Emmy's first ballroom performance

Emmy is now a member of QuickStep Ballroom, a small studio run by Andrea Hale Tatton, a former professional ballroom dancer.  Since Emmy joined mid-year, she was only in two numbers in their end of year recital, but she got enough of a taste for it that she is really excited about continuing, as am I.  I'm trying hard not to show her how much I want her to do this because that is exactly what will turn her off to it (thinking it is my idea and not hers).  But after seeing a local high school's ballroom team perform, we are both hooked.  Too bad Murray High school doesn't have anything of the sort.  

Video wasn't allowed and I couldn't get any pictures of her performing so this is all you get.  This costume was for the Chorus Line number.  She was also in a Yankees number and had the cutest baseball getup.  

Of course she had a cheering section.  Zach's family, my mom and her YW leader all came out to support her.

She was encouraged to get an airbrush tan (I guess it's a ballroom thing?) which was an adventure in and of itself.  The picture doesn't do it justice.  I'm not sure if I was a fan, but after a few days it wasn't too bad.

Emmy's Temple Group

Emmy has been part of a group of friends who go do baptisms for the dead at the temple every other Wednesday after school.  I think it is so awesome that these kids give up their early day to be in the service of their Heavenly Father.  I'm not sure if Emmy's motivation is spiritual or social (look how cute these boys are), but I think it's great either way.  

From left: Alek Morell, Adam Jess, Beamer Wilcken, Em Rose and Brittany Shelton.

A tramp at last!

The kids and I have wanted a tramp for soooo long.  Zach grew up with one and hated having to move the tramp to mow, and remembered injuries that always seemed to occur.  So we have never had one!  It probably isn't fair that I used Zach's weakness of not being able to say no to Simon to my advantage. I told Simon to ask Daddy for a tramp every day and waited to see just how long he could hold out.  Guess how long it took?  2 days.  Why didn't I think of that before?  

Simon has gotten the most use out of it by far.  His favorite thing to do is put the sprinkler under the tramp and jump away.  I even had a "fun mom" moment and got in on the action the other day.  There is video evidence but NO ONE should be subjected to what my thighs looked like as I jumped in a swimming suit.  Trust me, people.  We have big plans for sleepovers out on the tramp, too, which I'm pretty excited for.  If only we could get some sort of a net to cover the top to keep the bugs out...

The end of preschool!

Simon finished up his second year of preschool with a bang.  Being at two different preschools means two end of year parties and two programs.  Miss Debbie has her program down to a science.  She has been doing this a long time and has all the props to make it quite the production.  It was so cute.  I got to see for the first time how well behaved Simon is for her (she is more strict than his other teacher).  He didn't like her at first but he got over that and came to have respect for her rules.  Something to think about going into elementary...

The kids served their parents and grandparents which I'm sure must have been hard for my impatient little man.

Simon with his Miss Debbie buddies - Jackson Ketchoiyan, Josh Johnson and Zach Smith.  We had regular playdates with these boys and I became friends with all of their moms as well. 

Miss Karen Demann held her program in her basement family room.  She only had 6 kids in this class, so it was plenty of room.  Like I said before, Miss Debbie was the disciplinarian and Miss Karen was the fun teacher, so Simon was a little crazy and off the walls at this program.  He was always so happen to find out it was a "Miss Karen Day" when he woke up and I told him which preschool he had that day.

What is with us moms and ours cameras?!

After their carnival party on the last day of school:

Reasons to make a Mama proud

Six years ago, Connor chose to check the "band" box when picking his 7th grade schedule over my urging to take choir because that's what I took in junior high and high school.  Little did I know that he was making the right choice for him.  He has loved it so much - the friends, the teachers, the concerts, the good music, the trips.  I'm so glad he followed his instinct on that one.  I video taped every single concert which by my estimation totals 24 concerts.  I don't know if we will ever sit down and re-watch them, but I'm glad to say I've got those years documented!

GRADUATION...

He did it!  The fact that it was by the skin of his teeth doesn't matter to me now.  We can put these years behind us and see what he does with his life now.  I'm a little nervous (ok a LOT) based on how high school went, but I also think that deep down he has what it takes to succeed in life.  

The Sharples cheering section.  Graduation takes place in the middle of a work day now for some reason, so most of these wonderful people took the day off to come sit in a hot auditorium for hours on end just to shout at the top of their lungs for a few seconds.  Bless their hearts!

Emmy loves Connor.  Even with their 4 1/2 year age difference, they are pretty tight.

Our boy is all grown up...

This grandma has attended so many graduation ceremonies, preschool programs, plays, recitals, etc. in the past few weeks.  She deserves a big hug!

Connor with his long time friends Alex Clawson and Hudson Smith.  Lots of sleepovers, video gaming sessions and percussion ensemble memories are shared between these boys.  They are all going different ways but thank goodness for XBox Live to keep them connected :)

Connor and Alyssa - still going strong!

His friend Alisha Low who he took to Homecoming with his junior year.  She gave out these Hawaiian beads to all her friends.

I can also say I am the proud parent of a 4 year LDS Seminary graduate.  To me, this means just as much as high school graduation.  I remember how easy it was to just NOT GO.  But he did it, loved it, and even survived a rough year of early morning seminary.  

Yes, Connor is posing like Joseph Smith...

Last week, Connor went on what will probably be his last scout camp.  They backpacked through the Zions Narrows.  It was his first time backpacking and I was worried about his physical condition and his picky food habits.  Turns out he did just fine and had the time of his life.  He even took a few pictures for his mom.  Good boy!  He said he had some great bonding time with his best friend Alex which makes me happy since Alex leaves for college soon and they won't be in Young Mens together anymore.

Fires are prohibited so this is how they warmed up their meals.

He said they walked through water most of the time.  The $40 neoprene socks I got him were good at keeping the water out, but he said they also kept water in if any happened to get in which it usually did.  So he was walking in water 100% of the time because of that.   

I'm so proud of him for going on this camp even though I know he was a little worried about it.  He surprises me sometimes!