Lauren's Sweet 16!

Lauren waiting at the DMV for her driver's license!  She got to miss school to do it.  Luckily her birthday is always on the last week of school when NOTHING happens.  She also finally got a cell phone as her gift!  Woo-hoo!

We came home from the DMV just in time for a big group of friends to come to a B-Day Lunch!  Lauren had to play in the Orchestra for SHS Graduation that night, so this was the best option for a party.  It was a big hit!  Thank goodness for Costco Pizza!  What a fun group of friends! 

While Lauren was at Graduation, some sweet friends (Lauren Bird and Lexie Ball) had some fun decorating her room!  

Nice job girls!  It was a fun surprise! Happy Birthday to a sweet 16 year-old!  We love you Lauren!

Alli for 8th Grade Secretary

Alli wanted to run for office at the end of the school year.  She worked really hard on her campaign.  They had to make a poster, and a 30 second video to show the entire school the day of the vote.  Alli thought it would be fun to use Justin Bieber in her video.  It turned out to be pretty cute and creative.  She ended up losing, and that was tragic for about half the day, until her good friend, Tori from across the street, came over to cheer her up.  (I was so grateful for her and that sweet act of kindness, that I cried!) Thank goodness for good friends.  True to Alli's positive nature, she was quickly pointing out reasons why she's glad she didn't make it after all.

Junior High Track District Finals

Alli on her first lap.  She took the lead early and just kept increasing it--you won't see that girl behind her again! 

Lap 2--still in the lead.  She looked really strong!

Lap 3 and she's still looking relaxed!

Here she is on her final lap and she's all business.  

Grandma and Grandpa Barrett came to watch Alli's awesome race.  They were troopers!  It was a rainy, cold day.  We were there for a couple of hours before she ran her event--the 1600 meter.  She rain in the open unseeded race and took 1st place with a time of 6:17!  She's got it in her blood, I think!  Nice work, Alli!

A basketball hoop of his own

Finally, Cal can shoot hoops at his own house!  There was a slight delay--it took us about a week to get it put together, because Dad got the posts put together wrong and couldn't get them apart--no matter how hard he tried!  We had to order a new post and wait for it to be delivered before Cal could play.  Ugghh!!!!  Thankfully he was really understanding and patient.  Good boy.

Our awesome neighbors, the Littledikes came over to help Calvin break it in.  They were so nice to make Cal feel special--they have a sweet sports court in their backyard.  

Passing to Cooper-notice the chalk lines Cal made for the court.

Balls everywhere!

Soo much fun.  Cal is usually out first thing in the morning shooting hoops.  He loves it and he's getting pretty good!

Grandpa Barrett came by another day to see the hoop in action.  He's still got skills!  Thanks Grandpa and Grandma!

Early Birthday Surprise

Here's Calvin with the surprise of his life so far.  Pretty awesome!  

His birthday isn't until August, but Grandpa Barrett wanted him to enjoy this all summer.

This is a sign...

To all frustrated mothers out there.....If your 9 year-old son wears out his shoes in 2 months flat, and they look like this--an investigation may be required!  Calvin played basketball this winter and just ate it up!  He loved the game and was really serious about doing everything just right.  He listened closely to his coaches and followed their instructions to the  T!  After wearing these shoes for only a little while, we noticed they weren't looking so hot.  He was complaining about his socks getting wet, etc.  Upon closer inspection, this is what we found!  Seriously???!!!  Off to the store to buy him a better pair of shoes--maybe if we spend more on his shoes they'll last longer?  When we brought them home, I did what any cash poor Mom might do--I told him to treat these shoes well and not to drag his toes etc, because that's what seemed to be the culprit from before.  He promptly replied, "But Mom, my coach says to slide your feet as you move sideways!"  Ah, hah!  We quickly discussed the difference between "slidding" and "dragging" or even "driving" your feet into the ground as you move around on the court.  That boy is intense about his sports!

Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!  Lindsay helped me deliver Valentine Balloons to the kids at school this year.

Flowers from my "Funny Valentine." (He's also handsome, sweet, thoughtful and awesome!)

This picture cracks me up, because it's the day after Valentines...balloons are a little deflated and all, but we still are basking in the love :0)