Mom and Connor Date

When I saw that one of Connor's favorite bands was coming to San Antonio, I had to splurge and get tickets!

As Connor has gotten older, I have seen the need for us to have more one on one time. These little dates keep the relationship tight and we have time to talk. And it's positive time together. Sometimes I nag way too much-- especially a teenager-- and positive time together is really, really important.

One Republic was in town for the big Rodeo in San Antonio. This is a HUGE rodeo that happens every year and lasts for 2 weeks. The rodeo is first, and then the concert is afterwards. Maybe that is a way to get people to go to the rodeo??? 

The opening ceremonies were pretty cool and very patriotic!

Connor is so excited for what's about to happen!

Connor being a goof bal!

We splurged and got cotton candy and a soda! Connor was in sugar heaven!

This is one of my favorite pictures of the night. This was taken right as One Republic came out and started their first song. It was Connor's favorite song, "Secrets."  He is beyond excited in this pic.

This is my other favorite picture of the night. This is Connor's hands playing the "air-piano" along with the band playing "Secrets." So grateful that he has the talent of playing the piano so he can play cool songs like these!

Playing the "air-piano" 

We had such a fun time together. Connor is such a fun kid. He's got a great sense of humor and knows how to have a fun time. Doing things like this helps me to realize just how great my kids are. I am so blessed to have them in my life and to be their mom. I am grateful to learn and grow with them in this life.

Celebrating School!

Since we were going to be in Utah for the last day at their old school, the kids begged and begged and begged to go back to see all their friends. I emailed the teachers the month before we came out and they were very gracious and willing to let the kids come. My kids couldn't wait!!

So, we took Connor to his class first. Mrs. Gurr had kept his coming a secret. He walked in and his classmates went crazy! They couldn't believe their they were seeing Connor! It was actually touching to see their reactions upon seeing him and made me love all these kids even more.

For the last 3 years, Connor has had the great opportunity to be in the Accelerated Learning Program at his school. Most of these kids you see here in these pictures have been together, in the same class for all of that time. They have built some pretty tight bonds!

Before I could say "no" the twins ran to their class and I am so mad at myself for not getting any pictures with them and their friends!! Boo!!!

Connor, Tianna, and Alorha

Connor with a fun group of girls

Christian, Connor, Kris, and Ben

Connor with his great friend Kylie. These two bonded not just through the ALL program, but because they are both the older siblings of twins! They could commiserate together, if need be! 

Connor and a good friend, Maren

The whole class

Connor and Sam

Connor and his great teacher Mrs. Gurr. This lady did more for Connor than probably any other teacher. She was strict and expected a lot, and didn't let Connor get away with anything. After a few months of trying to fly under the radar, she called Connor out on it and he has been excelling ever since. He really rose to her expectations.

This taught me a good lesson about our children rising to the expectations we place on them. If we think, "Oh, they're only 9, we shouldn't expect them to be able to do that, or do this good of a job", we are actually short-changing them, and robbing them of being excellent. It was a great lesson that I am still trying to implement into my parenting. I think there is a fine balance between expecting too much and expecting too little. But kids really will rise to what you expect and often exceed those expectations.

Connor and Kris

Daniel and Connor

After finishing the "last day of school" we headed up to Salt Lake to visit with my fabulous sis in law Kim and "the cousins" at Liberty Park. It was a beautiful day and we had a blast!

This event was also not accurately captured with my wonderful camera timing. Where are the pictures of the cousins together? Boo, again!!!!

Isn't Brooklyn a doll?

After the trip to the park we headed back to Saratoga to hold our annual Whip Cream fight. This was a total spur of the moment decision, but it was so fun!

You probably remember that every year (for the last 5 years) we have held a whip cream fight on the last day of school. We do it out our back yard and into the park. Everyone bring ship cream and we set up a huge tarp water slide that the kids just love!

A few days before the last day of school, things started popping up on Face Book from people in the neighborhood asking about the whip cream fight. I thought it was so funny how people thought it was still going to happen, even though we lived in TX! We got asked enough about it, I decided, "What the heck," and just did it. Almost all of Connor's class came. And we had a few families turn out from the neighborhood. Not too bad for spur of the moment!

My kids thought it was the greatest thing ever! Just like old times!

Getting ready to "cream" eachother"

After the fight.

Again, horrible on the picture taking, but this will have to do!! 

What a fun place to live!!! Saratoga Springs will ALWAYS hold a special place in our hearts.

Always.

I am old.

I am the mother of a 12 year old.

Yes, Connor is twelve.

I can hardly believe it myself.

Connor's birthday was filled with the same present he has been getting for years: BOOKS! This kid loves to read anything and everything. I will have to say, however, that he is pretty particular about offensive material. Even if it's a popular book, he wont read it if he feels it crosses the line. I think that is pretty admirable for a twelve year old.

With one of his many books

The haul!! 

We LOVE Connor!

A new watch for his birthday, too!

Connor decided that he wanted to do something fun and exciting for his birthday. He picked going to visit the beach in the Gulf of Mexico.

