birthday Grandma! She celebrated in Kaui with her kids and spouses. We had a cookies and icecream get to gether before she left. She was married at 16, has 8 children, 33 grandkids and 84+ great grandkids. Her memory is as sharp as a pin, she still drives, works 3 days at week, exercises daily and makes the best eggs golden rod. I was talking Jill earlier and mentioned we were going to her party tonight, she suggested bringing her a snickers bar. When Chad was playing football, Grandma would bring some in her purse. Both Grandmas would come cheer him on and they'd share a snickers bar. Grammie thought that was the most genius thing ever. She never ever snacked and especially would't eat a chocolate bar just for the hell of it! Grandma Price loved it and said it was her kind of present because she could eat it and enjoy it and would sit around because she couldn't take it to heaven! 

Sophie asked the girls if they wanted to play volleyball with her. Her mom would coach. Sure why not! It has been a great learning experience and the girls are getting the hang of it. Marci played herself and has taught the girls great skills. I love the formations they play on offense and defense, the girls (and boys play too) can sometimes get a good volley going, it's awesome to play with friends and it's been a lot of fun! 

Alli, Sophie, Maddy 

 Savannah, Sophie, Maddy, Allie, Elle

 It however is very hard to take a picture in action especially on my phone! So no balls in the picture but lots of action! One serve, Maddy went through the rafters up above (the gym ceiling is so low and has rafters about it), she went through the rafters and onto the other side of the net. It counted! And helped secure game 3 for the win for us!

It's been a lot of fun and they are getting the hang of it! It's been fun to watch also and cheer them on.

12

Oh crap, it's been almost 2 months since I've blogged. What can I say, I'm falling away from blogging just like everyone else that use to blog.

But I'm going to try and get caught up just for the fun of it! I really like to use this as my journal and it helps me remember things we did. I'm behind on year photo albums also. I am however caught up on the kids scrapbooks! Yay, me! I love project life! Maybe I should try Project 365, you take a picture every day. I almost do that anyways.

First up to catch on is Madison's 12th birthday!

I'll admit, I was a little overwhelmed with her turning 12. Like how did this happen, yes I know she ages one year every year but 12! She's officially out of primary, she worked hard to earn her faith in God aware although they didn't even recognize or acknowledge her that she did it. She had an interview with the Bishop, got her first temple recommend and was worried that Mom would be too busy to celebrate her big day! Lucky for me, her birthday fell on a Wednesday which was my day off. I woke up early, ran to the store for cinnamon rolls per her request for breakfast (wish I had time to make them), she opened a new outfit (my tradition because I always love new clothes and esp on my birthday) and was serenaded at breakfast. She also requested donuts for her school birthday treat, I figured what the heck, I could splurge and buy donuts because it was the last time I would buy birthday treats at school, volunteered at school while delivering the donuts and then raced home to make her birthday banana cream pie, make homemade vanilla icecream, buy balloons and make pizza dough for her homemade pizza dinner. I finished in the nick of time!!

 After school, her bestie Alli showed up with 12 balloons! Made me feel a little cheap, because I only bought 6. But hey know we had a lot!!

 Cousins, and Grandparents came to celebrate with her. Finally time for presents! No one is ever too old for a Princess Sophia bag.

 Cards, and money and cash!

 Gel pens from Aunt Steph.

 Travel bag

 Gift card from Dan

 Case for her head phones

 Legos!!

 Clothes

 Oh, I should add the kids took pictures of Maddy. I'm not sure why I agreed, they did the same for Mike's birthday pictures which I had to delete every single one. While these have Maddy in them, they are super candid and are what they are! Oh well.

 She wanted a bath robe for her birthday. Love how practical this girl is! She loves it and wears it daily. It's super soft too. Love the color also.

 We loved having Grandma Great with us.

 Just as Alli was leaving, Maddy opened the door and she was getting a "heart attack" by the Young Womens to welcome her to YW. So we closed the door and let them do their business only to have Grandma and Grandpa leave a minute later. She was tickled pink and her smile was from ear to ear. She was so excited to be going to YW, I think she's sad to leave Primary but YW will be a great experience for her and will help her testimony grow leaps and bounds in addition to helping her learn new things and have fun experiences.

 So it's safe to say, I didn't forget her birthday Like she told Jen she was afraid I was going to and she had the best day ever. Happy 12th baby girl!