One of your Favorite Gymnasts

needs YOUR help!

Gretchen made the MPact Girls' Gymnastics Team. WooHoo Gretchy!! We are proud of her hard work the past 2 years, here and in Knoxville, and it has paid off. Gretchen will be competing in several gymnastic meets in the fall and is currently doing a fundraiser to help offset some of the costs of travel, meet fees, coaches fees, leos, etc. Sooooo, this is a shameless plug for some yummy pizza kits. :) Who doesn't love pizza?

The team is selling Little Caesars Pizza Kits. They come frozen and can be baked in about 10 minutes. The orders are due May 27th and the kits will come in on June 5th. Don't worry if you don't live close enough by for our cute gymnast to deliver them, you can order online and have them shipped to you! Just let me know if you are interested.

Each regular kit has THREE 12" pizza crusts + all ingredients:

• Pepperoni pizza kit $18.50
• Cheese pizza kit $17.50
• Whole Wheat Cheese pizza kit $17.50
• Thin Crust Pepperoni kit $17.50
  

Each personal pizza kit has NINE 6" pizza crusts + ingredients:

• Personal pepperoni pizza kit $18.50
• Personal cheese pizza kit $18.00

We also have Crazy Bread and cheese stick kits, and break & bake cookies. Any help would greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I made it 10 years, 9 months, and 16 days with kids before something like THIS happened!

The Before Picture: the "fang" point on the right is where both front teeth should be filled in down to. The one on the left is broken exactly in half. The right has a huge c shaped chuck missing. These USED to be pretty large Sponge Bob teeth as my kids like to call them.

The After Picture: Looks just like his original smile but with smooth edges.

My sweet little Parker, who just celebrated his 8th birthday last weekend, had an unforgettable accident on his new bike. He just taught himself how to ride without training wheels during spring break. So, we took him out on his birthday to get his new big "cool" bike with hand brakes and foot pegs. He has been riding all over the neighborhood every chance he gets. So,here's the rest of the story: Friday night after dinner he asked if he could go back out for a ride around the block. Me, being the nice Mom that I am said, "Sure Parker!" 10 minutes later Gretchen comes running in telling us Parker's lip is bleeding & that he crashed his bike. Richard headed out to check the damage, and sees Parker headed down the street with a neighbor Mom and friend from his school class. His mouth is covered in blood, he is crying hysterically, and the other Mom looks freaked out. Richard brings him in and casually motions to me that he needs "a little help". What an understatement! After a couple of frantic calls to the doctor and dentist, a LONNNNNNGGGG night with some tylenol, and a nervous lengthy sit in the dentist chair on Saturday morning Parker was left with the pieces of original permanent teeth that were still in his mouth and some composite bonded to make up the missing pieces. He came out looking like the cute 8 year old I had before the bike accident, and that made me one happy mama! His new teeth should last him through any other bike, skateboard or sports incidents until he is older (READ: can handle dental torture) and can get a more permanent crown put in place. So, it was the exciting end to Parker's memorable week!

Parker's Special Day

Parker and the family at his baptism.

The birthday boy: 8 years old! WooHoo!

The birthday boy with some of his guys.

The ladies taking a break on the side.

Parker turned 8 years old this past week, so Saturday was his BIG day. He had planned for a double header since we had family and friends in town. So on Saturday, we had a beautiful baptism followed by an exciting Roller Skating party. He was all smiles all day! The baptism was sweet and all 4 of the kiddos looked adorable & happy. Parker was excited to have so many friends and family members there to see him.

Later in the afternoon, we headed out to the Skate Center for some FUN! Parker had friends from school and church come to celebrate his 8th birthday. Everyone was skating, smiling and trying to avoid the occasional fall. It was a great day, and one I hope Parker will remember!

