Teddy Bear Picnic

This has been teddy bear week at Kindergarten.  The kids got to bring a bear to class on Monday that had a "sleepover" all week.  They've been counting bears, crafting bears, coloring, etc.  Today they were having a teddy bear picnic and the parents were invited.  I had to work but got a friend to come in for a couple hours so I could go be there for Cord.  It was so much fun to have a break during the work day to spend with my son.  I got there early to set up our blanket.  It was so cute to see him come out of his classroom with his bear while looking around for me.  As soon as he saw me he yelled "MOM" and came running.  It made my heart smile.  We had our lunch together and he told me that this morning the bears had disappeared from the classroom, but they had left clues and footprints for the kids to follow.  They had to track down their bears and finally found them on the stage.  I wonder what those silly bears were doing to the school after the kids had gone home.  Cord said they were having a party. 

Cord shared his lunch with his bear.

After lunch, Cord and Teddy played on the playground.

We bought a popcicle from the PTA for dessert.

Cord's favorite game was to throw up his bear and then catch it.

Tonight he was totally worn out.  To much teddy bear fun I guess. What a cutie!

Andy Williams

I have to give a little shout out to Andy Williams who died on Tuesday at the age of 84, not because I liked his music, but because my mom was in "love" with him and his music.  He has been her favorite singer since before I was even thought of.  We were forced to listen to his music while growing up (along with ABBA, Niel Diamond, Kenny Rogers, the Letterman, etc).  One time the family went up to the Stadium of Fire in Provo because he was going to be there. Although we were sitting way up high, when Andy came around in the convertible my mom stood up and waved her arms wildly while yelling his name.  She was the only one in our section acting like a love sick teenager.  I was SOOOOO embarrassed.  Funny thing to was that she had the camera and because she was so busy waving to him, she forgot to take a picture but did manage to get the back of his head.  When I found out the news I texted my condolences to my mom.  I was sure she was in mourning.  She said that my dad said "after 40 years of marriage, I can finally be #1". 

Next top model

Brianna had a fun day yesterday.  A friend of her's needed to take some pictures for her photography class so Brianna and Maddy were her models.  She had fun unleashing her funky, crazy side and Clair did a good job taking the pictures. 

Robotics

Mason has joined a Robotics club at school.  They are going to build a robot from Lego's and take it to a competition.  Today he had a robotics workshop and he was super excited.  He got to go with his friend, William.  When I dropped them off I asked them to pose like a Robot.  This is what I got.....

Time Out for Women 2012

Chelsea and I get to hang out this weekend together since Time Out came back to Vegas.  We are missing my mom and sister this year but it is still great to be uplifted and spiritually fed.  We loved hearing from Jericho Road.  During a break, Chelsea and I went up to talk to them and take a picture.  We bought their latest CD and Chelsea got them all to sign it.

I came away with a lot of spiritual messages.  One of the speakers asked us when was the last time we received an answer to a prayer or an answer through scripture study.  If it hasn't been in the last 3 days then we need to change the way we pray and study scriptures.  Another speaker asked us what were our dreams, hopes, or aspirations...... I don't know.  I'll have to think about that one for awhile and then make goals to make them happen.  All the speakers focused on looking for the good in our lives and focusing on the blessings the Lord has given us.  And that even though our lives may not have turned out the way we would have written them, to trust in the Lord that he is shaping us into the person he knows we can become.  We need to trust in the Lord enough to trust in his timing and his process.  I mostly loved hanging out with Chelsea for the weekend.  I love it when she cuddles up next to me. 

Foreign visitors

It's once again time for Cross Vegas.  We were also able to host a couple of riders from France.  Rudolf and Kirstell Ferrer stayed with us for 5 days. Kristell is a bike champion in France. We kept trying to get Brianna to talk to them in French but she was a little shy.  The girls also got to volunteer at the race with a friend.  Chelsea brought Nikoli and Brianna brought Emile again.  They had to do some surveys at the beginning of the race but were then free to enjoy a free dinner and the VIP area.  I got to go this year and really enjoyed watching the race. 

Rudolf had already raced when we got there, now he was supporting his wife as she was warming up.  Kristell stayed in 3rd place for most of the race but then ended up taking 7th. 

The course is crazy.  Twists and turns, up the stairs (where they jump off their bike and carry it), bumps, uphill, etc.  They go around several times.  Everyone gets excited and are ringing their cowbells to cheer on the riders. 

Afterwards we waited for Kristell to take a group picture but because she was in the top 10 she had to get blood testing.  It was a school night so we had to leave. 

But then we got a group pic the next day.  :)

Cord wanted to take a picture of them and they turned out cute.  Cord loved talking to our visitors and would walk around saying "Bonjour".  One time we even found Cord in their room because he wanted to have a "sleepover". Funny kid!

They brought us a really nice gift, this bottle of French wine in a wooden case with a lot of tools that I don't know what to do with.  We were really touched by their thoughtfulness.  How were they to know that they were landing in a Mormon home.  When I thanked them for the nice gift they said, "we tried to think of what the most French thing we could give you so we thought that would be wine." I love that all the words on the bottle are French (although Brianna can't translate them).  Now what to do with it???

WICKED

Wicked came to the Smith Center for 6 weeks.  As soon as we heard it was coming we knew that we had to see it.  I didn't know anything about it but knew it was AWESOME!  I was not disappointed.  My parents came down to join me, Brianna, and Chelsea.  I loved seeing the Smith Center for the first time and LOVED the musical.  I really want to see it again but it's to expensive and I'm pretty sure it's sold out.  The whole city is Wicked crazy and for good reason.  I love rocking out to the music in my car and now I understand the story behind the music. 

We took a few pics outside the Smith Center.

We are really lucky to have this new venue that is bringing great experiences to Vegas.  They are bringing a lot more Broadway plays that we would love to see.