RAGNAR 2011

Sometimes the weirdest things turn out to be the best.  I would have never guessed that running 14-25 miles during 3 different shifts and often through the night would be fun…  However, Jeff decided to run the Wasatch Back relay this year and he loved it!  Shea and Lance did it last year and over the past year have convinced him to join them. 

For those of you who know Jeff he is very intense about some things.  So, when he made the commitment he started training.  I was super proud of him because on the day of the race he felt great!  One of his legs had a 4 mile hill and he said he felt really good!  I can’t drive 4 miles without needing a treat, let alone run up a 4 mile hill.  Anyway, Jeff and the boys had a blast and have not stopped talking about it since.  I assume they will never stop talking about it.  Jeff worked so hard that the kids and I made him a good luck poster.  Mitchy is here right now which is just SOOOO fun!

Each team needs volunteers so Kim, Tonia and I volunteered at the starting line.  We checked the teams in and had a blast.  Then we loaded all the kids in the car to follow the team.  Some may say the defination of insanity…  I call it fun!

Here they guys are when they met in the morning and then at the safety training.  The team started at 7:30 a.m. and began their trek to Park City. 

Most of the photos were taken on Shea’s camera so I don’t have any race time photos.  These are all that the finish line.  The team ran 191 miles in 27 hours and 26 minutes.  They averaged just over an 8:30 mile which is just incredible! 

A kill is when you pass another runner and the teams kept track of them on the side of their car.  They also “decorate” their vans.

The kids thought Jeff was a rock star and loved being at the race.  Congratulations to my sweet husband for training so hard and doing so well. 

 

After the race we stayed in Park City for another day, played at the pool and went to the Park City Ski resort to ride the zip line, apline slide and alpine coaster.   Jeff and Lance were a little tired and a little weird.  Tonia and I just enjoyed laughing at them.

End of School 2010-11

The end of the school year is always bittersweet for me.  This year was particularly tender.  Both of my girls have had the best teachers and we have had a wonderful school year.   Taylor will go to middle school next year which makes me cry just thinking about it!  Elementary school has been an excellent experience for her.  5th grade was so great.  She was in violin, the student body group and did great academically.  I got to go on the last field trip of the year.    What a great time!  I love to watch Taylor with her friends. 

Taylor and her friend Hannah cracked me up!  Even after explicit instruction they could not figure out how to turn their canoe.  I told them for being 2 of the smartest kids in the 5th grade they sure were not so good at this!  What a great day!

The fifth grade also had an awards assembly.  Tay received numerous awards and it was a fun day!

Jordan’s class had a program to end the year.  I, of course, cried!  They shared all of the poems they had learned and sang some of their songs.  First grade has been a true blessing in our lives this year.  Jordan has loved going, everyday!!

I recorded most of the program and some day I will get smart and learn how to post those on the blog.  Jordan had the best friends and best teacher.

A short while back a good friend of ours got a book for her birthday. It was called the Book of Awesome and it had snippets of every day occurences that we can consider AWESOME!  Things like the smell of rain, the first bite of our favorite food and calls from an old friend.  I read the book immediately and knew I wanted to give it to my girls teachers.  I wrote them each their own page of AWESOME.  So, I post this for the sole reason that in ten years from now my girls will remember the 2010-11 school year and the wonderful people they were able to spend all day every day with!

Mr. Maughan

The Last Day of School
We all remember it.  Leaving the school grounds on a sunny day with report card in hand and a feeling of freedom.  Looking forward to days spent at the pool, sleeping in and vacation.  But the last day of school is so AWESOME because of what happened during the school year.

The last day of 5th grade rocks because you know you had a teacher who was so full of knowledge and character that your were just plain lucky to spend a year with him.  A teacher who made science fun to a girl who at the beginning of the school year was more concerned about how her hair looked than anything else.  A teacher who helped a young girl develop an eagerness for learning that she has never had before. 

The last day of 5th grade is awesome because you had a teacher who made you feel confident to enter middle school.  A teacher who challenged you in the most supportive and safe way. A teacher who pushed you to take extra spelling words and math assignments.  A teacher who made you excited to come to school every day.

However, the “awesomest” thing about the last day of 5thgrade is this.  You had a teacher who had a nervous little girl enter his room only to transform her into a confident young lady.  A teacher who not only shared his zeal for learning but his incredible character   A teacher who taught with the spirit and taught life lessons that dwarfed any academic lesson he taught.  A teacher who made his students all feel smart and like leaders.

So, on this last day of 5th grade we all feel gratitude.  Gratitude for the privilege to spend an entire school year with an incredible human being.  As 5th grade ends we go with tender hearts that feel incredibly blessed.  Blessed to have spent each day with an academic powerhouse but an even better man.  We leave 5th grade with an immensely increased knowledge of math, science and reading.  But we leave 5th grade with even a better gift... the knowledge that our testimony was strengthened just as much as our intellect.  We leave knowing that it was our privilege to spend a year with Mr. Maughan and that year has come to an end.  But, we leave all the better because of that privilege   AWESOME !!

