Kari 7th Grade Awards 2018

The week of May 14 was the 2nd to the last week of school for the kids.  Unfortunately for Dylan, he had a random fever and didn't feel well and stayed home from school on Monday and Thursday.  I took him to the doc on Wednesday where he was diagnosed with adenovirus.  Wednesday was also a field trip for Kaitlyn.  Though where....  I no longer remember.  On Tuesday I had my annual check up with the OB/GYN.  I know they are necessary, but they always make me feel gross afterwards.  Hubby was nice enough to take me out to lunch afterwards :)  On Wednesday, I was able to go to Kari's awards ceremony.

She got an award for being on all A Honor Roll.

Her science teacher, Mr. Nash, happened to be announcing names at that point (they rotated teachers) and he gave her a high five as she walked by :)

Atta girl!

She also got an award for the highest science standardized testing for the entire school!

And then....  then  they got up and said they were going to announce the students with the top 10 GPAs for the entire grade.  I know that Kari is smart.  And I knew she had good grades.  So I thought it was a possibility that she might be up there.  Based on look she gave me as she turned around her seat, she thought it might be a possibility too.  So...  we waited.  She wasn't #10, or #9, or #8.  Somewhere around #4, she turned around and shrugged her shoulders...  she didn't think she was that high.  I was disappointed for her, but neither of us was working towards that, so...  it wasn't that big of a deal.  

Imagine our surprise when they announced her name for number freaking 2!!!  She just about jumped out of her seat and ran up on stage!

She was so surprised and we were both very happy!

We had a little chat after we got home...  Kari was so excited to get back to class, she didn't come see me and say goodbye.  :(  I forgave her of course, and was super happy for her when she got home!  She got so many awards, she couldn't hold them all in her hands.  And check out those curls!

Here is her proof!!!  Number two!  Number two!

So proud of our girl!  We knew she was smart!

Now everyone else knows too!

All the In Between

Between swimming, and eating, and cake smashing, and pinata hitting, there was the hanging out, and visiting, and laughing, and goofy posing.  Chuck is a master of that.  Right Chuck?

Clayboy was able to enjoy the benefits of one of Abel's toys.  Its a good thing he was around to give it a test run and all.

There was also much baby holding!  From 2 years in the future, Natalie sure has changed!

See?  Hubby even got in on the fun!

And I am pretty sure that Abel and I are blood relatives.  He has liked Dr. Pepper from when he was 1 year old! :)

Clay looks so tough!  I see tattoos and motorcycles in his future!

Such a happy Abel picture!  Also from 2 years in the future, Josephine looks a bit different as well.  The beard will do that to ya!

Sweet Nat Nat!  And, Diana had straight hair that day too!  She was so fancy!

Frosting!  Yum!!

Some of the kids enjoyed sitting down by the docks on the lake.  It looks so peaceful!

And before you freak out, we put Chuck on safety detail.  He was there...  you know.  Just in case.

And, as if cake and cookies and Dr. Pepper weren't enough....  Abel decided to add sand to the mix.  I'd guess that that diaper was fun to clean up.

It's a good thing that he is so cute!

Speaking of cute...  check out this sweet girl!  Becca can take a minute to warm up to you, but when she does....  that smile is great!

And, I mean, who wants to swim in the pool when you can kayak in the pond?!?

Or catch frogs?!?  Right Tayler?

Check out that mullet!  Party in the back!!

While I won't post the picture associated with the story of Clay needing to go potty, I find the shot from the rear of a nekkid toddler mostly harmless.  Because...  who needs clothes?!?

Happy Birthday Abel!!

I am so glad that you fell into our laps!

Mustache Pinata

One of the other fun things the Hills provided (because heavenly only knows that 1 year old Abel wanted it) was a pinata!

 Each of the kids got the opportunity to take a whack at it.

 Some were more accurate than others.

 And yes, Abel tried too.

 Once all the kids had the chance, we let the big hitter come in. 

You may have noticed that up until this point, there are no other pictures of Kari. That is because this was her first opportunity to go on a Ward Temple trip.  She wrestled with the decision for a few days, and ultimately decided to go to the Temple.  And, as it turns out, she was able to do both!

 She broke it open!

And there was much rejoicing and grabbing of candy.

Birthday Swimming

Abel's birthday is in May.  And round these here parts, that means that it is hot.  For Abel's birthday, the Hills were nice enough to rent some water/pool toys for the kids to play in.

 And play they did!

 Kaitlyn is so cool!

 The tiny babies had their own pool...  That way, they could splash around a little bit, and be slightly more protected.  Abel did not seem all that impressed.

 And baby Natalie was completely stoic about the entire thing.

 With mom right there, things started to look up.

 I have no idea what is going on in this picture.  I just know that I wanted to preserve it for posterity.  You know....  those things are important!

 There's a cute smile!

For the record, there was a blue tarp over the baby pool to protect fair baby skin.  And I had not yet figured out how to use my camera well enough to correct for the blue.  For the record, I still have not looked into how to fix it.

 Kaitlyn came over to play with the babies for a while too.

Don't worry.  She went back to play with the big kids eventually :)

Mustaches!

A party isn't complete without some fun decorations?  Even if they are on people!

Hi Chuck.

 Abel was not sure if this was his mom...  She looked a little different.

 Presenting gratuitous mustached children pictures.

I mustache you to keep reading!