The Golden Scholar

She also turned 13 recently! What a fun party that was!

Yesterday was a big day for Hannah. After a very long school year, Hannah reaped the rewards of sticking to it and working hard, despite her health difficulties.

Hannah was awarded the prestigious Golden Scholar Award given to those students who maintain a 3.8 GPA or higher. Her GPA was on the higher side (.2 higher, to be exact). Not that I am bragging! Well, maybe a little.

In addition to this award she was also awarded "English Student of the Year" for all grades 7^th – 12th . She was also awarded her legion's award which goes to one student from each legion.

I am so proud of her and for her tenacity to get things done, despite ANY obstacle!

You may notice that her feeding tube is out for the pictures. Yeah! It has been out since Monday and she is able to eat a little. She is happy and hopeful. She is by no means out of the woods, but we are encouraged greatly!

And on top of all that, SHE is BEAUTIFUL! Inside and Out!

Trick or Treating and then some!

Becca went to her first junior high party/dance with her friends. It was sponsored by her school and was on Friday early evening. Becca said that the only time a boy asked her to dance was during the "snowball" and she only danced with him for 6 seconds. I was surprised to learn that there were any boys there. When I dropped them off there was a steady stream of GIRLS!

Apparently, Becca also won some kind of dance contest. We only know this because she has the prize. She will not show us any of her award-winning moves! Maybe it was the hippie costume!

All of her cute friends came to our house for dinner, getting ready and heading out to the dance. We had bone bread sticks with blood dipping sauce, pizza, and bloody guts (fruit salsa) with cinnamon pita chips.

Halloween morning Hannah made green and purple "spider pancakes" for breakfast. She really loves to cook and is always lending a hand and learning new things about cooking. She LOVES to make pancakes!

Cleopatra Hannah

Just before trick or treating.....for the last time!

Next year she will be too old!

Joshua the Vampire!

Hannah and Becca dressed up for the Ward Fall Festival.

Happy Halloween

Our ward Halloween Party is tomorrow. Becca has been asked to provide 2 dozen cupcakes for the cake walk. We have had a lot of fun tonight working on these crazy cupcakes. Hannah and Becca hand-made the spider webs. The spiders are toys, but everything else is edible!

Happy Halloween!

Summer Rest and Relaxation

Rocky Point

Right after … and I do mean right after…as in 48 hours…we got home from Luke’s wedding we went to Mexico for a little rest and relaxation and I am so glad we did! It was perfect timing as we went two days AFTER Memorial Day so the crowds were thin and the weather was PERFECT. Little did I know that this would be the most restful part of my summer. I did savor it. “Relax” is not a word in my vocabulary. The only place I truly relax is in Mexico. There is something very wonderful about no cell phone reception. I think my ease of relaxation also relates to the laid-back pace and Mexican way-of-life! And possibly the great food!

This visit we actually rode horses on the beach. Becca has been begging us to ride since we started going to Mexico, but we just couldn’t get it coordinated for some reason. This trip she finally got to ride a horse on the beach. Now, she wants to take Jasmine next time. Too bad we don’t have a horse trailer! Not!

Happy Summer!

Luke's Wedding

Luke and Alyssa.

Alyssa and her Dad walking down the aisle.

Hannah caught the boquet.

Matt and Grandma cutting up the dance floor.

Alyssa and Little Ty

Becca and Uncle Evan dancing

Jake and the kids watching the dancing.

Aunt Allie

Grandma Holly and Grandpa Mike

Pat, Hal, Jeanne and Holly

Jeanne and Evan

The three girl cousins

Grandma Jeanne and Jordan

Cassie, Matt, Craig, Shawn, Holly and Mike

Groom and his brothers looking very handsome!

Lunch before the wedding.

The Bridegroom at lunch before the wedding.

Cousins Tyler and Joshua - The oldest and the youngest!

We had a great time in Colorado celebrating the marriage of Luke and Alyssa. It was a wonderful weekend jam-packed with activities. I will post more pictures later from the rest of the weekend.