End of the School Year Wrap Up

 Here's a quick summation of all those end of school year events...


First and foremost, Joseph auditioned for and made Vocal Ensemble!!   Hooray!  we are so thrilled for him...  
Counting our blessings....  The pictures show when he is kidnapped and taken away to the V.E. initiation breakfast.  Yahoo!  

Blind-folded and whisked away..

Jonathan won an academic award...  Hooray for Jon!  

If I could give out awards as his mom I would .  Jonathan has had an awesome awesome year.  We are so proud of him.   He has excelled in every way.  He pulled a 3.9 GPA, excelled in football, created great friendships, has a raging social life, had done very well in school, has loved seminary and just had been a wonderful wonderful Son...who is growing up.  It is a thrill to watch him.  He has just wonderful friends who support him in his goals and they are all headed in the right direction together.  We really feel blessed.  

Michael was awarded his Tenderfoot award in Scouts.  Can you see it?  Can you see that teenager in him just wanting to come out?  He finished up 6th grade and now prepares to go to Middle School.   The last couple of months have been big in his life.  He turned 12, joined Young Men's, officially joined the Boy Scouts of America, and was ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood.  Whoa.   And to boot, he is pretty dang handsome.  

Michael finished up his year with almost all A's.  He has done so well.  Wow.  


My heart ached that last day I dropped him off at Elementary School.   ....   Ouch. 


We are proud of you Michael!  And we love you. 


Jacob performed in his play.  He was  almost the star of the show.  I know I am biased but he was truly funny and really played up his part.  

 He was the butler...you must say it like this... the "butlah."  He spoke in a very proper English accent.  And acted very serious in the face of hilarity.....

....and only broke out of character once to give me a quick smile... which I happened to catch somehow..  

This really was such a cute funny play.  I loved it.  

Good Job Kids!!  


Jacob also performed in his piano recital and played his pieces flawlessly!  (Where is that picture?!) 


Jacob finished up his year with a great report card!


Jacob is enjoying gymnastics!  He is a natural.  With Jacob I don't know which thing to focus on.  He is so good at everything.  


Too weird to think that Jacob will be our only elementary school student next year.  Surreal.  

U2 !! !!

I have the most wonderful brother in law and sister.  They just happened to have extra tickets to the famous U2 360 concert!   And invited ---ME?  Whoa!  Ok for one thing, I have never been to a concert in my life...well, except to the group "America" and "Ronny Milsap" at Ricks College -taken to  those on a date--not by choice.  Oh boy! 

I am so uncool about things like this...and that is one of many reasons why I am so lucky to know these two very cool fun people:  

To start with... I had to be open to the idea...  I wasn't a U2 fan... I am pretty clueless.  Luckily because of Aaron, I now am a big fan and he helped me to see how amazing this band is.  I didn't know what to expect and was so amazed!   I was lucky enough to take Eric with me (Steve had to be at Young Men's) and we had a great time!   This was one of the funnest nights I have had in sooo long.  How can I thank Christine and Aaron enough?  Thanks guys!!!  

Amazing stage...absolutely amazing show... such a thrill!  It's a beautiful day...

I am clearly not the rock concert going type... and was dressed wrong for the whole bit..I look like a tired dead mommy.  Ha ha!   

Bad picture.. but I love my sister and buddy friend Chrissy...

Such awesome, mesmerizing music...  So much fun.  

Oh and I had to include a copy of this email.  Steve and I were discussing how we would arrange child care so I could go to the concert.  

This is one reason why I love this guy... he just cracks me up!

From Steve:  

RE: U2 on TUE

If Eric goes with U to U2, you two will not be home to watch the little 2.

 

So What 2 do??  What 2 do….

 

I will be at YM with Joe, Jon, and Mike 2.

 

That leaves the little 2 home alone while you are at U2.

 

Then if Christine leaves her little 2 with our little 2 while they are at U2

 

What are those little 4 to do while  you all are at U2???

 

What to do… What todo… so you 2 can go to U2???"

The End 

Silly I know...but I love that this guy makes me laugh.  :)  Maybe love is blind, but this is one reason why I adore him.  Ha ha!

One Blessed Mom....

On Mother's Day, Michael was ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood.  What a great Mother's Day present.    Special day...special young man... lucky Mom.  

Yep, your eyes don't lie.  I have 5 priesthood holders in my  home now....  Yep, one lucky Mom.  

And He was ordained by his Dad who honors his priesthood.. 

Yep, one lucky wife and Mom.   

