Updates to our basement

 After Amanda's Halloween party, we decided we needed a place for the teenagers to hang out. They all hung out in the unfinished basement!  So, when we called James this year, we told him we needed the family room done.  Somewhere I have a picture before the drywall was up.

 Now here it is painted…..not exactly done yet but getting close!  TV on that far wall.

James is an awesome contractor because he lines the workers up quickly.

 Once you start, you are done within a month because he stays on top of it.  Here are the media closet and the blanket/game closet.

 The kitchen area. Just a fridge, sink and cabinets/counters.  May or may not happen this year.

 We opened up the wall by the stairs. Originally, it was going to be a railing, but after talking with James, we decided it would look like jail.  So, we just talked about open the wall up and not putting up a railing.  The closed door is where the bathroom will be….that gets done next time.  Looking down the girl's bedroom hallway.  There will be tile (wood looking) from the carpet to the kitchen area. Then, we'll carpet the rest!

We are really close on being done with James and crew.  Then, we'll save for a few months and get the tile done (along with tile in the laundry room) and carpet.  Next year we'll finish the basement all together! Yay!

Amanda's soccer team

Amanda and I got to go see her soccer team play a game during the Wasatch tourney.  It was at Angel Street, so super easy and close. 

 I sat and chatted with Celesta and it was fun to see the girls again. It made Amanda want to play soccer again.  Things are changing up a lot at tryouts including a new Elite team and new coaches, so it won't be the same.  But, she misses these girls and the drama free fun they had!

Like here where Giselle is trying to shove a cupcake in Amanda's face, but ended up getting Sierra's ear!  There is a lot of soccer drama with parents, refs and coaches, so I can't say I miss it.  But, I do know she has amazing memories with this team.

Last week of school

An update for the girl's last week of school….

 Sixth grade 'So you think you can dance' Show and contest.  The audience voted on their favorite.  Sydney was in Thriller and it WON! Great job, Sydney!  Paige Nelson is on left, she was in 'Happy'  Sage and Sydney were in Thriller :)

 Here they are finding out they won and then taking a bow

 Amanda won an award for Outstanding Academic Achievement.  Meaning she maintained a 3.7 GPA or higher her 3 years at Centennial and scored high on some national test.  Way to go Amanda!

Above, she is shaking Mr Williams hand and on her way to shake Principal Mr Hogge's hand

Notice her cute surgery shoe again…..she getting pretty fast!

 Here she is with Susie and Liz and Tanner LeBaron and I don't know the other kid.

 After this awards night, they had a 9th grade dance out in front of the school.  They don't do promotion, which is kinda sad. I remember that was such a big deal for Mike & me.  But, they had a great time at the dance and then just showed up to sign yearbooks today (the last day of school)

The sixth grade also had a dance, but this was on Wednesday.  The theme was Under the Big Top/Circus. Rachel Orison was in charge, so of course it was way awesome.  I helped decorate for a few minute before I had to go home to teach.  Then, I showed up to take some pictures. I thought Sydney would be mortified that I showed up, but she ran right up to me and told me all about the dance!

There was a 'photo booth' and I encouraged all the girls and boys groups that were good friends through elementary school to get a picture.  Some of them complied.  But, then they all disappeared so Sydney & Nate Conger could get a picture.  Nate is not her boyfriend, but they like each other. She went to his baseball game on Tuesday.  Heaven help us!!

L to R: Addy, Paige, Konnor Mann, Sydney, Nate, Zac Bingham, Josh Harwood, Payton C. and Cole Arbon

 Sydney and John Reeves (the kid likes her) and Addy.

Girls messing around!

Stout Memorial Day Breakfast!

Mike's cousins, Tracie Buys and Sterling Atkinson decided it was time to reinstate the Stout Memorial Day Breakfast paired with sawdust dig and swing jump contest.

 They had a great turnout!  Tracie planned for breakfast burritos.  I helped out by warming up the tortillas.  Breakfast went really well!  Then, it was time for the sawdust dig.  They put money and candy in sawdust and then let age groups go at it.  Above is Mike and brothers and cousins…..they are crazy, but Mike ended up with like $1.90.  All that competition for change! Crazy!

 Here's Brandon's group. Eliza is in the blue.