We visited Corpus Christi.

Look at how big my BABY is! He is so handsome and such a good boy. He really is growing into a good, young man

We decided that if we wanted to make it a real party, we had to have friends and family there, too. Since all our family is far, far away, we invited our great friends that we love: the Leatham's and the Terry's.

We couldn't believe how absolutely warm the water was. It almost felt like a bath. The only ocean we've ever been in as a family is the Pacific. That water is always cold, no matter what time of year it is. This was completely different-- so warm!

This is Jane Leatham and Makenna. They are the same age and get along very well. They are happy to have each other as friends.

This is cute little miss Aiden. She was just learning how to boogie board on this little thing, and then Brett taught her how to use the real one! She was a natural at it!

Here is Bron Leatham and Bronson, boogie boarding

Aiden and Brett

Mickey playing in the water

Here is Lezlie with cute little Addie

This is a side shot of Wendy Leatham. I'm so glad to have her as a friend. She is awesome and someone I knew I wanted to get to know the second I heard her talking!

All the kids!

Family 2012

In most of Connor's short life, we've been preparing him for a very special part of turning 12. When he turned 12, he would have the opportunity to receive the Aaronic Priesthood. My 12 year old son would be holding the Priesthood-- the very power of God on the earth today. Connor has been preparing for a long time and would be worthy to receive this Priesthood.  

I am so grateful for Connor and his loving heart; his example of forgiveness and willingness to try again. He is a good young man and I am proud to be his mother. 

Father and Son after the ordinance

Since we left to come back home to Utah two days after Connor's birthday, we decided to do Connor's ordaintion there, where all our family would be able to participate. It was a special and wonderful blessing. The spirit was strong and gratitude filled my heart to see all those men, who also hold the priesthood, and who love Connor, there to participate in the ordination.

One thing that has really struck me since Connor has received the priesthood is the importance of deacons in our church. These young boys pass and administer the sacrament.  They play such an important part in our renewal of our covenants, in our being able to be clean through the ordinance of the sacrament and the proper renewal of our covenants. Tears fill my eyes each time I see Connor perform this special duty and service. I will never look at a deacon the same again. 

The first time Connor passed the sacrament was in our old ward in Saratoga Springs. Connor was just sitting with us as normal, and his best friend, Asher, came up to him and asked him if he wanted to pass. Connor wanted to, but was very nervous because he had never done it before and it was never explained to him. And with love and understanding, Asher sat down by him, pulled out a chart and explained and showed him the ropes. It was a tender moment for me as a mom. Seeing this friend, and a deacon himself, watch out and care for his friend and give assistance where needed. That is the priesthood in it's purest form. After that little instruction, Connor felt like he could do it, and he did great!

Connor with a lot of wonderful men who love him and support him. My dad is hiding behind my grandpa!

There's my dad!

Connor and his wonderful cousin, Brandon

Our Very Own Albert Einstein

One of the big projects for the 5th graders (among a ga-zillion other huge projects for that year) is to put on a Wax Museum for the whole school and parents. Each student is to choose someone famous to portray and then come totally dressed like them with a prop or two. They do the "museum" all day. It is quite the feat! Connor chose to be one of his heros: Albert Einstein. He was glad he chose to be Einstein where he could sit or stand comfortably and felt bad for one of his friends who chose to be Lady Liberty herself and had to stand with her hand up, holding the torch all day!

Connor ready for school and the museum-- and no, he is not wearing socks. He said that by wearing "high-waters" for pants and no socks is something that Einstein typically did. Ha! Who knows if that is true or not! (I think a lot of his research was done on Wikipedia,)

He purposefully grew his hair long for this event.

Thinking like Einstein did!

Working with numbers

Going for the famous Einstein "tongue" pose. He pulls it off pretty good,  but needs just a bit more tounge out there!

Can You Guess....

What this post is about?

BACK TO SCHOOL!!!

Can it really be that time of year again? Say it isn't so!!!

The big boy on campus, sixth-grader Connor. 

This year Connor wanted to try something new. He wanted to be an "early bird", which means he goes to school at 8am, instead of the "later-gator" schedule that we've been on the last few years, which entails arriving at school at 9:15. I actually thought this was a great idea. Connor would be up early in the morning and get his things done and be out the door to give me some one-on-one (or two) time with the twins. Then, Connor gets to come home from school early and I have an hour alone with him. I think it's going to work out really great.

Cute 3rd grader, Makenna

Sweet 3rd grader, McKay-- don't you love that shirt on him?

The twins showing of their new shoes! 

McKay and Makenna in the sea of students at their school-- waiting

As I was dropping McKay and Makenna off for school, I saw Connor and his entire class, with their teacher, walking out for a mock emergency drill. I ran up to him and loved on him pretty good in front of all his friends. He gave me a big squeeze in return. After he was home I asked if that embarrassed him and he simply said, "No."

Bless his soul......I still have at least one more year to be the "cool mom" and not the "embarrassing mom". We'll see how long it lasts.