Spring Break Fun

During our much awaited Spring Break, we took the kids for a few days to Gatlinburg/Pigeon

Forge. We were able to enjoy some Spring weather in one of our favorite places:

The Great Smoky Mountains. We spent our first day at Dollywood riding as many rides as the kids could squeeze in. Each of us has our favorite ride, and favorite food. Even though it looks like Gretchen was our only rider, I swear the boys rode tons. Their rides are usually too fast for pictures and I was on those with them. :) We were able to go back a 2nd day with our fun friends, the Christans and ride some more and eat some more and even see a show: Cirque de Soliel. After we were completely theme park exhausted we decided to take a little hike up in Gatlinburg on Richard's favorite trail: the Roaring Fork DRIVING trail. Yep, you read it correctly. We are hiking cheaters. It was overcast, drizzly and they have an awesome driving trail that winds all through the mountains with several beautiful overlooks and branch of trails where, if you were ambitious you could hike to waterfalls. We loved it, and by the time we were done hiking it was sunny and warm. So, we headed down into Gatlinburg for some taffy, and people watching....one of my favorite hobbies! ;) On our way back home we made a stop at our old ward for the Easter egg hunt & some visits with friends. It was a great week, and gave us that extra boost to make it to SUMMER BREAK!!! Only 18 1/2 days to go.....

Dallin being a great big brother and riding the Veggie Tales coaster

with his little sister. How sweet!

A thrilling ride on the bumper cars for Richard and Gretchen.

Richard & Gretchen ready for take off on the Skyrider.

All aboard the Dollywood Express!

My favorite ride in the park: a nice, quiet 20 minute ride through

the mountains pulled by an original steam locomotive while enjoying a fresh bag of kettle corn.

Maya & Gretchen taking a spin around on the carousel

and around and around...

Maya, Gretchen, Mason and one really squished Jenny

buzzing around on the bees.

Anyone want a ride?

The boys having a little fun in the hotel pool.

What's better than a big brother who gives you

piggy back rides across the pool?

Taking a little break on the rocks before our "special hike" in Gatlinburg.

Gretchen and her new teddy bear.

Parker's new trick he taught himself:

our big guy on his little bike without training wheels.

Guess what he wants for his birthday?

Frisbees, Family, Friends and Fun!

Parker, Dallin and Richard watching the frisbee golf expert Maya.

Brett w/ Mason and Gretchen watching Jenny's throw.

The spectators, Gretchen and Maya.

The golfers finishing up at hole 8.

Hiking back to the car after the victorious frisbee golf game.

One of my favorite nieces, Leah, playing me a song on the guitar.

Niece Rebekah, Aunt Shalene and Gretchen making bracelets.

The girls posing in their pinkness.

They put on a fashion show for us while we played Wii.

Gretchen & Rebekah enjoying the marshmallow goodness.

Our best dressed smore eater, Leah.

The 3 weekends before Spring Break we had guests come and visit us. Our friends, the Christians, came to hang out, visit the temple, and play a thrilling game of frisbee golf with us. We even managed to get a date night together on Saturday night! We love their visits and are going to be sad when they head west for Arizona in a couple of months. :(

We also were lucky and got a visit from my brother, sister in law and sweet nieces. They just moved back to the sunny south from frozen upstate NY. We are glad to have them closer by and hope this means we will get to see those cute nieces more often. Gretchen sure does love having some more girls around to dress up and color & create and be girls! We enjoyed catching up, had a cookout and "campfire" and took them to the Adventure Science Center.

We are so happy our guest room is getting used. We love to have visitors in town to eat out with, explore Nashville, and laugh with. Our next visitors arrive next Wednesday (my b-day): Mom & Dad. WooHoo!

HE WORKS HARD FOR HIS MONEY

All of the 5th graders at Dallin's school went on a great field trip that Junior Achievement supports called BizTown. Its a working city where the kiddos are all the employees. They spent several weeks at school working on units relating to running BizTown, including applying and interviewing for jobs. Dallin chose Bank Teller because he said he was great at math and loves money. :) They were able to go for 2 consecutive days with me as one of their lovely chaperones. Each parent was assigned a business to supervise and I was in City Hall with the mayor, attorneys, IRS agents, and other fun jobs. They all did a super job and it takes some hard work on the part of these kids to make it sucessful and FUN. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Dallin and his friends in action. My hats off to the 5th grade teachers and the kids!

Disclaimer: Dallin wanted me to chaperone at Biz Town,

but he forgot that where Mom goes.....the camera goes :)

Dallin, bank teller and buddy Cameron, newspaper reporter.

Our buddy Mackenzie (in pink) taking care of

business at the Supply Center.

Working hard at the bank.

Dallin the bank teller verifying employees.

