Nearing the end!

   This title has a couple of meanings.  First off, we're only days away from our summer vacation and nearing the end of this school year.  It's Mark's last few days in elementary school and Kayli's last few days in middle school.  I'm actually wondering why today couldn't have been our last day of school but maybe it's better that it wasn't because to put it mildly it would not be a good ending for Isaac who had a melt down beyond description at school today resulting in a visit with the principal, his teacher and mom (on speaker phone so I could be in on the discussion) and then later a blow up at his teacher and throwing his shoe at her.  Yeah, definitely not Isaac's best school day and definitely not the way we want to end the school year.  Lets hope his last few days go better and that his consequence for his actions aren't too harsh.
    The other meaning to this title is the sad fact that our 13 year old yellow Labrador, Cosmo, is not far from heading to doggie heaven.  He most likely had a stroke yesterday morning and then sat stuck in the sun for several hours without water and has since struggled to walk.  He did get checked out by the vet who gave him some steriods to maybe give him a little more time but only time will tell.  You can just imagine the emotions running wild around here yesterday and the many different discussions we were having with some of the kids.  (I blame this in part for Isaac's emotional state at school today.)  So hopefully we'll get a little more time with Cosmo but not as long as these kids would like.

This was a couple of  years ago while hiking with Greg.  (He and Kayli are probably going to have the hardest time seeing him go.)

    So the rest of our week goes like this....

Isaac's third grade play.

He was one of the sheep in the fable, "The little boy who cried wolf."

Mark got a hair cut and I tried to convince him to let me leave this front patch but he was pretty sure people would laugh!  (As I was laughing hysterically.)

Then it was our monthly pack meeting and Isaac recieved his Bear badge.

Hard to believe this cute scout was carried kicking and screaming to the principals office just a few days after this event.

   So that's about it for our week's events.  Baseball season is nearly done, just one more game for Mark before the tournament begins. We get a nice three day weekend before finishing up our last three days of this school year and then we're having Tent City and celebrating Kayli's 15th birthday.

I don't know what to tell you.

It's been a busy week but without any huge events, not that we need huge events.  Here's the week in order of events..

Sunday/Mother's Day..

My new purse, candy, earrings, a cute photo holder and a framed note from Carter.



And a yummy flower bouquet from Mark.

In the middle of the week Isaac had a little injury to his thumb and very well could be done with his baseball season but thankfully nothing was broken, just badly bruised so he's wearing a splint for about a week and hopefully within two weeks he'll be completely healed.  Sorry but I don't have a photo of that event.

And then Carter had his first grade "Manners" program.

Not the best photo but it is just a phone camera.

Then Kayli had the 9th grade dance and even though it came up at the last minute, at least for me and Greg, she was excited to go and couldn't be convinced otherwise.

She does look lovely.  And she had a good time even though she only danced with one boy (the boy she likes) on the very last dance.  Now on to High School.

That's our week in a nutshell.  Only 8 more days left of the school year, a couple more baseball games and then on to summer vacation. (Keep me in your prayers!!  When summer break hits this place is going to be a mad house.)

Cinco De Mayo and extra stuff

So our neighbors all came over for a little Cinco De Mayo celebration and we had a lot of fun despite the chilly weather.

The Elmo Pinata! 

Kayli, Mark, Carter and Brock had to pose with him before they whacked him to pieces!

Some/most of the "porchies in training" ready to take a swing at Elmo.

In line for their turn to take a swing in hopes of some candy.

And to end the night we played several rounds of Pit/Spoons.  (I still struggle with the concept of spoons but it's still fun.)

   And on Sunday we had the very special experience of having Mark ordained to the Aaronic priesthood by his dad.  It was a very special event and one that we wanted to capture in some small way so right after we were done with the ordination we came home and had our neighbor take a few photos of our family so here are a few of those photos.

The 8 of us.  (Call me crazy but this doesn't look like that big a family.)

My two priesthood holders. I'm a lucky girl.

And the three generations.

Aunt Kristin always knows how to make the kid feel special.

 Then it was Family night and here's a shot of McClane helping with the lesson.  Seriously he was being pretty cute.

McClane helped Mark explain about sins.  I sware he said something to the effect of, "You'll get at least five"

     And then there was MUD and this is a little of what happens when there's mud and Brock's left to his own devices in the backyard.  He also put mud on the dog and himself but I didn't get photos of that mess.

He's still too cute and happy even with a little mud in his eye.

   So that's a few of the activities of the week.  Mark and Isaac had two ball games each and Mark won both of his and Isaac won one of his two.  Isaac also had a great hit at his game last night which was quite a thrill for him and US.  Hopefully this will give him a little more confidence for the next set of games.
    And finally Happy Mother's Day to all the mother's who might take a gander at this post.  I'm looking forward to tomorrow and opening the several gifts already piled on the fridge, especially the gift Brock and McClane picked out, I have a sneaking suspicion it's exactly what I wanted. (A new purse full of spice drops and chocolate bridge mix but I'm just "guessing".)

Hold on for a Crazy Ride!

  So it's official, Mark is 12 and even though we already celebrated Saturday he still got his traditional balloons and gift on Monday, his actual birthday.

He got to pick these out himself.

Another classic gift wrap by Dad.

Does he look a tiny bit disappointed?!

Yep, he was a little disappointed.  Thankfully he apologized later but he was really hoping for some Wii game that we decided he couldn't have.  He's going to love this "new" remote though.

  So on this same day of celebration for Mark it was also a sad day of goodbyes.  Jackie and her cute little family left for Australia and Greg and I had the privilege of chauffeuring them to the airport.  They even treated us to dinner before hand.  Here are a few photos from that little adventure.

"What?"



Shae: "Do you want this paper?"

"No really, here, take it."

Jovi, happy to color while waiting for her yummy french fries.

Jackie's last meal in the U.S.

Jovi and Ben

On their way to the airport.

The girls, they have no idea what's about to happen.

Ben taking one of two trips to check in their luggage.

Jackie working her way through the maze with a couple of their heavy bags.

Almost ready to check in.

Just a short wait to check in their bags.

It took a few extra minutes to check in their bags but it all went ok and then they were free of all that baggage.

  We said our goodbyes outside and I managed to do it without shedding a tear.  I'm sure going to miss having this cute family so close though, but I do hope they have a great time in Australia no matter what time frame they end up being there.
   And last of all, here are a few shots of the boys this week during one of the four baseball games we attended for both Mark and Isaac.  (Just FYI, they both won their games this week.)

McClane and Carter playing in the sand.

Brock posing for Mom.

McClane just likes getting on and off this cool bouncy toy.

And yes, that's McClane unlocking the door.  Thankfully he's not tall enough to reach the highest lock but I don't doubt he'll figure out a way before long.  Just last night he figured out how to get out of his bed so now we get to add that to our list of inconveniences.