Registration Rigamarole

Such a small little sticker ... what a stressful mess! Landon's truck was up for inspection and registration. Landon took it in and it didn't pass. The "check engine" light had been on. He took it into our local mechanic for a fix.

It wan't a quick or easy (or inexpensive) fix.

Basically, one of the cylinders was misfiring, causing it to spew a little too much exhaust (nothing visible, but apparently above the standards for inspection). The fix? A new engine! Ummmm ... of course we had waited until close to the expiration of the truck before finding the motivation to get in and now we were out of time. Not only would the repair be costly ($5000+) but could possibly also take weeks! At this point we had to consider if it was even worth it to invest more money into the truck. Decisions, decisions, and no time.

I called and got some information and options ... apparently we could possibly get a waiver for the year if we showed we had attempted a repair and spent a required amount of money. We'd had the truck into the shop BEFORE the repair, trying to address the "check engine" issue but it hadn't fixed the issue.

Landon went into the DMV to apply for a temporary extension (two weeks) ... the truck had been expired for TWO DAYS when he was pulled over and given a ticket. SO frustrating for me! I am a bit OCD about registration and am aware of so many people driving around months expired. I couldn't believe the cop would be that mean to grab Landon who had expired over the weekend, when it was apparent we were aware of it and doing our best to remedy the situation. Grrrrrrr .... $90. Thanks a lot Sandy City Police Department!

After many more phone conversations, another trip to the shop, a trip back into the original location who had done some work ... Grayson went in and applied for the waiver. It was granted. Whew. It doesn't really solve anything, it just buys us a little time to decide what to do and make it happen. It will at least leave Landon with a car and a way to get around until he leaves on his mission, then we can stick it in the shop or do whatever we decide to do.

Callahan driving is just around the corner ...

He turns 16 just days after Landon leaves ...

Spring Soccer - Colton and the Crew

 Uncle Clayton contacted us and asked if we were putting Colton in soccer for the Spring season. Colton definitely wanted to play, but all our little friends in the neighborhood he had played with previously had moved. So when Uncle Clay asked Colton to join his team, we said ok. It was a little bit further to drive ... but parking was actually a lot better than over at the West Jordan fields.

They had a great season. An undefeated season! Colton managed to score a goal in every game I believe. It was fun to play with cousin Addie, as see family at the games. Colton made a good friend with Derek, another great player on the team.

It's always funny posing for the team pictures. As they were patiently waiting Colton moaned "this takes SO long, like literally 15 minutes!"

Team Picture. Spring 2014. 

I didn't make it to every game (scheduling conflicts with brother's basketball) but I got video on the times I went and made a quick highlight reel to spotlight the season.  Great to take hours of footage and condense it into a couple minutes!

Father's Day 2014

Father's Day ... five such handsome boys to take after their daddy! They weren't too happy about attempting to squint into the sun for my photo though!

As is Father's Day tradition around here, we went to Scott and Amy's house for the annual Father's Day barbecue. I brought jello cubes and Chex mix ... I ate way too much of the Chex mix. We take the annual Father's Day photo with everyone. We try to get a couple "good" photos, then a "funny face" one ... I guess Jared didn't get the message that this photo wasn't a funny face photo!

I thought it would be good to take a picture with Dad and us six kidlets. I can't remember if we've ever done that. It turned into quite the production, with so many camera's taking pictures, and of course Grayson always makes everyone (especially Derek) laugh. My oldest brother, my youngest brother and my hubby ... I swear it's a competition to see who can have the shortest hair (I think Derek wins, as he actually bics it).

It was a fun day of family, photos, food ... and Fitbits! That's what Mom got Dad for Father's Day. Many in the family have them now (Callahan just got his) and so there was a lot of Fitbit talk as well.

Gray posted a sweet tribute to my dad on Facebook ... this is what he said:

My father-in-law’s name is Lamar but I’ve only always known him as dad. Here are a few random recollections:

• In the 90’s he would obtain a yearly “rock permit” allowing him to bring rock down from Big Cottonwood Canyon. Each year, armed with a wheelbarrow, shovel and a truck we would haul load after load down to the house. Those rocks now adorn and comprise the sandbox, the cellar, walkways and, of course, the fountain and pond. He gives new meaning to “the wise man built his house upon a rock” or perhaps “this wise man built the rocks around his house."
• I’ve never met anyone as passionate about and committed to compost. Whether it is the Cool Whip container next to the kitchen sink or the 4’ deep pit in the yard, organic material and scrap does not go wasted in this household. I see now where Jen gets her aversion to waste.
• Dad (and mom) will be my lifelong excuse for NOT doing genealogical work. There doesn’t seem to be an aspect of genealogy and the technologies available that dad isn’t conversant in. I remember getting my first iPad years ago and he and I had a discussion about the iPad, centered around its suitability (or lack thereof) for use in family history work. I must confess that his sometimes passionate and highly detailed explanations on the ins and outs of family history work may be lost on me. I have not been a quick study. 
• I’ve heard him speak over and over again, in glowing terms about the doings and accomplishments of his grandchildren. He seems to be one of their biggest fans. He is quiet, and gentle and giving…and I am a better person for having known him. 

Dad, thanks for all…I hope it’s a good day.

End of Elementary

It was nine months ago, that I took Colton and Cooper to their NEW elementary school. We'd made the switch from Columbia to Terra Linda to get onto a traditional schedule. I think after the initial scary start, everyone benefited from the change. It was SO nice not going off-track and having big breaks during the school year. And, the little boys got to get out at the same time as the big boys, and we got to have a SUMMER!

But before school ends ... it's time for school programs and awards!

Cooper's class did a program, including the infamous
 4th grade recorders.

Here's a clip ..

https://youtu.be/A8wEeQNYVmg

.

Colton's program had been a little earlier (in April)
Here's some highlights from his.

https://youtu.be/q5KDsH_bndE

Onto the AWARDS ...

Colton got a medal for math and received the "Tiger'sPride" award (only two given per class). Cooper received the "Citizenship" award (only two kids per class get it). The 4th grade also participated in the Presidential Fitness program. Cooper wasn't able to complete ONE of the activities (the v-sit) to earn the highest award (I think only three kids in the 4th grade made it) but did get the National Fitness Award (along with about a third of the class *Ü*).  You can read a little more about the program on my JenB'sJourney blog. 

We did have a school scare at the end of the year ... we were told Terra Linda was going to have to switch to a year-round schedule. The district was redoing boundaries and pushing another neighborhood into the school increasing it's load. I was SO sad. Switching schools just to get on the traditional schedule, loving it ... and for only one year? However, Terra Linda is going to stick with a traditional schedule at least for another year. I literally danced when I heard. I'll take it, and cross my fingers that it continues!

And now for a FULL summer!

Graduation Day!

I can't believe it ... we've got a graduate! Wasn't it just yesterday Landon was starting kindergarten? He's such a self-starter, always up early, got a little college credit under his belt already (concurrent enrollment, and he passed his AP tests). Having a kid in school, you know what is happening day to day. The next few years ... hmmm, it's going to be interesting!

I was really not sure of all that needed to be done. I know everyone does professional graduation photos for announcements and such these days. I'd put that off, but Aunt Alicia (GrayWrenPhotography) was willing to squeeze us in. I searched for announcement ideas on Pinterest and then whipped this up myself (I've got skills!)

Then it was the big day! The graduation was being held downtown at Energy Solutions Arena.  The graduates needed to be there a little early. Rather than having to come home (from his NSL work) Grayson just met us there. Landon and I caught a ride with a fellow student's family. Maga and Aunt Ana came too. The speakers were good, and there were only a few minor insurgencies (beach balls being tossed about). 

Afterward, we had an early dinner at Tepanyaki. Yummy! The graduation had been mid-day, and the other boys still had school. I know some families would pull their kids and have them attend the graduation too, but the brothers weren't really interested (sitting for a couple hours? Like church?) and it was fun field day for the little ones. It was a bit difficult, as I had to arrange for the boys to go home with neighbors as we were still downtown at pick-up time. 

ConGRADulations Landon!

Elementary Artwork

Part of the school day at elementary is dedicated to art. When the kids are small, we hang their masterpieces on the fridge. I do still have Cooper's 3-D snowflake (Winter Weather) from a previous year. This year I came in and volunteered once a week. Often my duties were hanging up the recent works of art that the kids had worked on. It was fun to see all the variety from all the kids. The school had an evening activity to show off all the kid's artwork. I snapped pictures of Cooper's projects. Sometimes it's hard to store the actual papers, but pictures are forever ...

It's always good to see the creative push, not only academics.

Check out some of Cooper's past artwork in older posts ...
Draw Something and Drawing Dragons

I don't remember if all the artwork was sent home (or if I saw it all when it was) but I volunteered in Cooper's classroom during the year. Many of my "jobs" were to create displays for the artwork. You can see a little more about that in my "Coming To Cooper's Class" post.

