I AM A TOTAL SLACKER!

I have been a total slacker this past month. There has been much going on and not much blogging or photo taking. Jared and I were lucky enough to take a trip to Europe (pictures to come), Abby and Madison finished up spring soccer season (forgot to take pictures), they also started up slow-pitch softball (hopefully pictures to come). Bailey participated in a Mother's Day Tea party at preschool. Unfortunately, we were on our trip and I didn't send the babysitter with a camera. Bailey also attended preschool graduation (pics to come). Kelsee and Abby had their piano recital. Kelsee had her orchestra concert (we were also out of town for this event). Abby and Madison had a mother/daughter activity day (we were also out of town for this event...no photos.) Our babysitter, Ashley, did tell me that they kicked butt in the water balloon volleyball contest. Kelsee participated in a swim-a-thon to fundraise for her swim team. She swam 3 miles in under 2 hours...we missed this event too! Kelsee attended an honors night and received a few awards at school. Abby earned the Give Me Liberty award for memorizing many different things related to our country. She also had her final choir concert at school. All the kids finished school the Friday before Memorial Day so we headed up to Star Valley to visit mom and help decorate my dad's grave, attended an unexpected funeral for Jared's Uncle Butch who died of a massive stroke. Now we are home, school is out, summer has officially started and I have taken this past week to regroup. Abby, Kelsee and Madison will begin summer swim team tomorrow. I look forward to a little bit of a schedule...it helps keep me sane. Hopefully I will be able to have the computer to myself sometime this week so I can post some of the pictures of the past month.

Bailey Gymnastics

Bailey has been attending preschool 3 days a week. During that time, she gets to participate in gymnastics as well. She has done a great job .

Giving a "salute"

Waiting for her next turn..

The Bars

High School Softball

Kelsee decided to try her hand at softball this spring. She has done a great job and has made many improvements throughout the course of the year. Their team has struggled but they have held in there.

Hanging out in the dugout (Bailey took this photo..Jill and Kelsee)

Kelsee getting ready to steal 2nd.

Batter up!

Team meeting after a loss.

Glitter Balls

Have you seen these? The kids came home from school one day after Christmas break and were begging to have a glitter ball. They wanted me to take them to the store so they could buy one. They said ALL the other kids at school have them...ok ALL the kids? My friend and I looked and looked...none to be found...but after a couple weeks of looking in Target, my friend Becky found them back in stock. I recently asked the kids if they are still the hot item at school and they inform me no...the NEW rage...SKY BALLS! Go figure!

Hawaii - Spring Break 2009

For spring break this year, we made plans to take a trip to Hawaii to visit cousins. They live on Oahu in the town of Kailua. We had a blast playing at the beach, going to a swap meet, taking in the sites, watching baseball & soccer games, and hanging out.

A few things we did...

Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay

Pearl Harbor - USS Arizona

The view when we were driving to Kailua. When it rains hard, a waterfall starts to cascade down every crevice in the mountain. We didn't get to witness it on this visit. I am sure it is breathtaking.

Hiking In Hawaii

After spending all day at the beach Friday, we decided to go hiking since some of the kids were sunburned and miserable. Jared's brother Mori, took us to go hiking on his day off. We went looking for a hike and couldn't quite find it. We were up in altitude and didn't even think we were in Hawaii...a little too cold and windy. (except for the beautiful blue ocean peaking out from the clouds)

The Maunawili Trail

We found another trail to hike after we left the scenic overlook. We left Bailey behind with her cousin Marissa who had a soccer game. We were trying to hike to a waterfall but started from the wrong end (the long way) and decided to turn around after we hiked for an hour or so. We thought it would be fun to swim in the water but there was a big sign that read...

NO THANKS!!!!

Sunday after church, we went on a walk to a lighthouse that overlooks the ocean. Bailey is not much of a hiker. We began the hike with her telling Jared that her legs were getting tired. I thought to myself "this is going to be a long walk..." but then we encountered the first of many dogs. Bailey and Naomi basically ran up to the top where the lighthouse was looking for their next dog to pet. We spotted a whale poking up out of the water a couple of times but they were more interested in dogs than whales.

The Beach

Hanging out at the beach was by far the favorite past time. Boogie boarding, snorkeling, digging in the sand, burying bodies in the sand, soaking up the sun and playing with our cousins.