Articles of Faith Recognition

Last Sunday, the stake honored those kids who memorized all 13 Articles of Faith. Dani was on her trip to San Diego and Angela was sick, so we were unable to make it to the ceremony. Our Primary president held on to their awards and I gave them to the girls when we got home today. Our ward and stake are really working hard to help the children learn the 13 Articles of Faith. Dani and Angela worked really hard for this accomplishment and I hope to earn it again next year.

Chess Tournament

Josh had another chess tournament today and I was able to attend part of it. Jim was the chaperone for the chess club and stayed for the tournament. A chess tournament is an all day affair to allow time for the kids to complete 4 games, lunch, and an awards ceremony. It was so great for Jim to spend it with Josh and his teammates. I came for the last game and stayed for the awards ceremony. The Taylor team did very well.

Dani's Trip to California

Dani went to San Diego with the Hope Club. The Hope Club was started again at Porter Elementary School this year to promote recycling, gardening, and learning how to take care of the planet we live in. The club started planning this trip in September and Dani was so excited to go.

Dani left Porter at 9:00 pm on a charter bus. The idea was for the kids to sleep on the way to San Diego - but Dani was way to excited to sleep. They arrived to San Diego at 5:00 am. They were going onto a boat trip at 9:00 am, they were 4 hours early. So the kids and parents slept until 9:00.

At 9:00 am everyone put on their scarfs, coats, gloves, anything could keep them warm! Then they got off the bus. They walked to the boats and were told what to do to be safe on a boat, then the instructor chose 2 kids one boy to be a Model. And one to be the Slime Princess. He chose Dani as the Slime Princess.

The Slime Princess, (Dani) got to pick a Lobster's nose (she was tricked!) and she got to put her hand in a fish's mouth and much more stuff you wouldn't normally do! The Model showed everyone how to wear a life jacket, he walked around like a real model. So they set off on their new adventure. About a half hour later they threw a huge net out to catch some critters from the bottom of the sea.

An hour later they used wet ropes to pull the net up, they caught many, different critters. Then the sun finally came up. After the sun came up it finally warmed up, but after 5 minutes of warmth, it started to rain! It rained all on the way back to the shore.

Then we went to Sharky's Pier, which served us breakfast, lunch and dinner. After that we went to Sea world for the rest of the day. at sea world, we saw so many sea animals! The last activity we did at sea world was the famous shamu show! My group sat in the soak area! And when the shamu cam splashing by, BOOM we were soaked!!! And a special cheer they taught us was where you put your hands beside each other and wave them up and down and yell: Shamu! Shamu! with the beats of the music! It was stuck m my head for the rest of the trip and about a week after! Then we went to the beach and at marshmallows while telling stories by a bonfire. That night we slept at the Mission Valley Resort with our "group" I was grouped with my besties!! Miranda Krist, Annmarie Burleson, and Emma Scott. We took showers, and we turned on the TV and joked about the boy ballerina dancer's and how weird they looked, then we ate starbursts, then fell asleep after a long and exhausting day.

That morning we had breakfast at Sharky's Pier. That day all the seagulls were out. They were snatching our pancakes, and bacon! Then we went to Scripps Aquarium. It was a neat experience! After that we went to a barbecue lunch at Sharky's and then we ended out trip by going shopping at Seaport Village where we later got dessert. We left San Diego at 2:00 and got back at 10:00 pm, I was so glad to see my family again!!

Memorable MondaySea World

One of Dani's favorite parts of her San Diego trip was the trip to Sea World. I thought about the first time I took my kids to visit Sea World. We went to California with my sister's family, and spent the day at Sea World. We took in several shows, including the Walrus/ Sea Lion show, Shamu show, and the Dolphin show. The kids made sure that we got soak seats for the Shamu show, and we did get soaked - thanks kids! We had an enjoyable time and it's fun to look back and remember that day. The kids might not remember that day, but that's what pictures are for.

Life Scout

Josh received his Life tonight and we are so proud of him. Josh has worked hard to earn merit badges so that he can advance in the scouting program. Josh really enjoys scouting and it has taught him some valuable lessons. Now that he has earned his Life, he can start to work on his Eagle.

Congratulations Josh!

