Promotion

The last day of school was a 1/2 day. It was also 5th grade Promotion. The students and staff line the main hallway for the Hall of Fame. Emmrey wasn't super thrilled about Mark trying to take her picture and just kept on moving;)

The ceremony was under an hour. As each student crossed the stage they projected a slide with picture, favorite part of Eyestone, future goal and a quote they like. Emmrey's said:

My favorite part of Eyestone was making new friends and participating in the different after school programs. I plan to be amazing as an Author in the future. My quote-"Never regret something that once made you smile"

With 100+ kids, they moved them along pretty quick. 

It was necessary, but made it feel a little impersonal.

It's a fun way to commemorate the transition from Elementary to Middle School. Emm had a great experience at Eyestone and made some really good friends. 

She was also lucky to have fantastic teachers all four years she attended. She liked different things about each one. Miss Neal was appreciated for her humor.

Our whole gang was able to attend the ceremony.

Emmrey wanted to stick around with me until the end of my day. 

However, she wanted to ride the bus home ... funny girl. I was out at the bus lane for the "last day send off", and caught her with her little friend Colleen. 

{love that we caught two friends saying goodbye in the back}

It's always hard to have the year end. Even harder when you're not coming back, but I think she is looking forward to bigger things across the street next year. For me ... it's all going way too fast! 

Kickball

Eyestone has a tradition of a Teachers/Parents vs. Kids Kickball game during the last week of school. I was still on the job but did manage to sneak out for a bit to watch. These girls weren't too excited about playing, but they took their turn anyway. 

It was a super hot day and with 115-120 kids and a good turn out of adults, they only got to kick a couple of times. The kids ended up with the win {16-14 I believe} breaking a several year streak!

SWEET 16 {round 2}

It was an unusual year in that school was still in session on Karsyn's birthday.  We all had somewhere we had to be that day {school/work/training/finals}. Kars didn't have time for breakfast, let alone in bed, so we started the day out pretty ordinary. Emmrey and I got home first so we set out to get things decorated for her arrival. Emmrey worked hard to jazz up her room.

We got her pictures all hung and her presents all ready.

She didn't want a party or anything fancy, just a night out for dinner. We headed to Old Town to try Beau Jo's. The pizza was good, but so ridiculously filling. We really liked that they serve honey to dip the crust in. I think I would go back for their salad bar!

Emmrey had been talking for weeks about this great idea she had for Karsyn's birthday. She wanted to do something along the lines of "ghost of birthday past". We worked together to come up with a Scavenger Hunt/Puzzle game that turned out to be a lot of fun. Kars got them all figured out first, but Bay was a close second. 

Then she opened gifts. The wish list items she got this year: North Face jacket, Patagonia hat, sandals, perfume, pearl choker, Gemini candle from Emm and a sweet note from Bailee. She got a kick out of this little Eat Your Peas advice book that Gpa Wayne & Gma Cheryl sent as part of their gift. She especially loved that on one of the pages grandma included her number so Kars could text her whenever she wants to💗

We watched the video I had made her and ended the night with Cherry Cheesecake. I hope her life continues to be all that she dreams ... and she dreams a lot;)

Turning 16

It happened. I knew it would. Yet still it leaves me in a state of shock. During those days of having three under the age of 7, I couldn't even imagine having one 16 year old. Now I've had two hit that milestone! I have enjoyed every part of being momma to this cutie {even the hard parts}.

Kars gave us quite a different experience in parenting. We thought we kinda had things figured out and she proved us wrong. I wouldn't have it any other way!

I have found so much joy in her unique personality. Don't get me wrong, it has been challenging at times, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. Kars has always had a strong sense of independence and wanting to figure things out on her own. This came at a price of lots and lots of falls. When she was a few years old, she would remind me as we passed various parks in Cody "member I fall down der?" or "member I got an owie der?" ... and she was right. Every time we went it seemed. But .... it never stopped her from trying again.

Don't let all the busy/on the move fool you. This girl is also a very deep thinker and very aware of the world around her. This is one of our favorite pictures of her. It captures so many sides of her personality.

Kars has taught me about passion. Some of hers have been short lived and others linger, but when she decides she is interested in something she is all in. 

She has helped me to lighten up and not sweat the small stuff, simply because of the type of person she is {this is a work in progress for me}

She shows true confidence in who she is ... a natural beauty!

