Memorial Day..ya, school's out!

So it's official. School is out and there is no turning back! The kids are so excited to stay up later, sleep in a little more and have NO homework! Yipee! Time to celebrate. Curtis got the day off so we, along with both Meyer families ventured on up to the south side of Pine mountain. The area was called Oak Grove and we loved it! Curtis definitely wants to go camping up there with a couple of the kids.

It is somewhat reminiscent of home-Canadian rockies

Evey's little "buck" (bug) that she was excited to follow and scream at. I think it was a stink bug but you can't even see it

Kings of the castle!

Don't ya just love Owen's cheezie grin!

It was so cool to see these mini cactuses in full bloom on the drive up..such pretty flowers!

Our day was packed full of fun. In the later afternoon we met Lyndsi and the kids at the new Little Valley water park..really cool and original play equipment:) but not enough shade :(

It was a scorcher..in the 90's.. so the water felt great!

And finally at the end of the day we found ourselves at Auntie Shellie's house for a dip in the cool pool! Lindsey was a doll and saved the parents from making a trip to dip..THANKS! The girls love hanging on to you..those little monkeys! (BTW Linz..we found Emmy's earring in her dad's car..weird!)

Now who wouldn't want to be a Hancock kid on this day..such fun! Play, play, play!

Jon Schmidt is the coolest

I completely love love love love love this musical arrangement. There are many reasons why. First of all, Jon Schmidt is a musical genius and I've been to one of his concerts before..I really didn't want to leave..he's hilarious, upbeat, exciting, and fun..all the feelings that I have when I listen to his music! Second, stringed instruments are my most favorite of all! So ofcourse I am loving the cello in this..Steve, the cellist is another master! Third, I think it's so neat how fun these 2 guys have while playing..not only do they enjoy what they are playing..they actually feel it..such passion. I know when I listen to this piece it moves me in such a way that I HAVE to dance in some shape or form! Fourth, it is so dang clever don't you think?! The way the songs modulate into one another and finally.. fifth, Viva La Vida by Cold Play is one of my most favorite songs..the beat combined with the strings is fabulous! Ok, so I've gone on and on about this. I hope you all enjoy it if you haven't already seen it! Be sure to pause our blog's music (scroll down to the bottom) first before listening :) I have seen this video on peoples facebooks so now I have to put it on my blog! Music ROCKS!

Carter's STREET hockey party!

Carter was so thrilled about his birthday party. Since hockey is his passion right now it was appropriate to incorporate the sport into the celebration! It was one of the easiest birthday parties I have done..I would highly recommend it!

The Calgary Flames of the NHL is his favorite hockey team so this was my attempt at throwing their "flaming C" in there!Here are the players enjoying hockey food..hotdogs, fries and rootbeer!
I love this picture. Look at the air that coach Curtis has got under his feet. He was certainly a big part of the game..we were short a few players so much to Carter's delight his dad was happy to fill in! Curtis even gave the players a little history of hockey and how it all got started..I think he's a little proud that it originated in CANADA!

Here are the tough guys! The game ended in a 3-3 tie so it was shoot the ball at Carter to see if anyone could score. I think only one player scored sort of. Carter was quite proud of himself! For the record, L to R: Tait Belnap, Kailor King, Josh Gibb, Carter H. Jaratt Earle, Brigham Gardner, Seth Dotson, Carter Riddle and Caden. Bradley Mendenhall came to the dinner portion of the party but had to leave for a baseball game. The only other 2 players that were missing were Kristian Dalley and Braden James..so a pretty good turn out! Caden was quite happy with himself as well since he scored 2 goals for his team. The other team was requesting him to move over to them but he remained loyal. He felt VERY needed..I love confident building moments..I think he felt like a million bucks!

Since Carter does NOT like cake this was an alternative..icecream sandwich hockey sticks. Easy easy! They even have peanut butter ones now!

I am so happy that Carter had a great time..mission accomplished! The boys went home with a gatorade and Mike Ikes box of candy..sugar 'em up..just what their parents wanted I'm sure! Oh ya, Carter earned some more money with a grand total of $110.00. Isn't that crazy?! I would have been dying to get that when I was 10. Thanks everyone. Curtis and I promised him that if he received $100.00 then we would make up the rest to buy him a DSi. He loves it! FUN!

