A Teacher In The House

Today Ethan was ordained to the office of a Teacher! So proud of my Boy and the choices he is making. He is turning into such a fine young man. 

Ethan's Eagle Scout Project

 For Ethan's Eagle Project he got with the South Willard Water Company and came up with a plan to remove Sage Brush from around the large water tanks that hold and provide water for the community. If the Sage Brush are allowed to remain and grow large the roots can over time breach the water tank and cause the tanks to fail. If that were to happen they would need to be replaced, which would cost around a million dollars. 

So Ethan set up a time for volunteers to come and work together to remove the Sage Brush. He had around 40 or so people come with tools and some heavy equipment to remove the offending brush. 

Grandpa Burke's personal pile of Sage Brush that he removed. He was quite pleased with this accomplishment. Given he is such an old man now. Haha!

Ethan using my Loud Mouth to give directions to his many volunteers.

Aunt Jen and Shaylen were among the many who arrived to lend a helping hand. Unfortunately for us, Shay and I were the only ones to encounter a snake. It was at the same time and of course we both  screamed like the little girls we once were. (shudder) 

Ally helped man the volunteer check-in/out table. She kept a log of how much time each volunteer gave. 

Ethan asked me to be in charge of Otter Pop and water distribution as well as photography for the day. 

Ethan also had a Willard Firefighter come and be on hand to make sure that we someone there to help assist in the event of an injury, a snake bite and to watch over the brush being burned.

Proud Mom and Dad with their hard working boy

Some of the Sage Brush awaiting burning. 

With the planning, preparation and time of the volunteers he acquired 115 hours and 23 minutes. He worked really hard and we are super  proud of him and all of his efforts. Now on to the Board of Review!

Wordless Wednesday: Princess Jedi

Nola Juanita Hoskins Sargent

Today was my sweet Grandma's funeral. She was always a great Grandma. I have a lot of great memories of her, since I was a little girl. I remember sleeping at her and Grandpa's house when my parents were gone on trips. We would work on her sewing and tying quilts together. However, I cherish the last year or so with her especially. I could feel our relationship reaching a new and different level as I spent time with her. I could feel us developing a bond beyond Grandma and Granddaughter. We were becoming friends and seeing eye to eye more and more often as only women can. I already miss her.

(Bob and Joe)

(Travis and Sarah)

(My Dad, Gordon and my Mom, Tana)

These are the beautiful flowers to my Grandma from her Grandchildren. She loved red and white flowers. Just weeks before she passed I helped her pick out her flowers for her front beds. These are very similar to what she picked out.

Caught my Dad in the middle of telling my Uncle Dale and my Grandpa Sargent how he will feel if he gets up to Heaven and finds out there isn't a Chuck-A-Rama. Oh boy! ha ha

(The Little Mills Kingdom with Grandpa Sargent, and Grandma and Grandpa Hale)

(My Mom, Tana, Grandpa Norman Sargent, and myself)

(My Mom and Bob)

(Myself, Heidi, Joe, My Mom, Jen, and Travis)

(Ryan and Nate)

(Ryland)

(My Uncle Steve and my Dad, Gordon)

(Shaylen, Sawyer and Ally)

It was a beautiful day to gather together as family and celebrate my sweet Grandmother. I cannot wait to see her again. 

(Ronda and Nate)

Wordless Wednesday: Expectant Bike Ride

Mother's Day 2013

The Friday before Mother's Day Nate and I went with most of my Siblings and their spouses and my Mom and her awesome husband, Bob, out to eat at Olive Garden up in Logan. Apparently it was supposed to be a surprise for my Mom but I never got the memo. Oops! At any rate we had a great time. 

Mother's Day morning Ryland surprised me by making our bed. What a sweet boy he is!

That Evening I insisted on us having a mini photo shoot. We took some great pictures of the family. Prepare for picture overload. Haha!

 For Mother's Day and Father's Day we bought this awesome swing for our backyard. We love it already!

Life As We Know It - Spring Dance Recital 2013

Recital Day finally arrived! This day is always such a long and fun day. The girls are always such good troopers to get through it with a smile on their faces.

The girls and I are always at the Egyptian Theater earlier than the rest of the family. I grabbed some pictures of the girls while they were in the auditorium receiving some pre-recital instructions.

Once the auditorium starts filling up you know 

the curtain call is near. 

Ally was first up with her cute tap dance 

"After School Shake Shop".

Then we saw our cute little Minnie Mouse come out and shake her stuff. It was so fun watching her. She would get so giggly. So fun.

Ally really enjoyed doing this Jazz dance this year.

 I think this was her favorite one this year.

"Spice up Your Life".

Whenever I watch Ally perform this ballet dance I get emotional. Every. Time. I don't know what it is about it.

"The Climb".

Evelyn's pre-ballet dance was "Tooth Fairy Dreamin". 

Such a fun dance to watch them perform. She is at such a fun little age. I love watching my girls learn and grow and experience life.

This was the first year that the whole family attended. 

In the previous years we didn't bring the boys because the recital can

run a little long and we didn't want their impatient testosterone filled bodies to start whining. They did really great and were a great support to their sisters. What a fun day.