End of My Sophomore (s) School Year

School year 2013-2014 is over. (Actually, Payton does math year round...and this year she will also do geography. Shhhh...she doesn't know that yet.) :)
It dawned on me a few months ago that I have two sophomores! Yikes, that will be two graduation in one week.

It was a good year for them both. Their grades were awesome and their experiences the same. God willing they both grew in their faith and character. 

Here are a few hi-lights of the school year:

 A successful year of speech and debate.  We started a new club on the east side of Tucson; Kairos. We also hosted a tournament in Oct. It was lots of work, but very successful. So well worth it.

Payton and her partner, Matthew, had a very successful year. They qualified for Nationals, but since they were held in SC, we didn't go.  We've had too much going on to travel across the country for six rounds of debate. 

Landon was one of their debate coaches. It was fun to see him on the other side of debate. I was very proud of how he handled the job. He is professional, yet the kids liked him because he made them laugh. He used his knowledge in debate and logical thinking to give some helpful advice.

Payton launching a rocket during a Physics co-op.

Landon's science class this year was the "Science of Cooking," so here he is with his lab partner, Shannon, as they use my kitchen for one of many labs. We got to consume the projects, and I have to say, they are good cooks.
(Yes, I stuck my two cents in a few times. They are colleges students with not a lot of experience in cooking.) :)

Can't have education without life skills. They have become quite good at laying hard wood floors.

Landon was a cashier at Target for over a year. (Max had better pictures, but lost them when he had to reset his phone.) :(
He recently had a job change, so he is much happier not working weekends. And for more money.

He also taught a guitar class, but unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of him with his students. It's not easy to get pictures anymore of my son's life. Sad.

This, led to.....

.....this!  No words needed here. :)

 High School soccer

Payton had a very successful soccer season. This picture was featured on Azprep because of a hat trick (three goals) during the state championship.
She also had a few write-ups and pictures. What fun.

The whole season was such a huge blessing from God!

We lined the streets to wish them luck for their last home State Championship game.
Payton had a great game on this afternoon.
Payton's best friend, Shelby, is holding the sign with me. Her other friends met us at the game. Along with neighbors.
Again, she was blessed!

We ended the school year with tickets to see Tim Hawkins. Oh, my....he is too funny.  I laughed till I cried.
The kids met up with some friends from church.

My prayer for my children every year....

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,      Colossians 3:23

My Birthday

I am NOT the person who dreads or despises birthdays...quite the contrary - I wake up each birthday and thank the Lord for another year. Yes, age changes things...some things for the worse, but some for the better. 

Unfortunately, I know too many adults who didn't get to see 51, so I am very grateful I got to. 

 Payton had a game that night, so we went out to lunch instead of dinner. Max met us at Peiwei. 

Oh, soooo yummy! 

My thoughtful daughter decorated so cute. They spoiled me with gifts, love and my mom mailed her traditional German Chocolate cake. So sweet. (Pun intended.)  :)

Well, my birthday was in January and we are already mid May. I will catch up blogging. One day.  :)

Super Bowl Party 2015

Well, if you can't (won't) pay for Super Bowl tickets when the game is so close to home...the next best thing is to have a party. 

Nacho Bar

Some of the appetizers

 Treats - it's hard to read the signs, but they said, "Timeout treats, Super Bowl rings, and Coin toss." :)

Football brownie bites ( This was only a fraction of the desserts...oh, so many sweets and so few picutres!)

 Friends (I guess I hung out at the dessert table too long and forgot to get pictures of everyone. Oops!) 

The kids in the game room streaming the game, but they eventually made their way into the family room for the commercials. One of the best aspects of the game.

It was a good time with great food, great friends & a great game!