Spring Break in Arizona

Bill had a meeting in Arizona over spring break, so we decided to join him!  We got to spend time with Grandma and Grandpa Anderson, go to the zoo, and attend the Mesa Easter Pageant.  It was wonderful!

Sixth Grade Medieval Festival

The 6th grade at Windridge Elementary had their annual Medieval Festival.  The kids dress up in period clothing and do activities throughout the day like building catapults that fling marshmellows and playing chess.    They also have a medieval feast.  Alex decided he wanted to be an archer, so I made his costume and found a cheap archery set.  The kids had a great time.

Alex in The Lorax

Alex's sixth grade class put on a play called The Lorax.  Alex played the Onceler and was not visible except for his hands.  He had quite a few lines and really enjoyed doing it.

Alecia is now 17!

Alecia loves elephants!  For her birthday she wanted a nice winter coat for dressier occasions.  When she also got elephants, she was thrilled.  Unfortunately, when we converted to a new computer, we lost some of the pictures.  It's too bad because they were cute!

Karl turns 19!

Happy birthday to our favorite soon-to-be missionary!

Alecia's science fair experiment--BUBBLES

Alecia's science teacher required the students to enter the science fair by doing a project.  Alecia decided to see what different amounts of corn syrup did to the longevity of bubbles.  Timing floating bubbles is kind of tricky.  We really needed a bigger room to do this in, but she got and award at the science fair!

Karl Opens His Mission Call

 Karl received his mission call earlier in the week, but he was at college and we wanted everyone to be there when he opened it.  He could hardly stand the waiting.  I had to actually hide it from him so he wouldn't open it.  We tried to Skype family members, but that didn't work out very well.  

Karl doesn't show much emotion.  Every once in awhile I catch a faint glimpse of emotion, but, being his mom, I can read him pretty well.  He was very excited to open his call.  He made sure no one else was reading over his shoulder so he could announce it himself.  He, of course, glanced down to where he knew the area would be named before he started reading out loud.  Who wouldn't?

Quick skim before announcing

Alecia, Kayla, and Patrick awaiting the mission location

Friends and neighbors

Karl has been called to the Brazil Salvador mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He reports to the MTC in Brazil on July 18, 2012.  We are very excited for him!

6th Grade Lip Sync

At Windridge Elementary school, the 6th graders have an annual lip synch contest.  Alex was the lead "syncher" with a backup band of a bunch of his buddies.  Here he is looking, oh, so cool.