Memorable MondaySpace Shuttle

Angela participated in a space shuttle mission that Mesa Public Schools offers the 6th graders.  There is a team of instructors who specialize in this area and go to different elementary schools to teach the 6th grader what to do.  Angela was the Communication Specialist on the space station and had some assignments that she had to do.  It was a great experience for her to be with her peers and participate in the program.

The Space Shuttle @ Porter - inside and out

Space Shuttle and Space Station

I remember Josh and Danni had the same opportunity when they were in 6th grade.  Danni was the shuttle pilot and flew the shuttle during their mission.  Josh was the technology specialist on the space station.

I remember watching the space shuttles go up in space.  I was in awe every time they went up.  I was in high school when the Challenger blew up as it went into space.  Since there was a school teacher on board, the schools had a vested interest in watching the space shuttle.  Mr. Mason, my chem teacher, was one of many teachers that NASA considered to send up on that mission.  He was deeply affected that day.  I  remember watching the news over and over again as they determined the cause.  I also remember watching the news when the Columbia fell apart as it re-entered the atmosphere.  It was heartbreaking to see them enter the space shuttle not knowing that they will return home safely. 

The space shuttle missions have ended and the space shuttles have been retired.  The Discovery shuttle was flown over DC and it makes its way to the Smithsonian Museum.

Piano Recitals

Emily had her "Let's Play Music" recital with her classmates.  The 3rd years had their own concert which was made it really nice.  They sang a few songs - "Treble, Bass, Line, & Space", "Let's Find the Root"(complete with sun glasses), and "Our Bugs are so Fun".  Emily performed her original compositions titled "Dear Mother".  To end the concert, the kids performed a Skater Puppet Show.  I'm so glad that my younger two girls had the opportunity to participate in this amazing program.  Emily has graduated from "Let's Play Music" and now she can take piano lessons.

Angela had her piano recital with Sis. Favreau.  This year, Angela took piano lessons and learned a lot. She plays the piano very well and is constantly improving.  I'm so proud of her.  She performed "Taco Fiesta" at the piano recital.  She loved the name of the title and wanted to play that song. We are so proud of you Angela!!!

Music Man

Taylor put on the Music Man Jr. this year.  Danni auditioned for a part and was so nervous about singing a solo in front of the judges.  It was a great experience for her and she landed the perfect role for her.  She worked really hard on the musical and attended rehearsals for 3 months, some of which were all day and some lasted well in the evening.  She really enjoyed spending the time with the cast and performing on stage. I really enjoyed getting involved as well and helped whenever I could.  Mesa High was such a great support to Taylor this year - they provide mics and help when needed.  Emily Ellingson, a MHS student, came and help direct the play.  She was a valuable member of the directing team and was very encouraging and helpful to the kids.  The play was amazing and all their hard work paid off.

Danni played Alma Hix 

Danni did an amazing job!

Danni was one of the Pick-a-Little Ladies

Zach was in Music Man too!

Music Man

More pics from Music Man

Getting Ready for the Show

Complete Cast and Crew

 GREAT JOB!!!!!

Jazz Concert

Mesa High held a combined Percussion and Jazz Band Concert on the stage.   The seating arrangement was cool and the audience sat on the stage too which made the concert much more intimate.  Josh is involved in 2 Jazz Bands - Jazz Band Combo and Jazz Band II.  One band is an after school club while the other one is a class offered at Mesa High.  Josh really loves Jazz Band and I love to hear him play.

Josh playing with the Combo

Memorable MondaySpring Pictures

I just received the spring pics from the schools.  I love to make collages of the kids school pics and see them side by side.   MHS didn't take spring pics, so I added one of Josh to the collage.

My kiddos

Since Emily is in first grade, I wanted to see my kids 1st grade spring pics side by side.  Since Josh was in 1st grade twice, I included both pictures in the collage.  Angela attended Roosevelt when she was in 1st grade and they didn't take spring pictures, so I included a picture of her after a field trip.  It's fun to look and see the similarities and differences they had when they were the same age.

First Grade Spring Pictures

Dancecentennial 2012

"With and entertaining narrator highlighting Arizona's historical people, places, and milestones, nearly 1,100 young women and young men filled a local football field to celebrate the state's centennial with music and dance.  Thousands watched the 'Dancentennial' which was performed in two shows April 21 at Mesa High School."  Church News

My kids have worked on the dance centennial since the beginning of the year.  There was a fireside to kick off the event.  Angela was 11 years old when she started practicing for the festival. She worked really hard and it was great to watch her.  Danni is a great dancer and it was great to watch her perform.  I didn't know that Josh could dance, but he has some good moves.  This was a great experience for my kids and I really enjoyed watching it.

