Sadie is Student of the Week

Sadie received the Altara Elementary Student of the Week today. She is an amazing young lady who is always making new friends and looking out for other children who need friends. She loves to have people around her at all times. I am so proud of the way her friends and teachers talk about her cheerful and helpful attitude and that she is kind in every situation. She has loved school this year and looks forward to every new adventure. Great Job SADIE!

Isn't Sadie beautiful?! This photo is for dad!

Keaton's Country Fair

Keaton's 6th grade class chose countries earlier this year and have been developing information to display and report in the Annual Country Fair. Keat chose Russia - why? - we don't know - but he has enjoyed learning about this amazing country and it's people and history. You can tell by the depth of his tri-fold poster that he put a lot into it. He said - "I want to do it all by myself" therefore eliminating any need for me and my famous cricket cutouts, or scrapbooky-type of photo collages, I kind of felt left out of the whole process, less it be pay for the board itself! I am so proud of his determination and pride to accomplish this himself (a little sad that he didn't need my help) but I'll get over it, because he is such a great kid. We love Russia, and what Keaton has shared with us this year. Good Job GOOBER!

Keaton &Twelfth Night

Keaton's 6th grade class performed Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. Keat was Curio the messager to Duke Orsino (his friend Braxton). They did a fabulous job and we even knew what was happening all along because of the great acting! Way to go Keaton. Thanks to the teacher, Mrs. Wester who has instilled a love of Shakespeare into these young minds. I love watching Keaton, he even gave us a cute grin a couple of times.

Our Dad

Here are some photos of Glen. He is currently living in Fairfax, Virginia and working in Alexandria at the Dept. of Justice. This has been a very bittersweet time for our family but with all of the doors opening for us, it was an option that we couldn't refuse. While he loves it there in Virginia, he misses all of us who stayed behind here. We are so happy with the opportunity for him to further his career. We thank the folks who he is living with, who have been so welcoming and accommodating for him, without which the entire experience could have been very miserable. As it is lonely now, on both ends, we have been blessed with peace and the ability to make it through a difficult time alone. We cannot wait to see him again in May. We love you DAD!

It's Bike Riding Time Again.

Sadie, Keaton, and neighbors Kate & Joe decide that today was a perfect day for bike riding. I agree. Alex fixed up the bikes from the winter storage, complete with oiling and washing and Sadie got back in the saddle. After last years' accident on the scooter, I was not sure she would have the courage. But with some encouragement from Keaton and myself, she was able to ride without problems and looked confident. I know I know, please do not lecture me of the importance of helmets, and it's significance of where I work. This is the way carefree spring/summer bike riding should be. Good Job Sadie.

Here's the queen of bikers.

Here's Rider who wasn't so sure about the new leash and just wanted to run along with all of the bikers. He is such a playful & smart dog, and very protective of our kids. (didn't get this rotated right, but you get the picture)

Blogging Again

I have posted several new posts tonight, so be sure to look back.

Alex turns 15

Happy Birthday to my baby boy Alex Nelson Proctor! I cannot believe that he is really 15. It is okay that he is already taller than me, but I don't want him to grow older so fast, hairer legs and all. His birthday was on a busy Saturday. It started with the traditional breakfast in bed, then 3 football games, a mid-year piano recital and dodgeball game (a favorite not to be missed), a trip to WalMart for the monthly free Lego item (again, another favorite NOT to be missed), a trip to Game Stop because Alex wanted to spend ALL of his money on an XBOX 360 (much to my dismay), a brief lunch, an end of the year football party/picnic, a trip to the haunted corn maze and traditional corn maze with from good friends from the team, and then a treat afterwards at McDonalds. Wow, what a day, we celebrated everywhere we went and had the whole team sing happy birthday with a huge cake! It was a fun day, even though busy. Here are 15 great things I love about Alex:

1. He is a great big brother, sensitive to Sadie and Keaton, and kind . . .usually.

2. He loves my lasagna and minestrone soup.

3. His favorite color is RED.

4. He is fun to talk to on a deeper level as he is getting older.

5. He has a very funny, clever sense of humor.

6. He can reason very well, and keeps me on my toes.

6. He is not afraid to say "I Love You Mom", and mean it!

7. He has a great smile, and will be getting his braces off in 3 weeks!

8. He makes good decisions.

9. He is a good student and is taking difficult classes this year.

10. He plays Waterfall by Jon Schmidt like nobody's business

11. He manages a tight schedule with school, piano, sports, and church.

12. He said "I love seminary". . . wow is that our kid?

13. He is very talented artistically.

14. He loves hugs and has taught us the different kinds of hugs.

15. He is extremely handsome and still lets me do his hair each morning.

Flag Football

Flag football season was a great one! Both boys had great and winning teams this year. The games were early in the a.m. so with frost on our toes' and noses we bundled up. Both also had girls on their teams who, according to their parents, talked a lot about my darling boys . . . hum . . . are we getting to that age now? My only hope is that our boys stay handsome and kind to everyone, or else I'll give 'em a lick'in!

Cheap Team Photos

Grandpa and his horses

We went to Tremonton for the Anderson reunion recently. While there the kids were very excited to be riding Grandpa's horses for the first time, I know I am ashamed to admit that. After Grandpa saddled them all, with Ridge's help, they eagerly got on the horses and rode them around the pasture. Our big cousin Chase grabbed Sadie off of the fence and took her for her first ride. Reminded me of Tyler and Sadie on the surf board. She has been amazingly brave this year. All of the kids rode and had a great time, not really wanting to share their horse. We even had to ride again the next day. However, when Keaton got onto Chase's horse, the horse was spooked and took Keaton for a gallup and a scare back to the fence. Keaton was screaming, so I don't think that helped matters, probably scared the horse even more. So, what did I do? I talked to him for a minute through his tears and fears, and MADE him get back on another horse. He was fine after that, and then Grandpa put the horses into the round corral and with a lead rope walked them around with the kids. This was a super experience for them. They also got to shoot the real guns and pistol of Grandpa's up at the gravel pit. My ears and Keaton's are still ringing. I love that the kids are interested in learning about my life and what I did growing up in this little town in the country. They get bright eyed when Grandpa tells stories and wonder if any of it is truth. The kids decided that they would all sleep together at Grandma's, invited Ridge too, and they had a sleepover. I hope they don't forget all of these good memories, and hope that there are MANY more to come. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for the good time, horse rides, laughter, stories, good food, shooting, and everything else. We love you very very much!

Pruning isn't for wimps.

We decided to take advantage of the great weather to do some cleaning in the front yard. We trimmed down all of the trees and made a huge mess. So the kids decided to take the mess and make a 'tree hut'. It looked like the creature from the swamp if you asked me. It became a neighborhood project, and the kids left it there for a long time. I was pretty impressed at their engineering skills as it endured rain and frost and wind during the following week.

Alex hiding in the tree hut. Alex: "If I can't see them, they can't find me!".

The messy yard and the neighbors building the hut with the kids.