Crazy Hair Day!

Highcroft Drive Elementary spirit week- the favorite day?-  The craziest of course!

My two favorites-  straight and curly (Shelby) and the girl with three pigs (Claire)- sorry you can't see the back.

Totally love these girls.

The First 5k

We are trying to be a healthier family, so some of us participated in our first 5k. 

Actually, the only reason that Shelby and Kailey wanted to run was because of these cute girls.

Shelby, Daisy, Kailey, Sadie and Madison

Shelby and Daisy were totally ready to run!

It was a beautiful morning and the air was crisp- some of us ran like the wind and others of us just tried to keep moving!  

The results? 

Kailey - 37 min 45.2 seconds (#110 of the women)

 Shelby - 33 minutes 56 seconds (#92 of the women)

Diane - 32 minutes 22.2 seconds (#86 of the women)

Danny - 29 minutes 12.1 seconds (#74 of the men)

After the race was when the real excitement began.  Kailey had pushed herself pretty hard and complained that she needed to throw up.  (Kailey has been known to be a bit dramatic at times...)  Danny told her to just be sure to do it in the bushes.  A few minutes later, we found out that she actually did!  It may be a while before Kailey runs in another race.

The Terrific KID!

Claire and the school mascot- a husky.

Every month at the Elementary School, they highlight a character trait and award a student in each class who best exemplifies this trait.  They are known as the Highcroft Drive Elementary School Terrific Kids.  Claire was chosen for SELF DISCIPLINE.  She totally deserved it!  Claire just does what needs to be done.  I love that about her.

Claire with Jane Ann Hughes- the Principal

They had a special recognition ceremony for all of these kids.  Each one was presented a certificate and a magnet for the car (and then they took pictures with the Principal).

Claire with the other 2nd grade honorees.

We are so proud of Claire!  We think she is one of the best Highcroft Huskies EVER!

February Happenings

An update on the kids...

 Kailey went from this...

to THIS!!! (and her gums were a bit swollen- you should see the cute girl now!)

 Emery had an unfortunate incident with a brush- RIGHT before church!  (She was actually really good and we were able to remove the blow dryer brush and then we threw it in the trash)

Jake and Stella have a great time with each other- however I woke up one morning last week with the puppy looking like THIS-

Meet Hitler Dog or you could call her the Clown Puppy.  If you can't see- it is red bubble gum that is covering her upper lip.  (Stella LOVES gum and it is very bad for her!  She actually dumpster dives into garbage cans to get used gum!  We are always cutting gum our of her beard and mustache.  Thankfully we got her groomed the next day and now she is cute as ever.)

Claire is one of Highcroft Elementary School's TERRIFIC KIDS! (More on this later...)

Shelby has been learning about Human Growth and Development.  So, I asked her how it

was going.  She said, "fine."  I asked- do you have any questions?  "No."  Has anything sicked you out yet?  "Yes."  Me- "What?"  Shelby, "When Mr. Kellogg talked to us."...  It wasn't the content- it was the fact that her MALE teacher did the talking! (I didn't think she would want me to add a picture of this...)

AND- last but not least- do you see the button this sweet little thing is holding?  This was after we got it out of her nose.  We have had several discussions about how we never stick anything in our eyes, ears, nose, belly button or bottom- and we only put food in our mouth!

It's never boring at our house.

Happy Valentines Day!

Sending kisses and hugs your way!!!

The Next Great Iron Chef from Chopped Wars

The kids LOVE the food network.  Kailey and Shelby had their own competition.  The ingredients they had to use were peanut butter, applesauce and pop tarts.

 

A view of the creations!  Each girl made three different tasty samples.

 

Kailey's apple croissants

Shelby's Old School/ New School Peanut Butter Bowls

The creations really were good!  They were judged on taste, originality and presentation.

The judges!  (Sorry about the poor picture quality- had to use the cell phone...) After tasting- each judge had time to critique the creation.  My favorite quote was from Danny. "It pops on the plate- but fizzles on the palate."  (Food brings out the poet in that man...)

The First Lost Tooth

Emery lost her very first tooth!

She's smiling- but look at that little tear on her cheek!

There's the tooth! AND the tooth fairy was very nice!  Em is growing up too fast.  Hopefully no more loose teeth until she turns 6!

The evolution of the pull up bar

A few months ago, Kailey and Jake really wanted a pull up bar so they could increase their upper body strength.  Well, that didn't last for long.  Now the people who spend hours on it are these three.

 

They love using it as their own gymnastics equipment and could hang on it for hours (and sometimes they do).  We have a huge beanbag right under there so if they fall they will have a soft landing.  And- I do occasionally wash off the counters and doorway with antibacterial wipes so we don't have foot germs everywhere.

The Saga of Claire's Arm

This summer, while visiting our family in Spring Creek, Nevada, Claire broke her arm.  She and one of her most favorite people in the world- her cousin Logan- were playing rocket ships and the rocket landed wrong.  Yes- that little rocket was none other than Claire.  THANKFULLY- Uncle John is a Doctor and knows everyone in Elko.  Claire was able to get into the E.R. and out of the E.R. and into surgery within an hour.  (Really- does this even sound feasible?)  Claire broke off the tip of her humerus (one of the upper bones in her left arm- right by her elbow) and it was put back together with three big pins.

North Eastern Nevada Hospital- we will always have fond memories of you.

Sweet Claire in the recovery room right after her surgery.  Can you even believe she is smiling?

 Claire's little arm.  She was truly amazing.  She really did not complain unless it REALLY hurt.

Logan and Claire at the farm.  Claire would forgive Logan for almost anything.

The signing of the cast at Grandma and Grandpa's farm.

 After the X-Ray and before they took the pins out.  Claire was so brave when they took the pins out that they gave her a Barbie Doll and a cute little bunny she named Baker Bunny (we were at the Lenox Baker Children's Hospital).

These are the actual pins after they took them out of Claire's arm.  Do you see how large they are? (I'm still in big trouble because I let them throw the pins away.  Claire wanted to save one.  Oopsy.)

This is looking at Claire's elbow after they removed the pins.

Three weeks with no washing.  YUCK!  But strangely fascinating to me.. (she is in the tub getting ready to wash off the nastiness in this photos)


I am happy to say that Claire and her arm are doing great!  She had some nerve damage that affected her pinky (for a long time she had no feeling in it- then it was hypersensitive) but is good now.  I am so very thankful...

Claire's Baptism

 In our church, when children are 8 years old they are considered old enough to be able to follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized.  Claire decided that she wanted to be baptized and had her special day on January 8th- two days after her birthday!

 Claire looked beautiful in her white dress!

(We had so much fun shopping online to find the PERFECT dress!)

Claire and her dad (I love how she has her arm around his neck.)

Claire with her two biggest fans

(Isn't it cute that Emery has her head on Claire's shoulder?)

Grandpa and Grandma Nef and Aunt Nancy came for this special occasion.

Andrew Miller and Claire were both baptized on the same day.  It was so great!

Claire with all the men who helped with her confirmation.  (I love how angelic Claire looks and how Brian is peeking around the corner)

This was one of those days that I will remember forever.  Love you Claire and hope you always remember this day too!