Teacher Appreciation Week 2014

Heather Miller and I volunteered to be on PTA this year. We were in charge of all the teacher luncheons throughout the year which also included teacher appreciation week. I can't even begin to tell you the countless hours that went into the preparation to pull it all off. We included all of the staff at Park Elementary not just the teachers so we had to do everything for 60 people. I have to document this even though it really has nothing to do with my family. I want to remember how much work it takes so I don't agree to do it again. I have to give my family and husband props for putting up with me during all the stress.

We wanted the whole week theme to be baseball. It turned out awesome!!!

This was the banner in the front window. 

We gave them a gift in their mailbox every day... we assigned a mom to put them together for us. They turned out amazing...

Then we wanted to do something special for them each day of the week. 

On Monday we walked around the school with a concessions tray. We got Mr. Jack the principal to dress up in an umpire outfit and pass out concessions. We warmed up soft pretzels and had peanuts and Baby Ruth candy bars. We also had "Take me out to the Ball game" music playing and a concessions banner to hold. It was fun to see the kids expressions as we walked into the rooms. 

I had to work on Monday night so I went completely sleep deprived all day Tuesday. I was exhausted and the week had not even begun. 

On Tuesday we packed them a lunch with sandwiches chips and a baseball cookie. The sugar cookies turned out darling. I loved them. 

On the bag we put this poem. 

On Wednesday we did a full gourmet popcorn bar. Heather and I made 6 double batches of popcorn on Tuesday night. Melissa and Jenni came over for reinforcement...thank goodness they came to help. I would have been up all night. 

We did: snickers, grasshopper mint, hot chocolate with marshmallows, caramel apple pie, monster cookie dough, and cookies and cream. 

I wish I had taken a picture of the table. We set out 6 trifle bowls and make cute thank you bags for them to fill. It looked so cute. 

Thursday we did the luncheon. We did a baseball theme BBQ lunch. 

I hand made the menu poster the night before. I regretted my decision after I started then had to finish it. I was already sleep deprived. What difference did it make???

We made smoked pulled pork and chicken. 

We decorated the room with baseball paraphernalia. 

The week before we had students write letters to the teachers. We covered the walls with their letters. 

On Friday we set out a banana split bar with waffle cone bowls. I forgot to get a picture but it was cute. I was just worn out by Friday. We also drew a raffle with about 20 different gift cards. 

There were some really cute doors that the room mothers did. I was impressed. I was also very disappointed in a few people that said they would do a door and then didn't. Heather and I were scrambling the weekend before to do a couple of doors last minute. It was very frustrating.  I just am a woman of my word and am floored that some people are okay with completely dropping the ball. okay...I am done venting.

Here were some of my favorites. 

This is the banner in the front office... I hope they enjoyed it and felt appreciated.  

We LOVE Park Elementary teachers and staff!!! 

Randy's Birthday...The big 34

Randy's birthday fell on a Saturday this year which was nice so we could do something fun. The kids made their their dad egg burritos for breakfast. Then he had to run off to a Young Men's service project. As soon as he got home we loaded up the wheelers to celebrate in the mountains. 

Randy invited the Shields and the Titensors to come with us. We went to Cub River, Idaho.

Wyatt and Todd

Brad got to ride his motorcycle. 

The girls rode in the Maverick with H and Carter. 

 This was the before picture when we were clean. You should have seen us after. Our faces were covered in mud and dirt.

There was a puddle of water in front of this big rock. Nate was nice to carry all the kids and women across. 

Cub river is so beautiful. I love that we live so close. 

We drove until we hit snow. They guys were brave and went up the road a bit. Brad and I stayed behind. 

We didn't want to get stuck in the snow. 

On the way back H and Carter crashed. They both slept the whole way down. 

Lyndsee and Claire both rode with their dads. 

H was being a goofball on the way home. 

Once we got back we showered and went to dinner to celebrate some more. 

We went to Takaras for sushi with Shields, Titensors, and Nortons. 

Then to Orange Leaf for ice-cream after. 

Happy Birthday Randy!!!  We love you!!!

Hyrum State Park

We met Papa and Nanny after school at Hyrum Lake to get some fishing in before the sun went down. They day was beautiful!!! 

Brad and Papa couldn't wait to get their lines in the water. 

Nanny drove while Claire watched the fish finder. 

Randy got off work a bit early so we picked him up at the dock. 

 H had his binoculars out looking for birds. he loved it when the boat went over a group of ducks and they dove under the water. We found an eagles nest on a post. 

Randy let H real in a few times. 

The fishing died down a bit so the kids wanted to have a wild ride in the boat. 

Who let this kid drive??

We were sad when the sun started to set. We could have stayed on the water for hours. 

Thanks Nanny and Papa. 

We can't wait until some summer vacations. 

Turkey Hunting FEVER

Uncle Matt has been an avid turkey hunter for years. He finally got his prize this year.

He bagged this beautiful Tom

It's beard was huge...

Carter and H were entertained watching Uncle Matt. 

Plucking off all the feathers...I am still finding feathers in all my flower gardens. 

Matt asked me to cook it for him. We stuffed and roasted it that day. I was surprised how good it tasted. I was gearing up for it to be tough and gamey.  It was honestly the best turkey I have ever had. It was so fresh and moist. We had a big thanksgiving dinner in April. 

Brad's Youth Turkey hunt opened 2 days later... Brad has some serious turkey hunting fever!!!

Randy, Matt, and Nate took Brad up the mountain early before school started. Brad just finished up his hunters education so he had never shot at an animal. He was super excited. The boys said Brad was so noisy hiking up to their spot. Turkeys have really good ears and eyes so you have to be really quiet. They were worried he had scared them all off. As soon as they got set up a couple of birds answered their calls. 4 turkeys made there way towards their decoys. Brad did everything right. He waited until he had a clean shot at 15 yards. Calm as can be he shot his 20 gage and dropped his prize. Randy said after the shot there was nothing calm about him. He threw down his gun and scrambled after his morning trophy. 

You can even see his grin through his face mask. 

Proud dad and Uncle. Way to go Brad.

Brad said hiking back to the truck was way more fun. Even though the turkey was heavy. He wouldn't let anyone help him. He wanted to do it all himself. 

Looking over Richmond. We are so blessed to live in such a beautiful place. 

He was excited to come home and show all of us his prize. 

In just a few years it will be all three of my guys doing this. 

Brad came home in time to make it to school but we decided to take him to L.D's to celebrate.

 Nate even went into work late so the Shields could join in on the celebration. 

On the way he had to call both of his grandpa's to tell them all about it. 

I have a feeling this is just the beginning of hunting around here.