Because it's Spring

Our family survived another crazy end of year. We are so grateful for the amazing opportunities our family members have but it is also nice to have some time now to rest and relax with them over the summer. Here are some of the end of year highlights:

Elena on the first day of school

Elena on the last day of school (wearing the same outfit)

It's hard to tell but Elena really grew a lot this school year- physically, emotionally, spiritually and intellectually. I'm afraid that it won't be long before she is taller than me. We were very pleased with the progress she made in her class. She made some wonderful friends and had a lot of experiences that will help her to be the type of person she wants to be.

Elena as a Chimney Sweep for the school Dance Festival.

Eric completed one of the most challenging school years that he will ever have. He had the same teacher that his older siblings had so we knew what we were headed into but we also knew that he would really stretch and grow under her tutelage. We are so proud of him for his work ethic and are glad to see that he kept his sense of humour through it all.

 Eric's class danced to Don't Stop Me Now by Queen.

Rebekah got contacts in the spring and a cute haircut. She looks much more like a teenager. For the past two years, she's struggled to have friends at school but we feel like things are starting to look up. She is really excited to be on Student Council in the fall. Over the summer, she will volunteer at Timpanogos Caves National Monument. We also just found out that she was accepted into a horseback riding program with the Covey Foundation. It is a 13 week course and she will spend time volunteering there as well with the horses. We hope this will help her to learn some important skills while having fun with horses.

Rebekah's new "do"

David worked incredibly hard all year to keep up with teaching Taekwondo, taking a rigorous school schedule and preparing for his upcoming 2nd degree black belt test. He is improving as a teacher and it shows in the lessons he teaches us at home. David was the Chemistry Student of the Year at his school. We attended an Honors Night down at BYU with other students from around the state but David is adamant that he'd rather study Physics instead. 

Jazz Band concert

As you all know, Katherine graduated. She wishes that she could have finished without all the fanfare but she survived. She is signed up for classes in the fall and has a housing assignment. She hurt her knee sometime in April and spent most of May in a knee brace. Her knee is improving but we need to go back for further assessment because it still bothers her to walk. :(

The Graduate

 

Toasting the end of the year with sparkling cider.