May events

What a fun full packed last month. With Mother's Day, birthdays, and graduation with end of school programs and events! Whew!  Madie's first grade invited the moms for a special Mother's Day breakfast. The kids were so excited and created these wonderful cards, drawing a picture of their mom. On the other side is what their mom loves and what they think of it. I loved Madie's answer about my age... 29 to be exact! I have fooled her :)

 The gift she gave me. She even colored the pot.

 The card she made

 The friends we like to hang out with at school and church.

A memorable moment for Drake. I'm not proud to say this but Drake has been to 8 different schools in the last 9 years of his schooling. He finished his last year at Verrado middle school. He got all decked out to receive his certificate. I rented a vest for him. He is one proud peacock and no wonder he is a chic magnet!

 Coming in to receive his certificate. Just received his certificate.

 Best pals. Oswin and Drake

 Wind did not help with long hair.

 Drake with more of his friends. Half of them already left by the time we found Drake to get more pictures.

Congratulations son! We are so proud of you to accomplish middle school life. One of the toughest times of your life. Now onto bigger and better memories, events, and schooling for you. Watch out Verrado High... Here comes Drake!

Madie's final game...

Madie had her first season of basketball. The NYS basketball program was short a couple of coaches and I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to use my basketball skills in coaching kids.  I couldn't have asked for a better group of kids to work with! So much talent, athletic, and parents were super supportive!

One of my friends took some pictures of Madie in action at the last game. Here is a glimpse of Madie (being like Michael Jordan with tongue sticking out).

 Going in for the lay up

 Definder catching up to her...

 She holds her own

She shoots and she scores. With a smile on her face...

Well done Lakers!

April showers bring May flowers

I can't get over how the time is just flying by!  Where did April go? Brock had his first prom and as a parent was very excited for him. I think Jay was more than I. He basically took over all of the arrangements of renting a tuxedo, ordering flowers, and always talking to him about what to do. He even helped him make out the candy gram! I think the parents had more fun on watching the kids get in and out of the limo and seeing all of the pretty dresses. This is one good looking bunch of kids!

I have 4 weeks left to end my first year of teaching. All the teachers are very excited and so are the students. The students are starting to get more dramatic about things in life so their is a flare up of drama going on at school. I will continue to see the drama for next year. That's right, I got my contract and signed on for another year of middle school life and to top it off it will be 7th grade. I have to say middle school is growing on me very quickly, I quite like it. The attitude with some of these kids isn't the best but over all it's rewarding.

Madie's basketball season is coming to an end. I have loved coaching her basketball team. I have no pictures of her in action. Jay is the photographer and doesn't quite remember to be in charge of the camera. In two weeks she and Drake will start up swim team. Drake is very excited for this (it's his sport).

Go Lakers!

I'm doing it! I've always wanted to coach (besides church ball) and I'm doing it. I know that coaching is a big commitment and with the league short of 2 coaches I found this to be my opportunity.  So I filled out the application and the league is so happy that I volunteered. I did have to go to a very BORING training that was 3 hours long to watch a movie. Yes, I was the only lady there and the rest were men, oh well.

Saturday we had our first game and my team ROCKED! I'm so proud of my little 6-7 year olds. Madie did a great job and made 4 baskets. She and another girl are on the team, the rest are boys. I know I'm tooting my own horn but I just can't help it! This has been so fun for me! I've got great parents and when I ask for help they jump right in and help out!

GO LAKERS!

Listen to shakira

Fun packed weekend...

We had a great three day weekend. We saw relatives that we don't see on a regular basis, and then we decided to enjoy our immediate family by creating memories to go up to Camp Verde. The weather didn't stop us and we had a marvelous time. If we had decided to go to Sedona then that would have been a problem... the roads were closed there and further north, phew!

 This isn't even all of the grandkids on the Russell side. What a great looking bunch!

 Half of Terry Russell's grandkids

 Happy Birthday Gram and Reed!

 Always heard about the Montezuma Castles. Absolutely amazing and so glad to have finally seen it personally! Let's me appreciate the modern times now!

 Not too bad of a picture with this bunch...

 Madie using the same tool the Indians did when drilling a hole. She was an expert on this.

 Madie was the first one to feed the giraffe at the Out of Africa zoo.

 Our driver Jess is showing us just how long the giraffe's tongue is. The giraffe even gave her a nice wet kiss.
I didn't have my camera out to get that shot.

 My brave Madie holding the snake and having the snack wrap around itself around her neck! She is such a good sport! Madie loved every minute of it.

 Best buds... This tiger and lion.

I wasn't able to get a great shot of the Barbery lions that are on the extinct list. But I did get an up close shot with a regular lion and his lioness. This one got irritated at us and growled, showing his nice canine teeth.

This is our second time coming to this zoo. It's pretty cool and we had a great time. Tiger splash is always amazing to see and so is the Hyena show. We now know that when Hyena's are "lauging" they are irritated. When they moo like a cow that is when they are happy. Something I learned.

February already?

    I've viewed my blog and still have Christmas music playing. Watching the super bowl game while I blog. What a boring life I have or am I just now thinking about updating my blog?! I'm sorry to say that it's the second part. Just finding time to update.
   Not much is going on with our family. We have been busy supporting Brock with his basketball games. He is a sophomore and is on the Varsity team. He has really improved this year and the Vipers have made it to the playoffs!
   Madie will start her little basketball league next week. They are need of a coach. I'm debating whether to do it. I hate to commit when I have so little time. I think it would be a lot of fun!
   That pretty much sums it up for us.

Christmas 2010

Merry Christmas! So I'm a bit behind on posting our Christmas. This year was a bit smaller than last year.  We still had the smiles on the faces and not too many disappointments (which lets me know I need to emphasize the true meaning of Christmas more!)

 Before Christmas morning. We caught Santa's elves and himself laying out the presents...

 Madie enjoying her hot chocolate at the Polar Express ward activity.. By the way the decorations were awesome!

 Madie visiting with Santa. She didn't even need to say her name and he talked about her older brother! Thanks Santa for making her night!

 Madie with the "True Santa"

Christmas Eve... When the kids are all nestled in their bed :)

The BIG 7!

Yep, you guessed it! Our baby turned 7 this month!  Happy Birthday M!!

Wish came true... Pillow Pet

 Musical Chimes

 Zuzuh pets

CANDY!

Just one more month...

Is it really?.... Three weeks until Brock turns the big 16 years of age.  We have discussed having a party at the house which required A Rock Band marathon along with a DJ to have some dancing going on in our small backyard amongst lots of food, and roasting marshmallows... OR keep it on the download where he can invite a couple of friends to see the Suns play AND get is IPOD touch that was stolen a year ago... Guess what he said... (Which I knew he would) get tickets to the Suns game and the IPOD touch.