Priesthood Interview

We picked Luke up from the airport just in time to come home for his interview to receive the Aaronic Priesthood.  He is such a good kid with such a knowledge of the Gospel.  He met with our new Bishop, Bishop Vera.  I have failed to mention that Joey was called to be the first counselor in the bishopric!  So excited for him.  He will truly bless those that he serves!  But back to Luke, he talked about what he believed the priesthood was and shared his testimony.  He will get ordained next Sunday when Joey is back and then he can pass the sacrament the following week.  He is not so excited to have to tuck in his white shirt but I know he will do great!

Joey and Luke's 12 year old trip

We made a decision about a year ago that when our kids turn 12 they get to go on a one on one trip with their same gender parent.  Joey and I both felt this would be such a great bonding experience at a good age.  So we started planning their trip a couple of months ago.  They decided to fly to California.  They left on Thursday around 4pm and flew into Long Beach.   Once they got their rental car they went to the Habit for dinner.  After dinner they drove about and hour and a half to Valencia to spend the night.  They woke up bright and early and went to McDonalds for breakfast.  They needed some energy for their big day at Six Flags Magic Mountain.  Luke was so excited because he loves roller coasters and so does Joey.  Besides the fact that it was 103 degrees and crowded, they had the best time.  Joey kept texting me to youtube some of the crazy rides they were going on.  Their favorites were X2 and Tatsu.  After a long day they grabbed a quick dinner at McDonalds.  They went back to the hotel for a long sleep!  In the morning the woke up, packed up, and headed south to the beach.  The weather at Huntington Beach was only in the high 60's but that did not stop Luke from going in the water!  They stayed for a few hours and then went to Jack in the Box for lunch.  After lunch they went to their appointment at an Escape Room.  This is a fun activity where you get locked in a room and you have an hour to figure out the clues that will unlock the room.  They did the Sherlock Holmes room.  Joey and Luke had so much fun figuring it out and got out of the room with a few minutes to spare.  After dinner they went to a pizza place Pieology that they both loved!  As if their day wasn't fun-filled enough they made their way to the movies to see Captain America.  What a fun day!  They got home after midnight to their new hotel in Long Beach.  They got up early to fly home.   We went to pick up Luke and Joey had to fly onto Philadelphia.  It was fun to get to hear all about the trip as we drove home.  What a special bonding time for them.  I am so grateful that Joey could take the time off from work to create these memories with Luke.  Love them both!  *I do have to mention that I begged them to take pictures for me.  This is as good as it gets!  Glad I made them suffer through one picture at the airport so I could have one of them together!

Angry Birds

While Luke was in Cali with Joey we celebrated his birthday by going to see Angry Birds.  The kids loved it and they were all so good.  Tag sat on my lap for almost the last hour.  It is so fun that we can go and enjoy the movies now as a family.  The next movie we hope to see is Finding Dory!

T-ball

Gray begged us to sign him up for t-ball because his friends Jensen and Tyce were both going to play.  I think about one week in he was questioning his decision.  Gray does better with the sports that are constantly moving and full of excitement.  Tball is just not that sport.  I love these pictures- Gray goes from sitting down, bored out of his mind, to running with such determination.  Love this sporty kid and we are both praying these next four weeks go quickly with one practice and two games each week!

Luke's birthday celebration

On Wednesday we celebrated Luke's birthday a little early since he was leaving the next day for his 12 year old trip with Joey.  Luke was wanting a phone so bad for his birthday.  We teased him that he would get my old phone which is why his cake has a pink and turquoise phone on it!  He was lucky enough to get a new iPhone 5s with a cool black case.  He also got a new swim backpack and jammers.  He was so excited!  I love to watch him be so happy and grateful.  Cannot believe that he is 12!  When did this happen?  I hope he has the best time celebrating his birthday in California!

Gray's Present Time

After spending the day bowling, enjoying lunch and swimming we came home for a BBQ, cake and presents!  Gray could not wait!  Luke helped make the cake with a Mario hat on it.  He got a mario race track, mario kinex, and he got the new Minecraft for wii U.  We pre-ordered that and he should receive it June 17- he cannot wait!  Happy birthday our funny boy!  He has such a strong personality and opinion.  He loves to make us laugh and is such a blessing in our lives.

Gray's Birthday Bowl an Lunch at his FAVORITE place

Gray's birthday fell on Memorial Day this year and it also happened to be the first day without school!  It was a family year for celebrating and he decided he wanted to go to Jack and Jill bowling. It was so much fun!  Tag even participated and had a great time.  After bowling each of the kiddos got to spend some money in the arcade and win fun prizes.  It was great to watch them all have fun together.  After playing Gray chose Pizza Pie Cafe for lunch.  They brought him a cookie monster for his special day!  Thankfully he shared the deliciousness!  We spent the afternoon at Jamie and Mindi's for some birthday pool time!  A great way to celebrate our crazy Gray!

New Calling

On Friday and I met with a member of the stake presidency.  I went first and was asked about Joey and if there was anything in his conduct that I was concerned with.  He also asked me about our relationship and how we teach spirituality in our home.  Joey went in after me and then they called us in together.  They extended a calling for Joey to be the first counselor in the bishopric.  The new bishop is Eden Vera and the second counselor is Jim Alvord.  I just know that Joey will be such a blessing to the ward.  He has such a humble, amazing testimony.  People will be touched by the tender way he approaches the gospel.  I just know that he will be a wonderful leader of our ward.
*Notice the fresh face of the new member of the Bishopric.  I will miss the scruff!

Gray's last soccer game

Today was Gray's last soccer game of the season.  He did amazing!  He really is so aggressive on the field.  He has taken everything that his coach has taught him and applied it.  He is an amazing soccer player. Mimi came to watch him play and he scored a goal!  The thumbs up picture says it all!  So fun to watch him play!

True Friends

On the last day of school we made a plan to Aubrey come and hang out with Harlee.  She could not wait!  They have been friends for years.  And they are the type of friends that can go a while without seeing each other and things are exactly the same when they get back together.  She is my favorite friend of Harlee's.  We for sure need to get them together a ton over the summer!* I love this picture! They begged me to braid their hair together!  Such cute girls!

Last Day of School

Today was the last day of school!  I cannot believe how quickly the year went!  It was Luke's last day of elementary school.  I cannot believe he is moving onto junior high school!  It has been a great year for these kids.  They have learned so much and all appreciated their teachers.  All of the parents of the sixth graders waited outside the door to congratulate them.  They each received a candy lay and they were showered with silly spray.  We then made our way up to the corner for the annual Popsicle celebration!  I love these blessings of mine so much and I am so proud of them for completing another successful year!