Oh and I was also showered with gifts, cards, loving words and hugs.... Yep...I am one blessed, lucky Mother...  

The Big 12th Birthday.....

This birthday was a hard one for me....  

It was awesome for Michael.... 

but I know that turning 12 means the end of childhood...it means those innocent childhood days are more behind you than ever before...it means big changes are coming...and this little boy and his little boy face, hands, voice and outlook will soon be a think of our memories.  I have seen it happen before...three times.  So, thus this birthday was hard for me.  

Michael chose to celebrate this very important birthday at Classic Skating.  His fun group of friends played for several hours playing lazer tag, climbing, playing games, skating etc etc.  Then we returned home for the rest of the party.  I think they all had a good time.

 Happy Birthday to you...Happy Birthday to you... Happy Birthday to Michael, Happy Birthday to you....

12 Reasons Why I Love This Boy....

1. Michael is often contemplative and quiet.  I respect and admire this quality.  This isn't  easy to do in this house of boy energy and vitality.  
2. I love his flair for technology.  He has his own blog and enjoys creating computer animated stories.  He is so creative and has his own unique and darling style.
3. He is humble.  Michael has never given me a reason to get angry with him.  Really!  I think that is remarkable.  In 12 years, I have never gotten angry with him.  Sometimes I have pretended to be angry with him but then we both start giggling at each other.  I love this about Michael!
4. He gets along with everyone.  He is unselfish and kind.  He usually thinks of the other guy first.  Sometimes that works against him..so he is learning to balance that out.  And he will figure it out. 
5. He always attracts the nicest friends....seriously nice people.  He is so fortunate but he also just plain deserves it because he is so nice.  
6. He is usually always happy and peaceful.  He was born this way and I hope he never changes. 
7. He is creating his own style and his way of managing his life, doing things his way.  I love to watch this.  He is just so cool.  
8. He matches up his socks for the laundry every week!  I never never have to worry about his socks being lost and mixed up.  I really really appreciate this.
9. He is beginning to look like a young man... I was noticing how long his legs are getting, how his face is changing ever so slightly..all signs of his manly handsome-ness coming just around the corner.  
10. Michael is neat and tidy.  I so appreciate this.
11. Michael is easy going, doesn't complain and goes with the flow..
12. He loves what I cook and thanks me ...Wow!  I love that about him!

And sorry one more to grow on...He is my Michael...and I couldn't feel more lucky that I get to be  his momma.  

I love you Michael Thomas Knudsen!  Oh my ..you are 12!!!  

Life is Rough......and Catch Up Part 2

Winter 2011 was full of Awesome Get-Aways!  I don't think we have ever had more fun in the dead of Winter. 

In January, we took that fun family trip to Walt Disney World.  I have about a million pictures...and will say more about this another time.  But, just wanted to mention the highlights.  Being there with the VanWagenen cousins for a few days of our trip was a blast. We had an evening together at Epcot, a day together at Universal Studios and a day together at the Magic Kingdom.  

We loved our day at Universal Studios!  I was surprised at how fun it was.  We loved loved loved the new Harry Potter Village and rides.  We really felt like we were there!  This is a must see... We had such a good time. 

Look at those innoncent faces.  They didn't know about the terror just coming up.  (The big drop..what a great memory and we got a great picture to capture it!)  

A classic moment... ahh the Disney Magic! 

I will record more about this later.  It really deserves its own post or its own book....

A couple of weeks after going to Walt Disney World we went to the cabin with our wonderful friends dubbed our "third side of the family."  We went with the Howes, familie Gentile, famile Aragon, and the Carmichaels.   The Dads in the groups work together and make up the ICS International Field Team.  We love them and are so glad we got to spend some time together at the cabin. 

These kids get along so well and have hung out a lot together on many of the weekends during this past winter.  So from left to right clockwise we have Jonathan (15), Eric (19),  Evanie (19), Jared (15), Jacob (9), Chloe (13), Sarah (15), Scotty (sitting on Sarah's lap-3)  and little brother Aragon.  

We played games.... and talked and laughed, told stories, ate good food, watched a good movie and just enjoyed.... 

From left to right: Velma Aragon, Angie Carmichael, John Carmichael, Edie Howe, Ralph Howe.

We snowmobiled and played in the snow...  Here is Velma and Miguel getting ready..oh and Scotty too.

Steve-o having a fun day.

Giles Gentil, John Carmichael, Natalia Gentil, and Angie Carmichael getting ready to try out the snowmobile in the beautiful wild country of Idaho.  

