Melody and Erik get their Yellow Belts May 2011

In May 2011, Melody and Erik both got their Yellow Belts and were SO excited. Thy had been going every Saturday for a semester to take lessons from Sunsai Mike and had a blast. Parents didn't get to stay during classes so at the belt ceremony, the kids did a demonstration for the parents and then were presented with their belts. Melody loves karate and wants to keep going. I think it is great too so I am glad we finally found something we both like :).

Trip to Flagstaff

In April 2011, Melody and I drove up to Flagstaff to see the Parkers. It had been WAY too long since I had gone up to visit Lizz and her family and this time I got to take Melody. I only got a few pictures but the kids had a blast playing at an indoor water park (it was cold outside!) and Melody and Russell have decided they are cousins :).  It was fun to see Lizz, Tyler and Russ and Rachel and their dog Tess (who has captured both mine and Melody's hearts...this dog plays duck, duck goose!). We also got to see their home...all repaired after it was hit by a freak tornado late the previous year...their house made the news, a boat had gone through the ceiling of Russell's bedroom, while he was in the room! So crazy! I am glad they were not hurt but to see the before and after pictures made you realize how easily they could have been and just across the street, the entire front of the house there, is gone. The house to the right, has the entire roof missing. I wish I would have taken pictures to just show what I saw but I think I was too dazed by it all to remember at the time. Thanks Lizz and Tyler for a fabulous weekend! Your cooking was delicious, your house beautiful, your kids wonderful, your dog fun, and staying up late and talking was just like old times!

Easter 2011

We love to go to Safford for Easter and hang out with our family and let Melody play with her cousins. We have started a kind of tradition, of going to Alisha and Robert's house Saturday before Easter to have a cook out and an Easter egg hunt.  Robert lets the grass grow a little longer than usual so it isn't WAY too easy but basically the kids just have fun running around and there are always enough eggs to make everyone happy. Melody likes to get a lot of eggs and then she gives away most of the candy because she doesn't like to eat too many types of candy. Sunday, we go to church with Grammy and Papa and have family dinner at their house before it is time to head home.

Andrew and Denise's wedding March 2011

 Andrew's girls...before Denise...Alene, Andrea, Alisha, Mom, Amber, Analyse and Aubrey.

The cousins...Lauren, Melody, Jared, Bryce, Lanie, Kylie and Camden

 Melody and Brandon, so glad we have Brandon as an "official" member of the family, we love you!

 The brother-in-laws with my one and only brother...Jared, CJ, Andrew, Jay, and Robert

In March 2011, my only brother, Andrew, got married to Denise Henry. We are so lucky to have Denise for a new sister and her son Brandon for a new nephew and cousin! Melody and Lauren got to be flower girls and Melody got to walk down the aisle with Brandon. Denise had her friends do Melody and Lauren's hair and the girls were so excited to have their hair done professionally. After the wedding, there was a dinner and then a dance. The kids all had a blast showing their "moves" and loved it when Uncle Andrew and Aunt Denise came and danced with them too. Brandon and Camden showed off their break dancing and made us all smile. It was a fun night, we love you guys so much!

Spring Break 2011 Project

To kick off Spring Break 2011, Melody and I re-decorated a magnet board to fit Mel's style and room. Her favorite color is green and she still Loves cats so the theme of the board is probably no surprise to any of Mel's family or friends :). Shelley had given us some vinyl cat and cat paw prints a while back and Melody wanted them for her board and we went to the store and Mel picked out the color green she wanted to paint it.. It was fun to work together and even more fun to see how excited and proud she was of her board. We hung it up in her room and she put up a few of the drawings she had made the year before.

Disneyland with Aunt Brenda, Feb 2011

Aunt Brenda takes her grandkids to Disneyland when they turn 8 and in  Feb. of 2011, Melody and Taya were lucky enough to get included and go with Mason and Aunt Brenda! The girls left on Valentine's Day and flew to California and spent the night and then went to Disneyland the next day. They squeezed in all the rides and fun they could into one day and then flew back home. Melody had such a good time. I am not surprised, going anywhere with Aunt Brenda is FUN! Thank you for including Melody, this was a great experience for her!!!