Reagan is in the New Era Magazine!!!!

You'll remember when I posted about going to Women's Conference with the Summers ladies. We had such a good time. I posted about how so many people commented on Reagan's hat and how one lady said "She is so cute in that hat. If I see a guy taking pictures, I'm going to tell him to go and take a picture of the cute girl in the cute hat." Well, that was exactly what happened. There were several representatives of the church taking pictures as we all waited to enter the Conference Center. One came over and took pictures of Reagan, Jazzie & Saylor. 

You'll imagine our surprise when we opened the May edition of the New Era (our Church's magazine for the youth 12-18) and saw a picture of Reagan and Jazzie. How Saylor was cut out of this picture eludes me - she was literally standing with these girls under the umbrella, but we are assuming that since she is only 8, she didn't look like a Young Woman (ages 12-18) whom the magazine is designed for. Truth be told, Reagan was still 10 in this picture, but probably looks closer to 12 or 13 like Jazzie. Oh well - we were thrilled to see their pic and one of Reagan's friends from school even brought the magazine to school to show everyone. Grandma Nancy told her "People all over the world will see your picture." They even included this picture in the online version of the magazine - so cool!!!! 

Yep - she's sort of famous..... not. 

Just as a side note, my cute friend Jennifer Davis and Brother Steffen from our Bishopric each told me - on separate occasions - that I should be clear ..... they didn't take her picture because of the cute hat, but because of the light in her eyes - the light of Christ that was reflected in her entire countenance. So sweet. Yep - she's pretty great!

Critters?

About six weeks ago, Cole was going downstairs to bed and he looked up out of the front window and yelled to me "Mama - there's a monkey in the tree." What?!? We went outside and Steve saw a raccoon climb up the tree to the roof and disappear. Oh no! We've had raccoons in the yard forever, but up on top of the house? That can't be good.

I checked with some of our ward members and all of them are fighting to keep raccoons out of their garage, house or yard. Ugh! So, I called Sandy City Animal Services. We could rent one of their traps for 2 weeks (with a possibility to extend a week) and, if we caught something, they would come and get it. They gave me cans of cat food to put in the cage as bait.

Well, the two weeks went by and .... nothin. Well, we did catch a couple of squirrels. Then, the cat food started to be gone from the cage, but nothing was in the cage. What is going on? Steve hypothesized that the trap was broken and wasn't being set off. One night, we went outside before bed and, sure enough, the can of food we had put in there a couple of hours earlier was out on the grass and the trap was open. We agreed that the next morning, I would take the trap back to Sandy City and trade it for one that worked properly.

The next morning, Cole was ready for school before everyone else, so he went outside to ride his scooter. He came running back inside to report that there was a raccoon in the trap. What???? Why would he go in there when there was no food? The night before, the can of food was out on the lawn.

I have to admit that he looked cuddly and cute. He was shaking - maybe from fear because it wasn't all that cold outside. Steve said he would move the trap into the garage until Sandy City came to get him. As Steve reached for the trap handle, the raccoon hissed and growled and tried to swipe at Steve's hand. "Nope - he can stay right here." Steve said :)

We called Sandy City and they must have come while we were gone because the cage was empty when we returned home. We called and asked for an extension of time with the cage since everyone in our ward says they live in families. We are thinking there is another one. Geez!

Note - our friends told us about this show called Billy The Exterminator. It is a total white trash exterminator guy with a cross around his neck and a mullet haircut. He goes and gets animals, reptiles and insects out of people's houses or barns or yards or boats. It is stupid tv for sure, but it makes us laugh how he doesn't use many tools, he just grabs the fox or the bobcat or the ostrich or the alligator! and takes it to relocate it to a place away from humans. Anyway, Cole thinks he is so cool and we are now thinking that we shouldn't have made so much fun of Billy ..... we could really use him right about now :(

Cole's Spring Program

Next up (like 20 minutes after Reagan's program) was Cole's Spring Program. His was like a news program with stories about the books his class has read throughout the year (Pinocchio, The Black Stallion, The Wizard of Oz, A Cricket in Times Square, etc.). It was great!!!

They had great songs, folk dances, and recitations as well.

Cole is one of the tallest in his class, so, he was in the back row.

