No More Teachers, No More Books...

The end of school is here! How in the world did this school year go by so fast??

This was Makayla's first year in middle school, and it was so great for her. Some kids have a hard time with the transition, but Makayla loved middle school so much more than elementary. She made lots of new friends, got a 4.0 the entire year, learned some valuable lessons both inside and outside the classroom. Here's a little recap of the first day of school vs. the last day of school. 

Caden loved his last year of elementary school and also did so well this year. He loved being on Student Council which helped him to be very involved with school. He liked having 4 different teachers so he didn't have to just have Mrs. Rendell (probably one of our least favorite teachers we have ever had at Elk Meadows). I can't believe he is going to be in middle school!

Brynnli rocked 3rd grade. She loved her teacher, Mrs. Vail, and learned so much this year. Brynnli loved being in the school choir and playing at recess with all her friends. 

I am just over her in disbelief that these two won't go to school together anymore. I loved mornings with the two of them because they were so helpful to each other and were just so chill as they got ready. 

And I love that Caden is willing to do whatever silly post Brynnli asks him to do. 

This was the last time they would ride to school together. 

Now bring on summer with late nights, sleeping in, and fun in the sun!!

May 2024

Just a handsome boy right here... what a great picture to start our recap of the month

Speaking of Caden, he must be going through a growth spurt because this kid loves to eat. He comes home from school and immediately asks what's for dinner and when. If dinner is not for a few hours he needs a snack... and his snack is usually like 20 chicken nuggets. Caden's favorite night of the week is "you choose" night. On these nights Caden adds in a cup of noodles with his 20 chicken nuggets. 

For a bedtime snack Caden usually opts for a sleeve of Oreos with milk. 

Makayla went with her friend to Lagoon. It was the nicest day and Makayla even got a sunburn. 

Tyler and I enjoyed our new swings while basking in the beautiful weather. 

The next morning we woke up to this... what the heck?

I had to document this moment of the girls playing games together. It gives me hope. 

Guess who is learning how to make sourdough bread? ME!!! It's taken a few tries, but look what I made!!

We got to attend Makayla's last choir concert. I think this was a fun year for Makayla to try something new... even if she doesn't love Mr. Goodrich. 

Makayla had to learn a tough lesson this choir concert week about being aware of what gets posted online. She also learned the importance of apologizing when she has done something wrong and dealing with the consequences of her actions. 

Mother's day is getting harder for me to deal with as each year passes. My mom is declining faster these days and she no longer knows who I am. She knows I am someone familiar and safe, but she doesn't know who I am and she is forgetting my dad more consistently. I still find myself seeking her approval and love even though the mom I knew is no longer here. I am definitely dealing with more anger as I grieve my mom. Memories are so core to our existence, and she's lost them all. Alzheimer's is so cruel. 

I bought myself a new Swig cup for Mother's day and it happened to match my nails. Tyler asked why I needed another cup and he finally realized cups are like a purse. You switch them around to match your outfit for the day. 

We spent Mother's day with Tyler's family at a bar-b-q. We also celebrated Grandpa Bill's 94th birthday. I'll tell ya, his memory is as sharp as it has ever been. 

It just makes you wonder why some people have good heath, excellent memories, and long lives while others struggle in their bodies, minds, and die too soon. I don't understand. 

Does this tree look familiar? This is the tree that is behind our house in Richfield. I used to look out our window and just stare at this tree; it was so huge. I stole this picture from our old neighbor who still lives in Richfield. The northern lights were visible even in Utah on May 11th. We were stuck inside at a dance competition so we didn't get to see it, but so many people posted the coolest photos. 

I made dirt cups for a Relief Society activity and they were so cute and so yummy!

My Uncle Dennis passed away on May 10th. Like my mom he had Alzheimers but what ultimately took his life was heart failure. I didn't see my Uncle Dennis that often, but when I did see him, he always made me feel special. He loved to do his "Donald Duck" voice to all of the little kids, which sometimes scared them more than made them laugh. Dennis has 5 girls, 24 grandchildren, and 10 great grand children, with 2 more on the way. 

I am close with all of my Draper cousins, but it's always sad that funerals are what bring us together to see each other. From left to right: Shayla, Sara, Katie, Dayna, and Denise. 

His burial was in Moroni where my grandparents and aunt are buried. 

I do have to share a funny story because sometimes it's all I can do to get me through all the sad moments with my  mom. A lot of my family is buried in Moroni, including my Grandpa Draper's mom, Nina Draper. Well I was showing my mom the headstone to remind her who she was named after (although my mom goes by Kathy, her birth name is Nina Kathleen Draper) and my mom reads the name, "Nina Draper" then looks at me with the most scared look and says, "That's me... that's my name". I think she thought she was in some sort of inbetween and she was looking at her own headstone. I quickly reassured her that she was not dead, that this was her grandma's headstone. I had a good laugh about it. 

After the funeral, I rushed back up to South Jordan just in time to see Makayla perform in her middle school dance concert. Makayla is in Dance 2 this semester and did two dances. All of the dances were themed with the idea of "influential", so one dance was about phones and the other was about Anne Frank. 

Makayla did so great at her dances. I can't wait to watch her next year on Dance Company!!

Well if this isn't the truth!!

Anyone want to caption this picture? Ok, What about this...

When you have to "sit," "stay," "hi five," and "down" for a treat, but you just watched dad slam down a whole bag of chips and he did no tricks. 

Speaking of this cute puppy, she just turned 3 years old!

Did we throw her a party to celebrate? Yes we did. We took her to the store to pick out a new toy, then she got her favorite birthday dinner and she got a doggie cookie for dessert. 

Happy Birthday to the most favorite one in our family. 

Tyler and I had another amazing date night with my current obsession: Blue by you steak. 

AND dessert. Yum

My awesome co-workers threw me a going away party since this is my last year at Copper Hills. I am going to miss the ladies I work with so much. I'm starting to wonder if I made the right decision. 

Have you met our teen boy? He likes to play video games and eats like there's no tomorrow. 

I hate that the kids are always on their screens, but when they are looking so cute together, it's ok. 

Caden got to go to the Bingham Basketball Skills clinic. He had fun, learned a lot, and made it on the Bingham Hoops Instagram page. 

Tyler and I went to 2 concerts on back to back nights, and the two concerts could not have been more opposite. First we went to Brooks and Dunn with my parents. I was laughing because my  mom didn't know what to do when we said smile... She makes me laugh.

Brooks and Dunn was loud, we stood for a lot of it and the people watching was unmatched. 

Then the next night we went to James Taylor with Terry and Craig. This concert was so opposite. It was so quiet, people sat the whole time and politely clapped between songs, but the people watching was also unmatched. 

Well I think that about takes us right up to the end of the month. I can't wait for summer just around the corner.