Memorable MondaySnow Day

Josh had another snow campout this year. The rest of the youth in our ward joined them for some sledding on Saturday morning. Josh really enjoyed the sledding and had a great time. It reminded me of the first time we took our kids to play in the snow - Josh was 5 ,Dani was 4, and Angela was 2.

In 2001, we went up to Utah to attend the sealing of a friend of mine. My brother lives in Salt Lake City and we spent some time with him while we were there. We planned a trip up Little Cottonwood Canyon to play in the snow. When we read Alta ski resort, we parked and found a great hill right next to our car to play on. It took me 30 minutes to get my kids dressed and ready to play in the snow. We spent about 15 minutes playing in the snow before my kids were cold and decided that they were done. It took me another 15 minutes to take off the snow clothes and dress them back into their warm clothes. Jeff was shocked that it took so long to get ready just to play for just 15 minutes in the snow. What can I say? My kids love the snow, just small doses of it. We had a great time and I'm so glad that Jeff came with us.

Josh in the snow

Dani in the snow

Jeff and Josh sledding down the hill to the parking lot.

I'm holding Angela in the parking lot. I love the beautiful landscape behind me.

Memorable MondayEagle Scout

One of Jim's scouts is planning is Eagle Court of Honor next week. Jim was asked to find some pictures of himself as an Eagle Scout to share at the Court of Honor. Jim's mom found a great picture with Jim and his grandparents and a couple of pictures of Jim doing his Eagle Project. Jim's project was to help clear part of the Mormon Battalion Trail. Jim's ancestor - James Pace marched with the Mormon Battalion.

Taylor Band Day

The Taylor band invited 5th & 6th graders from the feeding elementary schools to a Taylor Recruitment Band Day. The elementary school students played side by side with the Junior High students for a few hours and then put on a little concert for the parents. I went a little early to snap some photos and help serve the students lunch. This is a great way to introduce the students to Junior High band and encourage them to sign up for band next year. It's also a great way to meet students who will attend Junior High next year. Dani loves playing drums at Porter, but plans to try other classes at Taylor - mainly drama. Josh is playing the bass clarinet this semester at Taylor and enjoys playing it. It was an awesome experience for both Josh and Dani and they both had a great time.

Dani playing and learning from Taylor band members and her band teacher - Mr. A

Dani and her friends after lunch

Josh and Mitchell - Both are in the band

Memorable MondayBirthday Calendars

Last year, I made a birthday calendar for my mom for Christmas. I included pictures of the family from the past few years. The calendar also had a individual pictures of family members on their birthday square, so you could visibly see whose birthday it was. I included the birthdays of my grandparents, my parents and their siblings, and my siblings and their families. The calendar turned out great and my mom totally loved it. She thought that my brothers would each like a copy, since they live out of state. So, I mailed a copy of the calendar to my brothers in Utah. Then, I realized that my sisters and I wanted one too, but I ordered 3 more calendars for us. I think I started a tradition because I making a birthday calendar for 2010. I wanted different pictures than last year, so I started to look back at pictures of my parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and found some great pictures and information. I learned that this is my small attempt to learn about my family history and share that with my family. It's been a great experience for me as I create this birthday calendar for 2010.

Here is the back of the calendar - It's shows all the months

Here is the month of August - I think there are more August birthdays

Here is the 2010 calendar - I learned more about the software and included more photos.

Back of 2010 calendar

New Year's Day

Jim and I had a great New Year's Eve. All 4 kids were invited to a family party, so Jim and I went out to eat and then decided to rent a movie. We went to the nearest Redbox and picked out a movie that sounded good. When we put the movie in, we realized that it was an animated movie. I refuse to watch an animated movie when there are no kids around. Jim and I decided to play the wii and had a great time. We didn't play the games very well, but it was a blast just figuring it out. It was a great date night. We picked up the kids before midnight and returned home. Half of them made stayed awake to greet the new year.

I always want to make New Year resolutions, but I still relaxing from Christmas and don't think about it until it New's Years Day. There are a few things that I want to work on, so I set them as some goals to work on this next year.

• Spend less money


• Be consistent in prayers, scripture reading, and Family Home Evening


• Attend the temple more often


• Live a healthier lifestyle


• Spend more time with my family

HAPPY NEW YEARS!