Throw Back ThursdayDanni in Tap

It's always fun to watch Danni dance.

Choir Festival

Angela's choir, Enchante, and Music Men went to festival at Chandler- Gilbert Community College.  They performed a couple of songs together and a couple separately.   Afterwards, the judge worked with them as a group.  They listened to what the judge had to say and followed his advice.  They learned a lot from him.  We listened to a few choirs and then went outside for pics and to burn off some energy.  It was a cold day, so the girls wanted to hurry with pics so they could change into some warm clothing.  Afterwards, the kids went to lunch.  The bus parked in a place where there were a lot of eating options.  Of course, Angela chose to eat at Panda Express.   After lunch, the kids went to the Citadel to sing for the residents there.  It was great to see the MHS kids walk around and talk to the senior citizens that lived there.  I'm so glad that I chaperoned on this festival trip.

Angela

Music Men and Enchante

Enchante

Enchante

Angela and I

Memorable MondayKid's 6th Easter

Here is my kid's pictures of their 6th Easter.  You can see their different personalities in these side-by-side pics.  My kids are so cute and I love reminiscing when they are younger.  

Easter 2016

We plan a lot of events during the Easter season.  I love the holiday and reflecting on Jesus and the sacrifices he made for us.  It's a time for new beginnings, family, and a time to reflect.  That's a lot to celebrate so that is why we celebrate at least a week

* We had an Easter celebration with Grandma and Grandpa Pace.  It's always fun to get together.  Jenna came home from her mission, so it was fun to see her.

Angela, Devon, and Jenna

*We dyed our eggs using natural ingredients this year - Purple Cabbage, Beets, and Turmeric,  They turned out really pretty, but was a lot of work.  We probably will not be doing that again.

* We went to the Easter Pageant this year.  We didn't get great pictures, but the beauty of the temple and Easter Pageant didn't change.  

Easter 2016 official picture

Girls

Jim and Josh

Ang and Em

Angela

Emily

Emily sang "Gethsemane" with the primary girls her age.  It was beautiful!!

Throw Back ThursdayEaster 2007

Newest Voter

Danni participated in her first primary election and it was a crazy one.  She signed up to participate in the early ballot program, so she could just drop it off.   The polling place was so busy and she had morning plans, so it worked out for her just to drop off the ballot.  A lot of people had to wait in line for hrs to vote.  Jim wait 3 hrs while I waited 11/2 hrs.  I'm glad both Josh and Danni didn't have to wait in line.  I'm so glad that Danni was able to vote in this election.  I hope she continues to vote in other election, whether they are big like this primary or small bond elections.  Voting is a great privilege!!

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Spring Break

Spring Break consisted off 2 weeks since ASU's Spring Break was a different week than Mesa Public Schools.  I wanted to make sure that we did something fun everyday.  I didn't want my kids to spent every waking minute on a device.

Spring Break - ASU

Day 1 - Riparian Preserve - Josh and I walked about the preserve and saw tons of bunnies. Afterwards we headed off to "In-N-Out" for lunch.  It was great to talk to Josh.

Riparian Preserve

Day 2 - Pianos at MAC - I heard that there were going to be 24 pianos at the MAC.  When we got there, the pianos were no longer at the MAC, but were spread all over Mesa,  We found a few around the MAC.   I wanted to see them all, so I set a goal to find every piano in Mesa.  It'll being like the "Finding Waldo" game Here's is what we found on Day 2 of Spring Break.

Piano near the MAC

Day 3 - Lunch - Jim worked at home, so we went to lunch at Pizini, a new pizza place connected to Fat Cats.  It was a great lunch and another great time to talk to Josh.

Yummy Lunch

Day 4 - A Mountain - Jim took the day off again and we headed off for a hike up A Mountain.  Both Jim and I are ASU graduates and Josh is currently an ASU student, so it seemed fitting to go up to the A.  It was a great hike.

A Mountain

Day 5 - Zootopia - The younger kids got out of school early, so we went to see Zootopia.  It's was a cute movie.  Danni was off on a birthday adventure, but she was really missed.

We loved this movie

Day 6 - Stake Run / Aviation Day - We went to the Stake Family Run in the morning and Jim. Josh, Joey, and I headed off to an Aviation Show at the Gateway Airport.  

It's fun to see Grandma and the Clawsons at the Stake Run

We had fun seeing all the cool planes.

Jim and I

Spring Break - Mesa Public Schools

Day 1 - Desert - Josh had an early class, so we picked him up from ASU and headed off to spend a day out in the desert with Grandma and Grandpa Pace.  Danni and Britt came for a short time before they headed off for more adventures.  We brought some kites and had a total blast.

Waiting for Josh

Family Pic at the desert

Memories at the desert

Day 2 - Lunch - We headed off to my girl's favorite places to eat - Panda Express.

Selfie of the girls

Day 3 - Freestone Park - I took the girls to Freestone Park,  The girls rode the truck and some other rides.  We watched a park ranger rescue a duck that was tangled in some fishing line.  It was just a great day to spend with just Angela and Emily.

Freestone Park

Day 4 - Eastmark Park - I took the girls to a park close to ASU Poly.  There was a piano there that I wanted to see.  So we went packed a lunch and headed over there.  It was such a fun park.  I wished that we lived closer because this park had so much to offer the girls and I.  This park was a big hit.  After we picked up Josh, we went to get some St. Patrick's Day shakes.

Eastmark Park

Day 5 - MAC - For several years, the MAC has had events during Spring Break for the kids to participate in.  I love that the MAC does this and I've gone every year.  This year the theme was based on light and sound.  They had some artists around the center painting, there was a fire thrower, and various activities.  While we were there, we ran into the Kenzie.  Ice cream was a great way to end the day.

Fun at the MAC

Day 6 - Riverview Park -  This is Emily's favorite park and probably Angela's too.  We took the kids to Riverview park on the last day of Spring Break.  They played while Jim and I went for a walk to find another piano.

Riverview Park

I had two fabulous weeks with my kids during their Spring Break.  

Throw Back ThursdayDanni in her younger years

She is such a cutie!!!!!

Amazing MHS

There has been some amazing things happening at Mesa High.  The  boys basketball team just won the state championship.  The girl's basketball team did well in the playoffs.  The band won their marching state championship, Spotlight was state in their One Acts, many performing arts programs received Superior with Distinction.  This is just the tip of the iceberg of many of the great accomplishments Mesa High has done this year.  

Another amazing thing that happens at Mesa High is the service days.  Angela and I went for their Spring Service day.  We worked alongside members of the Mesa High community to make our school a better place.  I have a greater sense of MHS Pride after cleaning the school grounds.

I sure love Mesa High

Throw Back ThursdayCat in the Hat

In honor of Dr. Seuss's Birthday yesterday. Josh with his cousins on Halloween 2000.