My Joy

5/21/23

We sang Happy Birthday and gave Luna a special ice cream for dogs called Frosty Paws:

Happy Birthday Luna we love you!!

5/20/23

We have all gone to this put put golf but we had not gone all together so tonight we planned a fun outing of put put:

That was a nice 18 hole course and good family fun.

5/17/23

The Young Women decided to play Kickball for the combined activity this week and it was a big hit:

We took the outfield and the other team was up:

We’re up again!

That was a fun game!

5/15/23

They held an awards ceremony and dinner at a local restaurant with outdoor seating:

She received a certificate and a team photo:

Congratulations Rachel!

They all received signed soccer balls:

Here’s to a great season!:

Congratulations Whirlwinds!

5/14/23

Dad made mom some yummy French Toast for breakfast:

Next we gave mom some cards and gifts:

Rachel made mom a beautiful card:

Very creative!

Lizzy made a card for mom too:

Lizzy always writes a heartfelt message inside:

Mom loves for the house to smell good so we got her some great smelling wax melts:

We also gave her a knife for her backpacking adventures!

I think she’s ready to cut some things!

Dad also made Mom a card:

It was romantic apparently:

Dad also gave mom a 35lb workout bar for her gym. Yup, that’s what makes Mom happy!

Time to go to church:

At church, the Araque’s gave Mom a nice gift:

Mom had a Very Happy Mother’s Day!

5/8/23

Today for Family Home Evening (FHE) we learned how to start a fire and also how to put one out! First we gathered up kindling and small sticks and tried using a flint stick to light a fire:

Lizzy’s turn to try out the flint sticks:

We cheated a bit and got a fire going:

Time to cook up some hot dogs over the fire:

We have preciously learned how to use a regular fire extinguisher but mom got this easy use spray can to keep in the house so we can put out fires super fast and easy:

We easily put out the fire and there is still plenty of spray left in the can for future use (hopefully we wont need it!).

5/13/23

Learning how to mow the lawn is another good life skill:

Rachel is allergic to grass (at least she was when she was little) so this one for Lizzy:

Great job Lizzy!

4/29/23

This U-Pick Farm is awesome! They have u-pick peaches, blackberries, blueberries and even u-gut flowers!

We loaded up with a little bit of everything and then headed to Orange Lake for kayaking!

Row a little and relax a little!

Dad looking for alligators!

Dad scared out an alligator!

Hello gator!

We actually ended up seeing quite a few alligators! We also found some pretty flowers:

We had a fun time exploring the lake:

We then went to a restaurant right on the lake.

After lunch we checked out all the alligators in the boat marina in front of the restaurant. It was a very nice family outing day!

4/24/23

For Family Home Evenings (FHE) Mom and Dad have been doing life skills training. So far we have learned how to turn off the main water line; how to use the electrical box; how to operate a power drill and driver and how to ride the city bus. Today we learned how to change the oil and check/fill fluids in the car:

Time to remove the panel:

Now on to filling the oil and fluid checks. The missionaries stopped by when we were at this point:

Time to put the car back together:

Excellent job everyone!

4/15/23

Rachel decided to to bake a chocolate cake to kick off her birthday week (we will be celebrating more this weekend):

It looks delicious!

She even lit the candles:

Make a wish!

4/17/23

The final two soccer games of the season:

4/19/23

He opponent was one of her best friends, Lucy Madsen, when 4&5 years old!

This was an exciting final game!

That was an awesome game and an incredible season! Great job Rachel SO proud of you!!

4/21/23

Happy Birthday Rachel!! Before school mom gave Rachel a small birthday present:

She liked it!

Bubble Gum Tape!

That evening we had a little party to celebrate. Rachel wanted cupcakes:

We hope your wish comes true Rachel!

Would you like to open presents now Rachel?

She got a card from Grandpa and Grandma Beck and Grandpa Ed and Grandma Joyce sent a card and gifts:

They always send the best cards!

Gifts too:

Thank you so much just what I wanted and needed!

Now a card and gifts from Mom and Dad!

What’s all this inside?

Her favorite thing of all time:

$ MONEY $

Wishing you a Very Happy 14th Birthday Rachel! (Unfortunately Lizzy was not able to join us but she will be home tomorrow).

We love you so much!

4/22/23

Lizzy came home with cards and gifts for Rachel!

Sticking with the money theme:

Rachel had a little party with her friends Ace and Aries.

They enjoyed pizza for dinner:

Rachel had her favorite desert: Cheesecake!

We had to sing “Happy Birthday!”

Happy, Happy, Happy Birthday Rachel!

4/13/23

Opening Night at Gainesville High School. Lizzy was cast in one of the lead roles as Carmen Diaz!

Multiple costume changes:

Hundreds of lines:

Dancing and signing:

“There She Goes”

The cast:

Congratulations Lizzy that was Fantastic!

4/14/23

Performance day two:

Another stellar performance! We are so very proud of you Lizzy!!