 

Mrs. White (she really does love the kids this much!!)

 

We all remember it.  Leaving the school grounds on a sunny day with report card in hand and a feeling of freedom.  Looking forward to days spent at the pool, sleeping in and vacation.  But the last day of school is so AWESOME because of what happened during the school year.

The last day of school rocks because you had a 1st grade teacher who had a love affair with her students.  A teacher who teared up every morning when her sweet first graders sang patriotic songs.  A teacher who taught character just as well as math, reading and spelling.  A teacher who made her little brown haired student look in the mirror in the morning and say “first grade is awesome.”  A teacher who helped a sweet girl struggling to read feel like she was a genius. 

The last day of first grade is awesome because your teacher taught you to love everyone in your class.  Because through events in the school year you learned how to feel the power or discernment.  You learned the Plan of Salvation and learned the importance of every interaction you had with your classmates.  The last day of first grade is awesome because your self esteem grew more than your intellect, and that is what makes happy adults.  You learned that you can do hard things and that being honest is better than winning. 

So, on this last day of school you will walk away from first grade feeling confident and proud   Feeling like your teacher loved you so much she is will miss you too pieces all summer.  On this last day of school you will leave first grade having been blessed to have been taught by a teacher with great intellect and ever better spirit.  You will leave having your knowledge and testimony strengthened.  You will leave knowing that Teri White loved you and gave you her best self for one full school year   You will leave so full of gratitude that your chest may explode.  You will leave with tears in your eyes and a tender heart knowing that the privilege of spending each day with a women full of love and knowledge has come to an end.  But you will leave all the better because of that privilege   AWESOME  

Soccer 2011

With all the fun of graduation I missed posting on a few really fun and important events in May.  On top of birthdays and graduation we had soccer, field trips and class programs. 

Both Taylor and Jordan played soccer.  Both of them had excellent coaches and they had so much fun.   Both of the girls had to be #7 which is the number my dad, my brothers and I have always been.  The difficulty is finding  a #7 jersey in the sea of 1000’s of jersey’s in the right size.  One hour later I was victorious with 2 number 7 jersey’s in the right sizes!

Taylor’s team was really good and only lost a few times.  But you all know me..  Mrs. Be Nice is better than winning.  Taylor’s team was full of good kids!  One of my friends brought her daughter over from Mendon to play with Taylor’s team because she had a bad experience.  She told me that this was the best soccer experience they had ever had and all of the girls were nice and encouraging.  What a blessing to live around such wonderful people.

Taylor played very well and is a really good defender.  After the last game nearly the entire team ended up at our house for a party and we had a great time!

Jord played soccer as well.  I guess that what you call it at this age.  She had the best coach who taught the kids a lot of  skills.  Jordan and Samantha were on the same team.  Those of you who know Jordan and Samantha know they are either “best friends” or “worst enemies.”  Let’s just say for the duration of soccer they were NOT best friends.  On one occasion Jordan kicked Samantha’s hand and she “quit the team.”  On another occasion Samantha said something to Jordan and she cried on the field.  But all’s well that ends well and they are best friends again.  Thank heavens or it would be a LONG summer!!

Jordan and Samantha being friends.

Jordan’s coach gave every child a trophy with their name on it and the name of the team.  Go Golden Eagles!

On the way home in the car Jordan said, “I hope I am on that team again.”  I love it because Jordan’s team won maybe 2 games, but she loved the kids and loved the coach!  What a great experience.

Class of 2011!

Taesha graduates from high school!  Wow!  I can’t believe it.  When Jeff and I started dating Taesha had just finished 8th grade.  So, although I missed a lot of her life I did not miss any of her high school experience.  To say the least T kept busy during high school.  She was in band, played softball and lacrosse, choir, the pit for the musical, debate and on the technical crew for the musical.  Makes me tired just typing it. 

Taesha’s birthday came right before graduation so I stole a bunch of her T-shirts from her high school activities and we made her a quilt.  It turned out SO cool!

The actual graduation ceremony was on Tuesday at 5 so we had a party the day before.  I know you rarely realize this when you are young but Taesha had a lot of people make a lot of sacrifice to spend the day with her.   Her grandfather came in all the way from Hawaii.  He is the sweetest guy and absolutely so genuine. 

Chase came from Virginia as did Taesha’s sister.  Jeff’s family came from the Salt Lake area and Idaho.   My entire family helped with the food!   We had great food and a lot of fun.  Jill made some of the most beautiful food I have ever seen!!

 

The next day was the actual graduation ceremony.  It was an excellent ceremony and I totally enjoyed the speakers.  The overall message was…  You future is up to you.  Make responsible choices and take accountability for your failures and successes.  But the best part of the ceremony was the Jazz Band.  Taesha played a solo on her trumpet and sounded SO good!

Taesha had tons of support.  Here are a few photos:

My mom and dad were also there but had to leave right after she walked across the stage.  Congratulations Taesha!!  What an incredible accomplishment.  The future is bright! Work had and enjoy this time of life!  Can’t wait to have another Aggie in the family!!!  Love you T!