Bishops

Last Sunday, Connor and Tanner were playing chess at the kitchen table. I overheard them talking about the "Bishops." It went something like this:

Connor, "Here's Bishop Kokenes. He's retired, that's why he's off the board."

Tanner, "Here's Bishop Black. He's awesome."

Connor, "Here's Bishop Speirs. He's on my side."

I guess the boys really do pay attention to who their bishops are.

I'm grateful for everyone, including "Bishops" who help my boys become good men.

Chess pieces
	King
	Queen
	Rook
	Bishop
	Knight

Tanner Water Boarding

Connor water boarding

At the 4th Grade Awards at the end of the school year, an award was given to about 6 boys and 6 girls. I think this one was solely chosen by the teachers (as opposed to last years' award where the students got a say). Anyways, it's always fun to have someone else say good things about your child:

Underneath a shy little grin is a student that puts his best effort into everything he attempts. He is never satisfied unless he believes he has perfected the project or assignment. He is academically strong in every subject, respected by his peers who enjoy his dry sense of humor, and admired by his teachers for his gentlemanly manners and cooperative attitude. He enjoys science, math, sports, and video games. All, he says I always tell the truth even in difficult situations, and I share with my little sister. Congratulations to Connor Greenwood.

-Mrs. Dowd
Fourth Grade Teacher

He's a Teenager

HAPPY 13TH BIRTHDAY, QUINN!!!!!

Quinn is 13 today, July 16, 2009. He was born in Utah at 2:17 pm, 7 lb. 2 oz., 19" long. It was a very neat day (understatement).

Tanner spent his own money to buy him a game at GameStop. Quinn had breakfast "out of bed": bacon, oj, cinnamon rolls and eggs.

We'll meet some friends at the park this morning. Tonight is dinner and cake with Eldon, Stephanie and Sophie.

Quinn's such a good boy! We're so lucky he's in our family.

It's been too long

It's been far too long since I've posted last and I can't seem to add pictures. Weird (about the pictures, not the not posting for so long).

So, I guess I'll write now and post pictures later. But, it's hard to write without pictures.

John and Melissa visited....we laughed and talked. We wanted to go to Lake Mineral Wells to see Sara and Scott, but it rained and rained. So, Sara and Scott came here, as did Eldon and Stephanie. We made our own fun.... the dads made a homemade boogie/surf board the kids used in the way-back field in the puddles of water.

Quinn went to scout camp. Scott was there for a chunk of the time. He caught a fish and made a hut to sleep in for wilderness survival. He has had a crazy-good time playing on 4 post season baseball teams. That was pretty cool (actually the games were SO HOT to be at in June and July). He's taking some math tutoring this summer -- making sure he knows what was covered last year and getting a head start for this coming year. He also got bottom braces put on. Ouch!

Connor made me proud by receiving one of the VFW awards at school. They would read a little about the student before presenting the award. Scott and I got to go up front to receive it with him. There were maybe 6 girls and 6 boys from the 4th grade selected. We have rented his cello that he will play in orchestra at school this fall. He's pulled it out a couple of times. I like it (and I think he does, too).

Tanner went to Twilight Cub Scout camp. He had a great time doing BBs and archery, etc. All of us participated (Scott was a nurse for a couple days, Traci & I ran the arts/crafts class, Connor was in the Webelos II group, Allison in a sibling patrol, and Quinn helped a couple of days.) Tanner's been loving going swimming this summer, but is really looking forward to TACKLE football this fall--I have gone against my better judgement and registered him.

Allison keeps turning kartwheels and doing splits around the house. She just finished painting one of the boys' boxes they made at cub scout camp. She's been playing babies like crazy, ever since Scott got down the boxes that have the old baby clothes in! She has been swimming this summer, but she keeps swimming with one hand, since she plugs her nose with the other! What's a mom to do?

I am now in the Primary again! Jackpot. I love working with the children. I get to teach Sharing Time this Sunday. It's about Family Home Evening. I can't wait.

Scott took me to Lake Whitney B&B recently. It was a great get-away. He's also taking a few days off next week where we'll go on a little trip, this time with the kids.

On my run this morning, I was considering a post about numbers and July----
We've been married 16 years on the 23rd
Quinn turns into a teenager (13) on the 16th

It's been 4 years since we've been trying to add a baby to our family

July is a happy and sad marker of time.
I love being married and having kids, I'm happy and sad to see them get older and realize that Quinn will leave home in 5 years....Allison is only 5.
They are just numbers, right?
(But they are tied to my heart!)

Little Prints

2009
2009
2008
2008

Mother's Day handprints done at Mrs. Talley's.
Today was her last day of pre-school.
Tears.

NJHS Yeah, buddy

Quinn was recently inducted into the National Junior Honor Society.

He'll keep track of service hours and attend a few meetings.

His first set of service hours will likely be at Cub Scout Twilight Camp being a Den Chief.

That boy seems to always make me so proud.