It's all News to Me

Friday, November 23, 2012

Hunter Hayes and Carrie Underwood Concert

Mom's brother, Aaron, was able to get us backstage passes, Meet and Greet and tickets to the Hunter Hayes, Carrie Underwood tour. Rachel invited a couple of friends, Grandma Jackie and her friend came up and we all met at the concert. It was nice to see Aaron in his element.

Rachel in Hunter Hayes truck

The girls getting ready to meet Carrie.

Mom and the kids backstage

Rachel and her Uncle Aaron (he's pinching her, hence her face)

Aaron put the girls to work tagging water bottles and organizing tshirts

Grandma Jackie and Aaron

Kellee and Marshel - waiting for Carrie Meet and Greet

Kellee and Grandma

Kellee and Mom

Kellee and Rachel

Grandma and Carrie

Kellee and Carrie

Marshel and Carrie - just before he asked for a hug and then stole a kiss

Mom and Carrie

Rachel and Carrie

Carrie with the whole gang

Hunter Hayes in concert

The girls ready with their shirts

Kellee sitting in Carrie's chair

Hunter

Kellee with Hunter - she was speechless, he signed the back of her shirt

Rachel with Hunter - what a cute couple

All the girls with Hunter - we couldn't stay for his Meet and Greet - it was really late, so Aaron worked something out and the girls snuck out in the backstage hallway after Hunter finished his set and he was waiting to meet them. They were more than excited.

Carrie in concert

Marshel was in love - recorded as much as he could on his little phone

Carrie had this cool set up where she came right over our area for a few songs

Marshel and Kellee with Carrie above them - they swear she waved and looked right at them

Random Pics

Rachel and her date to Campo Verde Homecoming - Dylan Smith

Spirit Week - Rachel's Link Crew on PJ Day

Rachel and friend Jennifer

Halftime dance

Rachel landing her back handspring

Rachel - mid-flip

Rachel and Jennifer - practicing their scorpions on the couch

Rachel's "Ram"ily

Visitors Center in St. George

St. George Temple

Kellee's School Concert

Michael sent us these pictures.

LHD2 is his group on USS Essex (front row from left - #7).

LHD6 is his current group on USS Bonhomme Richard (2nd row from left - #7).

Senior Night

October 26, 2012 was Senior Night at the Football Game. Before the game, they called all of the Senior Football players onto the field with their parents to be honored. At halftime, it was the cheer team and band. Mom, Marshel and Kellee escorted Rachel onto the field. Marshel and Kellee gave her a bouquet of flowers. We all were able to walk her across the field as the announcer shared Rachel's future plans and her favorite memories of being a cheerleader at Maricopa High School. Suddenly, it all became real to Rachel as tears filled her eyes and she realized that her time as a "kid" were coming to an end. It was a special night for her.

Rachel and the other 4 Senior Cheerleaders

2013 Seniors and Graduates

Fall Break

The kids were out of school for Fall Break, so we jumped in the car and headed north. We drove to St. George and spent a week hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa Welch, Uncle Brandon's family and Uncle Mark's family. We enjoyed a little sightseeing, exploring, and game nights.

We spent a whole day at Dixie State College with Rachel. She was given a tour by an Ambassador she had met at her high school. He showed her all the cool parts of the school, talked to her about activities, scholarships, housing, and how to become an Ambassador herself. We drove to the apartment complex recommended by him and toured the apartments. Rachel is ready to start college tomorrow, but fortunately, she gets to finish high school and enjoy her last few months at home.

It had been about 2 years since Rachel had "gone home", so she was super excited

to see her Uncle Brandon and spend time with him and all the little cousins.

She visited her favorite dance teacher, Stefanie, also.

We visited the Jacob Hamblin home. He was a pioneer sent to help settle St. George, actually Santa Clara, Utah. He was a friend to the Indians and the tour guide/missionary told us stories and showed us some of the artifacts remaining from this time in our church history.

Friday, October 5, 2012

Rachel - Student of the Quarter

Rachel was nominated as a Student of the Quarter by one of her teachers, Mr. Elet of Economics. She was so surprised when she found out that she made a face, right up there on stage.

I'm really proud of Rachel for working so hard to be a good student and having a positive attitude.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

We Caught Kellee...Singing in the Rain (I mean, tub)

Kellee was in the bathtub and we heard singing. We peeked in and saw her "feeding" Sophie water and singing to her. We couldn't resist getting some video of it. She was not so happy once she spotted us.