Summer Highlights...

First of all...

 

Little Miracle, Maya Kate is the newest Mangum.  She made her debut on her daddy's birthday.  We can't wait to meet this sweet little girl. 

 

Secondly, we had the privilege of traveling to North Carolina to attend Seth's baptism and visit with loved ones.

These flowers are from Jordan's garden.  The Mangum home is beautiful and so warm and welcoming.  Poor Taylor couldn't get anyone to sit with her at the big table.

 

We need Uncle Brent around to keep his nieces in line.

 

Four out of five of us were together.  The fifth was axiously awaiting the arrival of his daughter.

 

Then we traveled to Chicago.  The boys enjoyed a Cubs/White Sox game while the girls went to the American Girl Doll store and visited some very fun shops.

 

The American Girl Doll store was a dream come true for Carley!

  

Then off to Nebraska to visit Elder and Sister Mangum.  We conveniently planned our visit the same time as Aaron and Jeni, so we could see them too and love on Calyn and Logan.  Winter Quarters was amazing!

 

Nice!!!!

 

Then on to Nauvoo to rendevous with the Robertson's!  This is the most beautiful temple I have ever laid eyes on!  You would think it is a postcard, but Carley is in there.

 

Somehow Gracee got cut-off.  You can see the Mississippi River in the background.  We saw the Nauvoo pageant and the amazing sites.  Taylor did a baptism session, while Tim and I did a session in the temple.  Thanks Blake and Debbie for entertaining Dallin and Carley!  

More to come when we upload pictures from Taylor's camera.

And the Summer is off to an Exciting Start...

 Taylor and I took a trip to The Big Apple with Kim, Kelly, and Gayle.  This is Time Square.

 

Everyone has to experience the germy subway!

 

We thought this jewelry store was pretty unique, considering we were the Martin's/Busch's

 

 

Taylor just returned from Girls Camp today.  She was a fourth year and this is her group returning from the 4th year overnighter.  She had a great time.

 

She will love that I have posted camp pictures!!!

 

Here it is mom!  Nestled among my antiques.  I love it!!!!  Thank you for this beautiful graduation present!

 

We are heading down south for a very important event tomorrow, but I must get on the road...so more pictures next week!  Love you guys!!!!!!

Another School Year Down...

 

This was our field trip to the Pioneer Village. 

 

They decided I needed some time in the slammer with Old Joe.

 

Our great Egg-Drop.  My two science classes were given the task to see who could design the best contraption out of the given supplies of:  a sandwich baggie, 6 cotton balls, paper lunch bag, 6 straws, a meter of tape, and a meter of yarn.  They were assigned to small groups of four and given 45 minutes to design a contraption that would keep an egg safe during a 12 foot drop.  

They collaborated mightily!

 

And designed and redesigned.

 

Who would save the egg?

 

Not Carley's team!

 

The team that was most unlikely to succeed!!!!!  I love it when that happens!!!!!

 

And what a contraption it was!!!!

 

Wow!  Not even a slight crack!

 

The crew!

It was a bitter-sweet day for most of us!

All of them have left me for the fifth grade...but this is definitely one crew that will stay in my heart forever!   

Good luck to my  little cuties!  May next year's class be as wonderful!

A Day for Celebration!

 

We did it!  

 Apparently the ceremony was a tiny bit boring for these three!  They had to entertain themselves somehow!

 

This is my good friend Jimmy.  We did the whole program together, he teaches fourth grade in another school district and is an outstanding teacher.  We mentored each other through the whole thesis process.  His wife is the one who decorated our cars on the last night of class.

 

Tim surprised me with a party after the ceremony.  I thought we were going out for a family dinner, but I came home to co-workers and friends.  What a fun night!

 

Another chapter completed!  

If you would have asked me a few years ago if I was going to pursue further education, the answer would have been a definite "No"! I was content staying home with my babies and being a mom.  But plans change, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to grow and learn, now that it is complete!  I am definitely walking away a much better teacher!  And yes, I am going to pursue further education at this point.  Not for a few years, but I do plan to go through another graduation and eventually complete my Ph.D.  Yikes!!!!  It is even scary to admit that.

Done!

On April 21st we officially completed our Master's Degree!  It was a bitter-sweet night as we met for the last time as a class.  There were 18 of us that endured the whole two years together and what friendships we made.  I, for one, am definitely walking away a better teacher with many friends whom I dearly treasure.

 

A spouse of one of my classmates decorated our cars in honor of the big night!

 

 

Of course we had to go out and celebrate! 

 

Lori and Laurie!

 

And, here she is!!!  Waiting to be bound, handed-in, and graded. That's a lot of trees!  Professors should really take that into consideration when assigning these outrageous assignments!

This is an A paper, my grade came in the mail today!!!!!  Now it is really official.  Tonight was the first Thursday in a very long time that I did not sit in class, but was a normal person.  I came home from school, did laundry, cooked dinner, laid on the couch with my husband and watched TV!  Wow, so this is what it feels like to relax and not have to feel guilty that I'm not reading a textbook and getting started on my next assignment, I LOVE it!!!!!

They Just Kept Multiplying...

 

We are Almost Back!!!!

 

Two more weeks before my Thesis is due, and then we are going to be back in business!  I can be a normal person and possibly enjoy some of the things I have had to neglect for way too long!  My apologies for neglecting our blog and you missing out on our winter adventures.  Here are a few highlights to get started...

Our family enjoyed a ski trip to Seven Springs Resort in Pennsylvania a few weeks ago.  It rained most of the day which was a big bumber, but hey, they made memories together while my laptop and I had a hot date in the lodge.  Needless to say, they were drowned rats after a couple of hours, we left early!

 

Dallin turned 12!!!!!  How can that be?

 

My beautiful princesses were escorted to the Princess Ball by their father!

 

Brent and Annie came for Dallin's Priesthood ordination.  Annie was able to experience snow for the first time, she wasn't impressed!

 

Dallin received the Priesthood.  What a handsome Deacon he is!

 

What an important day! 

 

Brent made a new friend!  

It  was so wonderful to have him here to be part of Dallin's ordination circle.  Thanks for all the sacrifices that were made to be here!  And I got to spend some quality time with my little Annie.

Many more memories to come, I promise!!

I just have to get through these next two weeks and I am home free!  My Thesis is due next Thursday and I defend it on April 21st............The light is finally at the end of the tunnel, we are going to make it!!!!!

Hugs and love and kisses to you all!