Memorial Day...

For Memorial Day we headed to the cemetery to put some flowers on Grandma and Grandpa Hardy's graves.  Ryder had been sick all weekend so we didn't venture out too far.  Steve took the kids to our ward's pancake breakfast, while I stayed with Ryder, but he seemed good enough for a short drive.

 

Thanks to all who have served and still serve our country, we appreciate your service and sacrifice!

Swim meet...

Kendyl went to her first USA Swim Meet over Memorial Day weekend.  There were teams from all over with about 100 swimmers just in the 11-12 year old girls bracket!  It was local for us, but there were teams from CA and AZ at the meet.  Kendyl swam great improving on her times even though she was not coming in first.  Small fish in the big pond!

 

Great job Kendyl!  Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming!

A quartet of violins...

The girls have been begging to learn how to play the violin and since school is almost out, we are starting violin lessons at our house.  We spent Friday morning sizing violins and picked out some really pretty ones with nice full sounds.  The girls could not wait to play so we had a lesson as soon as we got home.  They have practiced every day and have already had a second lesson!  It helps greatly that they can read music from taking piano. 

 

 

Brityn on a 1/4 size violin.

 

Kendyl on a 1/2 size violin.

 

Ryder could NOT stand to be left out so he got out the 1/8 size we already have so he could play too.  No lessons for him yet.

 

Sawyer chose to play the iPad.  :)

 

And of course Dad can't be left out!

Roos n more...

Mrs. Aubrey had Roos N More come for preschool.  The kids were anxiously waiting for the animals to come.

 

 

The first animal that she brought out was an armadillo.  She was all curled up and seemed shy and scared.

 

Next came a turtle, the boys were not yet brave enough to touch or pet any animals.

 

Next came a couple of snakes.  No touching those either.

 

Finally a little kangaroo got Ryder brave enough to pet him.

 

Sawyer followed around Dino-Mike, Mrs. Aubrey's tortoise, but he never did pet any animals.

 

They brought Remi the lemur, whom we saw last year.  Ryder liked petting him.

 

And then the kids all stood in a circle, bent over and Remi ran around on everyone's backs!

Ryder loved it!

Preschool Graduation...

Ryder graduated from preschool on Monday!  The kids did a cute program where they sang and everybody had a part.

 

 

Here they come.

 

"My name is Ryder R-Y-D-E-R.  There are 50 stars and 13 stripes on the flag."

 

Ryder got the "Dino-mite" award for always working hard and trying things by himself.  Plus he loves dinos.  :)

Ryder with Mrs. Aubrey.  She is fantastic and we're so glad Ryder got to have her as a teacher!  Way to go Ryder, next stop kindergarten!

Roadshow...

This year our stake did roadshows.  The theme was "Deeper Than Disney" and each ward had a Disney movie and a topic they had to convey in their roadshow.  Our ward got the Jungle Book and Self-Reliance.  Steve, Kendyl and Brityn were all in the show and for the last month we've heard lots of singing and line quoting from the show.  :)

 

 

The girls were part of Kaa the Snake so they were mostly hidden underneath the costume, though they did get a bit of makeup on their arms They thoroughly enjoyed going to practice and were super excited to be in the show.

The bishopric were cast as the vultures and comedic relief.

In the story Mowgli is a big spender and gets some counseling from Brother Kaa about budgeting.

And the vultures comment, offer advice and sing back-up.

 

They did the show on Friday and Saturday night at two different buildings.  This is the second night.

Cast and crew shot.  Everybody did an awesome job!  Great singing and amazing costumes and makeup!

 

The girls had so much fun, I don't think they will ever be able to watch Jungle Book without singing alternate lyrics about budgeting and food storage!