The C L O G G I N G season.

Hailey and Chloe enjoyed another great year with Idaho Rhythm.  Chloe clogged on a novice team and didn't compete this year.  She learned 2 dances;" itsy bitsy yellow polka dot bikini"  and  "So bring it on".     Her costume this year was really cute and something she can actually wear!   I hope to see her on a beginner clogging team for the fall. 
Hailey danced on an advanced team again this year and competed her 2 dances which were "Harder Stronger" and "Lean on Me".    Her costumes were better than last year, but nothing she can wear again. 
Hailey is a really good dancer and the instructor told her he thinks she will move up to champion level in the fall.  If this is the case, then Hailey will be on a new team and will have lessons in Nampa. 

NNU Competition- February
I was in Logan during this competition and didn't get to see Hailey compete.  They got a 1 and a 2 on their dances.  Hailey didn't compete solos this year becuase they taught the solo at the beginning of the year and never practiced it again.  She had forgotten it. 

Pocatello Competition- March 13
Hailey and I rode with the Hart's and Nelson's to pocatello.  It was a fun day and nice to chat with Marlene and Shamarie.  Hailey enjoyed the drive with Ashley and Aubrey.  We drove down in the morning and the girls competed in the afternoon.  We drove home late afternoon and was home by evening! 
Hailey's team got 2's on both dances at this competition. 

Nationals at Lagoon- May 15
Because Hailey's team recieved a 1 at their first competition they qualified to go to nationals.  Once again Hailey and I rode with the Hart's to lagoon.  We drove down Friday night and stayed in Layton and the girls competed Saturday morning.  Hailey and Ashley got a ride pass and played the rest of the day while Shamarie and I watched the competition and took a nap on the grass under a nice shade tree.  I had a terrible cold and felt horrible.  We left lagoon at 6pm and arrived home at 11pm. 
Once again they recieved 2's on both dances.  A team of 4 has it rough going up against power teams of 10!

Clog Classic Recital- May 26
Both girls did a smashing job on their dances!  The show has gotten so big they had to do 2 shows this year.  Lucky us...we had a daughter in each show.  We watched Chloe's show at 5 and Hailey's at 7.  It worked out well and we were blown away by the awesome talent!  The girls love being on stage and did a great job! 

                                                           Instructor: Lindsay Cook

T R A C K

We love the track season.  It was a busy one with 2 in track again this year.  This time it was Hailey and Caden. I think we attended about 12 meets this season.
Hailey started out training for the sprint races.  She soon realized that distance is where she belongs.  She ran the mile and the 800.  She did very well at both.  She is a 6th grader this year and seemed to always place 4th for Lake Hazel.  The top 3 runners were 8th graders.  She ran the mile in 6:45. 

Caden doesn't like track as much as XC.  He ran the 4x800 relay a couple of times and the mile.  He ran his mile in 5:45.  He does well and we are proud that he gets out there and competes.  He is excited for the XC season to start.  He tells us he will run all summer to prepare.  I hope he keeps his word!

Wicked!

Hailey and I went to the Broadway show Wicked!  I was so excited to see it again.  Joel and I saw it in New York and I loved it.  I was even more excited to see it with Hailey. 
I was able to get 2 tickets for a matinee show. We went on Thursday May 5.   We got the cheapest tickest and they were still $50 a seat.  We were on top in the back, but we brought out binoculars and had a great view.  It was awesome! 
It was just as good as the show we saw in New York.  Alphaba and Glenda were so good.  They were really pretty too.  
Hailey loved it!  She loves to watch the Wizard of Oz, and could follow the story pretty good.  I love that Boise gets such great shows!

Elder Coelton Charles Hammer

Missionary Training Center

The day finally arrived.  A day that we had looked forward to with anticipation, fear, curiosity, happiness and sadness.   May 4.

I had enjoyed nearly a month with my boy.  He returned from college April 10.  We had a great time together shopping and getting him ready for his mission.  We ate out a lot and enjoyed many long talks and laughing and singing to the radio.  I will cherish those days.  As the days went by I couldn't believe it had finally came.  The MTC drop off. 

