May Miscellaneous, 2022 - Starring Ruby McKena

 Ruby had an extra busy May and we loved having a front row seat for all of it.  She has played soccer with the same girls for the past few years and they have the best time together.  Sometimes they are super serious about their playing - sometimes they are more serious about their chatting, but they are always the most supportive cheerleaders.  It was sad to see this season come to an end.

The second grade program was amazing - Ruby had a speaking part and was so excited to share what she has learned about being a Lakeview Lion.  The kids' songs were adorable and most were so funny - there is really nothing better than watching your kid shine on stage.

Speaking of school, this year all three of Ruby's former teachers retired:  Kindergarten, Mrs. Arney; 1st Grade, Mrs. Heaton; and 2nd Grade, Mrs. Anderson.  She has completely loved all three teachers and will be sad not to still have them at her school.  We feel lucky that she has had such amazing influences and woman who have loved and taught her so much.

Jive weekend is one of our very favorite weekends and this one was especially awesome.  It was so great to be back at the Covey, the girls loved being on the big stage with the high end lights and music.  We are lucky to have so much support, and Ruby was so excited to know that someone would be in the audience watching. Ruby and the rest of the Dazzle girls worked so hard all year and it definitely showed in their dances.   I love watching her light up the stage with her moves and personality.

One last visit to the ENT, tubes are both out, and she is free!

The change from the beginning to the end of the year always surprises me and makes me a little bit sad.  By the end of third grade Ruby had grown up so much.  With a lot of hard work, her reading really took off and has been fun to see her become such a confident reader.  Second grade has been good for this little love and she was sad to see it end.

By the end of the month, after all of the fun, this is definitely how we all felt.

May Miscellaneous - 2022

May was fast and furious, and it felt like we were in a race nearly the entire month - there were just so many fun events and activities.  Jami's puppies were the perfect antidote and gave us an excuse to just slow down and cuddle.  Somehow, we resisted bringing one of the cute pups home with us.

We had such an awesome mother's day - the kids and Tim always do so much to make sure that I'm pampered and taken care of.  Breakfast in bed is one of their very favorites (if not quite mine), and I was happy to share the bed and the meal with them. 

Luke spent most of the month participating in the Provo City Youth track team.  This was something new for him and I think he was surprised at how much he liked it.  Turns out he likes the longer races, but definitely had to learn how to pace himself and not blow up in the first stretch of the track.  I loved watching him try something new and develop new strengths and skills. 

It may not look like much, but preparing and planting my garden makes me so happy.

I love end of the year programs and activities - it is so great to see all that the kids have done at school.  This was a big year for Luke and we are just so proud of all that he accomplished at school.  They had the opportunity to complete degrees and for each one, there was a lot of work involved.  His teacher had a class program where she shared all that they had learned and accomplished, and awarded all of the degrees.  Luke was the only one that earned a Masters Degree which of course made me proud, but I really loved seeing how pleased he was with all of his hard work.  

It wasn't tough to figure out which project belonged to Luke.

We took advantage of a free Saturday and perfect weather, and went to the Hogle Zoo.  The last time we were there, Luke was a baby and I was pregnant with Ruby, so it was definitely time for a visit.  Luke and Ruby were so interested in all of the details and asked way more questions about the animals than I could answer.  We spent a lot of time watching the gorillas and monkeys and laughing at their antics. 

From the day she was born, Ada has been amazing and it has been so fun to watch her grow up.  I was so proud to watch her graduate (both high school and her associates degree), but honestly, it felt a little bittersweet.  She has been the best example to all of the younger kids, and the best friend to the rest of us.  We will all miss her desperately, but are so excited to watch her fly.

Last day of fourth grade, and I can hardly believe how quickly the time has flown.  Luke gained so much self confidence and really improved all of his academic skills.  After a bumpy start at a new school, it was so awesome to see him thrive at Sunset View.  When I picked him up on the last day of school, he said that it had been the best school year ever with the very best teacher (Mrs. Raymond).  

The boys spent a day on the trail.

One last picture before Brycen heads out to Alaska for the summer.