Forever Young!!

Last weekend marked 20 years since I graduated High School! If you can't believe it, imagine how I feel!!! I feel nowhere near old enough to have graduated 20 years ago!!! Which leads me to wonder when I will start feeling my age - I mean mentally of course, as my body feels at least 10 years older then I am!

It was a lot of fun to see everyone again. There was dinner, laughter, stories, and fun. Actually looking forward to seeing them again in 5 years!

Tamra was my very BFF my senior year! She's now married to a Chiropractor and busy raising 5, yes I said, 5! boys! How does she still look so amazing!?!?!My beautiful cousin Ann! Even though we didn't graduate together - she married my friend Tony who did graduate with me! :) And Tracey (in red) was voted "Changed the Least" since graduation. Seriously! Why does she still look 18??? The boys....the dork on the left would be the Tony that Ann married...some things never change :)

Some catching up to do....

I can't believe I've let so much time slip by without posting some of the great things that have been going on around here! Well, here's a little catch up for you all....I say all like there are so many people even reading this! Ok, so it's an update for all 3 of you that even read this anymore!

Say what you will about the Clark County School District, but I think one of the best things they do for our kids is put them through the D.A.R.E. program in 5th grade - just in time to start Jr. High when all the fun problems seem to start. This year it was Courtney's turn and she graduated with flying colors! The best part is that so far, all 4 of our oldest kids have had the SAME D.A.R.E. officer - and he happens to be a good friend of Rich's. So, anyway, we are so proud of our Courtney for taking a stand against drugs, alcohol, and smoking! We love you Courtney!

We also recently had the pleasure of having my little brother Billy come through town and stay a day with us. It was nice to see him, I only get the opportunity to do so about once every coupla years because he lives quite an adventuresome life! Well, he was in town with a friend of his while they were traveling through the western states performing their music at some small venues to help pay for their travels. The two of them call their band the Dela Project, and I hanve to say it was qutie enjoyable. He is so talented - still not sure what happened to me - I'm still looking for my talents! Anyway - I'll post a video at the end for you to listen to if you wish. It was a great visit and I was very happy to have him here - especially since he was able to come and watch Parker's Kindergarten graduation before they left town! Love you little bro!! Hope your travels are adventurous and safe! Brendan and Hailey really loved listening! They are forever fans!!!

Let Them Be Little...

Another school year is coming to an end. It seems that each year goes faster than the one before! Last year I cried as Elissa walked to receive her High School diploma and this year I cried as my little Parker received his Kindergarten Completion Certificate! It just doesn't seem possible that the little tiny boy I once held in my arms is so big already! On to the 1st grade and gone from his mommy for 6 hours a day next year! What will I do without him? I know I sound crazy, most parents relish at the thought of this newly found free time, but I just know how fast these next years will pass and before I know it, he'll be ready to leave home as well.
OK, so enough boo-hooing and onto the celebration! His elementary school put on a great program. All the morning Kindergartener's were on stage and sang us an array of songs they've learned through the school year, including their rendition of "Celebrate". Then it was time for a couple of slide shows, which started the water works for most of the moms, especially me, and then it was the distribution of Completion Certificates. They were all dressed up in their Sunday best and were so great! I'm so blessed to live in the boundaries of such an amazing school! I've posted a couple videos of their songs, so enjoy!!! And the best part of it all was that my little brother, Parker's Uncle Billy, just happened to be in town for the big event and he joined us at the celebration! What a special treat! (I'll post more about Billy's visit soon! What a great musician he is!)

School Days....

This has been a busy week for Parker at school. In celebration of Earth Day, his class did a performance of one of my Primary favorites - "Popcorn Popping". They were so adorable up there!

This week was also Reading week and Parker was so proud that his school asked his Daddy to come and read to his class.

Doing it up "Vegas" style!

Homecoming 2008!!

