Sarah takes first in the 100 meter!!

The long anticipated day - District Hershey Track Meet - has arrived for Sarah Jane! Cute Sarah was all nerves and we just watched her with encouraging smiles and butterflies in our bellies (at least mom had 'em!). As she took her place in the semis for the 50 and 100 meter, we watched as the gun went off and she sprinted to the finish in first place. This of course, advanced her to the finals. Sarah ran well in the 50 meter final - just behind a fast girl from Springville - taking second. Right after the race, Sarah went up to her opponent with a smile, gave her pat on the back and graciously congratulated her on a great race - I got a lump in my throat watching her. She was called down for the final in the 100. I wished her well and went near the finish with family who came to cheer her on. The gun went off and the 7 girls exploded. Sarah was ahead of the bunch, running so well. She was clearly ahead (pic at left shows her position) and we were just a hollerin' for her! This was such a fun evening, the weather was fantastic and we so appreciate the family who came to support as well as wonderful encouragement by those out of the area. All in all it was perfect. Great job Sarah!

Nicholas rocks the house!

Watch out David Cook! Here comes an aspiring American Idol - Nicholas David! Nicholas is armed and ready to rock out. He will give you a full performance of singing while strumming the strings on the guitar. And he won't stop! Ha! Sometimes he will even sing a sweet love song : "I luf you my mommy. I luf you my mommy. Yes I do-o-o!" Let's hear it - awwww!

Macy Lou-Lou Graduates From Kindergarten!

Our sweet Macy has graduated, with flying colors, from kindergarten! She loved going to school, riding the bus and playing with her little friends, especially Shawnie and Brayden. After graduation, Macy's teachers came to me and said that Macy was one of 3 kids that are the most artisic, as well as one with the prettiest handwriting. Literally every day after school Macy would pull out her notepad and colored pencils or markers. She loves to draw pictures and then give them out to a special, lucky someone! This is a picture of Macy getting kisses from Grandma and Grandpa H. after graduating! We love you, Macy!!

Hershey's Track Meet - Sarah's the one to beat!

A big contender of the area Hershey's Track Meet, Sarah showed up just in time for her first heat in one of her events, the 50-meter. Why? She had been throwing up all night prior to the meet and wasn't sure she had the strength to compete. She also had another ailment - she had broken her left foot in gymnastics two and half weeks earlier. However, Sarah ran 4 heats of the 50 and the 100-meter races - winning each of them, hands down, to get to the finals.(above semi-final in the 100.) Before the finals in those races, she entered the standing long jump and made it to the finals - she jumped 69 inches and took 1st - with a broken foot!! Soon she was called to the finals in the 50 and the 100. I could see the "juice" slipping from her - she was beginning to look a little gray even after a morning in the May sun. She went to the starting line for the 50, soon the gun went off and Sarah came racing to the finish. She took 1st!! - ahead of the others but not by a lot. Her face was ghost-white as she finished. She came up to me, slightly hobbling, "Mom, I don't feel good." "I can tell." I said to her, holding her. "I have to go back for the final in the hundred right now." "Are you okay? Do you want to finish?" I asked. "Yah," she said as Jed took her hand and walked to the line with her. I watched, with butterflies flitting about in my belly, as my determined daughter took her lane and got ready for the gun. Off the girls went. I could tell it was going to be close. I could see the look on Sarah's face through the camera lens, a look of struggle mixed with perseverance. Sarah and another girl were battling it out to get to the line first. It looked like a tie, it was so close but they called the other girl as the first place winner. Sarah took 2nd in the hundred. As she walked away from the recorders tent, she congratulated the girl as the girl turned to her friends and said, "I beat Sarah!" Obviously, she was the one to beat. :-) We're all so proud of Sarah!! She will go to Regionals to compete in those events - 50-meter, 100-meter and long jump. Way to go Sarah!!

It's time for summer, right?!

Macy and Nicholas couldn't wait for a day warmer than yesterday's 70 degrees to play in the sprinklers! It was a NOW activity! They took off their clothes and turned on the sprinkler and ran for it. Obviously, it didn't last much longer than 15-20 minutes but hey, they loved it. Of course,  all the while wishing summer was here already. 

Ethan turns NINE!!

Ethan Jed has turned 9! What a great kid! Ethan is full of life and is always "up for a challenge", as Sarah says, and good fun. We went around the family to say what each of us appreciate about Ethan and one thing we all agreed on is Ethan is a sensitive, loving boy. He is also VERY strong!  He can climb the rope at gym to the top of the warehouse building without using his legs. Happy Birthday Ethan!

A few days at Zermott Resort for Spring Break!

We had a wonderful two days at Zermott in Midway. Swimming was the activity of choice both days. We had a very relaxing time, playing with the children and enjoying some quality family time. We were able to visit with Jed's high school buddy Oliver Button - it's been years - and get caught up.  The kids call Oliver, Uncle Ollie every time we see him. After Zermott we went home to pull out the good 'ole dirtbikes!