Zoe 9th

 This was Zoe's first year of high school, although since middle and high are in the same building it was all that much different.  However, Zoe was not so much a fan of it this year.  She did not like her yearbook picture....

So she did a retake.  I think she is adorable either way!

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Zoe participated in Cross Country again this year and was one of the captains again.

She started out strong, beating her PR very early in the season.  However, she got a sickness in her lungs that she just couldn't shake for a few months.

She still participated in as much as she was able but it was disappointing to her that she was not able to fully do so because of her health.

She has a great spirit about her, though, and I think was still a great co-captain!

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Zoe had a few setbacks with a couple of classes and classmates but was able to persevere and finish well!  Thankfully Geometry is now a thing of her past!  She was able to connect with some good friends towards the end of the year, which was a great encouragement as well.  Thankful that this year is complete and looking forward to summer break!

Shiloh - 7th

As the kids have gotten older, I don't have as many photos to represent their school year.

Seventh grade year and Shiloh was hitting more her stride.

 

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A first for her, she joined cheerleading!

And was chosen as co-captin of the team. It was such a great experience for her and she thoroughly enjoyed it!

They participated in many bonding events.

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We have hit the stage of begging me not to be a chaperone on field trips...so I rely on others for pictures, and this is the result.

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Shiloh is working so hard in her classes, despite some setbacks and more new math teachers, she did fantastic throughout the year.

Mostly I am proud of her character and she even got a RAISE award.

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Shiloh had her cheer team banquet with a black out theme.

Captin awards!

Captains with their coach!

With the varsity captains as well.

I snagged my own picture when she got home that night.

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Shiloh was, also, a part of the Unified Cheer at her school (a program that her team supports Special Olympics and students).  They had a state competition that they ending up winning gold in their category. 

Proud of these girls and their support for one another.

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Shiloh did not have as much free time with everything else going on but did do some sketching. 

The propagating plants in her room.

I am proud of how hard Shiloh has worked this past year and all her growth. She had combated challenges with her health and school and continues to persevere!

The Other Celebrations of April

 April was another busy month with Zoe and Beach's birthday (we celebrated with the family all together) and our Spring Break trip out West! 

One of Ezra's birthday gifts was a father/son weekend away at camp. 

They stayed in a cabin with some other fellas and had a lot of fun with many different activites!

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We love seeing family at church, even if it is brief!

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Zoe enjoyed some lake time with a friend.

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Selfies found on my phone this month (shockingly few)....

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We are excited that our assistant manager is getting married!  While having a staff game night, we surprised her with a gift and wedding fun as well!

Then we had fun playing some silly games!

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National Honor Society for this beauty!

Proud of my girl!

We grabbed some take out on the way home....

and snagged this fun picture.

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Ezra participated in Run Hard again this spring.

The parents were invited to come to the practice where they earned their shirts.

These guys work hard!

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Shiloh went on her birthday date with Lauren and Josiah.

The majority of this months pictures were had on our amazing out West trip but thankful for these celebrations as well! 

Bryce Canyon (Day 7 - part 2)

We had an amazing time on a couple of trails on the way from Page, AZ in route to Bryce Canyon. As we began to drive more north, we were surprised to find snow!  We stopped for a photo opt at the Red Canyon Arch.

The kids enjoyed scurrying around to find enough snow to make a snowball to throw at each other.

We continued the beautiful drive and the snow seemed to cover the ground that much more.

It wasn't long before we made it to Bryce Canyon National Park.  I was blow away by the beauty.

The kids, however, were not happy.  When I had checked the weather when we were packing to go, it was not calling for such cold temperatures, much less snow.  I did not have them bring heavy jackets, as I truly didn't think it was a need. I did throw one in for myself, when I saw I had room, because I thought I may want to sneak out early (when it was colder) to watch the sunrise and it would be helpful for that.

However, I wasn't aware that the weather forecast had changed where we were headed.  It was beautiful, but the thought of hiking 3 miles in the cold temps was anything but agreeable to the kids. We managed to get them to the overlook and it was magical.  It was our only time we would be able to do the hike, so we decided to go for it.

We hiked the Queens/Navajo Loop Combination, but a portion was closed, so the kids lucked out that it was not a whole 3 miles.

As we hiked down into the valley, there was not much snow.

The hoodoos and coloring were amazing.

Short break.

When we started hiking back up, the snow flurries began again.

Hiking back up the switch back with my Casper.  Zoe wore Beach's jacket and Shiloh used her blanket from the car for warmth.

By the time we got done, the kids were a little more perked up.

We began to have a some more fleries as we headed to our car.

Me and Casper.

We were all very thankful when we made it back to the hotel room and could cozy up in the bed!

While the day had it's surprises, I just love Utah.  Unfortunately, I went to bed realizing I had made a grave error in our reservations for the next day, and was a bit frantic to see if I could figure out something in the morning....