Jordan's 13!!!

Jordan is officially a Teenager!

This has been a demanding couple of weeks for Jordan and she has been feeling it. Rehearsals every day and night plus school plus other obligations has made for a tired girl. As always the Musical is on her birthday so she fits her b-day in and around that.
She woke up to her letters, a new bike and cinnamon rolls. Then off to an early curtain call.

She decided after her musical that she wanted to go ahead and open her presents. We were going to do it the next night but realized that we had such a busy day that it was going to be hard to fit it in.

She is in her theatre makeup and hair straight from her shows.

Her birthday was none to shabby with all the gifts she got. Clothes, a game, music, DVD's, shoes.

Jordan's wall of 13 Reasons we love her

Lots of relatives and might as well be relatives sent her wishes by adding their 13 reasons. This was great to see how everyone sees Jordan and what they love her for.

We love Jordan so much and so happy that she is our one and only girl. I love watching her grow.

Jordan's party is also to be continued: When we get back for the summer, she is having a Happy 13th birthday party with her friends!

Jordan's Voice Recital

Jordan started private voice lessons in January. She also wants guitar, acting coach, and horseback riding lessons. How do you fit it all in???

I have to say that all these girls were very brave to just go to the front of this huge room and stand there alone to sing in front of everyone. This wasnt theatre, so they just stood there. Jordan is use to moving around on stage so she thought that was weird. Some were much more shy than others but they all did it and that was really cool. Yes, we had to sit through all the performances but finally got to watch Jordan and she did a great job.

80's Concert

Not sure that I ever wore this stuff to High School?

Victoria and Jordan getting ready for their 80's dance party performance.

Miss Riskind has been a great choir director for CRMS. Jordan has loved the entire year. This was a very entertaining concert. Loved seeing it Jordan!

Quest Project 2010

The most wicked roller coaster ride at River Ridge Elementary.

This was Jackson's grand entrance for his Quest presentation. As always Aunt Char is a good sport.

If this project were any bigger, we would have had to rent an U Haul.

His Fourth grade project was Roller Coasters.

The Quest students begin working on these 4 months before presentations.

Jacksons research skills still need some tuning but that is what this is all about. His creativity is endless and at some point I had to start saying no, we are not going any further with this project. We are done at this point.

His Papa made the table for him and together they made the mountain and coaster. Since it was so big I just kept it at home and this is where most of the work was completed. As time went on he wanted to keep this project a secret from his other questers. This was giving his Quest teacher heart palpatations but I had Jackson right on schedule.

I have to say that this was the coolest project ever!!!!

And guess what?? Quest is not even for a grade. However, the skills they learn and use are invaluable for life.

Part of the project is making a product that is creative, orignal and able to solve a problem. Jackson came up with his and designed and built with wood out of a dumpster, nails, and a hammer a turn stile for a certain coaster called the Son of Beast. A loop was taken out of this coaster because the weight of the cars needed to complete the loop was breaking the wooden tracks. His turn stile has a scale on it so you could only weigh a certain amount to ride on this coaster and then they could add back in the loop.

The kids went crazy when they saw his project.

His personal interview that he had to do so surprised me. He was so mature and handled the phone call like a business man.

>His presentation was awesome (about 20 mins) so hopefully I can add a little clip of it.

Here are some other projects from the Quest Fair. Allot of time is put into these. The kindergarten ones are not as detailed though.

So proud of Jackson and I have to admit it was hard to put the things in the trash this week but I wasnt setting it up in his room like he wanted.

Larson got the news he had been long waiting for: He was accepted into Quest for next year!

Great now 2 Quest projects.

My 40th

Started my day at 5:30 and posters were already hanging outside. Thank you Jessica! This certainly announced the B-day to the neighborhood and many stopped by throughout the day with surprises, treats and well wishes.

I guess turning 40 is a big deal! I just thought that it would be another birthday but it was made very special by so many people.

The kids were so good to me all day. Lots of hugs and happy birthdays. I think that they all wanted to buy me a million dollar present. If they only knew they are my million dollar presents.
Got phone calls from everyone in my family. Very cool and fun birthday boxes arrived in the mail and on my actual birthday. My friends know me well and I loved the things they got me.

This was my birthday dinner. So glad that Colby and Uncle Chris were with us. I really enjoyed the night being with my family. Even with Toms crazy chaotic schedule he knew exactly what I would want.
This party doesn't end here. October 5th I leave for Las Vegas with Caroline and Charlene. October is the split in the middle between Carolines 40th and mine. We will enjoy 5 days of just us. Some much needed girl time to see shows, shop, and lay in the sun. Cant wait!

