Mountain View Corridor

About 9 years ago I thought it would be fun to ride bikes from Taylorsville to West Point, about a 60 mile trip. Corby and I got the girls settled and we took off at 6AM. We arrived at his parent's house around 2 PM. Wowsie, it was long and hard but so so fun! My older girls thought it looked like fun and asked if they could join in the following year and that my friend is how it became a tradition.
The last few years since Bria and Ada have joined our family, we haven't done that long of a ride for obvious reasons.

 Bria had to jump in the photo and so begged to join us. Sweet dear little Bria you have no idea what we are about to embark upon, actually neither did we at this point;)

I love how we all look like bugs, helmets save brains but oh they are so uncomfortable and awkward.

This year I thought it would be a great idea to ride the new trail that parallels the new Mountain View Corridor Road. Corby volunteered to hang back with little ones while Malia, her bff, Avery, Teesh and myself set out to conquer the unknown. Corby dropped us off at 5400 south where the new road begins and we were off. Right off the bat is a pretty steep hill 9% grade for over a mile. Going down it was fabulous, we caught wind like no other. I caught some serious air and flew like a bird. There was a water treatment plant along our path, pee eew, smelled horrible. We reached our half way point, Jaren and Cindy's house in Herriman. We filled up our water bottles, took a bathroom break, fueled our bodies with calories and hit the road jack.
We started off the way we began, energized and ambitious. I started hearing complaints of sore bottoms but nothing out of control. The wind was blowing us all over, it came out of nowhere, but never fear we are strong girls who achieve goals. We were hitting all our milestones I had set and thought we would be nearing completion in 30 minutes or less and that is when the hills began. Going down the hills feels great, but going up is a completely different story. 9% grade let's talk about that. It was amazingly hard. I stayed strong and remained on my bike using my gears for my benefit but the three partners had to walk several times(now their bikes might have something to do with it, I have a really nice road bike and the girls have the equivalent of a Huffy!Need I say more). I had to laugh more than once as both Avery and Malia asked if I would trade them. I so would have if my knees would not have given me black eyes with each pedal.

During our ride, I had to giggle as I would see Malia ride "no hands" and Avery would scream, "Malia, stop doing that, you are scaring me"

Our goal was not obtained but considering the obstacles that we faced we were super happy to have just finished. 26.3 miles.

Well done little partners, let's do it again in another year.

Seminary Graduate

Sunday, Teesh graduated from seminary. She was asked to speak as well as play the piano. She willingly accepted but was so nervous. Proud momma to see her do things out of her comfort zone. She practiced the piano everyday and contemplated what she would share for two weeks. We extended an invite to all our family and friends to share in this great occasion. Teesh wanted to have a light refreshment for family to enjoy after the graduation. So I got busy and made 3 loaves of zucchini bread, 5 loaves of banana bread(some with nuts, yum) two loaves of zucchini lemon bread and one sweet potato bundt cake. I know, I am preparing for an army, with both our families being large I did not want to run out.  Freezers come in handy when momma makes more than the possie can eat.



Grandma Hansen, VaLynn, Ron, and their two boys Bitner and Tobias as well as Janalee, Jeremy, Brynlee, and Kale all came early so we had a BBQ and enjoyed a meal together.
Pam, Kevin, Stacey, and Brooklyn Dahl and Jaren, Cindy, Sarah, and Linda(Cindy's mom) met us at the stake center.
When we arrived, the lady in  charge realized Teesh was speaking so took the piano responsibility back and let Teesh just speak. Teesh sat up on the stand and looked absolutely stunning. What a beautiful woman Leticia is. They had two youth speakers talk about what they learned from seminary. A guy spoke first his name was Curtly, interesting both in name and speech. I was frankly embarrassed for him. He talked how he slept through most of seminary, came late and disrupted the class. He shared how he met his BFF in Seminary and they will be friends forever. Awkward, seriously awkward. I felt bad for his mother. I think his intent was to act cool and macho. Well, in actuality he looked like a fool. He will grow up and be so embarrassed I'm sure of it. 
Leticia got up and shared in her humble, quiet, spirit how music and speaking up to ask questions that others have but are too afraid to ask, has changed her life. She spoke like a seasoned speaker and I felt the spirit so strong. I shed a few tears and couldn't have been more proud of her.
The meeting was less than an hour, perfection! Everyone came back to our house for some bread and socializing. It was such a great evening in temperature as well as guests. I so appreciate all that traveled to support Teesh in this milestone.

