Savannah worked 40 hours this week and made significant progress on her mission papers!  Now she just needs to go to the doctor and the dentist.  Pretty close!  She also corralled as many siblings as possible into watching Star Wars I and started on Star Wars II.  She wants her family to be completely Star Wars educated before she leaves on her mission.

Sarah had school and work and tennis this week and even did some shopping for herself.  She wanted her siblings to watch a romance flick with her and finally got her wish Saturday when Megan, Mariah, and Sarah all cried through the end of The Notebook together.

Megan had school this week and in addition to watching movies with Savannah and Sarah, also did some movie watching with Josh.  She also made it to the temple to do baptisms this week and largely due to her prodding got to see the Payson Temple Open House with those who didn't see it before:  Savannah, Mariah, and Dad.  They loved it!

Mariah's stomach flu kept her out of the school and on the couch all of Monday.  She insisted on going back to school on Tuesday, though she didn't eat anything all day except soda crackers and Gatorade.  We kept her home from basketball practices all week, too, but Thursday and Friday were the regional finals for the junior high track season.  She ran in all her races which is a miracle in and of itself, because, really--what fuel was she running on?  But she didn't PR nor place--except for in her 4x400 relay where every runner ran under a 1:10 lap and they took first place!  That Mariah is an amazing girl and you just can't keep her down!

Mariah's First Place 4x400 team

Cheyenne and Calianne started softball games this week.  They are having so much fun and I think Kevin's having a good time being on the ball field again.  He is taking a much more relaxed position this time around and I am so proud of him!  Cali and Chey both turned in state reports this week, too.  Calianne had Missouri and Cheyenne had Colorado.  As part of the report, they had to make a mini parade float that represented their state.  They did a great job on them and they looked terrific!

Bethany had dance and school and friends.  She is our cheerful helper around here and is always willing to help clean or cook or set the table.  She does ask if she can have fruit snacks afterward because she was such a good helper. . .

Benjamin had Joy School at our house this week and it was my last time teaching this year which means . . . it was my last time ever?  Crazy!  I feel like I should throw myself a retirement party or something.  Wouldn't that be great?  Ha, ha.  I will settle with having some happy memories.

We also got to go over to Gazdik's this week to celebrate Grandpa's birthday!  We are so happy to have him in our life!  Happy Birthday Grandpa!