Family Road Trip...AKA Car Show

Dave and the kids enjoyed the local cars shows this spring.  It was time to take the show on the road and enter the Parowan Car Show.  Instead of getting up early and driving.  We decided to take the motor home up and find a spot to park for the night.  We pulled into town around 11 and all was quiet.  We found a spot in a parking lot near the town square where it was nice and dark.  

Dave was up early and eager to get to the show.  He didn't have to go very far to the show. It was across the parking lot  While the boys got setup the girls slept in for another hour.  

Perfect parking spot

It was time to explore...

Old Rock Church

Hanging out with the locals

Car Show T-shirt
There maybe fights on who gets to wear it.

Monument
Details about the square

Old record player
Cute thrift store or antique store?

Official bank vault
left over from the previous tenant.
Visitors Center

Time to swing while no one is looking.

Taking the tour of the Rock Church

My Crew
No awards but met a lot of nice people

No more pictures
The car was really hot.

Loved the graphics

Time to head home.
Everyone find their spot.

Rylee staked out the front seat to avoid more car sickness.  Reganne took a nap on my bed.  Ryder sat up top looking out the windows.  Maybe not the safest spots but it kept everyone from fighting and tormenting each other.  By the time we made it to the freeway they each found safer places to ride.  

It was a fun Saturday exploring and hanging out with each other.  We found the best cinnamon rolls ever at the local cafe.  I would like to go back for more and maybe take some home for later.

Last Thoughts of May

May was a busy month with sage testing, finals, and the school year coming to an end.  It was also busy celebrating birthdays namely mine and of course Mother's Day.

Thanks to Blake & Julie for being on the look out for something different to celebrate our birthday this year.  We got tickets to Jay Leno who was appearing at Tuacahn for one night only.  He put a a good show and we had prefect seats down near the front.  It was a clean show and most impressive not overly political but jabbed each side equally.  

Rylee surprised us be deciding to start looking for summer jobs.  She finally got the first call for an interview.  She was both excited and nervous about this process.  

She did it!!
She also didn't pass out or throw up.

No job offer came but she learned that she could do it and survive it.  We are proud of her and hope that she does find something to do during the long hot summer.

Rylee's graphics for the Bug.

Dave & her carefully put them on the Bug.  They looked really professional.  Another talent she could develop further.  

It think we are ready for June to be here and relax a little before it gets to hot.

Memorial Swim Meet

It's the start of the holiday weekend which also now includes a long course swim meet.  This was going to be a busy meet Ryder has four events.  I was going to be busy learning what is involved in becoming a swim official.  We were once again running a little behind and arrive just in time for the warm ups.  All is quiet on deck until the whistle blows announcing the pool is now open for warm ups.  The noise levels jump and so does the water.

It's alive

Us trying a selfie
Waiting for the officials meeting.

The only thing I know about being an official is that you must wear tan pants with a white shirt.  This may be a long night for me trying to learn a lot of new stuff.

We both survived and without my head exploding with info over load.

Dave drove up with us for the Saturday session.  Ryder informed me that Dad is a much better driver because we always get there early.  I am ready today for another round of learning, remembering, and trying not to embarrass myself by falling into the pool while watching the touches.

Waiting patiently for his heat.

He did it!!!

The wait is now on for the final times to be posted.  We do know that he wasn't DQ'd  and that his preliminary  times were not good enough to qualify for the championships.  I am proud of him in completing each event one that his goggles broke and had to use his spares.  The spares fell down around his neck after his dive.  Then borrowing a pair from his coach.  We found replacements for the next day.  No break in period for the new ones.

Final Results:

50 Free - 42.36

100 Free - 1:39.36

400 Free - 7:09.84 ** Qualify for JO Championships**

100 Back - 1:46.02

200 Medley - 4:06.59

Last Day of School

How did this happen so fast?  The last day of school came and if you ask the kids not a minute too soon.  The high school has been mostly out since last week.  The intermediate school kept the kids busy up to the last minute.  Elementary however did an old fashioned field day.  The one reminder was no swimsuits. 

Love this awesome teacher.
Thank you Mrs Young for sharing your
love of technology and learning with Ryder

He was hoping that he would be able to have her again in 5th Grade.  She announced to the class that she would be leaving teaching for a district job.  The kids were all a little sad but soon got into the fever pitch of school ending and left the sadness behind.

Schools out for the summer!!!
Walking out with his friend Ryan.

They were laughing and Ryder told me that field day that wasn't supposed to need a swimsuit.  All the games were water related and got drenched. 

It was now time for the annual last day of school lunch @ Culvers.

Only picture

It was a great day however fast it came.  I am so proud of these kids and all the hard work they put into school this year.  If you ask them they will say that they hate school and it's torture to attend every day.  Each one of them did the work this year and I believe learned a lot.

Let summer begin!!!!

Another Busy Weekend

We were ready for another busy weekend and it required traveling up North for Chase's wedding in Ogden.  Rylee begged to stay home since she had plans with friends.  It was going to be just the 4 of us and we are ready to have some fun.

First up with the news that the Millenium Falcon to celebrate the premier of Solo.  Tickets became available at 8:00 am at Jordan Commons.  Arriving a few minutes late the line was around the building.  We found the end of the line along with the strangest group of people.  Did we fall into the an episode of The Big Bang Theory.  The guys behind us were exchanging stories of wars and galaxies far far away.  There were even a few dressed up as the characters from various movies.