Cole said that the teacher asked if he and Alexis could be the "lead couple" for the folk dance. Apparently, if they misstepped, everyone would mess up. He was confident that they could lead the group well and they did :)

Cole is not nearly as expressive as Reagan, but once in a while, he will flash us a smile or a nod of the eyebrow.

One of his classmates moved the week before the program, so his teacher gave Cole his part. Cole had to learn another part within a week. He did a great job.

After their program, we went back to their room to see their art fair and their Young Author books. 

Great job Cole - this was a wonderful program!!!!!

As with Reagan, I had to make a little movie with clips from his program. Also as with Reagan, some clips were from our video camera and some were from our phone. Part way through the movie, you'll need to turn up your speakers for the rest of the movie. After it is over, remember to turn it back down or it will be too loud.

Reagan's Spring Program

Springtime brings flowers and more sunshine and showers, but it also brings Spring Programs at school. Reagan's 5th grade class was up first this year. 

They had a fantastic program. It was like a game show where the audience had to guess what Broadway show they were talking about and then they sang songs from that show. Of course, they also had recitations, dances and lots of fun! Reagan enjoyed learning the Waltz. Loved it!!!!  

The class practices for months to put on this program for the parents and administrators. Reagan knew her lines, knew her place and was good to go. She was in the back line (with the other tall kiddos). Her teacher was asking the students to give more emotion in their program. Apparently, he told one of the students that she looked like she was dead :(  He used Reagan as an example and asked her to be more like Reagan. Shocking that Reagan shows expression, right? NOT!!!! 

Well, one week before the program, the teacher just up and switched Reagan and this other girl. Now, Reagan was in the front line, not the back line. Plus, she had to learn this other girls' moves and partners for the dance, etc. She didn't have to say the girl's lines, but she had to be in her place. Reagan felt awful, but I kept telling her that it wasn't her fault. Her biggest concern was that when they were all standing on the risers, because Reagan is so much taller than this other girl, no one could even see the other girl for part of the program.

Oh well, there was nothing to be done and Reagan just went where she was assigned to go. The program turned out wonderfully.

Reagan's part was asking the audience who the red-headed orphan was. Of course, it was ANNIE!!!!! She even congratulated the audience on guessing correctly.

They put on a great show and we loved it. I was teary during the Somewhere Over the Rainbow song and the songs that Annie sang about being a mistreated orphan. Oh well, that's what this mama does.

Their entire grade is only 15 students and they were amazing. 

After their program - we went to the computer lab to see their animations that they programmed and then we went to their classroom to see their Young Author compositions and to take some pics with their friends.

Way to go Reagan!!!! This may be your best program yet!!!!!!

Of course, I had to make a movie with bits of Reagan's program. It may be the longest one of these that I've made, but they had SO many great songs. I had to include some of each of them. No pressure to watch, this is our own, little, family scrapbook. Oh - and since I used clips from our video camera as well as from our phone, some of the clips are louder than others. When the movie gets to Reagan's part to hold up the sign and speak, you'll need to turn up your speakers in order to hear her. It is that loudness for the rest of the movie, but remember to turn your speakers back down because they will be loud after that :)

Happy Birthday Reagan!!!!!

 I can NOT believe that our little Reagan is 11 years old. Eleven years old people!!!!! When did that happen? It feels like it has been the blink of an eye since she was born. Seriously!!!

Well, we had a special breakfast with her favorite muffins and I sent her to school with a birthday note in her lunchbox (I send a note with them each day in their lunchbox, but today's was special). When I picked them up from school, I had balloons floating through my sunroof for her.

We did some homework and then picked up Reagan's choice of Zupas for dinner. We ate and then opened gifts. Too bad I couldn't tell by the look on her face whether or not she liked her gifts.... NOT. Then, we played in the yard and celebrated our Reagan.

After, we came inside and blew out candles on the small cake we had for our family birthday. She was excited to have her little cake. Then, as Reagan had received a portable, bluetooth speaker for her birthday, we put on some tunes and had a little, dance party. Cole's moves were..... let's just say interesting :)

Reagan started out as a beautiful baby girl who surprised us by coming to our family over a month early. She has grown into a beautiful, poised young woman. She is kind and loving and thoughtful. She has a crazy good memory. She remembers details, notices things and can memorize her poems and speeches for school better than any other child I know. She is a complete girly-girl and loves all accessories.