 He couldn't believe the mess and the craziness.  Just a handful of candy and a tiny amount of change.

 Here's Sydney and Maddie's group.  Some of the parents are out of control…seriously …. for change! Yelling at their kids, Picking them up and dropping them in the middle of the sawdust.  Good night...

 But, Sydney and Maddie ended up with some candy and a bit of change...

 I caught Amanda as she was diving for the pile right after they said, "Go!"  Bad foot and all, she was up for the fun!

 She hates touching change…she has a nickel allergy and we think that touching the change feels different to her….But, she was happy! And glowing a little in this picture :)

 Mike's cousin, Mike Stout, is behind Amanda with the red hat. He was my Fed Ex man when I was working at Cellular One on 33rd.  He'd come in and chat and take his break at our office because we were nice and fun and would chat. When I went to a family party with Mike after his mission and saw Mike Stout I said, 'There's my Fed Ex guy!"  It was a funny connection.

And the 40 something moms….see me and Kellie?  Jenna Ellingson was on the other side of me.  It was fun. I found a nickel and a bunch of candy……We went to the swings for the swing jump.  An Atkinson grandson won it.  There is even a trophy!  It was getting so hot by then, so we took off.  We ended up stopping by Jim & Renae's to grab something and then went to lunch with them and Doug & Cath & Kids at Hires.  We headed home after that because Mike had to fly to Denver that evening.  It was a fun and relaxing day!

More Brandon's birthday!

 Ohhhh look at this cute Bubba of a baby!  He was always so happy and patient!

 And now he is this handsome 9 year old!!

There is a change in personality at 9 years old.

I remember the girls getting sassier.  Brandon is getting funnier.  He has a great sense of humor that we are all learning to appreciate.  

Here's nine things we love about Brandon!

1.  He doesn't like to go to bed, but he doesn't sleep in-so it's necessary.  

2.  He has about 10 stuffed animals he sleeps with-we call it Brandon's village and he has to count them before going to sleep

3.  He likes to sleep with the ceiling fan on.  If it's not on, he gets too hot and then starts to sleepwalk.

4.  He's competitive at school.  He often did more Mastery homework pages so he could be number one.  He also powered through his times tables and division trying to be number one. I can't remember if he made number one, but if not, only second to Luke Kelley who went to Challenger private school for 3 years.

5.  He loves football, basketball and golf

6.  He doesn't like bugs or spiders or bees at all! If he sees a bug near the front door, he will go wait on the driveway until I come find him or he'll go through the garage.

7.  He gives great hugs!  He always reminds us of family prayer at night.

8.  He brushes AND flosses everyday.

9.  He loves to read, play the piano and play video games.

I really could go on and on.  He is such a fun kid and we love him so much! 

Happy Birthday Brandon!

Friends: Andrew, Garrett, Kolton, Luke Tanner, Will, Spence (red shirt back to us) and Ben

 Now, on to the party!I think we had 12 boys here and we played Minute to Win It games.  Crazy and chaotic!  Mike asked why we don't do it at another place…like Get Air…I told him with it being May, we might only end up with 3 boys and who wants to pay $150 for a party at a tramp place for just 4 kids.  It sure sounds nice though!

 Spencer in red shirt, Ethan and Will

Some of the cute friends…red shirt, Garrett, Luke Ben, Nick and Tanner

 Brandon made up this game. He called it Clay Pigeons.  Mike would throw a plastic plate in the air and the boys would try to it with a ball…tennis ball, football, random ball...

They all loved it and only a few of them hit the plate! Brandon did get a couple!

Really nice friends that gave fun gifts :)

Brandon turns 9!!

Add to the fun of this crazy month…..Brandon's birthday!!!

 We started the morning with balloons and streamers in his room and the candy poster!

 Then, the presents!  A Lego set and a cute hug for Dad

 And a golf club! Brandon likes to hit balls with Mike.  We just put him in some lessons for the summer.

 Mrs Backer's Cake - Yum! He wanted frosting for the filling...

 Amanda and I had to go to her doctor's appointment and then we ran straight to Brandon's class at school.  We did a little presentation on him for his birthday. Then, we ran home and had a friend birthday party!  Then, we had the grandparent's up for dinner and cake!  It was a busy fun day!

My Mom decided to do a selfie with my Dad! So cute!