2019 Golden Goggles

SUSA Swim Team's year is coming to an end.  It's time to celebrate having a successful year.  This year it was held at the WCCC inside where it should be warm.  However, everyone jumped the gun this year and turned on the A/C in preparation for warmer weather that hasn't truly arrived.

Let's eat.... then the awards & recognition.

Listening to the coaches.

IMX Certificate
+
Scholar Pin

Ryder completed both IMX Courses one for long course and one for short course.  He also earned his Scholar Pin for earning 4's for 5th Grade.  He worked really hard this year on learning all the skills he needs to move up to his new team Royals 1.   We wish him good luck with his new team and the new year.

The Morning After

The adrenaline hadn't worn off yet she headed off to the Avengers End Game Movie that started at 11:30.  Would the adrenaline wear off before the end of the movie?  She made it home in one piece by 2:30 and crashed soon afterwards.  

Dave & Ryder cooked up an amazing breakfast of bacon, eggs, and pancakes.  Everyone was starving and ready to talk about last night.  Ryder then demanded that we check out her gift bag, crown, and maybe even take the for a test wear.

My cupcake is smashed

Where did the crown go??

Found it!!!

It wasn't a dream but our new reality.  Let's all relax today and and catch our breathe.  The breathing will become optional once she receives her schedule of appearances & projects for the next year.

The Big Day

Pageant Day finally arrived.  All the blood, sweat, and a few tears were all going to be worth it.  I had made too many trips to Walmart for last minute things that were a must for everything to be perfect.  First up was the Interview with the judges.  She was prepared and eager to get started.   Afterwards the girls had about and hour to finish their hair, makeup, and any last minute alterations.  Dinner was 5:30.

On the run again
with a flip of her hair she was gone.
Thank you Julie for making her hair perfect.

Show Time.....

Electric Theater
The tiny theater was filling up with families and friends.

Production Number

Evening gowns
Bad lighting or bad photographer??

The questions have been answered it was now up to the judges to make their final decisions.  The first award was the Directors Choice, followed by Community Service, and then Miss Photogenic.  Rylee was awarded the Miss Photogenic Award.  It was finally time for the final awards of the night. 

New St George Royalty
Rylee won 1st Attendant

Support from her Laurel Group

Love that amazing smile.
Flowers, Banner, and crown

Rylee & Grandma JeanAnn
We are so glad she made the trip down
to share this magical night.

Brother & Sister
Smiling!!!!

It was a great night full of excitement and magic.  This year is going to be full of new and exciting adventures for her.  We are so proud of her!!!  She successfully completed something that has terrified her for years.  She worked through her anxiety to compete, smile, and show everyone that she was having fun.  The is just the first step on her way to her amazing future.  You maybe looking at the future President of the United States.

Pageant Prep

Rylee announced that she wanted to try out for Miss St George we had no idea of what was required.  She was excited to learn more about the process.  The parents meeting was a good place to start.  15 girls showed up with a parent to learn more.  This for all junior & sophomore girls living in the 84770 & 84790 zip codes.   They were required to participate in weekly workshops, fill out a lot of paperwork,  complete at least 15 hours of community service.   Piece of cake!!! she replied.  

Time to get busy.... First up finding an evening gown.  Oohlala Dress Shop a pageant sponsor encouraged the girls to come in and try on as many dresses they wanted.  Rylee was determined to be the first on there and find the perfect dress.

This was the winner

Next came the alternations to make it perfect.  Once again we were directed an awesome seamstress Erika.  Her schedule was filling up and would soon be working full time at Tuacahn.  The 3 of us brainstormed different ideas on converting a strapless gown into one with straps that looked like it was made that way.

Almost but a little to bare
in the back. 

Perfect!!
Coverage in front & back

Next onto the interview outfit.  We started out with pant suits, jumpsuits, casual dresses, and finally news achor dresses.  We found an interesting selection at Dillards.

The sales clerk quickly got into action by finding every dress in Rylee's size that could possibly work.  The one major problem was she looked in good in all of them.  The green dress was the winner for this round.  She had her outfit for both talent and active wear.

She now has to put everything together that she has learned, prepared, and practiced for the big night.

Cotton Days with the swim team.

Another sneak attack Cotton Days arrived without any warning.  SUSA was asking the kids to all show up and walk the parade route.  Ryder's new group Royals 2 were expected to be there and smile as they walked.  It was going to be a busy day.

Found my spot

Here they come

They are still smiling

Or at least trying to have fun.

Always backed up by their coaches.

My perfect spot included two families with 2 very cute girls who were excited to see candy landing at their feet.  They even offered me a couple of pieces.  A couple of cars passed by and threw out a bag full and we all scooped up to share.  The parents gave me a bag full.

Throwing money is always a hit.
Ryder was all over it.  The girls weren't very excited about
the silver since it wasn't candy.

Old cars are a must.
Soon followed by the tractors.

