Yard work at its best

On Saturday, Chad was putting a drip

system around the pine trees....

Justin was helping.... I think!

He's hating life.

He's digging the trench for the drip lines.

Did he knock himself out with the hammer? 

Nope, he is just sleeping and dreaming of a better place.

Spring Break-On the way home

Some of my favorite adventures are the unplanned and spontaneous days as a family.  On the way home from Boise, we stopped for lunch in Twin Falls and then stopped by Shoshone Falls.  It was a magnificent sight. 

The beautiful wonders of Idaho

I love adventure days!

Spring Break

 Last week was spring break and the kids were thrilled to have a break from school for a while.  It even felt a little like spring.  Towards the end of the week, we took the kids to Boise for a little getaway.  The kids were mostly excited to be staying in a HOTEL!  What's not to love about a hotel.  There is an indoor pool that's opened late, unlimited supply of hot chocolate in the lobby, cartoons at any hour and lets not forget, the arguments of who gets to push the elavator buttons and use the credit card to open the hotel room.
While we were in Boise, we took the kids to PRISON.  Yes, that's right, disobedient children can go to prison.  Really, we visited the Old Idaho Penitentiary.  It was an eery experience.

Outside one of the many jail cells. Each has two small beds and a bucket.

Justin's trying to lock Chad in a jail cell.  Yicks!

In solitary confinement for attacking the wardon.  It was a 8x4x6 concrete cell with no window and usually housed 4 to 6 criminals.

 

Justin turns TWELVE!

This year Christmas was special and memorable like always but especially for Justin.  Yesterday,  Justin turned 12 years old.  He has been looking forward to this day for so long.  He even asked me for a new suit for his birthday so he could be handsome while passing the sacrament.

Today Justin was ordained a deacon and received the Aaronic Priesthood.  Two of his cousins and one of his grandparents came to church with us today.  They were also able to attend the Priesthood preview with Justin as he was introduced into the deacon's quorum.  After church other family members and friends joined us as Justin received the Aaronic Priesthood.  What a special moment!  Chad  has the honor of ordaining him and gave him  a wonderful blessing.

It is so great to see Justin's enthusiasm and willingness to hold the priesthood. As his mother, I am so blessed to have such a wonderful son who is wants to live the gospel and has a testimony.  I am so proud of the person he is.  I love you Justin.

Soccer Season

 

Jessica had a great year playing soccer.  She plays on a team coached by our neighbor, Candee Carter and plays with her son, Dawson.  Jessica loves soccer and can be really good at it when she is focused.  Her favorite place to play is the goalie. She too had a good season.

   They call themselves the "Firecrackers."

 Some days they wore blue......

And other days they were yellow...  Most of the time they had the most goals....  Always, they love soccer.

Champions

This year the 6th grade Marsh Valley Browns had a fabulous year.  They had a record of 8-1.  Last week they were able to play in the championship game in the Holt Arena against a Preston team.  They beat them in overtime to become the champions of their division. It was so amazing for these kids to experience the thrill and adrenaline of playing in the Holt Arena and winning a championship.
This team has had a lot of growth and play well together.  Justin loves playing football.

One of the season games. Justin is #12.

He played offensive tight end and defensive end most of the time. He had a handful of really good tackles.

10k Fun Run

My fabulous running partner and I decided it was time to particpate in one of Pocatello's 10K runs.  I think we chose one of the hardest runs because it had lots of hills. I have been stressed about the hills and not sure if I could do it.  There are hills all around me that I have been running on but not continuously. 
Today was the big day. It was encouraging to be racing with five other Inkom friends and my sister, Emilee.  Hours after the race, I will just say this,  "it was great to just have been able to cross the finish line."  It was hard and at about the five and half mile mark I really just wanted to walk. We completed the run in about the time I was hoping and I feel good about the accomplishment. 

Getting my music ready, hanging with my friends.

The hill was fun.  My running partner, Ashleigh Belnap is a great support.

My sister, Emilee and her running buddy.  It was her first race too, and she is not used to running hills.  She did AWESOME!!!

Crossing the Finish line with great deal of exhaustion

Yeah, we made it!  Now our legs are like jello.

It was also fabulous to see Chad and the kids there to cheer me on as I crossed the finish line.  The other Inkom girls who had already finished and their families were also there.  It was great to know I have the support of my family during an event that was hard for me but something I knew I could do.  See you all at the next race in August where it will be more flat.