I'm so far behind on posts it's sad! Our family really has been plenty busy lately, maybe that's why I got so far behind! So here starts the update!
Two weekends ago, Brendan went to the Centennial HS Homecoming Dance! He had a great time and went with a great group of kids (since he's not officially "dating"). The girl he asked was a just a friend, but they had great fun. All 20 kids - yes I said 20!- met up at one house where they loaded onto an "eco-friendly" huge party bus! The limo driver took them all to the dance where they stayed long enough to take a picture or two. Then it was on to In-n-Out burger for dinner - so classy! Then they got to cruise the strip for a couple of hours listening to music, eating junk food, and having good, clean fun! Yes, this is how they do it in Vegas! His dates' mom was a little stressed about letting her little girl go out on this "party bus", because this was her daughter's first dance. But I assured her that, having raised a girl first, this is the "norm" for Vegas dances! The driver's are very professional and don't tolerate any rule breaking. In fact, this one gave all the parents his card with his cell number in case we wanted to call and check on them during the evening. Wow - I hope he got a big tip for dealing with 20 teenagers for 5 hours!!

School Days...

Today was a sad day at school for Parker. (I know he looks real sad right?) His friend Lena is moving away and today was her last day of school! Lena was his first friend in Kindergarten - she is such a sweetie - and he is going to miss her. So to make the day memorable, I took lots of pictures before school this morning, then I hurried home and printed them and put them in a little album for her to take with her to her new school. We didn't want her to forget us!!

Goodbye and good luck Lena!! We'll miss your sweet smile every morning! (and little Ava too!)

College bound!

Today was Elissa's first day of college!! Can you believe it? She called me this afternoon to tell me how kind of crazy her day was. First of all, she's overwhelmed by how big the school is, finding her classes has been an adventure. Apparently, one of the classes she registered for online, is at a satellite campus about 40 minutes away!! Oops! So now she's trying to switch into a local class, and guess what? They're all full! It's a learning process for sure! Other than that, things are going pretty great for her. She's still job hunting, she's been waiting for a second follow-up call at a bank that wanted an interview with her...cross your fingers. That would be a great job for her school schedule!

Anyway, I wanted to say that I've thoroughly enjoyed this transition that has taken place between me and my now adult daughter, as of late. We all know the trials and tribulations of raising a teenager, it's almost heart breaking at times. But it has felt so good to have crossed over to the "friend" stage with Elissa, now that she's grown and living on her own. I probably spend more time talking to her on the phone since she's moved away, than I spent talking to her face-to-face her whole senior year! It makes my heart happy to know that she talks to me now because she wants to talk to me! My mom has been my best friend for as long as I can remember, and I know that Elissa and I will be one day too!

These are some pics of Elissa's new place! (She's renting a room in my sister's condo - thanks Kim for giving Elissa a home-away-from-home!) It's so relieving to know she's with family - and safe! And it's adorable, cozy, homey, and huge for a college girl! Good job Aubs and Jacki on the decorating! (Some of Aubs' early work, I presume!) Top left - Elissa's room - we helped her get it all put together and decorated!; top middle - Elissa doing what she does best - MySpacing!; top right - Elissa's/guest bath; middle left - family room; middle - me and my girls!; middle right - more family room; bottom left - the "huge" kitchen!; bottom middle - dining room; bottom right - the fam! (Jared ducked out and Rich took it!)

We love and miss you Elissa! Have fun in college - we're proud of you too!

Back To School!

Is summer vacation really over already? Oh my gosh, how did that happen so fast!? Well, like it or not, it's time for back to school! And today was Parker's big First Day of Kindergarten! He was so cute! And soooo excited! When we got to the parking lot, he told us that we could just drop him off because the school gate was already open!! Wow - not even a little apprehensive about being away from mom and dad! I guess that's good, he'll be independent - but I have to admit to being a little sad that he wasn't going to miss me at all!
He has a couple of friends in class, Grant and Tucker - yes, someone named their little boy Tucker! I just hope he doesn't spend the whole time chatting and getting in trouble on the first day!

Way to go Parker!! You're in school now!! I just wish they would keep this excitement about it all the way through High School! Although, I think Brendan was pretty excited to go back today. He's not a little Freshman anymore!

And speaking of not a little Freshman anymore - today Jared goes for his Senior pictures! Can you believe it? When Rich and I first met, he was only 9! Wow does time ever fly!

Enjoy the pics - I'll post the rest of our end of summer updates soon!