Ben got baptized on Saturday! Congratulations Benjamin! We asked for special permission to have the baptism on a non-stake-baptism day since Meg will be giving her farewell talk this week and Kevin will be out-of-town next weekend and it worked so well to have it early. Because of our recent move and the change in date, we didn't think many would be there for the baptism. We were very happily surprised to have family, neighbors, and friends from both wards fill up the seats. What a lovely blessing. Sarah came back from Rexburg for the event(s) and everyone in the family participated! Kevin and Ben were the main event, of course. Savannah gave the opening prayer, Sarah played piano for prelude and opening song, Megan led the music, Mariah played piano for postlude, Calianne played piano for the closing song, and Cheyenne and Beth (piano and singing respectively) performed the musical number, "I Like to Look for Rainbows." I gave my mom's talk on baptism, Grandma Gazdik gave a talk on the Holy Ghost, and Grandpa Skinner gave the closing prayer. It was a lovely meeting full of the spirit and we are so proud of Ben and the direction he is heading in his life!

After the baptism, we went with our grandparents to Chuck-A-Rama (Ben's favorite restaurant) for lunch. Ben had four slushies and a bowl of ice cream (and some French fries and pizza) before heading for some hot chocolate, since he was shivering by then and he figured then he could "burn it all up so I'll have room for more!" Which he did since he managed another slushie before we left. Afterwards, we drove over to Bridal Veil falls to enjoy the beauty and being together a little longer! That night we got family pictures taken. We hope they turn out well!

This week was also the last week of school! I can hardly believe we are done for the next few months! Beth and Ben had a dance festival at school and they both danced GREAT! Bethany participated in her grade's talent show. She also had activity days this week and made a fairy garden! (I love it!!) They also both went to "School's Out!" parties on Friday.

Cheyenne and Calianne got a big group together to play tennis after the last day of school and then hung out with friends for the rest of the day. Mariah slept in! She also found someone to play basketball with. Its the best way to celebrate anything.

Savannah met up with Sister Wu (Christina) this week and treated her to some of her favorite pizza. It was fun to meet her in real life!

We were invited by the Francom's to a family track meet on Monday night. We had lots of fun!

Sunday was Mother's Day! For the first time in probably ever, my kids had two grandmas and a mom to celebrate! All my kids were there, too! It was super fun. What blessed women we are!

Savannah worked all week. She went out with an old friend from Elementary school on Thursday. On Saturday she completely cleaned out her car. It looks super nice!

Sarah went back up to Rexburg on Sunday. We sure loved seeing her! She continues to work hard in classes and as a tutor at BYU-I!

Megan continues to get ready for her mission. She and I went shopping a lot this week! Savannah even took a morning off and went with us once. Meg spoke in our Brookside ward this morning in her first of two farewell talks. She did fabulous. She has already gained so much confidence and gained so much strength from interacting with the Lord and finding answers from scripture. It strengthens my own faith to watch her.

Mariah had her last track practices this week! Then she had basketball camp on Friday and Saturday. She sure keeps herself busy! She had some big tests this week, too. She is excited to have them done and be looking at summer vacation just ahead!

Cali and Chey went to Lagoon with the junior high on Friday. They had tons of fun riding roller coasters with their friends. On Saturday, they had tennis lessons and a piano recital, where they played super well! That afternoon they went to the reservoir with two of their girl friends and Megan and Ammon (He's here for Meg's farewell)! Saturday night they went to another friend's house to hang out and make funnel cakes. Busy (fun) day for them!

They received Festival trophies for three years of superiors!

Cali made this skirt in sewing class at school!

Cheyenne tried on all the clothes in the house.

Bethany had a school program on Friday where all the fourth graders sang about Utah. They dressed up like pioneers and cowboys. She did great and they all sang super well! Beth also played in the piano recital on Saturday. She is making good progress! She also had karate this week and sewing and had a couple of friends over on Saturday.

Benjamin had his first baseball practice with his dad as coach. Hopefully that will be fun for both of them as they go along! He also had karate and guitar and played soccer with Cheyenne and jumped on the trampoline with Beth!

Kevin continues to work hard to help all the people who want help from him. This includes business partners, fellow therapists, clients, children, wife, parents, neighbors, and ward members. He does get a little worn down. This Saturday he had some time to himself, though, for the first time in a long time. I think he enjoyed that.

My parents left to go back to Vegas on Monday! It was so great to have them here! But I guess it was good for me to pay attention to my life again and get some things done. Megan and I made a lot of progress on mission stuff. We will see what we can get done this week, too!

My dad on our trail!

Megan went to the temple for the first time Saturday night! Savannah was there and Grandma and Grandpa Elton came from Las Vegas to be there and Grandma and Grandpa Gazdik came and our good friend, Robin. It was beautiful and we're so happy for Megan and happy for us! She will now have the blessings of the temple to strengthen her as she shares what she knows of God with the people of Malaysia. It's a joy to watch the decisions she makes.

Savannah had work all week and went on a date Friday night. She continues to help a lot around the house and is a wonderful support to her siblings and to me!

