Time is a funny thing...

 Time is crazy. Some days are soooooo long and difficult and I wonder if they'll ever end. Then some days fly by and become weeks, then months before it seems I can catch my breath. The entire month of May is both. The end of the year is a special kind of insane at school, students (and teachers/staff) and DONE, so each day feels like I'm a bouncer/baby-sitter. When I finally hit summer break (as much of a break before summer school begins), I'm shocked how much has happened during those chaotic days. Here's a few highlights:

• Cooper had his final ballroom recital. He was a little sad, he loves it so much. He did sign up to double dance next year though, and he's taking lessons/coaching this summer to improve his lifts so he can make the silver lift team in the fall. He also had a young women ask him to be his cabaret partner, so he'll be practicing that as well! I'm so proud of his commitment to ballroom. He goes to the gym 4-5 times a week, and practices tirelessly. 
• Cooper got a job at Paramount Theaters! He's a responsible member of society now. 😆
• Cooper finished his sophomore year! It's hard to believe he only has 2 more years of high school left. He has an amazing group of friends. They are pretty nerdy, but so much fun.
• Cooper auditioned for Bel Canto choir and made it! It's been so much fun to see him gain confidence and try new things.
• Amelia finished her first year at BYU-Idaho. She had a little trouble with chemistry, but still managed to get several scholarships to pay fully for next year! I'm so proud of her for working so hard. She's working full time this summer in hopes of earning enough money to go on a humanitarian trip to Europe in 2024. 
• Amelia finished another year of coaching for the ballet studio she used to attend.
• Amelia sent off her missionary at the end of May!
• We added to our family--another cute nephew/cousin to spoil. Andy and Desiree had their second boy. That makes 14 grandchildren!
• Lastly, Amelia her first grown-up girls' weekend at Lagoon with her friends--and it poured rain!

Here's some pictures:

Cooper's first day on the job!

14th grandchild! We love you, Riggins!

Cooper's ballroom pictures

Summer has a lot more in store, stay tuned!!

Cooper is datable! Happy 16th!

 Cooper Flynn turned 16 YEARS OLD TODAY! The time is going by so quickly. I remember cuddling this cute, chubby, happy toddler like it was yesterday.

Cooper is full of charm, mischief, wit, and outright fun. He is such a happy, kind, funny, thoughtful young man and we can't imagine life without him. There is never a dull moment with him and I love him more than words can say! He is still in choir, has an amazing friend group at school, has worked SO hard in his ballroom classes and loves lift!  

He's been a charmer since birth, still loves to never wear pants, has an AMAZING sense of humor, and a smile that is contagious and gets him out of a lot of trouble! Happy birthday, Coop! WE LOVE YOU!!!

Last of the teen years for Amelia!

Amelia turns NINETEEN YEARS OLD today! How can she almost be in her 20s?! I know I've said it before, but Amelia is such a sweetheart! She is SO happy, optimistic, cheerful and non-teenagery. She might be small, but she's mighty. I'm so impressed with what she's accomplished in life, and I'm excited to see her navigate adulthood. She is a mature beyond her years but still loves to be silly and laugh. She's rarely without a smile.

Nineteen years ago, at 9:11 pm, I was blessed with the most beautiful, caring, talented, loving, smart, funny, determined, and kind-hearted, 8 lb. 6 oz. girl I know. And everyone else who meets her agrees with me. :-) Happy birthday Amelia! Enjoy the end of the your teen years.  WE LOVE YOU!!!

 P.S. I was looking back and realized I didn't post for her 18th birthday! Oops. All I know is it was a CRAZY senior year. 

Quick Utah Trip

 Last weekend we had a quick trip to Utah for Cooper's competition. It was a fantastic time because we got to see Katie, David, Linus and Ladd again! Mom hopped in with us, so that made it even more fun. 

Cooper did an AMAZING job! He danced two routine dances, the group lift routine (he and his partner nailed the t-press!!) and three syllabus dances. He was pretty tired by the end of our marathon day. I'm so proud of him for working so hard. He loves ballroom and it's been a fantastic experience. Here's a few pictures and a video:

Licensed Driver #2!

 Cooper did it! He passed his written and driving test this week! He's officially a licensed driver! And I'm officially paying insurance for two teenager drivers! 😢 He's much more excited than I am. 😂 

Kidding aside, I'm so proud of Cooper! He's wanted a license for a looooong time and he studied so hard to make sure he only had to take the test once. Congrats, Cooper! 

Wrapping Up 2022!

 Wow! Two months have passed since I wrote. SO MUCH has happened. Here's a quick rundown of the last 8 weeks:

• Amelia visited the surgeon and found out surgery will not be needed. Hooray! She just needed to finish a few weeks of physical therapy and wear a brace until May. In addition, she can't do any strenuous exercise or activities (dancing) that may twist her knee until October.

• Cooper continued with his ballroom and lift class, performing at Dancing with Rexburg's Stars. He was amazing! He has been so good to continue with his gym workouts regularly. 

• Cooper performed in The Nutcracker and was fantastic! He made me cry with his talent and hard work. His pas de duex with Abby was beautiful. He loved performing and is looking forward to next year. (Dianne booked him until graduation!) 😂

• Amelia finished her first semester of college and did well in all her classes! She's moving home to save money for a Europe trip with the college she's taking in a year.

• We had a fantastic Christmas!

• Amelia went through the temple to receive her endowment. It was such a special day! My mom and all my siblings and most of their spouses made it. A few close friends from our ward made the day perfect. I'm blessed to have such a kind, wise, and mature daughter.

• We held the Call Christmas. It. Was. Insane. 

• Cooper rang in the New Year with friends at a dance, and Amelia went to a party. I partied at home in my pajamas with my favorite movie. 

Here's a few pictures:

Here's to 2023!

October Recap

 Whew! Just because one child moves out doesn't mean life slows down. At all. October just flew by. A few things to mention:

• Over Harvest Break Cooper and I went to Utah to visit Katie and her family. Amelia joined us the last day because her schedule no longer aligns with ours. We rode the Heber Creeper, ate yummy sundaes at Leatherby's, played with adorable nephews/cousins, and enjoyed being out of Rexburg for awhile.

• Cooper has been hitting the gym 4-5 times a week to bulk up for his lift class. He's been so good to go regularly, and it's showing. He was asked earlier this year to be the Nutcracker for the ballet in December, and he has been able to do more lifts and an overall more difficult pas de duex with his partner Abby (she'll be Clara). He's also noticed he's able to lift the girls in his class easier and with more stability. Yay, Coop!

• Cooper took the PSAT at school and it solidified he wants to go to a technical college instead of a traditional one. 😂

• Amelia went on a two day, one night camping trip for her geology class down to southern Utah. She loved it! She saw fossils, lots of dirt, and some really cool rock formations. 

• Cooper had his first choir concert. He's in a men's choir called "Shades". The young men come onto stage wearing sunglasses. They were amazing!

• Cooper went to the straw maze with friends, got set up to snowboard this winter, attended a Christmas-themed part, and dog-sat a friends dog. He was in heaven.

• Amelia hurt her knee during her ballet class. She had an MRI done and has tore her ACL. She's been on crutches for about two weeks. We're waiting to hear about surgery. She had to drop her ballet class and has become really selective about when she's in her apartment. It's on the third floor. 😧

• My mom had knee replacement surgery this week so she and Amelia are good company for each other. 

• Cooper had his picture taken for the Nutcracker posters. He's the first nutcracker to be on the poster. He was pretty proud. 

• Halloween was insane. Enough said. 

That's all of October! I'm sure November will be just as busy, so you'll hear from me soon! Enjoy some pictures of this crazy month.