Wednesday, July 23, 2025

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!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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!

Friday, May 23, 2025

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.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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!

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

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!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We love seeing family at church, even if it is brief!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Zoe enjoyed some lake time with a friend.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Selfies found on my phone this month (shockingly few)....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
National Honor Society for this beauty!
Proud of my girl!
We grabbed some take out on the way home....
and snagged this fun picture.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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! 

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Grand Canyon → Page, AZ (Day 5)

I'm not a wake up early kind of girl, I need my sleep!  However, with having the amazing opportunity to stay in the park for the night, I decided that it would be worth it to get up for the sunrise that was just a short drive away!
There were a lot of people that also hoped for a great show.  Puffy and tired, but thankful!
A lot of clouds again, so we were not sure what we would get to see, but they did have some breaks in them.
My best bud was willing to get up with me as well.  Thankfully, having teenagers who are trustworthy (and just slept anyway), we were able to sneak away just the two of us.
We serve an amazing creator and what a gift to see some of his work!
We then woke up the kids, packed the car and headed to our next destination in Page, Az.  We had a few stops along the way on the Desert View Road Drive, seeing some more views of the canyon.
Somewhat awkward photo, ha!
Ezra loved finding a tree he could climb!
Sleepy girl!
It was busy at the Desert View Visitor Center & Watchtower.
I spy a little Ezra head poking through!
While we were able to go in the base of the tower, they were not allowing folks to go up into the tower itself while we were there.
We then continued on the beautiful drive, which I wasn't expecting so many amazing views all along the way. We made a stop at one one of the viewpoints.  Shiloh's car sickness promops me to see where along routes we can take a short stretch break to help her.
Our next stop was Horseshoe Bend and it felt like we had landed on another different planet. 
 It is a flat sunny walk for the reward of some stunning views!
The landscape was so different and fun to explore.  It was quite a bit warmer here, but not unbearable (although I'm sure I would not say the same had it been the middle of summer).
Shiloh looked so chill (she snagged Beach's sunglasses - it was so bright the girls took turns sharing) even when not trying, that I had to take some pics!
One last look before heading back.
A another short drive to Page and we stopped at the Wal-Mart there to stock up on water, food, some necessities we needed and travel hack: tourist T-shirts (from the National Parks that we were visiting).  You can actually get high quality at a great price for finding surveners in this way!
Our next stop was the Glen Canyon Dam.
The Carol Hayden Visitor Center was a free site that had many interesting exhibits and gorgeous views.
The girls were a bit tired at this point and this was how they enjoyed the exhibits.
We also, walked over the bridge to get a closer look at the dam. 
Next up we ventured out for one more smaller hike, and it ended up being one of Ezra's favorite. Just a short distance away we checked out the Hanging Garden Trail.
We had the whole trail almost completely to ourselves, a nice contrast from the National Parks.
The wide open spaces of otherworldliness was amazing.  Can you spot the kids?
How about now?
The kids enjoyed being able to explore a bit on their own, which we could see them and it was safe to do so, no sharp cliffs to fall off of just nature's playground!
Beach in the distance.
And closer...
and I made it to him...
The highlight of the trail is the namesake of the hanging garden in a cave like structure.  There is very little green around so it is a stark contrast.
 My plant loving boy especially found it interesting. 
Holes, or really I have no idea what to call this, to fit in were fun!
The city of Page is not that big but we took my sister's recommendation and ate dinner at the Bird House.
Family size portions at good prices, we were all happy (just try not to have to need the restroom there).
The only place to stay at on Lake Powell was the Lake Powell Resort.  It's beauty and decent prices were a go for me.  My sister's family had, also, stayed there the year before and had to wait hours to check-in.  Seeing that it was a whole year later, I thought surely that would not still be the case.  However, they still had not gotten their act together and we could not check-in for quite some time (but did get some money back).
Another draw for the kids was the pool at this location. It turned out to be not so hot but Beach took the kids swimming while I walked the beautiful property until I could get us settled in. 
Cold brother splashes were not appreciated. 😛
 They tried out both pools there, but it wasn't until dark when our room was ready, and they were pretty cold at that point.
Another blessed day, though and all worn out!