Year in Review-Lance

Lance did an amazing job at school this year. He got awards for Straight A Honor Roll (all year), Exemplary Attendance (missing three or less days), Citizenship, Taking Care of Business. Throughout the year he received awards in his art and music classes as well. All his teachers, and some that knew him but were not his teacher, said what a good boy he was and how helpful and creative he was.

Lance on stage getting Straight A Award

With his friend Emma. They were always at the top of the class together.

Lance participated in Desert Trackers, which anyone can join. Most mornings before school he ran or walked laps around the playground. He racked up 71 miles. The first graders accumulated more miles than the second,third, and fourth graders.

Lance's teacher was Ms. Claros. "She was a good teacher," said Lance.

Lance thought that it would be funny if Lia tried on his glasses and him wearing sunglasses.

Year in Review-Luke

Luke made tremendous progress in his Pre-K program. He enjoyed making new friends, participating in programs, having special family food functions, and going on field trips. At the beginning of the year he was a little behind on his skills but by the middle of the year he was "at grade level." His language, math, vocabulary, and communication skills have improved greatly. And more importantly, his manners and self-concept have improved. Now he is absolutely ready for kindergarten.

Luke and his friend Lloyd at the Thanksgiving feast.

At the Natural History Museum looking at the hanging manta ray.

With Lacey and cousin Dalin at the Gilcrease Nature Preserve. He did not like the smell!

At his Safari Program. His part was, "Walking through Africa, what do I see? I see a rhino looking at me."

Year in Review-Lacey

 Lacey had a great first year of preschool. In fact I would say that she is ready for kindergarten already, even though she still has another year before she can go. She can sound out words and can write some of the words that she sounds out. At her school's bike parade ( did I ever mention she taught herself how to ride a bike with training wheels?) she did laps for about half and hour around the cones in the parking lot. At one point I heard her singing "Three Little Kittens" as she was riding. She likes to sing a lot.

Lacey at preschool graduation in her favorite pink polka-dot dress.

Lacey with certificate of achievement

With Grandma Susan and Grandma Sharon on Grandparents Day

At a performance in March before the music started. She's holding her arms because it was super cold.

Lacey started a dance class this year. At first I was worried that she wouldn't pay attention and just be in her own world. But as the year progressed she got more serious and turned into quite a good little dancer. The best one in her class, if I do say so myself. But really, at performances she never had to look at other dancers because she knew the steps. And when she danced to "Ma Belle Evangeline" (from the movie The Princess and the Frog) she had the perfect dreamy look to match the song. It was beautiful to watch. I'll let her do dance as long as she likes it, but I hope that's a long time because I love watching her perform.

Father's Day Special by Lance

Well, Father's Day is coming up tomorrow. We found the best idea: Grandpa Lowell made a sign that says Families Are Forever with our family's names in a circle around the outside. It says Alex, Carmen, Lance, Luke, Lacey, Lia.

I think that Poppy is the best dad in the whole wide world. Every day before work he gives us a hug and says, "I love you too much." At night we all say a family prayer. He is a hard working dad. Once when we were in Pine Valley he said, "Wow! We caught 7 fish."

One time Poppy said, "Hey, wanna go on a bike ride to Grandma Sharon's new house?" Me and Luke said, "Yeah!" Poppy said. "It's going to be a long way." In the middle of our bike ride my back hurted so much that we had to take a break. At the end of our bike ride we said, "How come you didn't tell us it was going to be that long?" "I did," Poppy said. "But you didn't tell us it was going to be 7 miles." We called Mommy to come get us from Grandma's house, but then we decided to ride back on our bikes anyway. We took an extra shortcut back, that made it 13 miles altogether. What a ride!

Poppy always says, "Watch out for Bigfoot!" But we don't have all the proof that Bigfoot is real.

Poppy is the most athletic, funny, kind, hard worker I have ever seen.

I love Poppy.