We had heard from many different people how awful it was.  They said you just drop them off and drive away.  It's curb side and these host missionaries just escort them away.  One Mother told me she didn't even get to give her son a hug.  I didn't want it to be like that.  We contemplated the idea of his flying to the MTC from the Boise airport.  At least we could have a more intimate farewell.  But we decided we wanted to experience the whole thing. 

We drove to American Fork on May 3.  We stayed at DaNae and Randy's house.  I am glad we did that instead of staying at a hotel in Provo.  It was nice to take our minds off of things and visit and play with the kids. 
On May 4th, Joel, I and Coelton went to the Timpanogas temple and did a session together.  It was awesome and as I walked into the celestial room, the morning sun was shining in that huge room and it took my breath away.  I walked over to Joel and Coelton and realized that I had him for forever...2 years is so small compared to forever.  I could do this.  I felt peaceful and calm. 
I held their hands and we talked.  This time we spent together is very special to me.

We went back to DaNae's and ate a lovely breakfast and packed up our things and loaded up the car.  Coelton was in his suit and looked like a missionary.  He was glowing.  He said good-bye to DaNae and Collin.  Macey and Randy had all ready left for work and preschool. 

We went to the BYU Creamery (request of Coelton) and got milkshakes.  Yum!  We went to the temple grounds and talked, walked around, took pictures and ate our milkshakes.  We tried to get a picture by the MTC sign but couldn't get in.  We went to a parking lot across the street.  Only cars with missionaries are allowed to park there.  We saw several families there and they were saying their good-bye's as they waited for their assigned time for the "drop  off".  It was tearing my heart out to watch these people so I quickly took Chloe to the rest room.  When we returned it was 12:45...drop off time.  Caden and Coelton were crying and Joel had very watery eyes too.  I gave Coelton a hug and got in the back seat with him.  I held his hand as we drove across the street to the MTC.  I rubbed his back and we cried together.  I told him how much we loved him and how proud we are. 

As we drove into the MTC the attendant asked Coelton if he had turned his cell phone over to his parents.  He said he had.  The attendant told us to drive to #19.  We stopped along the sidewalk at pole #19.  Two missionaries opened our doors and shook our hands.  They helped us get the luggage out of the back of the car.  We each took a turn giving him one last hug.  No one held back the tears and sobs now.  Joel and I gave him one last hug and told him to work hard and be obedient.  He walked away with the 2 missionaries and we watched him until we couldn't see him anymore.  It felt like my heart would break.  We all sobbed until we reached Shopko and we pulled over and used the restroom, Joel changed clothes and we all hugged each other and dried our cheeks and for the most part had a nice calm ride home. 

We love you Elder Coelton Charles Hammer.     Hurrah For Israel!!!

One Last Time

Coelton has loved to play basket ball.  He has never been able to beat his Dad.  I noticed the few days before he left for the MTC, he would tell Caden to come out and play me in a BB game.  I loved this because Caden doesn't particularly like to play BB.  He went out without hesitation, and I loved watching these brothers play. 
Joel was challenged to a game too.  Coelton wanted to beat him before he left.

The morning of Coelton's last run, he came back into the neighborhook with Joel and as he ran down the street he saw this banner hanging on the garage.  Our friends and neighbors got up early and put this up for Coelton. 

Buddies: Blake and Austin both called to serve in the Phillipines

A Real Puerto Rican Meal

The Mercados in our ward lived in Puerto Rico for 6 years.  Cheryl graciously invited us over for a traditional Christmas dinner straight from Puerto Rico.  We were excited and was able to go to their home the Sunday before Coelton left for the MTC. 
In Puerto Rico christmas lasts a lot longer than it does here.  However, they do their big celebrating on 3 Kings day.  This is when they exchange gifts etc.  It is in February. 
For dinner Cheryl and Fernando made roasted pig and plantanes with a rice and beans dish.  The beans in the rice you can only find in specialty stores.  Cheryl had to get hers in Utah.  They don't serve dessert in Puerto Rico, but they do serve a lot of fruit.  We had mangos and strawberries.  Of course Puerto Rico is similar to Hawaii and their georgous tropical fruits! 
We had a great time and enjoyed talking and learning about Puerto Rico.