Derby ... Done

It's that time of year ... Derby Time!

It's actually Derby Time almost every month of the year for Grayson, as he runs various derbies all over the area all throughout the year. But April and May, those are the busy months. Not only does he do several derbies for other scout groups, but he also runs the one for OUR scout group. And that entails more than just the day of the derby. 

A couple weeks before the derby, Grayson opens the garage, welcoming fathers and sons to come work on their cars. They can use the tools and techniques they might not have access to otherwise. Here's a couple snapshots from the workshop ...

... and of course Daddy had to help Colton and Cooper make their cars too!

Then it was the day of the derby ... I made a muvee

(see just the highlights, the night reduced to about three minutes)

And another photo collage ...

Another derby down!

Glimpses of Gray

So ... I'm a little behind in my blog. I really don't want to get behind! April was busy and there is a lot to blog about. Gray and the two older boys went to New York, I'm still needing to get all the pictures organized from their trip. Gray has had a lot of derby duties. Landon has been finishing up his senior year, studying for his AP tests. Callahan and Keaton have been busy with basketball (open gym and Spring Fling). Easter was in there as well. I need to spend some time here updating everything.

Until I do ... I thought I'd share this great photo with you all! Clayton (Gray's brother) was a little bored at work one day and ended up creating this great little lego picture. Grayson is infamous for just having a bit of him in the selfie shots. Clayton didn't know that there was an ACTUAL photo almost identical to his creation.

Here are a couple more "corner dome" shots ... but when I DO get around to getting New York pictures up you'll see a LOT more. 

...sometimes Gray gets a complete selfie. I've had these on my computer for a while. If you take them, I will blog them ...

 

that's my "appealing flake" 

(someone needs to wear sunscreen on their scalp!)

Glimpses of Grayson

Bouncing Blackham Bunnies

Belated happy HOPPY Easter from the Blackham Bunch! Much better than last year! We had the annual Easter Egg hunt and family party on the Westra side on Saturday, and got together with all the Blackham's on Sunday. 

In the days preceding the party, I enlisted the boys to help fill the eggs. Keaton and Colton really did about all of them! In addition to the usual edible inclusions, I like to buy toys, stickers and balloons as well. At this point, we have more older kids (hiders) and not that many seekers!

I brought the big jump rope, and it was a hit. I didn't jump myself, but I got a pretty good arm workout! Grayson got some fun action shots! We brought the jump rope to the Blackham Bash on Sunday and it was a bit hit there too!  Although Keaton did some different jumping on Clay and Courtney's tramp ...

Gray catching fun action shots again!

Sometimes I go a little overboard on Easter ... it's a little more like Christmas. Not this year. I ... (I mean the Easter Bunny) kept things pretty controlled. Callahan really wanted the DVD Frozen (I'm not kidding, he really did) and so I, and the other boys, finally got to see what all the Frozen fuss was about. It was a cute movie! Some candy, clothes ... and one more bouncy thing. A pogo stick. 

Just getting the wiggles out before church.

Saturday evening, while the Easter Bunny was waiting for littles to go to bed ... there was a shake, a little roll of the house. Gray and I looked at each other and asked "was that an earthquake?"  Yes it was. 3.2 in Tooele. The two little boys were asleep, but the older boys had felt it. 

So that was OUR Easter.

How was yours?

New York New York

Grayson had hit New York last year and said he'd like to go back. When Kolby and Jami planned a trip, Gray decided to go along, bringing the two oldest boys. Maga joined them too. I was invited ... but I'm not a New York type of gal.

... and they're off!

They left Saturday, April 5th. After Gray shared a few photos of them traveling, I wondered if all the pictures of the trip would have a similar theme (Gray's head in the corner, Callahan making a  funny face, Landon being a bit blurry...)

The actual reason for the trip, was for Kolby and Jami to see their friend Will Swenson playing Javart in Les Miserables on Broadway.  Will was a good friend of mine in high school too, and I would have liked to see him perform, just not enough to brave the big city! Callahan fell asleep during the production.

 The hit all the sites ...

... and enjoyed all the eats.

The "great white way" at the Shake Shake was a favorite.

I was impressed with all the pictures Grayson took, I put them into an album slideshow (NYC2014). Jami took a ton of photos, and I'm sure Pammy has too. I still need to look through all of them. It was a great experience for the boys ... now they just need to catch up on school after missing an entire week!