School is almost out!!! Wahoo!  Only 3 weeks...or 15 days or so.  I know they have a few off for Memorial Day so we will figure it out.

Justice & Montana started outdoor soccer and are loving it.  I must say I like indoor soccer a tad better--you don't have the weather to contend with--but outdoor soccer is a lot more exciting.  They don't get hung up on the wall and the playing area is a lot bigger.  They have to really run!! My kids aren't the fastest runners but they are getting better.  They both have scored their first goals!! So exciting.  Montana has had 2 now and Justice has one.  And they both are eager to get another.  But teamwork is the name of the game.  If you get a goal- it's a team accomplishment!  The weather is finally cooperating.   We have only had one game in a downpour, which was kinda fun after we were totally soaked.  But we enjoy the sunny games much more!

Montana Rippin' up the field

After her first goal!!!

Justice the Goalie!!

Montana is going to try out for USA (Utah Soccer Association) competition team in a couple weeks.  This is a great direction for her.  She is enjoying the game, loves working hard, and playing by the rules.  It will be a big step for us.  I hope she will enjoy it as much as she does now.  

 Sierra had the opportunity to fight her first speeding ticket.  Grampa Dave helped immensely as we weren't really sure what the procedure was.  She was speeding, but we didn't want her already outrageously expensive insurance to go up.  So she did a plea in obeyance.  Which basically means she promises not to have another ticket for the next 6 mos.  If she does, the points will be added to her driving record, and the insurance costs will definitely go up.  It was a pretty daunting experience.  Probably 50 people or more show up at the court house to talk to the judge about every flavor of crime out there-  people show up from jail, in handcuffs, some are on probation, and then the minor stuff (like speeding tickets) just talk to the defense attorney, fill out some paperwork, pay your fine, and you're outta there.  Sierra was scared to death.  It was a good experience for her.  Hopefully, it scared the speed out of her.  Plus she paid the $140 dollars herself.  Which was a lot of money for her to fork over.  I was very proud of her for following thru with this.    Thanks Grampa for coming to court with us and helping her thru the details. 

Sierra tried out for drill again this year and was voted Captain.  She is over the moon excited.  It has been a bit of a rough start-- girl drama, and parents trying to get in the mix-- but I think we have it all sorted out now and it will be a great year.  This time of year is overwhelming for the drill kids.  Last year is still going, this year starts early and it all overlaps.  Some days she is putting in 10-12 hours.  School has been suffering some, but she is getting caught up.  They just had their year end show and it was a very exciting night.  Sierra choreographed lots of the other girls solos, and also choreographed a couple of numbers for Bennion Jr. High.  Seeing her perform, with her team as well as her solo, and watching her choreography being performed, was very thrilling.  I had so many people tell me how impressed with her they were.  Her solo was dedicated to a teammate of hers that died of cancer last year.  She has changed it up a little each time she performed it.  For this performance, she had a framed picture of Kaitlyn that was set in the corner while she was dancing, and at the end she picks it up and hugs it and dances into a heap on the floor.  "Too make you feel my love" is the song.  Everyone was in tears.  It was a special moment.  So proud of her.  She is so dedicated and passionate about her dancing and it really shows.  This senior year will be exciting and bittersweet.  She is trying to figure out what to do when she graduates.  And hopefully we can put all of these years of dance to use in the way of a college scholarship.  Fingers crossed. 

New 2011-2012 Team

Being Recognized as "National Champs" at Taylorsville City Hall

Last Locker Decorations for the year--YAY!  I have new jobs next year.  Hallelujah!

Sweet Success

Montana had her first orchestra performance.  I must say,  I was very impressed.  They played at a local Jr. High with 8 other elementaries.  The Jr. High played first and they were...um...not good.  I was prepared for some ear bleeding and a major headache with the elementary.  But they filled the stage and with the first note, I could tell how beautiful it was going to be.  They blew the jr. high orchestra away!! I was so surprised.  I knew Montana would be great--but all together, it was just beautiful.  I am so glad she has had this opportunity.  We are trying to find her some classes for the summer, and possibly some guitar lessons as well to keep her skills up. 

Before the concert

Tana and her viola

After a beautiful first concert

Justice has been busy with his friends, video games, and just being a boy!  He's had a few sleepovers lately with his buddy's and it's fun to see him doing guy stuff!  It's tough growing up in a house of girls.  I checked on him and his friends the other day after they had been quiet for some time-- and found that they had completely rearranged his room, vaccuummed, rewired the electronics, everything!  It was very surprising-- and it actually looked great.  What a character. 
We also started Justice's orthodontic procedures.  He has been struggling with ear pain for a while, and after visits to several specialists we have determined it could be his crossbite that is giving him pain.  So he has his first adjustable retainer.  He will wear this for several months.  Then we will move on to braces.  This first stage is to align his bite and arches.  Then we will move on to closing the spaces and straightening the teeth.  It will be a few years for him.  But he doesn't seem to mind.

Wow!  What a grin!

He brought me flowers on his way home from school...sorry if they are from your yard!

Riding Smokey, our neighbors sweet horse

Awww...they do love each other!