Fun with Grandma

We've been having a great time with Grandma this week. Zack and Paul have been at Scout camp, so it's just been us girls. We went to Gardner Village and Wheeler Farm, painted our tonails and toured Sweet's Candy Factory. Thank you Christina for inviting us to that! Alyssa has been wearing her "Candy Maker Hat"/hair net all day! We've been having so much fun, I don't want mom to go home...

Remembering....

My mom is still here from California. She was kind enough to take care of the kids while Paul and I went to New York. Today we headed down to Mapleton to clean the headstones of my grandparents and my dad. We put pinswheels around dad's headstone to represent his grandkids.

After, we went to visit my Grandma Gardner's baby brother and his wife , Uncle Randall and Aunt Pam in Lake Shore. He has been the family geneologist for years and I've never seen an octogenarian so computer literate. He checks his granddaughter's blogs everyday. How cool is that? He reminded me that I had done a website for my Grandpa Gardner when he passed away and that I hadn't yet done one for my Grandma. I started it tonight. There still a few more things to add, but here they are:

http://mkushlan.home.comcast.net/~mkushlan/grandma.htm

http://mkushlan.home.comcast.net/~mkushlan/grandpa.htm

Gardner/Sumsion Family: If you have any pictures or memories of Grandpa or Grandma that you want included on that site, send them to me and I'll get them posted.

The Big Apple

Just an update... Paul and I just arrived in New York today. We are staying in Times Square and it is just crazy. Reminds me of Picadilly Circus in London. Millions of people plus we are smack down in the middle of the theater district. We had dinner at Carmine's (very affordable family style Italian) and on our way back to the hotel we stopped to see if there were tickets available for Legally Blonde right next door to our hotel. There were, so we got to see it tonight! It was very cute! Here's a pic of Paul modeling the t-shirt we bought for Alyssa.... More to come!

Pics from Zack's 6th grade Dances

The Whole Group (6th grade End-of-Year Luau)

Zack and friends

50's Valentine's Day Dance

Bye, Bye Innocence

Yesterday was Zack's last day of elementary school. He's so psyched for summer. I can't believe that he will be in middle school next year. I tell myself, "He's not mature enough for middle school," but then think, "No one in middle school is mature."

It will be a big change from his small Silver Mesa Elementary family to the big world of Albion Middle School next year. Although two of his best friends will be attending two other middle schools, he's so excited. We've had such a good experience at Silver Mesa and it will be a big change for me since I won't have to be there either (Alyssa won't start Kindergarden until the following year). I will admit there's a social element for me and I'll miss seeing the other parents and staff, but it will be a nice break to lay low.


There were about 70 kids in the 6th grade at Zack's school including some special ed. They were a great group of kids that really protected those with special needs. It was amazing to see the compassion that had for others. I just hope they don't get too corrupted and lose that when they move on.

Alyssa's Dance Pictures

Just wanted to share Alyssa's dance picture.... Click on the pic to enlarge....

Saint George / Zions

We're number one!!
We decided we couldn't wait for summer here in Salt Lake and drove down for some hot weather in Saint George. Kids had a blast swimming at the pool and go-carting. Of course we had to eat at In-N-Out twice.... maybe the novelty will wear off when they get one in Salt Lake.

Colorful push-pop smiles!

A quick stop at Zion's National Park on the way home completed the weekend.