We will celebrate with each grandma and grandpa this weekend and her "friend party" is next week. We love her so much and are happy to celebrate another year with this cutie! Happy Happy Birthday Reagan Nicole!!!!!!

Beautiful Sunset

We've had so much rain lately. Don't get me wrong - we love it! Longer to have it stay cool, longer to not turn on the sprinklers, longer to have the grass be so green.

With the rain seems to come the most beautiful sunsets. Steve took this with his phone - not even the DSLR. Love it!!!!

Companion Passes

Recently, we got quite a break that was super lucky. Of course, Steve's business is earning, managing and using frequent flyer miles, hotel and car rental points and different kinds of reward programs. He also has friends who have interests in this area as well. We are big fans of the Starwood hotel group (Sheraton, La Meridian, Westin, etc.). We try to put all of our purchases on our Starwood American Express and then use those points to fund our hotel stays when we travel.

Marriott recently bought Starwood. That means that currently, before they merge the two rewards programs, you can transfer points back and forth between the two programs without a fee. Plus, 1 StarPoint equates to 3 Marriott Rewards Points. Well, Marriott has a transfer arrangement program with several other travel companies, including airlines.

So, we were able to transfer 90,000 StarPoints into Marriott - those turn into 270,000 Marriott Rewards Points. Next, we were able to transfer 270,000 Marriott Rewards Points into Southwest Airlines. Those turn into 120,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards Miles. Cool, right? Those 120,000 Rapid Rewards Miles can be used for around 10 trips, give or take - depending on the number of miles needed to get to our specific destination. The best part about this transfer/exchange deal is that when we transfer 110,000 miles into our Southwest Rapid Rewards account, we get a Southwest Companion Pass. This means that Steve can designate Reagan as his companion and she will be able to fly with him, wherever he flies, for free, for the rest of the year in which we qualify and all of the next calendar year. Yipee!!!!

Steve did this and named Reagan as his companion. I did this and named Cole as my companion. So, Reagan and Cole can fly for free with us, on Southwest, for the rest of 2017 and all of 2018. Cool!!!! Plus, we each have 120,000 Southwest Rapid Reward Points to use when flying. AND.... Southwest doesn't capacity control - there aren't blocks of seats available to buy with points and when those are gone, they are gone. Nope - if there is a seat available, we get it whether we pay with cash or points.

Interestingly enough, we used to do this every couple of years before we had Reagan and Cole. We used to put most of our charges on our Southwest Visa. Whatever amount we needed to add to that to reach 110,000 we would just transfer over from our American Express Gold Card points. When we transferred in - or earned - 110,000 Rapid Reward Points, we would qualify for a Companion Pass and I would fly with Steve for free for the rest of that year and all of the next. Then, Southwest changed their rules to not allow transfers from other programs to qualify for the Companion Pass. You could only get a Companion Pass by flying 50 trips in a year or by charging $110,000 on their Visa in a given year. Well, we weren't going to hit either of those.... ever. So, that's when we started looking for credit cards that would better suit our needs. 

I'm not sure what changed or why this happened, but Southwest allowed this current deal to happen and then, they decided it couldn't happen and they wouldn't let people qualify for the Companion Pass by transferring in Marriott Rewards Points. I guess people went crazy and started calling to complain. So, Southwest said they would honor it for 60 days. We rushed to make sure we got all the points transferred from Starwood to Marriott to Southwest in time to get both of our Companion Passes. We are excited!!!! We will be flying a lot in the next 2 years and we can't wait! Thanks to all of these programs for making this possible and thanks to Steve and his friends for figuring all of these crazy programs out in order to benefit all of us. Let's fly!!!!!

Easter Decor

I love the bright and colorful decor of spring and Easter. It is a nice change after the bright red of Valentine's Day.

Bath and Body Works came out with another Easter candle this year and it was super cute. They also had hand soaps and candle holders with bunnies on them. Fun!

This year, I changed out the pictures in the frames to have pics of Reagan and Cole from past years' Easter. They were itty bitty in some of these pics - so cute!!! Also - Reagan, in Activity's Days, made a beautiful paper wreath that said "Welcome Spring". It had cut out flowers and leaves on it. We brought out her last year's sugar egg and flower pot with paper flowers (she made these last year in Activity's Days). These were beautiful on the kitchen table.