Danni, Josh, and Angela

Angela and her partner Alice Johnson

Danni and her partner Jocelyn

Josh and his partner Samantha

Memorable MondayGood Friends

Kenzie was baptized this weekend.  She is so darling and her baptism was perfect.  Kenzie looks so happy!!  My girls sure do love her.  They have become such good friends and play so well together!!

Kenzie's Baptism

Chyrisse came down for a visit and stayed with Lisa.  She is a dear family friend for my mom, Lisa, and myself.  She met Lisa first and they did some fun things in YW.  After Lisa married, we became good friends and did some YA stuff.  She has been good friends with my mom through it all.  My mom loves Chyrisse and considers her one of her daughters.  The night before the baptism, I hung out with Chyrisse and Lisa.  We laughed about some of the good times that we had together.    

We love Chyrisse

Choir Competition

The Ovation Choir at Taylor went to Shepherd to compete at the Junior High festival.  I brought along a few guests with me - Iralee and Felicity. After their performance, they went to hear a clinician about their performance.  They earned a excellent rating.  Goo Job!!!!

Ovation Choir performing

Ovation Choir with plaque

Pace Family Photos

Mardy, Iralee, and the kids were in town, so we headed off to the Mesa Arts Center for Pace family pictures.  The pictures turned out great and we had a great time hanging out!

Complete Pace family picture

Grandparents & Grandchildren

Pace family

Our Family

Girl Cousins

While the professional picture were being taken,  I took some snapshot of my own.  Here are just a few of the photos.

Josh and cousins

Danni and cousins

Angela and Emily with cousin

My kiddos

Porter Picnic

\

Porter holds a picnic lunch twice a year and this time dad came with us.  The girls don't have lunch a the same time, so we had lunch with Emmy first  and then Angela.  This is the last Porter Picnic for Angela.  Mrs. Sparks was having a birthday, so the kids in class had a yummy cupcake during lunch time.

Emmy with her dad 

Angela and I

Memorable MondayMy Kids' Second Easter

Since yesterday was Easter, I wanted to look back and blog about past Easters.  I already blogged about their first Easter, so here are some pics of their second Easter.

It's so fun to look back and see my kids as babes and toddlers.  Time literally just flew by.

Easter

On Friday morning, we invited Kenzie over to dye some eggs.  Josh and Danni were gone, so it was just the three girls.  It's a tradition to dye eggs and the girls love it. They had a really great time and they made some colorful eggs.

On Saturday, we went to a local Easter party, where the girls played games, jumped in a bouncy, rode a horse, and went on Easter Egg Hunt.  It was a lot of fun for the girls, and not so much work for mom.  The Easter Bunny was even there to say hi to the girls.  Danni came for a little while and she played a few games and watched the Easter Egg Hunt.  There wasn't much for a 14 year old to do at this party.  She went to the Easter Pageant that evening with some friends.

I love getting Easter pictures of my family.  We really enjoyed hanging out with each other this Easter, especially since we didn't do our traditional activities together as a family. The girls really loved having Josh home and spend some good quality time with him.  It warmed my heart to see all of my kids bonding on Easter.

Pace Family - Easter 2012

My Kids

On Sunday morning, we went to church.  The spirit was really strong and the meetings were very uplifting.  As I was listening to the lesson in RS, my mind wandering to a painting in the room of the Savior appearing to Mary after He was Resurrected.  I stared at the painting throughout most of the meeting and pondered on the knowledge that I know my Savior lives.  He has paved the way for us to return to live with our Heavenly Father.  I know that we can live again because of our Savior.  

Josh visits New York

Josh had the opportunity to go to NY with the band.  He was so excited for this opportunity and I so glad that he was able to go.

Here are some wonderful things that Josh was able to do and see in NY:
1. He flew in an airplane to and from NY
2. He went to Battery Park and traveled in a ferry to see the Statue of Liberty.
3. He performed at the Lincoln Center.
4. He went to the Top of the Rock which is an observation deck on top of Rockefeller Center.
5. He attended Music Masterclasses in NY.
6. He attended the NY Production of Mary Poppins
7.  He went on Lincoln Center Tour.
8. He toured many sites in NY - Time Square, Greenwich Village, Ground Zero, Wall Street, Lincoln Center, Central Park, and many other sites.
9.  He attended an Opera.
10. He attended a Radio City Music Hall Backstage Tour.

All in all, he had a fabulous time!!

To and From New York

Having fun in New York

Josh and some friends in Time Square

Josh with some friends in New York

Some sites with Aunt Lisa

Off to the Opera