Boating

The Toller family boat was handed over to our family about a month ago. Ever since it has arrived at our house, Scott and Charlie have been feverishly working on it. They have really had some great father-son time making everything just perfect. So last Friday, the day finally arrived to take the boat out on the lake. We had so much fun. With borrowed tubes, we headed out. Unfortunately, when we got there, we realized that we had borrowed tubes without plugs. Luckily, Scott engineered a plug right there on the boat so we could have a great day.

Anne learned how to drive the boat!

I love this picture of Anne and Janet. They had so much fun out there on the tubes. They really loved going fast and bumping over the wake. They said the best part was getting thrown off the tube.

The Hancock and Tegeder families were also out on the lake that day. This is Nate Hancock showing off his skiing abilities.

Crazy May!

May was a crazy month at the Toller house. We had concerts, award ceremonies, dinners....and on and on. Because of our crazy schedule, I hardly blogged during the month of May. (My sister has reprimanded me. Sorry Laura!) But I will try and catch you up on just a few of the happenings during the month!

Our backyard bloomed this month! I just love it. We have roses, tomatoes, zucchini, strawberries, artichokes, carrots, radishes, peaches, cilantro, and BASIL!

There was a strings concert for all the string players in the Vail School District K-8. A first at our district. Here are a few of my favorite violinists at the dress rehearsal, Janet, and two of my students Alicia, and Cicely.

Izzie's First Grade Program! "A Year With Frog and Toad." I wish everyone could see it. She was so cute singing "Cookies, Cookies." By the way, Janet had her National Junior Honor Society Induction the same night. I don't have any pictures, because Scott and I had to split up, and he took pictures on his camera!

Spring Fling! Crazy Charlie with bright orange hair. Spring Fling is our elementary schools annual Spring fair. I was on the board to put it together this year. It was one crazy day. (Luckily Charlie didn't dye his hair until after the choir had sung that evening.) Below you see Isabelle when she played at the Talent Show that same evening.

The Toller Cousins came to visit at the end of the month. Unfortunately, it rained for several days! What a welcome to a family from Chicago. The kids swam anyway, and by Saturday it was sunny again.

This is Angie with Annie. She became very attached to Anne and Janet while she was here. It was so sad to say goodbye. Angie clung to Annie and didn't want to let go. We miss her and her family!

Of course, what is the end of school without a party. Anne invited several of her friends over for swimming and hot dogs. And can you believe it.....It RAINED AGAIN! But after about an hour, the sun came out, and they were all able to swim. Fun stuff!

Other exciting things that happened during May (but no pictures!)

1. Choir Field trip to Retirement Homes (Charlie was given a half eaten grilled cheese sandwich by one of the grateful residents!)

2. Mother's Day Breakfast at the Seminary, where I got to eat breakfast with my two beautiful girls.

3. Camp Kickoff. Janet's first experience with Girl's Camp. I help teach first aid to several 12 year old's.

4. Janet solo's on the piano for a Tri-M (Honor's music club) dinner.

5. Janet has a band concert and wails out the solo for Peter Gunn on her trumpet. She wins Most Outstanding 6th Grade Band Student.

6. Elizabeth receives and award for 1st in class for the Juniors.

7. Awesome Steel Band Concert--Elizabeth solos.

8. I have a student recital for all my piano and violin students. They did awesome.

What a month. Needless to say, we have declared June a month of down time.

Naps, Swimming, Reading and Relaxation!

Charlie's first fish on a fly

Charlie and I went to the Black River on Saturday with Uncle Dan. Charlie usually spin fishes but wanted to try some fly fishing later in the day. After reeling in several I hooked, he started casting and doing it all by himself. Caught his first fish without any help from Dad (except cheering). It was a smallmouth bass on a diver type fly tied by his dad.

Didn't see a lot of my fly rod after that - he's hooked.

-Scott


Video is of Charlie fishing the diver and I captured his first backcast snag!

Jr. Prom

Elizabeth went to Jr. Prom last Saturday!

Here she is with her date Reid Knight.

This is the whole gang before they went to pizza and video games for dinner!

One of Elizabeth's great friends is Nush. They did all their hair and make up at her house right after Elizabeth took the SAT. What a big day.

Anne and I escorted Elizabeth into the backyard for a photo shoot with her prom dress. Here are some of my favorites.

Grand Canyon

Charlie and I went to the Grand Canyon on a field trip with his 4th grade class. We loaded busses at the school at 9:00 at night. After "sleeping" all night on the bus we unloaded to see the sun rise over the Grand Canyon.

It was absolutely beautiful!



Charlie took this picture. Pretty impressive huh?!?



Back on the bus, the kids were introduced to native Arizona wildlife. This is a rosie boa.

Then we drove to the Wupatki Indian Ruins. Very Cool!

Last stop of the day was at Sunset Crater. ( I was exhausted and didn't want to get off the bus!) It is a volcano that exploded about 1000 years ago. We hiked a mile through the lava. It is really interesting landscape.

Charlie had a blast. I think he would love to go back and do it all over again.

LOBSTERS!

The Priests invited the Laurels over to our house for a "game" night. Little did the girls know it was really "wild game" night. They released lobsters into our pool! (I know my pool....how could I let them do this? Can I ever swim in it again?)

Did I mention they put lobsters in our pool!


Here Brother Henderson is demonstrating how to catch a lobster while it is swimming (IN OUR POOL!)

Oh by the way....Nathan cut off the bands on the claws...makes for fun catching!

Cute little critters!

Can you believe Elizabeth actually caught one? Way to go Elizabeth!

Of course they cooked them up after they caught it. Along with the lobster they also cooked elk, reindeer sausage, and quail. What a feast!

And they got all the lobsters out of the pool!

Mom's Easter Visit

Janelle's mom came down from Utah for the Easter weekend. We had so much fun. Here are some of the highlights.

Dying Easter Eggs!

Easter Baskets!




Easter Egg Hunt!

And of course, lots of pictures to remember Easter with. Here are a few of my favorites!

Traditional....

For the front of the CD album someday....

Yes!!!! Mom is almost done taking pictures!

Thanks Mom for coming. You are wonderful! PS. All that practicing you did with the kids really paid off. Anne really did well at flute lessons today. And Elizabeth sounds wonderful on the piano. You are the best.