Temple Baptisms

Calissa was lucky enough to get to do temple baptisms right after her birthday.  The youth went the Wednesday following her birthday.  She was excited to get to go, and I was excited that I was invited to come along too.  It was wonderful being in the temple with most of the family.  Hopefully next time we'll all be able to be there together!  (Parker had a choir concert that night so he was unable to go.)

Calissa's Birthday Party

Calissa had another crafting birthday party with Grandma.

This year only 5 girls were able to come.  It was so much more manageable with that amount!

 Amanda, Calissa, Casey, (Grandma), Jennifer,  Em J, Gracie

 They had 3 different projects that they worked on.  

They decorated pen holders with paper and ribbon.  They wrapped pens in floral tape and put flowers on the top.  Then they stamped on tissue paper and attached that to a candle holder, and then they decorated note pads. Here are all the finished projects.

Here is Calissa's.  

While they were waiting for treats and to open presents, they watched a little Studio C. 

 Calissa talked Grandpa into coming home early from work to make everyone milkshakes.  How could Grandpa say no?  They all had chocolate mint milkshakes with brownies. 

 Blowing out her candle.

 Studio C

 She got some great presents and can't wait to spend her Michael's gift cards.

 Gracie made her a Studio C shirt. 

And Em J made her a bad.

She had a great time!  Love you Calissa!

Calissa is 12!

Calissa's birthday this year fell on a Sunday. 

 Singing Happy Birthday to her as she woke up!

 That night (yes, she did get dressed and go to church) she asked for Chicken Noodle Soup (and yes, it was 92 degrees outside), rolls, and triple chocolate cake.

 From us, she got a nightstand and a phone.  Grandma and Grandpa gave her that cute lamp and an alarm clock (which has worked so far!).  

She waited until Monday to get her phone.  We were going to get her a slide out phone, but ended up getting talked into an iPhone 4s.  It was only $.99 and she promised to work off the extra fee each month by washing dad's car. 

 On Monday, we also went to see "Million Dollar Arm" as a family and then out to Benihana for dinner. 

Grandpa and Nichole joined us.

Tuesday, she got her home made cinnamon rolls and Wednesday is her birthday party. She knows how to make a birthday last!  We love you Calissa and are so happy that you are a part of our family!

Conner's Leadership Award

 Conner had his end of year Leadership picnic on Thursday and they hand out paper plate awards.

Conner got the award for the Most Polite!

He enjoyed Leadership this year and got to work on several committees.  His last one was mentoring at the Elementary School next door.  He's a great leader!

As a parent, I think that is the best award there is! 

Thanks for making your parents and yourself proud!

End of Year Volleyball Party

We hosted the end of year Volleyball Party at our house on Thursday night.  We had about 60 people over for a potluck in the backyard.  Andrew, Tina and I made pulled pork (and pulled chicken) and Jake's family donated sausages to cook.  Everyone else brought sides and drinks.  Wish I had taken some pictures of the festivities, but I was too busy playing host!

One of the mom's on the team made this cool topsy-turvey Volleyball cake.

(I didn't get the best angle with my picture!)

Parker was given several awards.  His Varsity certificate,

Scholar Athlete (should have been a 4.5 GPA - History teacher messed up the grades 3rd quarter)

NCS Scholar Athlete,

2nd Team All-League,

 and MVP of the Varsity Team (voted on by his teammates).

 Congratulations Parker!

Thanks Coaches! (Uncle Drew & Conner)

CHS Awards Ceremony

On Tuesday Parker was invited to participate in the awards ceremony at CHS.  He's been invited the last two years, but I've been unable to make it because I was subbing.  This year, I made sure to block off the day so I could go!

 The kids getting the awards (Freshmen-Juniors) were sitting in the chairs.  The bleachers were for one invited school guest (Nichole came) and parents.

Parker received 3 awards during the assembly.

 4.0 GPA for 5 Semesters,

Excellence in Physics award,

 and Excellence in US History. 

It says in the small print, "Most likely to accept his untimely end following a Nuclear Holocaust Award."

(Weird, I know!  That's his history teacher for you!)

Here he is laughing with his neighbor about his History award.

 Congratulations Parker!  We are proud of you!

Nichole, Parker, Luna, and Trever

Braces are Off!

Conner got his braces off today!!!  Hip Hip Hooray!

CHS Prom

Parker went to Prom last night.  

Doesn't he look amazing in his awesome tux?

(He better look amazing with how much that tux cost us to rent!)

Erin's flowers.

He went to Prom with his Show Choir partner (who is a Senior).  Things were interesting between them before Prom, but they ended up both having a nice time.

Posing for pictures.

Erin strangling Parker before they even left for Prom.

Erin (another one), Spencer, LeAnn, Parker, & Erin 

Spencer and Parker looking sharp in their tuxes.

Erin photo bombing the boys.  Don't ask what they are doing!

Parker and Erin showing off a show choir move!

Mom and Dad and Parker.

They went out to dinner at Red Robin (again, don't ask!) and then went into the city for Prom.

It was held at the Bently Reserve on Battery Street in San Francisco.  Parker said it was a cool building.  They danced, ate crepes, and took pictures in the photo booth.  Parker texted Trav a couple of times about the Dodger game.  Trav told him to pay attention to his date.  He said that she was driving and he was checking out the scores.

He got home from Prom about 1:00 am and had pictures from the photo booth.  He didn't bring any pictures home of he and Erin.  He did bring pictures home of him and Nichole (who he's been dating the last several weeks).  Guess her date ditched her and Parker's date was dancing so they decided to hang out.  Glad that they had a fun time!

These boys had a little too much fun in the photo booth!  So glad these boys are friends!

Parker, Nathan, Spencer, & Zach

Great America with Conner

On Friday the 8th graders at Conner's school went to Science Day at Great America.  They needed parent drivers and last time I drove when Parker was in 8th grade, he ditched me as soon as we got to the park.  This time I encouraged Trav to drive too so we could hang out together.

Once we got to the park, we went over and rode Flight Deck. It was fun!

Partway through the day we ran into Conner.

Cheese!

After a couple of picture, Trav and I headed off to lunch and do to our volunteer stint for the Sequoia parents.  Then, we met back up with Conner a couple of hours later.

We found Conner Rd. even spelled correctly!

We drove the cars with Conner.

Trav took me on a nice peaceful drive ...

(with roller coasters in the background).

We went on Tiki Twirl with Conner (fun ride!) and then he headed off with his friends again.  We had a fun day date (with lots and lots of middle and high school students) but didn't enjoy fighting the traffic on the way home.  That night the boys headed off late for the Father and Son's Campout and Calissa had a friend sleep over.  It was a very fun, but busy day!