Spencer's Eagle Project

We had two tragedies this past year with two students passing away that had both attended Quartz Hill Elementary.  Spencer and his good friend, Mason Romney, decided they wanted to do their Eagle Projects as a remembrance for these two students.  The principle there, Michael Hallock, suggested one boy to have two memorial benches made and the other boy to build a Gaga Ball Pit, which is a game that many 6th graders love because they play it at Science Camp.  Spencer decided to take on the Gaga Ball Pit and Mason chose the benches.  

Spencer and Jashar Brown collecting donations

Mason and Spencer posted flyers and notices that the scouts would coming and collecting donations.  Together the boys raised over $5000 for this project.  It was amazing to see and feel the support of neighbors and friends.  

This project took months and months to organize, order supplies, and finally to build.  I have never seen two 14 year old boys work so hard to put this event together.  We were super proud of them!

The man cutting the wood is the father of one of the students who died.  It was so special that he and his family came out to help.

Here Spencer and Mason are gluing the memorial plaques on the benches and the podium listing all the families who donated. 

A local landscaper donated his time and materials to make the paver benches, platform, and edging.  We can't thank him enough for all he did.  It turned out absolutely beautifully!

That's the look of two completely satisfied and proud boys.

Grandma Chamberlain was in town and she was so impressed when she came down and saw what he had done!

Mr. Hallock had a special ceremony organized at the school with all of the 6th graders.  The band played several numbers, then the boys each gave a small speech.  This project is very special to Spencer in that Kohler's Eagle Project is just a few feet away in the same playground as the Sand Volleyball Pit.  Both brother's projects are side by side.  

At the end of the ceremony, every student took a balloon, made a wish, then on the count of 3, everyone let go of their balloons and it was really powerful watching them ascend up into the sky.  Both families of the students who passed away were present and many had tears in their eyes.  

After the balloon ceremony, they opened up the Gaga Pit for kids to play.  It was so much fun watching kids have a good time playing in that pit that took so long to build.  What an accomplishment!

February Catch Up

We have decided to demo our backyard and completely do a new design.  It looks like an absolute mess back there, like bombs have gone off or something ha ha!  But seriously, we have had jack hammers and all sorts of guys working back there so hopefully there is light at the end of the tunnel!

For family night we decided to have a lesson on Sweet and Sour Things.  We talked about how the sweetness of the gospel can turn sour things into sweet when you add sugar but it isn't until you add the living WATER of Christ that your life will be full.  Thus, we made fresh lemonade!  Cool, huh!

Hailey loves to teach Family Night.  This was another lesson we had on the Book of Mormon.  I love the podium she makes out of our piano bench and blanket!

My childhood home in Merced is so beautiful in February.  The plum trees out in the backyard blossom and it truly is a sight to behold.  I'm so glad my dad sent me these photos!

For Valentine's Dinner the girls got little pink hedgehogs.  They were in love!

You can tell Spencer is super happy about his little animal, ha ha!?

Here we are making chocolate dipped strawberries!  Yum!

24 years ago I married this hunk of a guy!  I am so thankful that I married him.  He is my everything and I can't even begin to imagine my life without him!

Speaking of weddings, Megan Roundy was married on February 26th to Joe Schramm.  It was held at the Mesa Temple and was oh, so beautiful!  They both looked super happy! Hailey was a little bridesmaid and held her dress for her while she walked.  Kelsey was a bridesmaid too, along with Amber, Alex and some of Megan's friends.  It was a super fun experience for my girls!

 Gosh I married the cutest guy ever, didn't I?!

 More stuff going on in our backyard remodel . . .

 Here are a few pics of our missionary (refer to his missionary blog book for more photos)  We cannot wait to see him in just a few months!

 Valentine boxes made by Izzy and Hailey

 Cutest dog in the world!

 Happy Birthday Tom!

 Hailey had a small role in a class play and Grandma Marshall was here to see it!

 Brunch at Snooze with the girls!

 So fun to have cousin time!

 It's starting to look like a back yard again!  Yeah!

 When we go to Utah, we like to visit Grandpa Chamberlains grave.

Another thing we like is to eat Dunford Donuts!!

 I am Relief Society President and for our RS Birthday Dinner, we planned a night of reflection on the past presidents of RS and their influence on the sisters of the church.  We asked several ladies in the ward to come and act out a few lines from that president so we could get to know them.  It was a beautiful event!

 Oh - when we were in Utah we ran into my cousin Patrick Sadler and his wife Bethany with their newborn son, Logan James.

Best buddies!