Eeeeeee and Ee Ee!

We were so lucky to get to watch Lily and her brother this week. I suspect these two sweetheart girls think they have the same name. When Lily sees Evey she calls out Eeeeee or Ee-ee. On this day Evey was trying to reply back in pronouncing Lily's name and came up with the same sound..Ee-ee. I thought it was so cute. Also, as they were toddling around I was calling Evey's name to come near Lily to get a picture and Lily started shaking her head "no" ever so gently. She probably thought I was calling her name. It must be so confusing for the little ones since it ends in the same sound but who knows..they probably are smarter than me and have it all figured out but just have fun laughing at me!! Evey is so lucky to have such a tender and sweet friend. Lily brightens her day with hugs and smiles..we love you Lily..come on over any time!

FHE

Pam Jewell, a very cute widowed lady in our ward had enough courage to invite our family over to her house this past Monday. She told us that inviting a different family each week is a tradition she has since she lives on her own and she figures it's the best way to get to know families in the ward. I thought this was so sweet and cool and brave of her. Thanks a lot Sister Jewell. You really geared the lesson to our children. Her lesson was on the creation. She had printed off papers with #1-7 for the 7 days of the creation and had the kids color and add items to what was created on that day. Everyone was a willing participant..Evey was one in a different way. She enjoyed climbing everything in sight, the piano, couch, tables..and also enjoyed eating the crayons. Thank goodness that Sister Jewell was a good sport in putting up with us! We had some yummy icecream sundaes for dessert! Thanks again Sister Jewell..we learned a lot and we think you are such a neat lady!

My road trip in more ways than one

Yes it's true. I took a road trip by car and by foot! What a rewarding, exciting, beautiful and painful weekend..lots of feelings mentally and physically. I went up north to do the Ogden half marathon with my sister and her husband. Mike was so kind to run with us even if it was just a leisurely pace. With my previous heel/ankle injury I had taken 2 full weeks off all exercising..so I was a little concerned with how well I would do. I was comforted with the fact that I had 2 of my most favorite people by my side! Cynthia, you were an amazon woman for sure! Your energy and smile with those cute dimples got me through. Mike, you were so good to stay back with me. Okay..so this is how it went down. It was a whopping 30 degrees at the start of the race..brrrr..for me at least! Thus parting with my sweatshirt and pants was a little hard to do. I was able to thaw out though after the first 3 miles..tingly hands and arms..weird.. for May. The course was amazing and stunning in it's beauty. Pineview lake was calm with the sun rising behind us. Then we got to enjoy the shade and views of the river and a cool waterfall. The wind also pushed us at our backs a few times. The course was a gradual down hill..so THAT was nice! After about 7 miles is when I really started feeling how difficult it all was. That was the furthest I had run in my training..ahh..now what was I going to do. I had 6 miles to go. Thanks goodness for the Hasslser duo..couldn't have done it w/o you guys. Finally at mile 11 I told them to just go. I did not want to hold my sissy back anymore..she was doing SO well! After I couldn't see them anymore I just mentally told myself to NOT walk..I knew my legs would stop if I walked..so I did it..I made it to the finish line and my time was way better than I anticipated. I did it in exactly 2 hours. Last time Cynth and I did a half we completed it just a minute and a half faster..so ya, I was pretty happy. Cynthia and Mike did it in 1 hr. 56 min. SWEET! I'm so proud to call you family :) So, I think I just wrote a novel..WOW! Must be in the detail mood.

This is before the race in our sweats..ya I look wide awake and ready!

After our eventful half..still smilin' but thinkin' OUCH!

My sweet sista! Love you Stink!

So, I actually am glad that I rested my heel because it is 99% better..didn't bother me once in the race. I however got a blood blister. I had no idea..I felt a bit of pressure there but was not expecting this UGLY thing! GROSS!

Even though most of my muscles are sore in my body right now, I can still say that I am glad I did it! Hasslers..you ROCK! Thanks for letting me stay with you and enjoy our time together.