And off they go...

Ready to go hiking across the frozen lake... Oh I wish I had taken more pictures.   But, here's what I want to remember:  the easy laughter with these fun friends, the sparkley snow, the clear fresh delicious air,  the sense of freedom and peace as we stood in the center of this frozen lake with a big beautiful blue sky above us.  

The kids also had a lot of fun.  Playing, pulling each other on the snow board behind the snow mobile, snow mobiling.

We ate delicious food!  

What a great time we had!   What a great group of people!   

The second weekend was the College/High School age Crowley Cousins Weekend Getaway!  I soooo enjoyed this weekend and the kids did too.  We have done this two years in a row now and I believe a tradition has been born.  We love love love our winter wonderland getaway and the opportunity it provides to bond with people we love.  So blessed!

The boys making a GREAT breakfast.  What fun they had. 

Another new tradition....  called the "Polar Bear."  (I think) These crazy boys strip down to their shorts, and jump into snow drifts from a second story window.  (oh and it is probably about zero degrees or less outside)  then they run upstairs and warm up in the sauna.   

Warming up in the Sauna after about 10 jumps into the snow... so fun...ny!

My favorite time of the weekend... playing out on the frozen lake.  We built snow men..a snow CROW, created a real ice skating rink, hiked across the lake.  It was pure magic..with the lightly falling snow, the blue white of the ice and snow, the frosty air... I loved it!!

The two oldies...Aunt Annie and Uncle Richard who acted as the chaperones.  We had the chance to talk for hours like old times and I read two books!  It was a true vacation....shhhh..don't tell anyone, because I want to be the one who gets to do this again next year.... shhhh.

The ice skating rink was just amazing.  It was so fun to watch these two... Tanya is really really good and Evan isn't bad either.  (He has a good teacher) 

Good Times...  WE are FAMILY... ! 

Trekking across the lake....  FUN!

And on into February, Michael played King Duncan in the Shakespeare Play "King Lear."  He was great!  He played the part very very well.  Here he is with two of his really good friends.  All the kids did a great job!

Ahh the Proud King Duncan.  :)

Cute Supportive Brothers... ha ha literally... 

Basketball  wound down at the end of February (I think) 

The whole family supported Jacob at his last game!

Good Job Jacob!!!!!!!

And Let's not forget Michael's 6th grade Valentine's Day Dance.  This is so much fun.  The kids prepare for weeks learning dances, the waltz etc.  They learn dance etiquette.  I think it is just great.  I helped a little and snuck in and totally embarrassed Michael....but hey too bad!   I had to take a peek!  

The theme was set after the 50's.  Aren't the kids just darling dressed in their 50's attire?  They also served treats similar to what you could get at an old fashioned soda fountain.  Very fun.  And the band was just amazing!

You can just see it in his eyes.... "oh mom, please!"  

Oh yeah, they are so cool!  The 6th grade dance is such a highlight for everyone.  

About that time we enjoyed the annual Rennaissance Feast sponsored by the Performing Arts of Hillcrest Highschool.  This year Joseph acted as a steward again.  He did a great job and it is a lot of fun.

Wow.... 

"What can I do for you My Lady?"  Joseph doing a great job...

Joseph announcing the arrivals of the Lords and Ladies....

The great Queen Elizabeth.... Isn't she perfect at this role?  (Renae Dalgleish-the choir/orchestra director)  

I didn't just capture these two at a bad moment...they are reacting to the strange thing in my hand that flashes light...they being  people of the 1400's don't know what a camera is....  and think it is a scary magical thing.  So funny.  

Amazing costumes and quite a fun show.  

We were blessed with a visit from Jill, Zeke, Lynette, Ryan and families for General Conference.  


General Conference is always a most special weekend and it is even more special when you get to spend it with the people you love!

Cute little kiddos or what...that includes you Uncle Zeke!

Cousin time... Ben and Jacob....  ahhh wish we had more of this....

Oh yeah baby.....  look at those handsome men heading off to the priesthood session of conference.  

And then we have the post priesthood session de-briefing....  and treats.  Fun.  Eric..is so awesome with his journal and pages of General Conference notes.  

And we woke up Sunday General Conference Morning to this.... and more.  It was crazy!  Spring?  What was Mother Nature thinking?  Really?  

Listening to Conference...

We invited the Gentils to have breakfast and watch Sunday morning session with us..  

Chloe and Chloe....  This is Chloe Gentil and Chloe Kelsey.  




And so this is Winter 2011 summed up...........