There is Only One Way...

These girls.....

Taylor and Lauren

are hysterically head-over-heels in love with these handsome and talented lads which call themselves...

ONE DIRECTION

I approve mostly because they are British- but somehow I am aware that one is Irish.

I hear daily of their likes, dislikes, and fashion sense.

Anyone for carrots, red pants, and bowling??

They performed at Planet Hollywood on Saturday, June 9th. Tickets sold out early on, but those two girls held tightly to the hope that they too would be in the crowd. A week went by trying desperatey to win tickets on the radio... I have not listened to that much hip hop in one week ever. But our dedication to the radio was all for naught.

Then it WAS Saturday.

They found tickets from a broker, a little over priced in my opinion, but these girls were DESPERATE to go.

and they did.

They ended up with front row balcony tickets that set them back $82.

They said it was worth every penny and I am sure that it was.



Lauren took this at the concert



1D will be gracing Vegas again August 2013- yes tickets are already on sale- and yes, Lauren is begging to go!!

CHEERIO!!

It's Elementary.....

Jace is not fond of practicing the piano, however he did a great job at his piano recital!

Procrastination often occurs here no matter what amount of intention we have. For example:

Jace had sufficient notice in which to manifest a brilliant science project that would awe his teacher and peers. However, true to our nature (Jason excludes himself from this), Jace, prompted only by the ticking of a due date, started his project two days before and finished (with my help and prodding) the night before. So it was not the masterpiece it could have been... but since we are professional procrastinaters here, he still managed to get an A.

It seems impossible that Jace will no longer be in elementary school. He passed 5th grade with flying colors (and some missing assignments) but overall ended up with all A's for his final grades. He had a great teacher, Miss Creuziger and an awesome principal, Mr. Hybarger. He received awards for A/B Honor Roll (the B is because of those missing assignments in the 3rd quarter, up until then he had straight A's), Promotion, GREAT Program, and Great American Award. To earn the Great American Award he had to:

• Know all 50 U.S.States and Capitals
• Recite the Gettysburg Address
• Recite, in order, the first and last name of all U.S. Presidents
• Write the Pledge of Allegiance in cursive with perfect spelling and punctuation
• Recite the first verse of Star Spangled Banner
• Recite the Preamble of the United States Constitution

and true to our nature, Jace waited until the last minute and passed off most of the requirements the final two weeks. He passed off the presidents last, at literally the last minute!

The day before the last day of school the 5th graders were rewarded with a party. There were games, ice cream and the fire truck came and soaked them with the fire hose. LUCKY!!



Jace and Brett



GIMME AN END- TO A YEAR OF CHEER!!!

May 25, 2012

The 2011-2012 cheer season is over. Now to celebrate!!

And they did, with a cheer banquet at Aliante Station, complete with decorations, food, awards, and dancing. Lauren received a few trophies but the most important one was for keeping up her GPA.

Lauren with her cheer friends Shelby W., Chelsea, and Shelby J.

Lauren with cheer friends Lauren and Sydney

On the dance floor....

One good thing about cheerleaders is that you know the dance floor will always be full!!

Lauren with her cheer coaches Mrs. Gourdine and Mrs. Collins

yes, they are twins (obviously)

and yes they can do the splits

Lauren has really enjoyed being on the cheer team. It really is a lot of hard work. They practice everyday after school until 5:30pm, compete in front of crowds and are judged, and cheer at all of the basketball games. She loves it though, enough that she tried out for and made the team again for next school year!

Milestones- Some are Better Than Others

Poor Jason- he is old.

Tuesday, May 22nd welcomed him to the 40 club.

I'm glad it has exclusive membership and hasn't allowed me in yet.

Still it was his birthday so we had cake- ice cream cake (it helps soften the blow)

To celebrate, we went out that Saturday to Planet Hollywood and enjoyed dinner and shopping.

Without the kids of course....

Also that day, Jace attended his last Cub Scout Pack Meeting. He earned several beltloops, pins, and the biggie- his Arrow of Light. He also walked across the bridge to Bro. Hutchings who welcomed him to 11 year old scouts (why don't they have a better name for that group??). 