That night my bro Spencer and his family had us over for a hot dog roast. YUM! Thanks..it was so great to see your children again. That evening Cynthia, Lori and I went to 17 Again...a cute movie with a good message. It was also fun to spend a bit of time with the Hasslers. Abby was so thoughtful. She bought me some Twilight candy sweethearts and each of my children a package of skittles..with her very own money! What a sacrifice! Ethan told me all about the play station 3. Jenna showed me her presents from her birthday party and Claire danced for me to her cute little cd player. I was happy to be their audience member. What a fantabulous weekend! If you see me walking psycho..now you'll know why:)

While mom was gone..

This weekend I took a road trip..yup that's right..to the race ofcourse but I left by myself.. so everyone made their own plans:) Curtis took the boys to our wards "father and sons" camp out. They had a great time together in Kolob. Playing with the fire and getting dirty..you know..what boys do!

The girls stayed home with our dear cousin Lindsey. She totally offered to stay with them so Curtis could take the boys camping. What a sweetheart. She made plans with them the night before so they were jumping out of their skin. They could barely wait for it to happen. Lindsey made jewelry, crowns, and wands with them, watched movies, played, had snacks. They got to stay up late. SO so fun for them. Thanks again Lindsey. You are a gem! The memory for the girls will always be there! Now you have to send us some pictures, k?

On Saturday afternoon Curtis turned on the sprinklers and enjoyed getting a few pics.

Thanks for taking over the remainder of the weekend Curtis. It was nice to have a few days to myself.

Ella's preschool graduation

We can't believe that Ella's first preschool year is over. She has done so well and was so adorable for the program. The children each got a turn to pick an animal stick and then sing the song that was on the back of it. Ella knew all of the words and performed like a star!

Thanks Miss Keri for loving our Ella!

Miss Lindsey..we love you too!

Luke and Ella..our preschool buddies!

At the end of the program Miss Keri had each child come up to receive a diploma and be spotlighted. The things she said about Ella were so sweet. She said that she could always catch on quickly to the new songs they were learning and know all the words. She was also a good friend to others that were hurt or sad. Miss Keri also mentioned the time when Ella heard the quiet class and said.."I can hear heaven." Children are so close to the spirit don't you think. We love our little Ella. She is growing up so well!

Carter is 10!

We can't believe that our baby boy has already entered the double digits. Happy Birthday Carter! Here are the things we love about you:

Responsible..Carter this is one of the best words to describe you. I love that you take care of things!

Focused..you definitely stay on task and get things done..homework, chores, piano practice, reading, wearing retainer, getting ready for scouts and soccer..you are rarely reminded!

Nurturing..your siblings are so lucky to have you. I love how you are so tender with the babies. You and Evey have a special little bond and she just adores you. I love how you dote over her with your kind words, concern and comfort when she is hurt, patience and playfulness. You ask for opportunities to babysitt her..how lucky is she?! You will make one fantastic daddy Carter. You should have at least a dozen children!

Valiant..I love how you always want to choose the right. There is never a question of the truth..infact..you can't seem to get enough of it..I absolutely love your fervant attitude during FHE, prayers, and scripture study. You are continually volunteering to give the lesson, say the prayer, and teach the scriptures and boy do you retain those scriptures well. You remember them better than your mom. Thanks for being an example to me Carter! You will be an amazing missionary!

Grateful..lately you have expressed how thankful you are for things..meals, birthdays, outings! Thanks Carter..it means a lot when you notice! What a wonderful son you are. We are so lucky to have you in our family. I always tell you that Heavenly Father sure knew what he was doing when he sent you first. You have a most special place in which you fill so well!

The day was one of celebration! Bluberry and strawberry eggo waffles for breakfast..had to step it up from last year's plain ones. Tinfoil presents. Off to school with the Utah assembly and then treats for his classmates. After school was video game time. Dinner was the same as last year..Japanese Sundaes AKA Hawaiin Haystacks..still going strong! It was fun to have Auntie Shellie, Lindsey, Shane, Laura and the boys come. Lyndsi and Luke popped over for a minute. Thanks everyone for making Carter feel special. He loves all of you and had a wonderful day. After the party Carter and I rushed off to Barnes and Noble to get him some promised books..a gift from his siblings. That was a fun outing for us. Bedtime hit around 10:30 for him..a record for a school night for sure!

The good old morning tinfoil presents!