We surprised Teesh with luggage for her graduation. The little girls could hardly contain themselves as they knew what lie under the wrapping paper.

 

 

  
Teesh for her graduation gift is flying to Europe with Grandma Hansen for a week. They are going on a tour of Kathleen's mission area. So we thought what a perfect gift of luggage for Seminary Graduation.
Leticia opening up her gifts from Grandma Hansen. The apron is a keepsake, graduation completed on to baking!

I tried to get a photo of everyone in attendance but a the end of the day, VaLynn and her family never made it in the lense of my camera. Sorry about that VaLynn. We do so appreciate your efforts in supporting us.

 Proud Momma!

 Teesh and her Grandma Hansen

 Corby, Teesh, Kathleen, and Jennifer

 Our first born is growing up..........sniff sniff

 Teesh and Sierra

 Brooklyn, Pam(my oldest sister)Kevin, Teesh and Stacey

 Janalee and Jeremy

 Mindy and Melissa

 Cindy and Sarah

Linda and Jaren with VaLynn making her debut with a peace sign

 

What a great day, now on to Highland High Graduation!

Mother's Day of Service

My Mom-in-law is kind of a hard person to shop for. She has everything and more of what she desires and to be completely honest, she is super picky and usually doesn't use what we buy her. So this year I wanted the outcome to be different than the traditional ways so our gift for mother's day was service. She talks a lot of about the honey do's at her house that keep piling up and since her husband has passed on she only has her sons to rely on. We decided on a date as a family that we would go up and help with the projects that needed the most attention.
My girls were a little less than excited but being the good sports that they are they willingly went with us to help a grandma out. Plus, we bribed them with burger bar and shakes if they worked with out complaint.
Sierra and Malia edged the lawn. Sierra needed better shoes so Gma provided these beauties.

 Gma was having trouble with her toilets, Doesn't Corby look like an official plumber? Maybe without the crack.

 Gma had us fix her tire on her bike. See this little yellow air stopper. This is Grandma Hansen to a "T". She loves to find the most odd items. It is who she is. I had to laugh when I saw yellow smiley face oh the things Kathleen can find and purchase.

 When are work was complete, off to Burger Bar we went. Now if you haven't eaten here before you must give it a whirl. It has fresh homemade buns, and super delicious fry sauce. You eat in your car, there is no sit down restaurant. So delicious!

 After dinner, we went back to grandma's to finish up loose ends and let the little girls play. Grandma's house is grandkid heaven. Sandbox, jungle gyms, monkey bars, ride toys galore. The girls always have a great time at Gma Hansens.

 Sierra caught the moon tonight!

Write Start Preschool Graduation

Preschool is over the school year!

 Bria has graduated and Ada has one  more year to go. I can't believe that this chapter is about to close in my life, not sure how I feel about it but it's happening either way I guess.

We have absolutely loved our preschool teacher and her program. Some are leery of preschools taught in the basements of homes, but this lady did not disappoint. She is so organized and teaches so much that the kids are more than ready for Kindergarten. Ms. B is a reading specialist and has some fantastic ways to teach. Bria and Ada have been two lucky ducks to be in her class.

The girls were given a CD to help learn the songs they will perform at the program. The girls listened and listened and listened to this CD. I thought since I heard the songs so much come the program, I would be bored, oh, so not the case. Ms. B taught the girls actions to go with the songs and each student had musical instruments. The program was phenomenal. Teesh, Sierra, Grandma Hansen, Corby and myself were in attendance.

 The program we followed went like this. The children sang Days of the Week(to the tune of Adams Family) then Mr. Golden Sun(Ada's favorite) followed by Nursery Rhyme Rap, My Mother is a Baker, Alphabet Action, Feelings, Skinamarinkakdinkydink with the most favorite song of all the students Tooty Ta. The parents and audience were asked to join in on the actions. The girls loved seeing Grandma, Teesh and Sierra play along.

 Mr. Golden Sun

Cheese it up girls

Teesh if you are going to be a rock star you have got to get use to your photo taken

Congratulations Bria on your first of many graduations and Ada for completing your first year of preschool. Thanks for the support family, you all rock!

When we were getting ready to leave, Bria stated since it was her special day we could go get happy meals and play in the playland at McDonalds. I guess, little one, since it it your special day.