High Honors for Todd

Just have to brag a bit on Todd. He was honored for achieving a 4.0 and being a top 5th grade reader last trimester! He recently scored a 257 in his reading ISAT test (223 is considered 'advanced'! He reads over a 12th grade level. We're sure proud of his hard work and hope he can learn to be motivated and make the most of the great gift of intelligence he's been blessed with. No doubt Heavenly Father has great things planned for him in the future. We pray he will "hold to the rod".

Night at the Opera

Kate's 2nd grade Discovery group wrote an opera this year. They chose to research the Tlinkit Indians and then write an opera that teaches (through a story) the customs and culture of the group. They did an AWESOME job! Kate was the lookout guard in the story, so be sure to click on the video to watch her little solo. The kids are absolutely amazing! To see the other pictures a little better, just click on them and they'll be enlarged in the lefthand frame. Enjoy!

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San Francisco

Brad and I took a DREAM TRIP to San Francisco over Spring Break. Mom and Dad came for Jack's birthday party and then graciously took the kids back to their house for the next 4-5 days while Brad and I drove to SF. We had the very best time ever!!!! We drove the Insight, which only used 2.5 tanks of gas round trip. AWESOME!

The main event of the trip was the Saturday afternoon showing of "Wicked". It did not disappoint -- what an incredible show. If you have the chance, Go. See. It. I cried through the whole thing. I could have driven straight there, seen the show, and driven straight back and the trip would have been well worth it!

We did spend a couple of days in SF and were able to take a harbor cruise, walk the wharf, ride the cable cars, shop Chinatown, and eat ice cream at Ghirardelli Square. The Golden Gate Bridge is incredible!

Travelling is so much fun, but I was really missing the kids and my quiet life by the time we got home. It was hard to see all the homeless people and all the strangeness that seems especially prevalent in big cities. It sure made me thankful for my life and for the gospel and it's guidance.

This trip was a wonderful way to celebrate out 16th anniversary. I love my sweet, sweet, talented, kind, warm, caring, funny, love-of-my-life husband. He is the best thing about me.

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Jack's birthday

I always forget how quickly Jack's birthday sneaks up after Kate's. Only 11 days between them. I was preparing for a trip to San Francisco, Spring Break, recovering from Kate's birthday/baptism and was completely caught off guard by it! Luckily, we had made some plans for a birthday cake a few weeks before and Jack was pretty clear on what he wanted for his birthday. "Trains and cars" -- yep, we can do that!

What a fun, energetic, smart little whip of a 4 yr. old he is. He's a joy to have in our home and he completes our family in a way no other person could. We love you Jack-a-Boo!

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Todd's Solo

Todd and his good buddy Reegan!

Todd and Mrs. Garner (his music teacher). Thanks for all your hard work, Mrs. Garner!

All the 4th and 5th graders of Rupert Elementary.

Todd sang a solo tonight in the joint 4th grade/5th grade Patriotic Program for his school. He sang "Let There Be Peace on Earth". He did an AMAZING job!!!! We are so proud of him. He worked really hard on it and received many, many compliments. Good job, bud. You're growing up so quickly. It's hard to believe you'll recieve the priesthood this year.

I noticed tonight, as he was getting ready for the concert, that he is changing all of a sudden. There's hardly any little boy left in him. I'm sad and happy about that at the same time. The years are flying by too quickly.

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Kate's Special Day

I can't believe my little girl is 8! This past Saturday she had the opportunity to be baptized on her birthday. She just happened to turn 8 on the first Saturday of the month (which is our designated Stake baptism day). We had a beautiful service, attended by many wonderful friends and family members. Thank you all for your wonderful support and kindness. A big thank you to those who travelled so far to be with us. It was such a special day. Kate felt like a princess. She reaaly felt loved and cherished. It was wonderful having so much family there. We love you all!

Grandma Rose and Uncle James gave beautiful talks at her baptism, and all the cousins plus Sadie and Emma Tribe sang "When I Am Baptized" accompanied by Regan. She is such a great little pianist! They were a darling group and sang like little angels.

I'm so proud of Kate for taking this important step in her life. She is such a special little angel girl. We're blessed beyond measure to have her in our family.

More Valentine Fun!

We had a great Valentine's day this year. It was so fun to have that special day fall on a Sunday so we could spend the day together as a family. Kate had another cute heart hairdo for church and we made heart-shaped pizzas for dinner. Fun stuff! :)