Mostly junk food..job well done Curt for picking those out..he looks pleased!
Carter's favorite treat..yummy doughnuts for his school class. It was fun to hear the whole class sing Happy Birthday to him.

Icecream cake..another favorite treat! It didn't taste the best to me but Carter reasurred me that he loved it! Thanks buddy, you're so thoughtful!

Yay..money and more money..$69.00..officially a rich kid!

Carter wanted one thing..goalie street hockey equipment. He was SO excited to receive it! He gave me an awesome bear hug! Ofcourse he had to test it out immediately!

Works great..even though the ball shot in the net:) Now he needs a bigger net, a helmet and a goalie stick!

Ella and Owen were riding back and forth through the game oblivious to it since they were having their own fun. Owen pushed Ella for the longest time and then stood on the back for a picture. It must have been hard work..his red little face. Those 2 have a little bond. Ella always gives him a hug when he comes over!

School fun!

This week we have been living at the school..but it's been fun. Carter had his Utah celebration assembly on his birthday. The fourth graders did a fantastic job and the songs were so catchy and educational in teaching the children the heritage of the state. Evey and Ella tagged along and enjoyed watching him! Good singing Carter!

The very same day Caden had Hawaiin day! He wanted me to come to class for a treat. We had yummy fruit bowls full of strawberries, pineapples, and grapes with those cute toothpick umbrellas..Mrs. Bergeron thinks of every detail! She is always so wonderful in sharing her classroom with us and is also so good to my girls. Emery really wants her as a 2nd grade teacher.

She told the kids what their names were in Hawaiin. Too bad I couldn't remember them..Caden's is something like Ke nai..?!

Graduating Emery

Congratulations Emery on a wonderful year of kindergarten. You will be officially graduating high school in 2021! Wow..I think that just aged your mother enormously!

The kindergarten graduation program was so clever with all the songs and cute poems! The theme was, "When I Grow Up". This was Emery's part.."A movie star I want to be, to Hollywood I'll go, and there I'll join the TV folks and star in many a show!" She said it so clearly and carefully and had it memorized. Way to go Emm's! That microphone can be scary!

This song was "I like being me". I was expecting the program to include more than one class so it was a nice surprise to just see hers.

Mrs. Gilbertson has been a wonderful teacher! She has taught Emmy to print so well!Classmates Hailey and McKenzie
One of Emery's favorite classmates..cousin Jace! It was so cool that they got to be in the same class this year!

We couldn't be more proud of you sweet Emery!

We are so thankful that you have been hard working and well behaved in class..way to stay on task!

Mothers

Happy Mother's Day to all of my favorite Moms! There are so many of you and I appreciate all of the dear qualities that you possess. You all strengthen me to be a better mother. Thanks for your examples. I love you all dearly. To my mom...thanks for a wonderful childhood and for all of the important things that you equipped me with to become a mother myself. I love that I can look to you and seek your advice. I love the common bond that we now share. It is only now that I truly understand your love for me as a mother. So, thank you. Your goodness means so very much!

Today was a wonderful day. Curtis was the hero! I just let him know the day before that I didn't want to cook. So he literally took that on and did all the cooking. For breakfast we had biscuits filled with eggs, bacon and cheese..YUM! He fed the children lunch and then for dinner he made a delicious chicken stir fry! Get this..he also cleaned everything up..yup, that's right, the dishes, wiping, and sweeping. How lucky am I?! Thanks a million Curt. It meant a lot. It was SO fabulous to have a day off of playing the maid. The children were cute in the morning to make me cards and send me on a few treasure hunts with a half eaten pack of gum as the prize. Emery also taped her $1.00 bill that she was saving into my card. They sacrificed a lot! Oh ya, and Curtis had taken them shopping to get me a few new pairs of earrings. Thanks guys..I love my Hancock gang..you are all so good to me! What a lucky mom I am!

The boys were the photographers, good job guys!

Today was Evey's first official day in nursery. Even though she is just 17 months, our cute next door neighbor Jill, the nursery leader, likes to break them in early. They said she did well..just had a hard time during the lesson since the topic was about moms. When the word was mentioned she cried..oh, so sad :(. It was fun to peek in on her during the happy times. She just fit right in! Good girl Evey! You are still growing up too fast!
(BTW: Ella took this picture..pretty impressive for a 4 year old!)