Tractors signal the end of the parade.  The parade was a success.  A lot of fliers, candy, and of course the money.  It was great fun watching the whole team walking, talking, and being silly.

Happy Easter...Weekend

It is another long weekend with the kids being out of school.  There are always so many activities that it is hard to choose which ones to try.  Dave, Rylee, and Ryder were headed to the car show in Hurricane.  Reganne & I were going to sleep in.

Then plans changed as they always do at our house.  Rylee woke up not feeling good enough to go.  Dave & Ryder headed off in the bug.  It seemed like I just drifted off and my phone rang again.  The boys needed to be rescued.  The bug was had a few issues and wasn't going to make it to the show.  So much for sleeping in.

Ryder begged to head over to the SkyWest Easter Egg Hunt instead.  Off we went....

A little shake up.
They scrambled the areas so a little more challenging.

Getting ready
by plotting out his course.

They are off

Look at them scatter and gather
as many eggs as possible.

The hunt was over in 15 minutes that is five minutes longer than last year.  Good job to all those who worked to put it together.  It was time to head to the car show and check out who or what showed up this year. 

Checking out the cool cars.

I like this one.

It was a fun walk through with many different cars.  It was getting a little warm and we needed lunch with plenty of water.  We had a fun day.  I discovered a minor problem for all everyone's baskets.  Plenty of jellybeans for Dave & I but very little chocolate.  I needed to make an emergency trip to Walmart.

No baskets this year.
Instead a candy jar full of yummy treats.

Deviled Eggs
My first time and they were yummy.
Even if I do say so myself.

I loved teaching our primary class the Easter lesson.  The kids were so eager to share their favorite parts of the story.  Even putting in more details than I expected.  We ran out of time and everyone was ready to head home for more candy, treats, and family togetherness.

We had a yummy lunch with smoked ham, hash brown casserole, and a lot of veggies.   I am so grateful for this time of year to pause and remember the real reason for the holiday.  I am very thankful for my older brother and savior for all his did for everyone.

Red Rock Math Circles

 Ryder has been involved with an after school program sponsored by DSU's Math Department.  Wednesday afternoons 5th graders from across the district gathered to learn new ideas about doing math.  He was also lucky to have a couple of boys from our ward participating as well.

The end of the school year also means the end of program.  It was time for a program to celebrate.  Meeting the different teachers.  Hearing from each student on what they like most . The verdict was learning to solve the rubic cubes.   They all received a certificate for completing the program the other awards had been delayed.  They handed out goodie bags instead. 

What did you like best??

High Fives all around.

One last one.

Dinner was now served Panda Express & Hungry Howies Pizza for everyone.  They ended the afternoon with an invitation to come back next school year and continue the adventure.

Crazy Busy Weekend

Those three words can strike fear into anyone.  The scary thing is its become the norm around here.  Friday evening was rather strange for us.  Rylee & Dave were at work.  Ryder had a campout out at Sand Hollow after swim.  Reganne & I had the night to ourselves.  It was a good time for froyo & a movie.  I love spending the one on one time with each kid.  It is a great time to learn what is new.

Saturday morning arrived bright and early.  The Brio Car Show in Washington the first of the season with Rylee & Dave taking the Corvette.  

Dave has his shade setup.

Time for judging

Sneak attack..picture

His prize
The first boy & girl up to the booth would get a surprise.
Ryder ran quickly and they had a unicorn.
They quickly swapped it for a life size raccoon.

Buckle Up

It was time for a few more errands and then visit the Kite Festival.  This is Ryder's last year to earn a kite, book, or voucher.  We just have to go he demands. 

Got his prize!

We hit all the booths, played the games, and gather treats.  It was the perfect afternoon for the last Kite Festival.  We had a great time exploring and enjoying the sunshine.  

The weekend was a good one but exhausting.  I am definitely ready for Monday.

Tuacahn Choir Festival

CVE Choir has been busy working on new songs for the Spring Sing for the elementary schools in the district.  Our school didn't attend last year due to issues out of their control.  Ryder willing gave choir another shot this year in hopes that they would be able to attend.  

The announcement came that the choir would be going this year.  He was a little concerned on what he would miss in class for the day since he would be the only one going.  

The kids had a great time spending the day singing, exploring Tuacahn's secrets, and spending time outside.   

It was now time for the evening performance.  The weather was very temperamental or rather usual for spring in Southern Utah.  I brought a jacket & blanket just in case.

Crazy kids running
and trying to find their spots.

Thank goodness they stood up.
I now can watch them.

I missed getting a program on my way in.
Thank you to the lady in front of me
for sharing hers.

They sounded really good.

I loved watching all the choirs.  The kids were all having fun and singing their hearts out.  We had our arranged meeting spot.  I got to the spot and he promptly asks me what took me so long to get there?  He can be so serious about crazy things.  He then proceeded to give me driving instructions to get out of the parking lot.  I can hardly wait until he can drive me and I harass him.

Choir is now over for the school year.  He is glad to be finished and looks forward to trying band next year.