More Pics from March

From top to bottom, Tori with grandma and grandpa, her trophy, and her dance team. Katie showing off her first place medal! Katie getting ready to perform! It was a great time for everyone!!! (:

March 2012

This month we had lots of crazy stuff going on! One big thing that happened was the girls' dance competition in St. George. This was Katie's first year competing and she was so excited! She did so good--her team took first place to the song Dynamite!!! We are so proud of her. Tori did a solo and a group dance. Both of them took first place as well!!! It was her second year doing a solo and she loved it!! We had a great time enjoying some fun in the sun with Grandma and Grandpa Shields.
This month Tori also had her spring concert in her school orchestra. She plays violin. It's a great opportunity and she has also started taking private Suzuki lessons. Katie loves watching her and hopes that she gets to start one day. Michael loved seeing the Hunger Games and Jake was a really good sport during his first basketball game of the season even though they lost.There's an update for ya for now!! Thanks for reading!(:

Cheaper by the Dozen

Oh what difference a year makes! We added three little ones to our family- Jessica's kids- Taylor (5) Brian (2) and Jason (10 months). The baby came in May and Tay and Bry in July. It has been an absolute trial and blessing to have three new additions! We just go nonstop- and receive enough love and encouragement to keep going- I pray the Lord will provide these children with the blessings they need and that we can be one part of their healing and improving their lives.

Birthday Bash

Katie turned 6 in September and had a "surprise" PJ party! We has lots of fun playing games and eating pizza with her cute friends!
Tori turned 12 on Friday and celebrated by ditching school at lunchtime for Cheesecake Factory with me and Tony- yum! Followed by the Draper temple with me, Tony, and Michael for baptisms for the dead- so sweet!
I love my family! What a blessing!

Back 2 School

What a sad joke to start school in the heat of the summer- the kids are doing well- Tori ran for student body president with the slogan "Got Tori?" Her speech, after winning for her class, was on complimenting each other to make the school a better place and SHE WON! So excited for her! Katie started Kindergarten with Ms. Stuart, a brand-new teacher, and is doing well. Jake is finding 3rd grade to be a challenge- I hope he can figure it out soon! His class has a pirate theme this year, which is fun for him! Michael has a couple more weeks before he starts 8th grade.

Family Reunion

We just got back for our Shields Family Reunion in St. George- we did lots of swimming and water-sliding because it was hot! We also went to see Despicable Me at the movies and tie-dyed shirts.

So proud of Michael for earning his Eagle Scout! Since I'm his Mom (and the only person who knows this blog exists) I can have a Mom Moment here! Michael has been so lit up about scouting and set a goal to earn his Eagle while he was still 12- he was able to finish his project and merit badges at age 12 and had his Board of Review last week. He was the last interview of the night and the council thought he was the best- so prepared and spiritual and a true scout deserving of an Eagle. Michael's project was a food drive for the food bank- he said the biggest impact of scouting came when he was delivering food to a man who really needed it- the man didn't want them to leave. I am grateful Michael has learned to serve and to be industrious- not to mention- thrifty, brave, courteous, morally straight... I love my Eagle Scout!