Recognition Night

Every year the Faith In God girls have a recognition night. This was Raeleigh's first recognition in the program. She has learned so much and enjoys being with her friends every other week.

Raeleigh chose to bring her artwork & Honor Roll Certificate as well as the stuffed dog she is making - to put on her display table.

Sister Crone, Raeleigh's leader, gave each of the girls a carnation.

Jan. 13, 2010

Sisters!

On Dec 31, 2009 Craig asked me to come downstairs. When I walked into the living he pointed to Raeleigh sleeping and said "Who does that look like?" Addison was the answer. Raeleigh was sleeping in the same position that Addison often took in the hospital!

After making this post, we found Patrick asleep with his finger on his face as well!!

Raeleigh's Observant

At Stuart and Raeleigh's school they study character words. There is a different word for each week. At the end of the quarter an award is given to the student in the class that exemplifies the different character words best. This time Raeleigh received the award for being Observant. Raeleigh also is on the Principal's honor roll for earning straight "A's" on her report card. Way to go Raeleigh!!!

Raeleigh sewing on a button

Sister Crone is an awesome activity day leader for Raeleigh and her friends. Sister Crone has the girls come up with great ideas for activities, like: cleaning up a park on a daddy daughter date, picnic with moms (we brought food that started with our initials). The pictures below are from learning to sew on a button. Raeleigh was so pleased with herself and the super job she did!

Playing with the Camera

Raeleigh loves to play with the camera. And once in a while she like to have her picture taken. She took three of these pictures herself. Morgan took the picture of Raeleigh standing on her head on the sofa.

I think the second picture is so funny. I reminds me when Searls would make faces at the kids. He would say "Make you face as big as you can!" When he did this, his eyes looked just like Raeleigh's in this picture.

Raeleigh's art

Raeleigh loves to sketch, draw and color. She is happy to make pictures for other people. I loved this poster she made for our family. I think that it is especially cute that she misspelled "forever". Sometimes I do think that when there is craziness going in our household, it feels more like a family causes a "fever" than it is "forever".

My Raeleigh is so precious!

Ward Variety Show

Tonight our ward had a variety show. Jordan played his clarinet, "Triumphal March". He did very well and recieved many compliments. (Raeleigh took this picture of Jordan.)

Stuart and Raeleigh participated in "Do As I'm Doing" with the primary. Raeleigh is leading the Jumping Jacks in the orange shirt and Stuart is behind her to the left in the teal/green shirt. They all did a good job and had a good time.

First Day of School

School has started (Aug 10)!


Jordan a 7th grader.



















Raeleigh in 3rd grade. She made this sign for the picture. She was so excited for her first day of third grade.



















Stuart, also a 3rd grader.



















Morgan a high school junior.




















Samantha a high school Freshman!!





















Samantha wanted he eyes to show on the first day of school, so Morgan helped her with make-up!



















Patrick a high school junior. As always not thrilled to get his picture taken!


All the kids had a successful first day and are glad to be back in school and have a routine!

Stairs or Slide?

I was napping and I vaguely remember the kids asking if they could slide down the stairs. These are the pictures they took of each other.

Stuart and Raeleigh had a good time, I'm glad I wasn't watching!!

Liberty Elementary's Open House

Stuart and Raeleigh are so excited for school to begin. The day of the open house 6pm could not come soon enough! Look at their thrilled faces. You can also see in the sign that we got the time wrong and go to the school early. That meant time for pictures!! I like the little statue of liberty in front of their school (in above pictures). On July 4th was found Raeleigh's shirt. It says "Miss Liberty", she just had to have it for the first day of school.

Stuart and his friend Nick making their name-tags for their tables.

Stuart is a lucky boy. He has three teachers!!!

Here he is with Mrs West.

Stuart and Ms. Vida

Stuart and Ms. Dempsey.

Raeleigh and her teacher, Ms. Deppen.

We stopped by and they gave the kids school supplies that had been donated to the school. Stuart and Raeleigh were able to get all the necessary items needed for 3rd grade. They both had piles to carry out to the car!

Jordan went with us and visited his past teachers. He had a good night as well.

Lemonade Anyone?

Raeleigh begged to have a lemonade stand. Finally I gave in. She did decide to let Stuart help her. Morgan helped get the cooler of ice and with the poster. Also Morgan made sure they had everything set up outside. They sat outside for about 2 hours, and it was hot and humid. Both of them had a good time and were happy with the money they made.

They were so hot afterwards that we had lunch and then went to the YMCA to swim!

Raeleigh's portraits

My good friend Robin usually takes my kids pictures. However I was totally morning/allday sick when Raeleigh had her 8th birthday and by the time I was feeling better Robin had just had her baby. So I had to settle and had Sears takeRaeleigh's pictures. They are nice portraits, but not anything near what Robin does!

So here is a our beautiful Raeleigh. She is wearing her baptism dress, made by Grandma Crane.

Raeleigh Girl Scout Awards

Raeleigh and all of my girls are done with girl scouts. The last Tues. of May was Raeleigh's award ceremony. Raeleigh earned the following try-it's: cookies count, outdoor adventure, eat right stay healthy, penny power, plants, my body and science in action. She also recieved her year pin. The extra patches Raeleigh earned were: valentine fun, cookie booth, St. Patrick's Day, Camping, Easter.

Raeleigh has enjoyed her time in girl scouts and has good leaders (Ms. Leslie, Ms. Jeannie, and Mom).

I was also recognized as having been an assistant leader! Glad our girlscout days are done.

Raeleigh's Award

At Stuart and Raeleigh's elementary school, there is an award ceremony each month. The awards given out are for "character building words" that the school has been working on. To recieve an award the student needs to show they have included the particular word into their character.

This first picture shows the students giving a "silent applause" for each student as their name is called. After all the students have been called, there is a rather loud applause given.
In April Raeliegh recieved the award for "FAIRNESS". Congratulations Raeleigh for improving your character.

Raeleigh and her teacher, Ms. Cousy.

Raeleigh's Very Special Day!!

I have been so nauseated and light headed that I did not get Raeleigh's baptism dress made before Mom flew out. I had it all cut out, but that was it. I am so glad that Mom was willing to share her talent in sewing with Raeleigh and put the dress together.










Raeleigh started planning her baptism in March. She decided to be baptized on her birthday. Raeleigh made the agenda for the baptism program and also made phone calls to ask people to speak and to sing.

Raeleigh asked her brother Patrick to baptize her. It was an amazing feeling to watch Patrick help Raeleigh in this saving ordinance. I am grateful that Patrick honors the priesthood. I am happy that Raeleigh chose to follow the example of Jesus Christ and to be baptized









Mom, Raeleigh and Daddy Craig.












Our family:

Morgan, Samantha, Patrick, Mom, Dad
Stuart, Raeleigh, Jordan

Samantha gave a talk on the Holy Ghost. She did a nice job. Samantha was also able to mark off one of her personal progress experiences after giving the talk.






Grandpap, Grandma S, Patrick, Aunt Joy
Austin and Raeleigh. I love how Raeleigh has her arm around Austin in this picture.

Grandma gave a talk baptism. The talk was one of the best I have heard.







Grandma C sand "A Child's Prayer" with Morgan and Raeleigh. Of course the song was beautiful.

















Raeleigh, a beautiful and clean daughter of God. Look at that happy smile.















Daddy Craig confirmed Raeleigh a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Brother Loney, Grandpap, Brother Durgin and Brother Manchester also stood in the circle.

The spirit I felt was peaceful and strong. I am grateful that Raeleigh chose baptism. I am also grateful to the increase of testimony I experienced watching her baptism and listening to her confirmation.