I'm also still loving the flower luminaries. We have the candles automatically come on at 6pm each night. They stay on for 5 hours and then automatically turn off. Fabulous!!!!

Not much new this season, but I'm loving the things we already have.

Making Musical Progress

Cole is coming along well in his guitar lessons. The first song his teacher had him learn was Hallelujah. I LOVE that song. The next one is, admittedly, a girly song, but apparently it is pretty easy on the guitar. It is You Belong with Me by Taylor Swift. At first, Cole was just supposed to strum one note in the key of the song with each measure. He got that down pretty fast (well, the verse, not necessarily the chorus).

The next time he went to class, his teacher asked him to not just strum one note, but to strum a series (down - down - up... up - down - up) for each measure. It is hard to get that all in and switch your fingers to the next note before the measure starts. He seems like he is having a hard time keeping with the beat, but I think it is because he is concentrating so much on keeping up with the song and getting his fingers situated for the next note.



Keep it up Cole!!!! I know you'll get it!!!!!

Time for Another Pack Meeting

Well, it's been a month and so it is time for another Pack Meeting. Somehow, even though the Bear Den performed Flag Ceremony last month they were in charge again this month. Cole carried the US flag.

When he took the flag out of the cultural hall to get lined up in the hallway, the tip of the flag touched the ground. Reagan jumped out of her seat, ran over to Cole and grabbed the end of the flag, berating him for allowing it to touch the ground. I know he has been taught about flags and how to handle them, but I think he was just more worried about not smacking the top of the eagle on the flagpole into the doorway and having the flagpole break. Oh well - good thing Reagan is here, right :)

Last month, Cole only received one of his awards. He was supposed to get two, but he was only awarded one. You'll remember that I was at home with Reagan (she was sick) and Steve took Cole to the Pack Meeting. Steve wasn't aware that Cole was supposed to earn two awards that night. Well, during the month, we worked everything out and he was awarded his old award a month late, along with the new award that he earned this month.

Five of the Weeblos Den were awarded their Arrow of Light at this Pack Meeting. It was quite the ceremony. I had never seen it before. There was an Indian chief who told them some stories, lit a fire, put warpaint on their faces to symbolize different attributes like bravery, hope, etc.

Only a couple more years and Cole will be receiving his Arrow of Light. Now that I know what's involved and what a special award that is, I'm really looking forward to it.

Way to go Cole - keep it up!!!!!!

Just a note - When Cole first started Scouts, his leaders told us that he should wear his scout shirt, his neckerchief and his neckerchief holder each week. If possible, he should wear his belt (with the belt loops he has earned), but that the pants weren't really a big deal. I have him wear the shirt, neckerchief and holder each week and if he has time, I have him wear the belt. Certainly for Pack Meeting, we wear everything. I am really surprised how few boys do that. Cole is often the only scout in his den wearing his scout shirt. Maybe there is one other boy, but he just wears a t-shirt under it and leaves it open and unbuttoned. Likewise, at Pack Meetings, almost no boys are wearing the required uniform. At this meeting, I saw only Cole and one other boy having the shirt, the neckerchief and the holder. The leaders ask and ask and reward the boys and threaten. I know the parents are aware because the scout leaders make me aware. What's the deal? Why don't the boys have enough respect to wear what they should and why don't the parents have enough respect to make them? I just don't get it. It makes our Pack Meetings look not organized and not put together. Maybe I'm just such a rule follower that I can't get over it, but these awesome leaders are volunteering their time and energy and resources to help our boys learn valuable skills and to progress in the scouting program. Why can't we support them in this one, little way? Oh well - I guess everybody has to make their own decision, but for Cole and our family, we will make sure to follow the guidelines our leaders have set out. Plus - selfishly - it makes for a much better picture when all of the scouts are dressed like they should be :)

Spring Break Staycation - Days 8 & 9

It's Easter weekend and we are finishing up our Spring Break Staycation!!!! We were able to go see the Lion King at the new Eccles theater. We've taken Reagan and Cole to see it before, but it was in 2010. We were definitely ready to see it again. The new theater is beautiful and being able to go to a matinee meant that Reagan and Cole weren't falling asleep by the end of the show. Lion King may be my favorite Broadway show.