One Extreme to the Other

Jackson & (Erik) on the scream

Logan & (Nicholas) on the cowboy up and down

You have to now have a game plan when going to Six Flags. Logan is on the baby rides, Jackson and Jordan on the biggest rides possible, and poor Larson in the middle. Doesn't want to be seen on baby rides and yet sometimes doesn't make the height for the big rides.

Love Having Both Girl and Boy(s)

So happy to be able to experience life from the perspective of girl and boy. They both bring so many different things to our family.

On this night the Young Women church group was learning how to make Eclairs

Same night Jackson was out learning about fishing from a professional fisherman for scouts.

This is Ander Meine, Jacksons leader.
He was also taped break dancing during the American Idol auditions so my kids think he is pretty cool.

National Junior Honor Society

Congratulations Jordan!

We are very proud of you

Mother's Day Tea with Larson

Larson was so excited about this morning.

Songs, gifts, makeovers, and tea & muffins

It was really a cute and well planned out Mother's Day tea. The kids had been making things all week to give to us. Practiced Mother's Day songs and the big part was a Mommy make over.

Every Mom was such a good sport. I really really came out lucky other than the bright green nail polish that I got to wear for a week. Completely applied by Larson. Some moms had actually lotion as mouse in their hair and some ended up looking like clowns with lip and eye liner all over the place. I was smart and saved my shower for after the event
A flower made by Larson and my beautiful makeover!
Being a Mommy makes me the happiest I could ever be.
I love each of them!

Jordan is Hanging up the Pom Poms

She LOVED football season!

She loved stunting!

She liked basketball season.

She didn't like spring cheer.

She really didn't like pep rallies.

LOVED + liked + didn't like + really didn't like=

happy she did it, happier she could make a decision to not cheer in 8th grade and be happy with her own decision.

Spring Fling 2010

Buddy Went Big on her 40th

My Favorite Game Ever for Jackson

I think Jackson is having his best season ever because he has orange on his jersey.

There was a theme to this game:

Jackson pulling flags and catching balls

scoring points even with one shoe on, one shoe off

The boy on the right stepped on his shoe and it came off. They had to pull him off the field quickly to get the extra point in.

Coach Hildner is the best. Rain or shine they are going to practice and they are going to practice hard. It was pouring on the way and when we got there Jackson said "I'm not really siked about this but here I go" and he took off running to the field.

New Gameroom Paint

It's not very often that we give the kids a bucket of paint and paintbrushes and say, "Here you go kids, go have fun painting on the walls."
Luckily this was the final product

Mom and Dad Visit

My Mom and Dad

Pat and John

Pat Pat and Papa

They answer to any of the above

The weather was not so good the entire week they were here but the day before they left the sun popped out and we had lunch at the Oasis. It was so nice sitting at the best table overlooking the lake. We only had Logan so were able to just sit and enjoy.

Added bonus for Logan. The Oasis has a major construction site and we could not pull him away from all of the machinery.

Sunday church: we went to Toms ward so that we could be with him. The kids were exceptionally well behaved even our little monster was tamed for the hour.

Larson demanded attention from Pat Pat and Papa the entire time. He couldn't wait to give them a magic show. Of course he wowed them with his mad magic skills.

During the course of the week, a Quest project was being constructed. Many stops at many stores and then a few more stops. Could not have done this one without all the help. Thank you so much.

As always in our family, we divide and conquer. Pat Pat, came with me and Logan to Larsons t-ball game. Papa went with Jackson to his football game. Larson had an exceptional game and got the game ball. He was so happy that he got it this day for Pat Pat to see.

Char was in town with Tommy and Colby so we all got to be together some.

For me I always love my parents visits but this one was really special. I just felt like it was one conversation after another with each other. I remember one morning, instead of running around and doing the normal routine we just sat on the couch and talked for hours. I need times like this to slow me down. I really enjoyed the talks with my Mom and Dad.

Austin Zoo???

The 4 Little Bears

I have a few other names for the Austin Zoo that are more fitting:

Random animals in random cages

Kind of feel sorry for animals park

Austin's make believe zoo

We have been to this zoo one other time so we knew what it was like. Its kind of shocking the first time you go if you really are expecting a zoo.

It was a beautiful day and had been about 5 years so Jordan suggested we go.

We did enjoy spending our morning there. They got to see some animals and yes, some very weird cages. I guess their just helping Keep Austin Weird.