FHE at the Veterans Home

Our Primary was invited to put on an FHE for the men and women at the Ivins Veterans Home.  Courtney was a bit reluctant because she had to hurry from soccer practice but she had a great time.  They sang songs and then they went around to each veteran and shook their hands.  It was great to see and I was so happy we went and shared Monday night with them.

Pizazz End of the Year Review

Another dance year has ended and Courtney did a great job!  This year she and a friend, Emilee, decided to choreograph a duet together and they did so well.  I was very impressed.

Bryan took back the escorting duties and got to dance with his little girl.

Our beautiful Courtney

Courtney and Bryan

Then the fun began...I helped Courtney change out of her nice dress and then she began her dances.

When She Loved Me (3rd-5th grade lyrical)

Never Grow Up (Jr. All-Starzz lyrical)

Story of My Life (duet by Courtney and Emilee which they choreographed themselves)

Magic in Me (3rd-5th hip hop)

Rhapsody (3rd-5th jazz)

(Jr. All-Starzz jazz)

Attention (Jr. All-Starzz character dance)

When the dances finished, they had awards.  Courtney was given an award for being a 6th year member and then she also received the "Spark Plug" award.  That is the award given to the dancer who has the most spark.  It is voted on by the girls themselves so it was great that she won it!

Our little spark plug!

Her awards

They kept the program to an hour and it was great!!  Great job Courtney!

Ironman Volunteers

Bryan and Ethan got to volunteer at the Ironman 70.3 this year with Ethan's mountain bike team.  They had to wake up really early in the morning and drive to the aid station in Hurricane.  (They wouldn't have had to wake up so early if they hadn't listened to me because I thought it would take them longer to get there so they were 20 minutes early.)

They got to give water, Gatorade and other things to the bikers at the first aid station.  It was rainy and cold so they had a unique experience.  But they loved it.  There is an art to giving a rider a drink while they are still moving.  A rider would get close, point at someone and yell "water, water, water."  The person they pointed to would then have to start running with their hand out with the water in it so they could pass the water off without it exploding on impact.  Bryan did a great job but he said a lot of people had a hard time.

I'm so glad they were able to go out there and do that.  And they got some really cool bright shirts to show for it!

Ethan is on the left.

Ethan has his arm out with the Gatorade in his hand

Soccer Team Pictures

The coaches wanted team pictures so I called around to find a photographer that wasn't too expensive.  A couple of friends recommended the photographer who does the team photos for the high school, so I gave her a call and set something up.  Now, Galaxy Elite FC is made up of a U10 boys team, a U11 girls team (Courtney's team) and a U12 girls team.  So we had it all set up so the boys would show up first, have their team photos and individual photos taken and then we the girls would show up for a huge club picture.

The day was RAINY so we got nervous.  We had to change the location, which suited us fine because it was closer to our house, but it made it a bit more crazy.  It all worked out in the end and I think they will be very cute photos.  We are waiting for them to come back but here is one of Courtney and her friend in a tree.  Crazy!

Give Me Liberty

Each year, the 5th grade classes work on the "Give Me Liberty" program.  They are supposed to memorize at least 6 facts about the United States.  If they continue on and memorize 9 facts about the US they are given a t-shirt.  If they memorize all the facts (I think there are 12 or 14), then they are given a t-shirt and a trophy.  Part of the things they have to memorize are: states and capitols, the Gettysburg Address, the Preamble to the Constitution, the symbols of the US, the presidents in order, etc.  It's hard for these kids.  Courtney worked hard and was able to earn her t-shirt, which she was so excited about.

They had a program for the parents to show off what they had learned.

Courtney is in the center.

Check out those freckles!  I love it!

Here are some of the songs they sang.

Castle Island Song:

Yankee Doodle:

The Pledge of Allegiance:

Amazing Grace (on recorders);

Salute to the Armed Forces:

There were many more but those were the fun ones.  She did a great job and I'm so happy for her that she earned her shirt!

Deacons Quorum

Apparently Ethan was bored in Deacon's Quorum and had Bryan's phone.  He only has a couple more weeks of Deacons before he turns 14 and becomes a teacher!

Fathers and Sons

The ward always does Fathers and Sons at the Ence Cabin in Pinto.  Everyone loves it because there are activities to do and a huge field where they play football.  I don't know a lot about what goes on....probably because moms wouldn't let the boys go ever again.  But they had a blast.

It rained on them but it was dry enough at good times that they played football in the field and had a great time.

They were stiff and sore afterward but I'm sure it was worth it.  They had great food and it's a great tradition!