The lines started to move and before we knew it we were at the front of the line and they were still handing out the wrist bands.

Love that smile

Can you find the breathing person??

Has no idea the importance of this scene.

Photo Stop
Love the Storm Troopers

I'm cool!!!
I am driving the Millenium Falcon

Three of us flying off to another galaxy
far far away.

There were supposed to be two other containers holding the duplicate set.  However, they were damaged in transit.

Fun, games, and a few crazy people.

Dave & Ryder noticed a car show at UVU as we drove by.  There was still plenty of time to catch the show before we had to hit the road.

The Flea Market
Full of spare parts and crazy treasure
you didn't know you needed.

Car Show
An army ambulance and many more.

In heaven!!!

It was now time to pick Reganne up at Grandma's house and then head towards West Haven for the wedding.  It was so awesome to get together and celebrate this special day with Chase.

Photo Booth
All the cousins having a great time dressing
up and making silly faces.

Chase & Ashton Wilson

It was a beautiful afternoon wedding.  The brides family were awesome hosts who welcomed everyone into their home.  I am not sure they were warned beforehand how large of group our family is all one place.  Everyone was having a great time and making this a special time for the happy couple.

We are so glad that we made the trip and was able to see family even if it was only for a short time.

Year End Concert

Thunder & Lightening Choir was having their final performance of the school year.  The kids haven't performed since spring break.  They are also now working with their 3rd new teacher of the year.  After only working with the students for a week they were ready to give it a shot.  Reganne said there was only one minor problem.  She couldn't remember the words on a few of the songs.  Just do your best and smile.

We made it just in time for the show to start.  The intros were made with the new teacher Mrs. Williamson (Ryder's music teacher at CVE) with a wave of her baton the show was under way.

First song sounded pretty good.
The multi talents of the students with
some ballet.

Another couple of songs.
They sounded even better.

Still singing, dancing, and even a few actions
thrown in.

If only she would smile
I am never sure if she is enjoying herself or not

I was totally amazed at how good of job they did.  This group has had a really rough year but to end it on a high note was pretty impressive.  The new teacher did a great job and imagine what she can do with 9 months with a new group of kids.  I really hope that this group of kids will continue to develop their talents and have fun in choir next year.

Swim A Thon and Party

The swim a thon is an annual event for the club.  Each swimmer is required to participate both in the swimming and fundraiser.  Ryder was willing to give it a try and work hard.  He raised enough money to attend the parties.  There was one hitch in the plan he couldn't stay all night unless I chaperoned.  I wasn't agreeing to that one.  I wasn't sure I could stay awake all night.

We made it time for warm ups and to get the counting sheet.

Swimmers get ready

They are off
and
I am counting.

He did it!!!
Swam the mile

Prize?
The growing alligator

Let's see it grow...
However, after about 15 minutes he lost interest.
We brought it home to grow in my tub.

He wasn't even breathing hard by the end.  However, he was starving!!!  He wanted In & Out and even devoured the hamburger in minutes.  It was time for the party.  The crazy night was about to get started.  They still needed chaperones and I felt bad for the kids if no parents signed up.  I willingly and maybe a little reluctantly became a chaperone for the whole night. 

Time to play and have fun.

Jumping in  from the blocks 

Hanging with other friends

10:00 arrived and the pool was closing.  The kids reluctantly climbed out and headed for the gyms.  These kids love the water and slowly dragged themselves out for more activities.

It was time for team building games and be crazy.

Dividing into groups.
Can you find your animal group.

Line up by age
They weren't sure who was the youngest.

Balloon races
Crazy fun with this group.

The chaperones got their assignments.  I was assigned to the black gym with the nerf shoot out game and sumo wrestling.

The best game for 10 year olds
Shooting each other.
This game was busy until about 2:30

The old kids kept the sumo wrestling to themselves.  Ryder & Jace found an opening and quickly jumped in to have a little fun.

Wait!!! What happened?
How did I end up the ground?

I can't stand up, roll over, or
even move side to side.

New friend to the rescue.
He couldn't get hi upright.
Instead the top pulled right off.

They couldn't stop giggling to really get much wrestling done.  The smiles & giggles were the best ever.  2:30 came and the chaperones shift ended and my partner left for the night.  It soon became quiet and the boys came back to keep me company.  It was the wrong move sitting down.

3:50
They both were out for the count.

We needed to move to the sleeping area and found a nice place on the tile floor for them to snuggle down to sleep.  I looked around and I was once again the only chaperone.  Thank goodness I had a good book or I would be asleep with them on the floor.

5:50 It was time to wake up, clean up, and pack up.  The kids were slowing down, crawling, and maybe even a little cleaning.  

Zombies

It was the walking dead and all of those other tv shows about zombies.  These kids were finally exhausted.  Or so I thought... Once outside Ryder soon perked up and wanted to go with Dave to the car show.

By 11:30 he was asleep in his chair.
We headed home to get our Saturday stuff done.

He is officially down!!!

We both had a great time. He and Jace also had a great time.  It was time to head home and the older kids asked Ryder if he had a fun time?  Yes was his reply.  They then asked him if he was going to do it again next year.  NO WAY!!!!  Thank goodness!!!  I won't have to chaperone again.  Everyone laughed and we continued out the door to head for home.  Once he saw the sun he was ready for the day to begin.  However, I was ready for a nice long nap.