Family pics (again)

We decided to try the family pics again.  I really need to fill some frames with our family.  Then at least visitors we think we at least like each other.  This session went a lot better than the ones in the winter.  I did have to preface the whole shoot with a 10 minute monologue about having patience with the photographer. Everyone was a real sport and at least 10 of the 50 pics I took turned out pretty good.

 Claire, age 12

 Paige, age 12

 Ike, age 9

Ava, age 9

Living History Museum -- Part Deux

Well, Ava choose a hero, and Isaak choose someone that I bet you've never heard of -- Bob Chandler.  Bob himself is not so famous, but his invention, the Bigfoot monster truck, is very famous.  I'm not sure where my son came up with this idea -- we're not really the monster truck rally kind of folk.  I guess he's full boy.  His teacher informed me that he was the only Bob Chandler she's ever had in all her years of teaching.  Should I be proud of this comment?

Ava Living History Museum

The third grade tradition at our elementary school is the "Living History Museum".  Each 3rd grader chooses someone who changed history and studies them.  They have to write a report, and then pretend to be that person in wax museum form. 

 

Ava choose to be Alex Scott, because she was a hero her age.  Not very famous, but definitely someone to admire.  Alex Scott was diagnosed with neuroblastoma two days before her first birthday.  When she was four, she held a lemonade stand (with her big brothers help) to raise money for cancer research.  That stand raised over $2000.  The stands became an annual tradition.  Sadly, Alex died at 8, but to date the Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation have raised over $60 million for pediatric cancer research.  Pretty amazing for someone who was only her for 8 years.

6th Grade Finale

Saying good-bye to 6th grade!  Paige and Claire had a choir concert.  There was an "Over the Rainbow" theme flowing through all the songs.  It was hard not to sing along.  Paige wore a super orangey scarf, and Claire choose fluorescent pink.  (What are the odds, right?)

Spring Fling

Claire, Mack, Paige, and Tally

 Paige and Claire attended their first dress-up dance.  It was so fun to see the sixth grade girls not in hoodies and jeans (classic 6th grade girl uniform).  They even had a tad bit of makeup on.  I made a dinner, and Brant played waiter to all the lovely ladies.   Then a super fancy chauffeur ride in the minivan to the junior high to dance the night away.

Ava's First Slumber Party

 Ava had a slumber party to celebrate her birthday, a bit late.  Having a birthday the day after Christmas prohibits having a "friends party".  This year we had a slumber party.  The girls made pillowcases, pencil holders, and learned to finger knit.  Crafts and nine-year-old girls are a match made in heaven.

Easter 2013

Happy Easter!  We have beautiful weather, which always helps refresh that new beginnings feeling Easter brings for me and mine.  Easter makes me reminiscent -- Just last night my sister had me cross-legged giggling over the Aunt Sue skunk year.  Easter is full of family memories.

Our pastor had such a strong message about how Christianity isn't about what Jesus taught.  Christianity isn't just about sermons, even though Christ had some great ones.  Christianity is about Jesus rising from the dead.  Anyone who prophecies their own death and resurrection, and then follows through with it, is someone to faithfully follow.