Been a while

Well, it has been awhile since I have updated this. Life got extremely busy once school started back and many things fell to the side in order to make it. Unfortunately this was one of those things. I intend to do better this next semester and at least put up dates about our activities. I like to put pictures but may not have the time.

This last semester has included many activities. Rick has been so busy with work. The oil and gas business is very good right now as you might expect. He has traveled to several destinations to take care of his customers.

I have started a new job this year. I am the assistant principal of a local elementary school. This is a much more time consuming job than I realized, but I love it. I work with the greatest people and am learning so much every day. The challenges are endless, but I try to learn from every situation.

Jace is in First grade this year and is doing great. I always thought that reading would be difficult to learn - boy was I wrong. Once he realized those letters made sounds and the sounds made words he was off to the races. He is leaps and bounds where is should be in reading. Math is right on target. Sure is nice to not have to worry about that. Jace is also doing Upward Basketball this year and loves it. He is getting better and better - although he tries hard I think he excels more in the academic areas :) I think he got his mother's athletic skills - Sorry Jace!

Linly is in pre-school this year and thinks she is big stuff. She makes us laugh so much. She doesn't know a stranger and will talk your ear off if you will let her. She and Jace are in gymnastics this year. They are both doing amazingly well with this. They love it and the best part is that they are both in a class at the same time. This sure helps with the transportation issues.

As for the coming year we plan on surviving the next semester, going skiing in February, and doing something during spring break. This summer we will travel to Kansas for a family reunion and then on to part undetermined right now. We look forward to seeing some of you when we get a chance and reconnecting with many others.

Have a great 2008!

Mayhill

Burning the pit at Mayhill. This was a big job, but so needed now that it is wet up there.












Linly with the fish she caught. She wasn't too sure about this.












Jace with his fish. He caught 6 and Linly caught 2.


















Proud of their fish.




















Papa trying to teach Linly how to roast her hot dog. She just didn't get it. She kept wanting to laying it on the fire.

4th of July in Alamogordo, NM watching fireworks. This place was nuts. People were shooting in off in parking lots, driveways, and on the roadside. Apparently there are no restrictions there.









During the Mitchell family reunion the kids got to go to the Space Museum and ride the train in Alamo.













Are they having fun?

Linly is 3

This year the theme was purple. Linly choose a castle cake and I made it. Not bad for my first attempt. The house was covered in purple for the day.










Linly loved for everyone to sing to her and blowing out the candles. Thanks Mario for the tip on where to put them :) We then had cake, snacks, played and then present time. Linly had to get up and go tell everyone thank you right away. It was a great party.










Showing off some of her goodies.

FEAST Retreat

This around the campfire on the first night. What a treat for the kids.












This was at the end of our hike. It was a beautiful hike with lots of lady bugs, wild strawberries and even mysterious falling trees :)











This was at Flying J Ranch. Linly loved the horse ride.












Jace was a good shot with the pistol.















Here are all the guys with their targets. What a fun night this was. The trip home was even exciting with hundreds of massive elk. They were incredible to see.

Kara Elizabeth Ann

My niece was born this June. Linly and Jace are infatuated with her and just can't get enough of her.













Jace was especially in awe. He thought he was suppose to hold her all the time. He loved her little ears :)
















My sister Tina and Kaylee (the Big Sister) and Kara












Mimi and Papa with Kara right after she was born.













Kara Elizabeth Ann Dipprey

Jace's Surgery

This was a day or so after Jace had his tubes, adenoids and tonsils done. I have to say that I didn't realize how hard it would hit him. He took a full two weeks to recoup. I know that I never want my tonsils taken out after watching him go through this. It was awful.

First lost tooth

Memorial Day 2007

Jace lost his first tooth. He was so proud. The tooth fairy even came that night. We are having to keep him from trying to pull more teeth right now because he likes the tooth fairy part so much.

He LOST it

Jace lost his first tooth at 12:15, Memorial Day 2007!!!

He is sooooo excited

Recital

Oh my goodness! A two year old in a dance recital is SOOOO cute. After seeing the older girls though - I'm not so sure it is cute the older they get. In fact, after seeing what we did we have decided that Linly is going to enjoy being in gymnastics from now on. But, for now we are having fun with the recital and all the attention from it. She loved every bit it. The make-up, the stage, the audience, the flowers, the gifts and of course the glitter.




We are waiting to go on stage with the ballet.



















What a cute smile and look at the hair. I can't believe it stayed all night long.




















This is her "shake" as she calls it.



















Linly showing how to point















This was one sleepy girl. We didn't get home till 10:00 and still had to eat. She was a good sport though. It was a long recital, but so much fun to see her perform. Jace did as good as can be expected sitting through the recital. Lucky for him he was allowed to take his game boy in and play it a little.

Graduation

These are pics from our trip to my graduation. I graduated with my masters in Educational Administration from Grand Canyon University. It is about the same size as ACU. We went to the Painted Desert, Petrified Forest, and Grand Canyon. These are only a handful of pictures just because of limited time and space.


How cute are they?































The Grand Canyon












Family pic with a Saguaro cactus. I love these cactus. They are very cool looking.



















Right after graduation with my Mom and Dad

Look Mom

Linly was so proud of herself today. She grew "fallers" at school this week. She wanted a picture with them so bad. See how excited she is :)







Just thought her face was funny on this one.






Good picture of them. They were watching all the birds in the backyard today. It was beautiful outside.





Look at those blue eyes! Like I said the birds were impressive and I was snapping away with the camera. Who wouldn't though with kids like this :)

Day late and a dollar short

I guess it doesn't really matter when we do Easter Sunday, right? Well, since we were quarantined with the chicken pox for Easter (and it was snowing) then we did Easter Sunday last week. Here are the pictures of the Easter outfits.

Easter in Midland

Can you believe this. Here we are in the middle of spring and enjoying 80 degree weather when winter decides it just doesn't want to go. We just HAD to get some pictures and share with everyone. How many times have you seen green trees and flowers in full bloom with sleet and snow everywhere. By the way the temp is suppose to be in the 80's early next week. Gotta love West Texas. The old saying if you don't like the weather then wait 5 min. is sooooo true.























































Look at the size of these flakes!

It's official!

Well it's official! We have the chicken pox at our house. How about that. Jace came in yesterday morning and raised up his shirt and asked what this was. My response - "a problem". Not sure how long this is gonna keep him out of school. So far it hasn't been to bad. Yesterday he had 14 pox and so far today he is up to 21. They are confined to his torso area right now. I am really hoping it stays that way.

I'm told that Linly will get it as well. Ugh! Right now she has one place that looks suspicious. Don't know if it will be the first for her or not. This sure messes up Easter weekend. Of course Linly's Easter dress would have been a little chilly since it is suppose to be snowing this Easter. Hopefully she will get to wear it next weekend.



By the way, for all you moms, I didn't realize that there are two shots to the chicken pox vaccine and the first is required and the second is only if the parent requests it. The kids getting the chicken pox right now are the ones with only one shot. Wish I had known sooner.