We are very proud of Jace for all of his hard work and dedication in Cub Scouts.

ConGRADulations to me!!

"Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you." 

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

It is official. I am a college graduate.

It took years.... and years...

but I did it!!

I officially graduated with High Honors and as a member of the Honor Society on May 21, 2012 from College of Southern Nevada with this degree:

AAS Degree in Architectural Design Technology

Interior Design

I initially decided that I would not walk at the graduation ceremony... but then Jason pointed out the fact that I earned it and that it would be good for the kids to SEE my accomplishment. Point taken.

Really glad I listened!

My family was there to cheer me on....

My parents came and supported me...

As well as my sister Tiffany and niece Ava....

After the ceremony we continued the celebration at Metro Pizza, where my sister Karessa and her kids joined us....

My parents gave me my very own personalized Mickey graduation ears.... 

There were definitely times that I wanted to quit, to be done with it, but I am grateful that I had the will to endure. My cumulative grade point average was 3.96 and I received an A in every class except for three; where I earned an A-. Not bad, especially considering there was math and science involved!

So now what???

I guess I will wait and see......

The Birthday Boy!!

May 19 & 20, 2012

Party. No party. Party. No party

Jace's decision flew back and forth like a tennis ball on the court. In the end, the final verdict was no party. The plea deal: $50, he takes a friend to see Avengers and dinner at Aliante buffet. Sold!

So Saturday, the day before his birthday, we took him and his friend Brett for the birthday fun!

May 20th- Happy 11th Birthday Jace!!

Jace chose french toast and sausage for breakfast before church.

After church Grandma & Grandpa Nelson stopped by to give him his birthday present....

A Lego set and cash... Lucky!!

Then he got to open his gifts from mom & dad...

another Lego set and a new Boy Scout uniform since he's leaving Cub Scouts and moving into Boy Scouts.

That night we had Jason's family over for dinner

and we watched the eclipse.....

We sang Happy Birthday to Jace and enjoyed some cake and ice cream....

 

11 things about Jace....

1. he LOVES Legos
2. he's addicted to the game Roblox on the computer
3. loves BBQ chips
4. he hates to hear people chew
5. best friend is Brett
6. takes piano lessons
7. hates practicing the piano
8. got straight A's
9. never goes to bed on time
10. likes to write and draw comics
11. favorite sport is basketball

Disneyland With a Hint of Knott's

 May 3-6, 2012

Disneyland....

Lauren awoke long before the sun to load the bus with her fellow cheerleaders to win big at the Sharp International cheer competition that was taking place at Knott's Berry Farm. We decided that we would  take advantage of this opportunity to have fun and watch Lauren compete so after dropping her at the bus, we snoozed for a few more hours than began our drive. My parents and sister Tiffany & kids also came along. Lauren's schedule was:

Thursday: Disneyland

Friday: Knott's Berry Farm

Saturday: Competition

Our schedule was:

Thursday & Friday: Disneyland

Saturday: Knott's & watch competition

So, we didn't see much of Lauren, but she was having a great time with her friends. Instead of riding the bus home, we took her with us after the competition and she went with us to Disneyland on Sunday.

Jace had a photo op with Pluto....

and of course the ever famous backside of water....

Thunder Mountain with Ava and Jaxon

Jaxon and Jace on Pooh

and some good crazy faces....

Jace with cousins Ava and Jaxon ready for Toy Story

Tiffany and I ready for the Grizzly River Run....

Knott's Berry Farm

 It's been quite a few years since we have stepped foot in this park. They keep it clean, there are some scary roller coasters, and the price is right. The problem? Lack of efficiency. You wait in line forever because there is no rhythm to their system. You have to line yourself up, hope you ride with your party, and most rides only had one or two cars going. So that frustrated me. All in all it wasn't that bad. We rode rides and watched Lauren perform in the theatre. Her team won a bunch of stuff- they were great!!

Jace on the Pony Express horse.

Log ride...

 family at the fountain

flirting with the locals....

THE END!!