We are so lucky this little soul came into our lives. I want her to still be 6 so that I have her longer, but I love seeing the amazing 16 year old she has become. We love you the most Lu!

Memorial Day 2018

We had a really screwy calendar this year. We were off for Memorial Day and then went back to school for two days.... weird.  Another year we might have taken off for the weekend, but that wasn't practical this year. So instead we planned a little Geocaching outing.

We went to the hills between us and Laramie

We found the exact location, but no cache to be found:(

We were disappointed but headed on to Laramie to have lunch. On our way back we stopped to look for another one that Mark had entered into the GPS. 

Despite the looming clouds, he was determined we find one. 

When Mark has an agenda he has a hard time veering from it. Sadly, we just had not luck at all that day! The rain came and we got home in time to BBQ our burgers with umbrellas. 

Last Field Day

The last week of school always seems to be a buzz of activity. We kicked it off with a Luau themed field day. PTO had paid for Hawaiian dancers to come for the opening ceremony (they were not nearly what I expected-but a nice touch nonetheless)

  It was a little different feeling this year, knowing it would be our last one. I was still teaching that day, so I was with my 5th grade class. 

Luckily it was the same grade as Emm so I could catch peeks at her once in a while. 

 Bailee came over and joined us for lunch and thankfully took all the pics for me. Between injuries and kids whining because of the heat {it was hot}, I was a little preoccupied.  We were outside pretty much the entire school day and we were all beat by the time the bell rang!

Road Trip with friends

The week after Bay got home from Laramie, she went on a little road trip with a few of her college friends. Daphny lives near Denver, so she picked Bailee up and they drove to Evanston where Kelsey lives. It was only a 5 1/2 hour drive, but the first time she had done this without us ... so it was kinda a big deal. 

 They went to Hogle Zoo one day. And to Crystal Hot Springs in Logan another day. 

 It was also Kelsey's birthday while they were there, so they had a little party with 

her friends and family.

She was gone four nights and had a grand little time exploring her independence.

MS Walk ~ Mother's Day

The last few years have been a little hit and miss with the MS Walk.  As important as this is to me, it's not always easy to make it work. This year I was determined to make it a priority and as I searched for nearby walks, I found there was one in Cheyenne on May 12th. 

Turned out to be Mother's Day weekend which made it even more perfect:) 

getting a little motivation before the walk kicks off

It was held at the Depot Plaza and despite it being a little cool and dreary, 

they had a great turn-out.

We grabbed a little fuel and started off toward the Capitol

We completed the 3 mile route which took us up around the Capitol and through the downtown area. It was fun to do a little reminiscing of walks around our neighborhood during the year we lived there.

the Capitol doesn't have the same affect with the gold dome under construction

It was a great way to spend part of the day. I'm so glad these girls (and guy) were so supportive of something so important to me.

Sunday morning I was served delicious Crepes for breakfast.

Bay and Kars made arrangements with Mark to take me to lunch and a movie. Unfortunately, the movie wasn't rated for Emm but I sure had fun with these two. 

We ate at Jason's Deli and went to see Life of the Party.... so funny!!

 Later that night, Mark made dinner and I enjoyed relaxing with all three of my girls. 

I am the luckiest Momma in the world!

 I received sweet notes and gifts. My parents always remember me too:)

First year in the books

I can't even believe that Bailee has her first year of college behind her. Seriously ... time moves so quickly. Of course last August when we were dropping her off, it felt like it would be the longest year ever. She made some amazing friends and I will be forever thankful for these girls that took such good care of her.

a few of her closest buddies=Victoria, Kelsey, Liz, Daphny

I was so worried about how she would do away from home and had serious anxiety that homesickness would do us both in. Aside from a few rough days, she did amazing .... better than we (Mark and I) could have ever imagined.

We picked her up May 11th. She had already sent a load or two with Mark and I on different occasions and we still barely got it all in. It seemed like she had more than she went with. Then again, when we dropped her off, it was just the three of us = more car space;)

lots of growth this year - for both these girls;)

In addition to coming home a more knowledgeable, responsible, independent, and self assured young lady .... she came home with quite a collection of UW swag {this is only part}. She is headed for a busy summer of work. We are thrilled to have her home for a few months even if we won't see her all that much. I am sure move in day will come too soon for me:)