Today was a busy day. I picked Nancy up from the airport and had a girls camp meeting. We did our Saturday cleaning and got ready for Brandon to come home from Sky Mountain. He made it home and seemed to have a fantastic time up there. He made some friends and did some great activities. We are all glad to have him home. He got home and some of his friends came and surprised him. Nicole and her great friend made a chocolate cake and spent some of the day together. So good to have good friends and to be together again as a family.
Tag Archives: Nicole
Seminary Graduation
Last night was the seminary graduation for Nicole and her senior friends from church. I was proud of them for their hard work and sacrifice with early morning rising and scripture study over the last four years. What a great accomplishment and start for their lives. I will be excited to see what they all do and accomplish and become in the next few years. They have all been a great support to each other over the last few years in high school and church and seminary.
Receiving the diploma from her old seminary teacher
Shaking the bishop’s (Dad’s) hand
Fun with friends
With the key note speaker, Mark Madsen
The seven graduates – Miko Josh Sinclaire Lena Nicole Spencer Dante
The siblings hanging out
With Janet- dear friend, seminary teacher, Young Women’s President
With Jammie and Grandpa
Mom and Daughter lunch
Today we went to lunch with one of Nicole’s best friends and her mom. We wanted to surprise the graduates with a special mom and daughter lunch. We did not tell the girls we were meeting, so Nicole thought just the two of us were having a special lunch, but surprise, we had four for lunch instead! We had some yummy food and special time with these girls. They were both excellent students and great buddies since middle school.
Last day of school!
This was our earliest end of school since my kids have been in school. They ended in May this year. We have adjusted to the new time frame just fine. Here are the kids with their teachers and buddies. My parents were here for the day after graduation. We took Nicole to lunch after her early morning arrival and a few hours of sleep. We had a delicious fish market lunch. I feel blessed they were able to come help celebrate Nicole’s graduation from high school. They are dear and blessed in our lives.
Nicole’s graduation 2013!
We had a beautiful Palo Alto evening for Nicole’s graduation from Gunn High School. My mom and dad joined us for the events. It was wonderful to celebrate a great four years of high school with Nicole and many wonderful friends. They decorate the top of their caps with the college they will be attending.
Eagle Court of Honor
Nicole took pictures at our close friend’s eagle court of honor. So great to see these kids meeting goals, serving each other, and making good decisions. I am glad to see Nicole using her photography skills to help others!
Memorial Day adventures
We had a wonderful Memorial Day. We didn’t make it to the Golden Gate National Cemetery like we usually do. Brandon went on Saturday and decorated the graves with flags with the Boy Scouts.
So we held a cousins’ piano recital at the Westerlind’s house. It is amazing to see these kids progress and the work and time of practice and lessons.
Then after the piano recital we had a book club with the cousins and adults. We read this book by Lois Lowry. Maren chose this book and resonated with the strong 10 year old girl who was the main character.
We were invited to attend a barbecue for incoming BYU freshman from our stake. What a great group of kids!
The house had a pool. We didn’t bring swimming suits, but that didn’t stop Robin, Maren and Camille from having a grand old time.
End of year awards
It was another one of those nights. We did a bit of running to and from two awards evenings at the high school. First, Brandon received an award from his baseball coach for all his hard work and dedication and good playing on the JV team. He went from not making the team to becoming the starting 3rd baseman. It was a great honor.
Nicole had her last French awards evening. She placed in the national test again and also was awarded a scholarship. She got her honor cords for the French Honor society to wear at graduation. She and one of her best friends won the scholarship together. She also performed as Candide’s love interest in a short French play. It was a fun evening.
Last year in high school together
With more buddies and awards
Silly pictures at Gunn
Camille’s serious shot upon arriving at home
1st grade student showcase/YW Recognition Night
This afternoon Robin gave us a tour of her first grade classroom. She has had a fabulous year of learning. Her reading has grown by leaps and bounds. She has been thriving learning about African animals. She loves her friends. She loves math. She has become articulate and confident.
Here is the tooth story, and Robin lost a tooth yesterday just to go along with the book.
Self Portrait
Sunset silhouette
Awesome African animal reports
Proud mom
Tonight Nicole and the graduating seniors were recognized by the Menlo Park stake for their accomplishments. Nicole and her cousins and many friends were recognized for completing their personal progress awards.
I am proud of all these girls and their accomplishments. Mostly I am grateful for Nicole and her faith, obedience, dilligence, creativity, strength, and good works.
Mother’s Day 2013
Every year that passes deepens my love for my children. It was a simple and sweet mother’s day. The greatest gift was having Erik home more, fewer meetings at church. He brought me breakfast in bed. We both had singing and piano assignments that took us to church early. He sang in a beautiful barbershop quartet version of Love at Home in Relief Society. I accompanied the young women singing He Sent His Son in sacrament meeting with a beautiful flute and violin accompaniment.
After church we took a few photos in the back yard.
Then we headed over to Jammie and Grandpa’s house for dinner and sharing of how our mothers have influenced us. I found these fun photos of my mom and Erik’s mom from our wedding reception in Salt Lake after we were married.
I enjoyed seeing this artichoke, newly picked. I also loved Robin and her cousins frolicking in the backyard.
I felt the love of my husband and my kids. I enjoyed the unity and fun of this relaxing Mother’s Day.