Happy Birthday Dad

Last week we had the privilege of celebrating my dad's birthday while my parents and brother were visiting....

Rusty and our family got Dad a quesadilla maker. He enjoyed quesadillas with us, so we thought he would enjoy making them at home.

I had to put this picture in. Every time I look at Madi's silly face, I laugh. Thought you might get a laugh in as well. Laughing is good for you. Click on the picture for a closer look.

Happy Birthday Dad! We had a great time with you. Thanks for being a great Dad and Grandpa. We love you!

Fourth Of July Parade

On Fourth of July, we decided to go to a parade. None of us had been to a Fourth of July Parade, and I have to say, even though it was super long and there were parts that were too loud, it was fun....

Some of the policemen entertained us while we were waiting for the parade to start. They did some neat formations.

Those that know Madi, know that she doesn't like loud noises. When the loud part of the parade got closer,she got up and stood by me. I was plugging my ears and holding my elbows over her ears for extra protection. Emma was even plugging her ears. We were glad when that part was over.

Where's Waldo?

That evening we went to another city and watched the fireworks. It was the best fireworks show I have ever seen. We were all impressed. Well, all impressed except for Madi. She was hiding under the blanket with earplugs in her ears. She has never liked fireworks. She cried the whole time at her first fireworks show, at 7 months old. I would never of guessed at 7 years old, she would still not want anything to do with fireworks. At least now she stays quiet under the blanket.

Bike Rides Galore

Last summer we didn't ride bikes much. Emma's leg was healing (broke her leg in three places in Spring 2009) and was too nervous to ride, so the girls mainly rode their scooters. Emma grew quite a bit since she's been on her bike; when she got on it this spring she looked like a giant.

This spring I have been shopping for a used bike for Emma. Hadn't found anything. When my parents got here, I had told them that it would be great if I found a bike while they were here so we could use their Suburban. First day they were here, we found one. It is a used Trek. She has been going on bike rides with my dad the last two weeks. Speaking of bike rides, she just got back from one with Chris.

Madi got Emma's old bike; it fit's her just right. Dad, Chris and myself have been helping her learn to ride with no training wheels. She is doing great. She just needs to grow her arms a tad longer and get a little stronger so she can break. Just a minor detail.

Copper Mine

While my parents were visiting we took them to the Kennecott's Bingham Canyon Copper Mine. We had a great time. As you can see it was very windy....

The picture above is Madi. The picture below is Emma.

Grandma and the girls (plus another little girl) looking at rocks under the microscope.

Last summer we went with my in-laws to the mine. To see the post on it, go to July 2009 "Kennecott's Bingham Canyon Mine With My In-Laws." There are some good pictures of a truck and the big hole.

Last Day

On June 30 our zoo membership was up. Thankfully we had my parents visiting, so we went to the zoo one last time. Of course we will go to the zoo again, but not buy a zoo membership for a few years. We definitely made many memories with many friends and family. As you can see by all my pictures throughout this last year, we always saw new and different animals.

My brother Rusty, Dad, Madi, Emma, and Mom posing in front of the giraffes.

The red panda is usually so far up in the tree we can't see it. The last two times we went, it has been low enough to see. Just to note, we went to the zoo the Friday before this day with one of our sweet teens from our church; I didn't have my camera.

What a perfect pose. The crocodiles are usually hidden in the water. This one was sunbathing today.

I can't get enough of adorable Zuri who, by the way is almost 1 year old. When we first came up to see Zuri, she was taking a nap. Then on the way out we took a peek at her again and she was attempting to drink water. It was adorable as most of the water dripped out of her mouth. Even how she was standing with one foot forward was adorable.

Our Girls Rock!

Last Monday, Chris and I attended the girl's award ceremony at their school. We thought it was just for their Coyote Pride Award, but soon found out there was more....

Madi received an award for being on Honor Roll for all three terms. She also completed 19 out of 20 accomplishes (needed 17) to receive the Coyote Pride Award. Madi received this honor last year at her other school (see post tittled: "My Little Soaring Eagle" in June of 2009). She also received the Academic Excellence Award, which was awarded to one person per class. We are so proud of how hard she works in school. Way to go Madi!

Emma also received an award for being on Honor Roll for all three terms. Also completed 12 out of 12 accomplishes (needed 10) to receive the Coyote Pride Award. Some of her accomplishments were completing three book reports, reading 100 minutes every week, completing 80% or higher on her spelling tests, and completing her multiplication and division tests under 5 minutes. We are so proud of her. Way to go Emma!

Note: I asked Chris what the title should be for this blog and he came up with "Our Girls Rock!" Good choice Chris.

Ant, Moon, and Earth

A couple of weeks ago, Emma and Madi had their class plays at school....

Madi and her classmate, Emma, were ants in a play called "What Do You See?" Their line was: "the world is big." Madi was adorable. Her whole class did a great job.

Emma was the moon and earth in a play called "Vacation on Mars." She had two lines and was in a trio for the moon. Her lines were: "Of course I don't, I'm the moon" and "it all depends on how much of my reflection you can see." She also had a solo as the earth. As you can see they let the students hold their scripts. Most of them didn't need them. Emma definitely didn't need them as she had most every one's lines and songs memorized. She sang her solo (holding the script, but not looking at it) well. I even had a tear in my eye as I watched my earth sing. Good job, Emma.