Cousins & Friends

I love the relationship between cousins. There aren't the ups and downs that siblings have and unlike friends who come and go throughout life, cousins are permanent and part of an eternal family.


Ellie and 2 of her cousins were born within a few months of each other. They were the first grandchildren (she was the only girl) and they were very close. They enjoyed hours on the trampoline, Easter egg hunts, costume parties on Halloween, pinata parties on New Year's Day and Ellie's favorite, working in grandma's garden together.



When they were in the 3rd grade, the FATEFUL DAY OCCURRED!
It was just after Thanksgiving and we were all together making gingerbread houses. Ellie was working meticulously on her "Victorian Christmas Cottage." The boys started making North Pole battle scenes, which included, but were not limited to, ripping apart marshmallow snowmen, scattering their body parts all over their gingerbread and using all of grandma's red food coloring for the blood. I'll never forget the look on Ellie's face that day. Boys (cousins and the rest of them) had officially become DUMB AND IMMATURE!!



Fast forward six years. Now they are all teenagers and have so much in common. They love to communicate via Facebook, texting and talking about life.


Isn't it nice to see how much they've "matured?"

End of Season

Mitchell's basketball team played their last game tonight. Basketball is one of Mitchell's greatest loves. They were an wonderful team and learned to play incredibly well together. Can't wait for fall and the season to start up again.


I love this one. It shows Mitchell putting his tongue in his cheek. That's how you know he is seriously concentrating. He does it while taking tests, performing a musical piece and in sports. If only I could see that bulging cheek when I was offering my great advice and instruction to him.

Sunny St. George

We enjoyed a great, warm weekend in St. George. Blossoms on the trees, green grass, blue skies. And we got to come home to 6 inches of snow!

The Gift of Wisdom

Madelyn danced the part of "The Gift of Wisdom" in her ballet school's production of "Sleeping Beauty." She loved it!
If I could bestow any "Gift" upon my children it would be the "The Gift of Wisdom"

Transition

Tonight was a busy one for Ellie, marking a few events in her life.


The evening started with the National Junior Honor Society's Induction Ceremony for the new members and officers at the junior high. As a vice president, Ellie was part of the program and ceremony. This was her first step at wrapping up her ninth grade year and ending her junior high school experience.



As soon as that ended, we ran to the high school and registered her for her sophomore year...wasting no time moving forward.


The night ended at the Young Women's "NEW BEGINNINGS"....quite appropriate, I thought.

A Mother's Heart

"The mother's heart is the child's school-room." -Henry Ward Beecher

A Fun Family Home Evening

We were invited to get together with some great families to share a night of fun, food and MUSIC!


Starting out goofy!

A Little Macarena---Is that in the Home Evening Manual?


The fog machine getting to Ellie (or maybe she didn't want her picture taken)


Mitchell getting some homemade pizza


Madelyn having fun with the big girls


Mini concert by Justin Williams-- a little preview of his new CD


Justin singing to his screaming groupies


What is she doing??


Ending even more goofy!
These people make me laugh...and even more important, provide wonderful friendships for our family. Thank you! We love you!!!