Track & Ring-around-the-rosie

Yesterday we had a track meet in Keshena. Only part of our team was there due to the music trip to Chicago. Here's a picture of Erin long jumping. She jumped over 14 feet which is the best she's done this year.

Erin taking 1st place in the high jump with a jump of 5 feet.

Here's Erin in the triple jump where she jumped 30' 7.25" and also took 1st.

On Sunday we visited Brett and Sue. Christy was visiting over the Easter break with Brendon. Tony came for a surprise to check on his mom who had been in the hospital. It was a fun visit. Cami and Brendon sure loved playing together. Here they are playing Ring-around-the-rosie. When they got to the "all fall down" part, he didn't. Then he would stand over her and take her hands to get her to stand up and do it again. It's cute watching them play. It brings back memories of watching Clare and Tony play. And yes, Clare was that much taller than Tony.

Beautiful Weather & Other Stuff

For all of you who live nearby, you know that this week's weather has been terrific. Of course the weekend promises cold and wet so that makes me even more thankful for what we've had. Last week we finally had a track meet. It was so wonderful to see the athletes from the two schools make the transition into one team. Yesterday we had our Wildcat Relays. The girls did especially well getting 3rd place behind the two teams that tied for 1st. In fact they got 3rd by 5 points. That's impressive! Erin, Whitney and Katie took 1st in the high jump. Erin, Jenny and Rye took 2nd in the triple jump. Our discus team also took a 1st place. It was a fun day and I ran around doing a lot of things to help out. Eventually I ran the high jump. We got home at 8:10. A long day but way fun!

FHE Bowling

Last week for FHE we raked the yard. It wasn't exactly a fun activity but went really fast considering the many hands that helped. Afterward we played a game of HORSE and despite my lack of basketball skills, I won!

This week we decided to do something more fun. Bowling!!! None of us are spectacular bowlers but we had a lot of fun and encouraged one another. It's always nice when everyone gets a strike.

Not a great picture but who looks good bowling?

I love this one. Sammi was doing the between the legs and you can see Andrew's arm just after letting go of the ball.

Unlike Andrew, I don't look back. I know at the release of the ball if it's going to be anything worth watching. He got way better during the 2nd game.

My dad came over just before we finished and then we went to his place for ice cream. We watched the first half of the NCAA Final. I didn't have a favorite so it didn't matter to me who won, but you'd think that the game would've been closer. How did Michigan even get there? I don't care too much for a lopsided game. Anyway, we had a great time together!

Locks of Love & Shaved Heads

At Gresham school on Friday there was a special event held to raise funds and show support for one of the teachers who is battling cancer. An assembly was held for the last 2 class periods of the day. A whole lot of hair stylists came and donated their time to cut hair and shave heads. In all there had to be 50+ people who participated. I was surprised at the number of girls who donated 10 inches of their hair to Locks of Love. Some did it with no regrets, but there were others who had lots of tears during or afterward. It was a fantastic show of support!

Here's Clare with her 2 ponytails. She and Erin both went over by Ann later in the afternoon to get an actual style. The ladies cutting the inches were strictly there to take the hair and give you a blunt cut.

Tom and Sammi showed up for a few minutes. It was enough time for Jeana to take care of what little hair Tom had to begin with.

These two buddies both got in on the act.


I think Erin was the first girl in the school to bring back the permission slip in order to donate her hair. Way to lead the way!

I don't know if Andrew was dreading the shave or just nervous to do it in front of a lot of people. I think it was the latter. I do prefer him with a bit more hair. It will be interesting to see the young men at church on Sunday. Most of them were shaved so we should have some "clean looking" young men to participate in blessing and passing the sacrament.

I'm extremely pleased that my children are unselfish in such a personal way. In the evening there was a talent show. It raised quite a bit of money as well. A very fun and worthwhile day!

A house FULL

Last night we had a house full of family and friends. It was a wonderful experience. Clare and Cami came over in the afternoon to do laundry and visit. Clare had activity days so she was coming anyway, I just invited her to come earlier. My niece Alyssa with her husband and daughter came over for a visit. We haven't seen them for close to 2 years. My dad came over for supper as he wanted to visit with them as well. Clint came from work and joined us. Then Pat came home from his presidency meeting. Finally, with Lys and Clare over, the Youngs joined us. We haven't seen Whitney and Lloyd since before they left for Korea and we got to meet baby Jordan. She's beautiful! It was a fun household with memories shared and lots of hugs and laughter. What a great thing it is to have loved ones!

On another note, it was really fun to watch Isabelle and Cami together. Belle is almost 3 and Cami just turned 2. They were like any other kids with not wanting to share, but mostly they giggled and laughed and played. One of the highlights was watching them color themselves with washable markers. They started with paper but ended up drawing on their bellies and arms and whatever else was naked. Someone took pictures but unfortunately it wasn't me. In the end they had a very "colorful" tubby together.

Oh say can you SEE?

Sammi came home without much of her luggage. Her friend Sara is bringing it next month. Packed in those suitcases are her glasses and extra contacts. For some reason she doesn't have a contact lens holder. You know the kind...everyone who wears contacts has at least 6. Well, she doesn't have any at home so her contacts were in solution in 2 spoons this morning.

Tom, trying to be helpful, dumped out the spoons and put them in the kitchen sink. Sam came to put her contacts in and they were gone. We managed to find one but the other wasn't found until it was starting to dry out. Technically she's only half blind as she has one eye that can focus. She can't go to work since she can't see well enough to drive.

Tomorrow Clare is taking her to Green Bay to EyeMart to get new glasses. The old ones are the wrong prescription anyway. A new set of contacts would have cost $80 to overnight them here, so I figured the glasses were a better way to use that money.

Bliss

On Saturday the Gourleys moved out of our home and into their own apartment. Good for them. They've needed their own space for a while. While they moved out, Sammi moved back home. She's either going to continue her education here or serve a mission. I guess this is a good place to be until she figures that out. No rent, no grocery shopping and a job.

I began my track season last week and so far, so good. I am a lot busier as I have to run to Bowler several times each week for practice. I guess I'll actually earn my pay this year. haha I do love the track season. I love the competition of the individual competitors as well as the team aspect. There may be many winners without the team actually winning.

This week started the maple sapping season in our area. Rosy has taken off for at least a month to do her maple syrup making. That leaves me at Tilleda full-time. Or does it? With Sammi working only part-time at Arby's (which she detests) she is available to work more hours in my place. Thank you Sammi!

Yesterday I had this wonderful day in which I was the only person in my house all day. Tom went with Sammi; Erin and Andrew off to school and I was left alone to accomplish my laundry and prepare my seminary lesson. It was Bliss!