Sarah came home from BYU-I for Meg's big day and for Mother's Day! It's so fun to see her! She and Meg and the twins played tennis together Saturday morning and she and Meg and I went dress shopping in the afternoon. Good memories.

Mariah finished her track season this week! Yay! She ran the mile, the 800, and the 2 mile in the regionals meet. They ran in Heber so Kevin made the drive out to watch one of her events. She's done a great job and her hard work and dedication continues to impress all of us. Track ended Thursday and she had a two-day basketball tournament Friday and Saturday where they won every game. Go Mariah!

Cheyenne and Calianne also finished their track season this week. Their district meet was Thursday and Friday. Thursday was sunny and HOT. Friday was rainy and COLD! They ran four events in both extremes and did great. Springville Junior beat Mapleton Junior and they are triumphant!

Beth and Ben had a school party at the roller rink on Monday night. Somehow they convinced me to take them! It was fun to watch them. Ben brought his scooter and he zoomed around the rink earning himself a sore butt by the end but lots of fun! Bethany had never roller skated for real before. Her friends helped her around and by the end she was skating on her own! It was a fun night.

Last Sunday, Ben, Beth, Cali, Chey, Megan, Kevin, and I (oh, and Ammon!) drove to Idaho for Kevin's Aunt Alice's funeral. She is Kevin's mom's sister and was always loving and interested in our family! We met up with Sarah while we were there (of course!) and went to the viewing Sunday night. Kevin got to reconnect with lots of family that he hadn't seen in a long, long while and introduce them to his own! We stayed with Kevin's dad and Maria that night and they fed us great food and made us very comfortable. We always love spending time with them so it was an added treat.

This is Ammon on Ammon Rd. in Ammon, Idaho.

The next day, Ammon drove on the rest of the way to his family in Washington and the rest of us went to Alice's funeral. It was very lovely and we learned a lot about Grandma Gazdik's growing-up years at the same time. The best part, though, was reconnecting with family. Grandma has a large and loving family and it is a blessing to be a part of it.

The siblings who are left.

Cousins and boyhood friends

Kevin was only home for one day before leaving again. He spent the rest of the week in Arizona at the IITAP conference where he taught a workshop and a class. He also got to attend a Dodger's game! My dad loves the Dodgers. Kevin really enjoyed it! He is back with us today very worn out but glad to be home! We are glad to have him, too!

I also attended a conference this week. It was in Provo so I was home in the evenings, but otherwise, yes, we pretty much left our children parentless! It's a good thing they take care of each other so well. Savannah and Megan and Mariah all helped and everyone had crazy weekends, so it really meant a lot to me!

I attended LDStorymakers and learned lots of useful things from famous authors and agents. I even got to meet up with "Libby's mom." Libby is Sarah's roommate at BYU-I and they figured out that their moms were doing the same thing that weekend. So, of course we had to get together! Now Denise and I are best friends, too. It was a fantastic three days and I loved every minute of it!

This was my publication workshop. The gal in blue is Jennifer Jenkins. She wrote Nameless. You should all go read it! The rest of us will be famous really soon. :)

I even won a book!

Savannah worked Monday thru Friday this week. Most days she took Megan to work and brought her home (since they work really close to each other), too. She had to come home early on Thursday to help her absentee Mom and miss some games with friends on Saturday to help some more. She was a great help. She did get to celebrate Star Wars Day (May the Fourth) at work and celebrated Cinco de Mayo with Jessica's family on Saturday.

Megan worked Tuesday through Saturday this week at the Helaman Creamery for almost a 40 hour week! That's the end, though. She had that last push and now she is done with work and will be able to spend all her time getting ready for her mission. 30 days people. She and I may or may not be freaking out. (!!!!)

Mariah had the BYU Track meet on Saturday! She ran in the 800m and the mile. It worked out really well that her meet was at BYU because she just went to work with Megan and then Meg drove her home at the end of her shift. Happy day! She had a fun time at the meet. She didn't PR, but ran well.

Chey and Cali had a track meet on Friday. Mariah was able to watch some of their events and bring them home, which was awesome. They both had a great meet and Cali reached her goal of qualifying for the 800m. Now they're both qualified! They also went to a birthday party Friday night. Fun times!

Bethany had a track meet this week! The annual Springville track meet for elementary students had the 4th graders compete on Thursday. Beth ran the 50m, the 100m, and the 400m. Boy, that 400m can be long! She did super and made it to the semi-finals in the 50m and the 100m. Go Beth! She also had sewing on Friday and finished the nightgown on which she's been working. It is super cute! (So is she!)

Benjamin had his second pack meeting this week, but his first with his uniform (that I proudly got from Ebay for less than half the $50 they wanted at the BSA office (hello BSA! It's a SHIRT!) Still, he does look heart-meltingly trustworthy, loyal, and kind in it. (Maybe it's worth $50 afterall.) Ben also played in two soccer games this week (attended by his sisters since his parents were AWOL) and went to a birthday party. Fun times!