School's Out for Summer!

As we jump for joy because of the many achievements...


McKenzie - honor roll, citizenship award, lots of new friends, and the knowledge that she can do anything with hard work (will that knowledge stick?)!


Kyler - high honor roll, S+ conduct, and the PE award.


Karlee - high honor roll and perfect attendance.


What a cute PreK graduate! :)


and Kavan gets to go to Kindergarten in August! (He is so excited - I think more so because he "finally" gets to ride the big yellow bus!)

...we also jump for joy because summer does not really require time schedules, homework, or projects with deadlines. So, I say HOORAY for summertime! I like to think about the primary song - Oh, What Do You Do in the Summertime - it just makes me smile! :)

- Already accomplished on our "not really an agenda" agenda - pizza, milkshakes, fishing and summer haircuts! :)

Who has a Birthday, Today?

Who takes such great care of his mom?



Who loves to teach kids about the things he loves?



Who loves feeding and holding the babies?



Who loves getting kisses?



Who loves having fun with his grandkids and kids?



Who trusts me to take him for a ride? :)



Who loves skiing and riding the air chair? (pretty cool,eh?)



Who loves the Lord, but is not so fond of the cold?



Who is too silly?



Who loves my mom?



My Dad!!!

And who has the coolest dad, ever?



I DO!!!!! :)
Happy Birthday, DAD! We love you!

Happy 10th Birthday, Kyler!

We were so glad to have you here!



Especially Kenzie! :) - I'm so glad you're still great friends! - Happy, Happy!




One year old! Silly Boy!





10 years old and still a silly boy! :)



Love you! So glad you're ours!
Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday, Happy, Happy, Birthday to you!

From White Belts to... Black Belts!

(Kyler and Collin at their first karate promotion test - November 15, 2002)

On April 25, 2009 Kyler and Collin tested and achieved all of the requirements for their black belts at WorldClass American Karate! Hooray! They were so AWESOME and we are all so proud of them!

Introductions - Collin Mitchell, 10 years old, 5th grade, 6 years of karate. Kyler Mitchell, 9 years old, 4th grade, 6 years of karate.

Beginning of the test!

800 kicks on and off the wall! Yes, I did say 800 - and that doesn't include the amount of push ups and sit ups!


They went through all their kicks and punches,


their forms,



combinations, and etc, etc.


Toward the end came sparring and the final fight!


Kyler after almost 2 1/2 hours. Pure Exhaustion!


Congratulations! The judges - Mr. Ben, Mr. Ryan, Mr. Kirk, Ms. Tina, and Mr. Tyler.



Don't mess with the Mitchells, they're black belts y'know! - Kirk, Kyler, Tyler, Collin and Ryan! :)



Way to go Kyler and Collin!