Easter morning was fabulous. Reagan and Cole know that the Easter Bunny fills their baskets, but that we get them everything else - the toys, the clothes, etc. So, since we were running around this week, I asked them if they would like to choose some of the things they were getting for Easter. Cole wanted to for sure - there was a Jurassic World Lego set that he had been wanting for a long time. Ok - done.. or mostly done for him. Reagan, on the other hand, wanted to choose some things, but said that we do a great job surprising her with things she likes, so, she didn't want to know everything she was getting. So be it :)  They were both surprised with some things and knew other things. It was great.

We had their favorite poppyseed muffins and fruit for breakfast and then headed to church. The Primary children sang Miracle in Sacrament Meeting. I love that song. One of our Primary girls sang Gethsemane with her dad (she sang it at her baptism in January as well) during Sacrament Meeting. That may be my favorite song about Jesus. Great meeting.

Then, I was in charge of Sharing Time in Primary. We had a lesson and then did a separate lesson about Easter. Reagan and Cole each helped me with a part of the lesson in order to check off one of their Faith in God requirements. Way to go guys. They each did a great job - they involved the Primary children, they pointed out the lesson in each activity and helped the children to understand more about Easter.

After church, Shannon and Benton came over for dinner. Benton has a smoker and he smoked a ham for us - it tasted great! Since Shannon and Benton gave Cole his skateboard for Christmas, they wanted to see how he was coming along with his skills. They also wanted to see Reagan. Benton taught Cole another few skills to practice and we had a great time being outside with them.

What a beautiful day it was to celebrate Easter, think of Jesus and the amazing things he has done for us, celebrate him with our ward and Primary and be with our family. Because of our Savior, we can repent for our mistakes, be forgiven, be resurrected someday and eventually be with our families and our Savior and Heavenly Father forever if we try to be more like Him each day. It just doesn't get better than that. Happy Easter everyone!!!!!

Spring Break Staycation - Day 7

When we were planning our Spring Break, one of the things that Reagan and Cole both insisted were on the list was Funtopia. We LOVE it there!!!! So fun! We booked a time and headed down to Lehi.

Reagan and Cole climbed and jumped and jumped and climbed. We have only been here a handful of times, but they have gotten better and better and now they climb so fast and so well.

Cole loves to challenge himself at jumping off of the platforms to the trapeze bar and to the kickbox bag (not sure what it actually is called). He requests that the workers push the bar and the bag out as far away from the platform as they can go and he jumps with all he's got.

Cole times himself climbing and races his previous climbs. He likes to go on the walls with a timer or the ones where the footholds gradually fold back into the wall, forcing you to keep up a good pace. Silly boy. Reagan likes the one where you have to answer questions on an iPad in the wall in order to get your footholds to fold out. She also likes the one with the black light so you climb in the dark with the footholds lit up in neon.

Reagan, on the other hand, is much more cautious. She won't jump with both hands, she holds one on to the belay rope. She seems to want to jump to the bar or the bag, but usually only catches the bottom part of it before she gently falls to the ground. Oh well - it's up to her what she wants to do here.

Cole's favorite thing is the giant slide. He gets into this red suit (I swear that he looks like an oompa-loompa from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) and he holds on to this rolling pin thing and they pull him up well over two stories and then he lets go and slides down this stainless steel slide. We did it the last time we were here (less than a month ago) and I swear that they polished it up or something because it was WAY faster this time. Cole and Reagan also swear that it went up higher this time.

Reagan kept letting go way before the top of the slide. She would just get scared and let go.... seriously like only half way up and she would let go. I'm not sure what she was scared would happen if she went to the top, but she kept saying she would do it and then.... she would let go before she got to the top. Cole went again and again and again. They said that the slide overheats so, they let the kiddos go several times when we first got there and then they said they needed it to cool down. They promised they would let them slide again before our session was up.

About 15 minutes before the end of our session, they started up the slide again. Cole went again and again and again. Reagan came over and still wouldn't go to the top. When our time was almost up, I told her this would be her last slide. She said she wanted to stay until the top. I suggested she close her eyes so she can't see how high she is until it stops lifting her. Finally - on the LAST slide - she did it! She stayed to the top!!!! Way to go Reags!

Thanks Funtopia - another great time here! We love this place!!!!