A checkup in the medical center.

Dallin's class at the end of their BizTown fun.

MARCH MEMORIES IN THE MAKING

Look real close at the top row on the stage, right side, like 3rd kid in. That's my Parker with his grin and bear it smile singing some movie theme songs.

The Before

The After

Gretchen taking a break during the frisbee golf game. Sorry no pics of the athletes in action, my camera batteries died....AGAIN. And no pics of the "incident", too bloody.

There is a cute pig in the middle of this pen!

Do these faces look like they are having fun?

Dr. Gretchen and Dr. Dejana reporting for surgery.

Gretchen moonwalking

I could probably start every post with "we have been super busy", but why state the obvious. So here's what the clan has been up to for the first half of March:

• Parker had his 2nd grade program "Lights, Camera, Action". He looked super cute in his bow tie and top hat. It was especially fun to watch him squirm in the spotlight while "singing" with a fake smile plastered on his face. The poor kid would probably rather do anything than stand in front of a crowded gymnasium and SING. But he did it! I was a proud Mom, and he was smiling a real smile by the time it was all over so we went out for pizza.


• Dallin got braces. We went in for our first cleanings with the new dentist and they sent us to take Dallin for a consultation with the orthodontist. He said Dallin has all his permanent teeth already, which was early, and they are pretty straight, just the bite needed fixing-over/under. A couple visits later, Dallin was sporting his new smile. He was a real trooper and they said he did great. He spent the next week eating lots of mashed taters, and mac & cheese. Now he is sparkling while smiling and will be for the next 18 months.


• We started to play a new sport, as a family...frisbee golf. A fellow mom from gymnastics and one of our cute babysitters talked to us about it and what fun it was. So, we bought a couple sets and headed out to Crockett Park. It was a beautiful, warm spring day, and we ALL had a great time. It is definately something that our whole family can play and enjoy. We only played 9 holes before we had a little mishap between Richard, a frisbee and Dallin's nose. A tip from me to you: don't throw a frisbee if someone is between you and the "hole" no matter how good a shot you think you are.


• Gretchen had her Kindergarten program, "Barnyard Moosical". She was a pig that loved to clean. They sang about pigs that mop and squirt dirt. The barnyard was full of chickens that strut, cows and gourmet goats. All the kiddos did such a great job singing and dancing, and our little pig had a blast entertaining us!


• Field Trip #1 of the month: Gretchen & the Adventure Science Center. I went with Gretchen's class to the science center and spent the day laughing and chasing down her and her buddy, Dejana. They had a super time exploring the museum and watching the show in the planetarium. The two of them blasted germs with lasers, played doctor, explored simple machines and more! Gretchen even got the chance to practice her moonwalk.
• Oh, I almost forgot. I started to substitute teach at the kids' school. I am really enjoying it and have been staying pretty busy with it. I was missing my cute little preschool class, and with all 3 kiddos in school I needed something more productive to do besides housework.

Happy 6th Birthday Gretchy!

Some giggling and flexible girls playing Camp Rock twister.

The girls playing a little "hot" microphone.

The birthday girl "on stage" ready to rock with her friends at the party.

My little heartbreaker at her valentine class party

Gretchen celebrated her 6th birthday on Valentine's Day, which lucky for her just happened to be on a Saturday. So, she was able to invite 8 of her friends over to help her celebrate the big day. Like every year, she picks her birthday party themes out way in advance, so I knew before the holidays we would be ROCKIN' OUT with Camp Rock. We decorated posterboard guitars, played "hot" microphone, Camp Rock twister, musical guitars, went on a music note hunt, and of course we did a little dancing. She had a blast with all her friends and had the biggest smile on her face all day.

Even though the boys seem to think she was sent here to drive them crazy. Dallin and Parker swear all she does is sing and dance all day. I personally think its cute, but I can imagine having your little sister sing in the car, in the shower, with every tv show, during all the movies, and in front of your friends might not be so cute. But we have one beautiful happy-go-lucky girl that makes us all smile and laugh. We are so blessed to have Gretchen in our family. My OB/GYN told me Dallin was going to be a girl, so to finally get my little princess at the end was just perfect, especially when it has to be your last. For me, it worked out just right. I love you Gretchen Abigail!