hope of america

Again this year, the 5th grade classes at our school, preformed in the Hope of America program. There were so many 5th grade classes in our county this year, they had to split it into two nights. They preformed a variety of patriotic songs and it is broadcasted to the soldiers in Irag and Ahfganistan. They practiced all year and gave quite a show.

Hank is the third from the left on the top row of white.

They also had a variety of other groups dancing and performing on the floor of the arena. Our favorite was the Golden Girls group. Right at the end of their dance, a 90-some year old woman came out front and center and did the splits! Impressive!

My other favorite was at the end of the program. They darkened the arena, and all the kids began to sing. Kinda gave you goose bumps. And then as they sang, they had flashlights and gave a choreographed light show. It was pretty awesome.

If these kids are the "hope of America"..... then there is hope for America.

God bless the USA!

on my honor....

(April 09) Love the little Gavin scouter in front. You can't see his hand, but his little fingers are up and saluting.

This is Hank getting his Tenderfoot from Brother Fralick. He has been working hard and will soon get his Second and First Class. You're awesome Hank!

This is Jack getting his Life from Brother Schaugaard. Aww, and a hug for mother. Good job son. Next up.....EAGLE!

Protectors of all things good: (top) Seth, Jack, Trent (bottom) Hank, Max and Jayden

teen photo shoot

(April 09) This year for Dana and Kayli's birthdays, they decided they wanted to do a photo shoot. It was such a cool idea.

Kayli came over to our house, with her whole closet, and combined it with Dana's. A girls dream. Shirts, jeans, dresses, vests, shoes, hats, jewelry, hair accesories.

We then loaded up and drove all over town. They used the van as a dressing room...and salon. There was a lot of laughing, clothes flying. First stop was up the hill side by the water tower. A couple changes of clothes there.
Back into the van and on to the second location.Here we are at a fast food joint. They went in with one set of clothes. They ordered food and we took pictures. Then they went back to the van and changed and then came back into the store. They went back up to the same cashier, thinking he would be startled and would say, "hey, there was just two girls that came in here about 10 minutes ago that looked just like you", but he didn't. They were bummed.

Ice cream courtesy of the camera man (although not a models diet!)

Then to the local park.

Tried to do an Abbey Road (Beatles) album cover at the crosswalk. Didn't turn out as good as I wanted. But this picture of Kayli was awesome!

Then we went to the grocery store and took some fun shots there.

The last stop was a local Chinese restaurant. They put on nice dresses and did each others hair (in the van remember). I went in and paid for their food and then left them there to enjoy their birthday dinner.

This was truly the funnest day. So so so much fun. I have a whole disc of shots to prove it. What two happy girls. I am so glad they have each other. Thanks girls! and HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Next time - a movie!

biker gang

(April 09) I love this picture. It was so good of everyone. This is one biker gang you don't have to run from. Aaa, maybe Eric.

We took them to the path that runs along the Jordan River. It was a perfect afternoon.

You would be surprised how fast a little kid can move on a scooter. We road fairly slow but Ethan kept up all the same, pumping that little leg.

Jack stopped as he nearly ran over this snake. Cute guy (the snake) (Jack is cute too).

Okay, this was hilarious. Just before this shot, Eric had tried the same thing and the bike came out from under him and it went flying and Eric hit the ground. He was okay and we all laughed. Then, as boys do, he had to try it again. Cool picture and if I might say ... a cool guy. Love you brother.

okay, now move your foot to the right

(April 09) We took the kids to the local rock climbing wall and had a great time. Sorry you can't see any faces, but the nature of the shot didn't allow. I should say "butt the nature of the shot". Good thing we Harrells and Rossins look good from all sides.

The first picture is of Jack on the left and Dana on the right. The photo above is Hank. The one below is Sam. Then under that is Evan and then Ethan at the bottom. Hee hee, just had too.

Catan Tournament

(April 09) As you may know, we love Settlers of Catan (If you ever want to learn to play, come on over). We decided during the Rossin's visit, we'd have a Catan Tournament. Teams, brackets, everything. Individual teams: Eric, Sam, Evan, Sid, Laurie, Dana, Jack and Hank. Since only six teams can play at a time, you got to sit out 2 of the 8 games. Then we had a winners game and a non-winners game (losers sounded so, not nice). Then the winners of those two games played each other.

It really was a lot of fun, but we had a few late night games. These two pictures cracked me up. Hank and Sid were fading fast.

Jack still had it going on.

Eric, who had won many games, definately thought he still had it going on. He's a little slap happy here. That is a paper bowl on his head and ...I think a spoon tucked in his pants. There is relevance to this picture, but I took it so long ago I have forgot.

And, the winner of the first Catan Tournament is............Eric! Congrats and don't rub it in for too long.

rub a dub

(April 09) Who needs a pool, it dosen't bubble and you most certainly can't make bubble beards without bubbles. It is tradition that when the Rossins come, the boys and girls take turns in the jetted tub. The girls asked first this time (the boys were supposed to get in before they left but it just didn't happen). Kinda of reminds me of my Grandma Nelson's. She had a cool free standing four footed tub in her bathroom that we always wanted to get in. She had a crocheted toilet paper roll cover and always used Dove soap that smelled so good. Next time, the boys are first.

After looking at theses pictures and reading over my last few entries, I noticed we have other traditions at Uncle Jerry's and Aunt Laurie's. Like German Pancakes...always a double batch.

Playing Uncle Eric's Wii. Laughing as we make ourselves into our Wii characters. Watching Grandpa Valentine Wii bowl.

Goofing around. This is Jack showing off his strength buy doing pushups with Ethan on his back.

Laying around. Yeeaah, I like that one. This is an Ethan Caterpillar.

Dancing to Crazy Frog. Well, dancing and general goofing.

And this visit, we let them join in on a neighbor prank. I was at the dollar store and walked by these pink flamingo door hangers. I thought, who would buy a pink flamingo door

hanger (probably why they were at the dollar store). Then I thought, "I would buy a pink flamingo door hanger!!!" It would be a perfect prank on my neighbors. We bought four! Then one night with the cousins, we sneaked (is it sneaked or snuck?) outside and put flamingos on the doors of three of our neighbors. And one went on the sliding door of a neighbor around back of their house. That should have been a morning eye opener. It was fun to watch Jerry dissppear aroung the house with a flamingo. We were all laughing (as quiet as we could)!

Jack and Jill's

(April 09) The Rossins never leave Utah without a bowl. We always go to Jack and Jill's in AF and bowl two games. This time as we were getting out of the truck, I smashed Sam's fingers (yep, all of them) in the door. We had to take her inside and get ice on them. Took her awhile, but she eventually bowled. Sorry again Sam.

This is one of those looks right after you get a strike. One of those "yeah, that's righhht" looks.

Sid takes a shot. Ethan takes a rest.

Eric shows you how to do it the "right" way.

Dana and Sam bowled and looked pretty doing it.

And... get this, Ethan beat everyone! Little stinker!