Cookies for Sammy

Today we decided to decorate cookies for our missionary brother.  I loved how Jackson wrote Bro on every cookie he made.  They all did a great job and we hope Elder Pollock likes his homemade cookies.

We were glad Randon was there to help out as well.  

Thanks kids!

Football time

We got to watch Randon play the championship game in Little Guy Football.  They lost, which was sad, but Randon played very well.

Jackson's drivers license

Look out Montana, Jackson is now legal to drive.

The Number 2 is Cool!

Jackson, Aliza, Callin, and Maddie all were  #2 for football and volleyball.  We thought that was pretty cool.  We were glad they had their shirts with them when they came to visit for the day.

Jackson's New Job

Jackson is now running the scoreboard for the middle school games.  Football, volleyball, and basketball.  He likes getting his own money.

Birthdays

Once again, Jackson and I have a birthday dinner together.  Mom was still in town from my surgery, and we had the usual family members over for some lasagna and cake.  Sam gave me this beautiful scarf.  

Jackson a big 15 year old, and me.... well forty something. :)

Cousins Camp- Day 5

Our last day together, we went up Little Cottonwood Canyon past Alta Ski Resort and hiked up to Crescent Lake.  We were told it is an easy one because we have mom and little kids.

It was OK, until the end when we were scaling over rocks and going up an incline pretty fast.  We were ready to see the water.  We got some good pictures of the kids/families that would stick around long enough to get photos.

Kass, Cal, Bree, and Maren on the trail/ Jackson and Max/ Abby and Aliza/ Maren and Grandma (they were the first to start heading down, glad they got a photo)

Love my children

So glad these girls all get along, most of the time :)

Bree, Abby, Brooklyn, Brynn, Aliza, Maren

It was hard to get these boys to look at the camera.  They were sick of getting pictures taken.

At least most of them are looking now. 

Cade, Blake, Cameron, Jackson, Cal, Max

The Franckowiaks

Cute, Cute, family.... well at least this is half the family.

After the hike, we headed down to Draper Park to play while foil dinners were cooking in the oven at home. (we didn't get a pit at the park)

What a fun day and week of Cousins Camp.  I'm so glad we are keeping the tradition as long as we can.  We didn't get a Montana Cousins Camp this year because of Kass teaching until July, then moving to Las Vegas for Mick's new job in the OR.  So Sad.  Hopefully next year!

Big Horn Lake

I always love finding pictures on my phone after the kids have gotten a hold of it.

These were a few of probably 25.  They sure aren't shy.

Kyla, Jackson, Paige, and Max

We finally got to get out on the lake.  We've been talking it up all summer long to Taylor, and he was going home in a couple of days, so yesterday was the day.  

Jackson and Max did some cliff jumping along with some knee boarding, which turned into stand up boarding.

We stopped to do a little fishing, and Sam caught this weird looking fish that looked ancient.

He wishes he would have cleaned it off before getting a picture of it.  :)

Jackson's 8th Grade Graduation

Well, he did it, made it through Middle School.  Now he is a Freshman in High School.  A little crazy if you ask me.  I'm so mad at the blurry pictures, I didn't come prepared.

Jackson got hugged and picked up by Mrs Caldera.  She is Jackson's history teacher as well as his track coach.  She spoke very highly of him every time I saw her.  When he was going through the line and shaking or hugging teachers from middle school, she picked him up and gave him a big squeeze.  It was so cute.  I wish I could have had a clearer photo or even a video.  

What a handsome young man.  He has grown so much.

I took him and Kyla over to the Middle School to get some pictures afterwards.  It was cloudy and chilly.  Not too happy he covered his picture up. 

Kyla and Jackson, getting so grown up and ready for high school. 

 Since he covered his picture up, I thought I would put a photo of the photo on here.  

You were a hard worker through these years Jackson.  I know you can keep it up throughout high school.  I love you so much!  Congratulations!!!

Last Band Concert of the School Year

From what I understand, this is Jackson's last year in band.  He doesn't want to continue on in high school.  He has done such a great job playing the trumpet.  Aliza will play the flute in 8th grade and then who knows.  They did pretty well this time.  It was fun to listen to.

What a great looking group of kids.  Next year it will be just Karissa and Aliza.  :(  I've already told Maren she will be in choir....... :-)

Billings Scorpions Lacrosse

Jackson's new favorite sport.  He had such a fun time and learned with every game.  Practices started in February and had about 4 tournaments.  One in Billings, Missoula, and two in Bozeman. 

He made some good friends, and will be on the high school team next year.

Sam and I had a blast following him around and watching him play.

Can't wait till next time.

7th & 8th Grade Track

It was such a fun year to watch my two kids running and jumping.  Maren made it to one of the meets.  She wanted to miss school and watch what Jackson and Aliza did in track.  Of course it was a cold day the day she came.

Aliza ran the meters, hurdles, and relays.

 Jackson ran the mile, some meters, hurdles, and poll vaulted.

Jackson is in the purple with black legs

Aliza and these girls (one is missing) took first every time.  They were seconds from beating the record.

Jackson beat his personal record in poll vaulting and came close to beating the school record.

He was participating in track and lacrosse.  Luckily the track meets were mostly on Thursdays and lacrosse was on the weekends.  Not sure what will happen next year when he is in high school.

I so enjoyed being at the meets and watching my wonderful children doing their best.

One time the track meet was in Laurel.  Maren (left) and her friend Jenna were watching the meet during their recess.  So cute.

Jackson is Driving!

Watch out!  Jackson just got his drivers permit.  After going to drivers training for two weeks he was able to take a test to get it.  He passed.  To celebrate, he put me in the passenger seat and drove to McDonalds.  He doesn't get done until June 6th with drivers ed, but he gets to practice driving in the mean time.  So fun.  He's growing up so fast.

St. Patrick's Day Parade

I haven't ever gone to the St. Patrick's Day parade in Billings before.  I'm not a big crowd person, but this year Jackson was in the parade with his lacrosse team, so I guess I had to go.  Luckily for me, Jodi and Kenny go to the parade every year, so I was able to meet them there and hang with someone.

I had to drop Jackson off at the float about an hour before the parade started.  Got some pictures of the group, then went to find a parking spot and meet up with Jodi and the kids.  Maren was already with her because she spent the night and came over with her with Karissa and Paige.

Jackson and Cace

Getting ready to go!

After an hour, they finally show up!

We had fun watching everyone go by.  It was cold at first, then got warm when the sun finally came out.  Jodi went out in the middle of the parade and gave Jackson a big hug to embarrass him.  I think it worked.

They couldn't throw the candy, so they handed them out with their sticks.  I thought that was pretty ingenious.  It was a fun day.  Aliza and Kyla would have been there, but they were at their first volleyball tourney for their club volleyball season.  

Picking out the Christmas Tree

It's that time again.  Crazy how fast the year flies.  The kids and I took our traditional trip across the Yellowstone River to pick out the tree from the tree lot.  I warned them before we got out of the car that I would be taking a photo so get your smiles ready.  We found our tree pretty quick, they cut the bottom off to make it fresh, and before we had the helpers take it to the car, we stopped to get the photo.  A girl in Jackson's grade was there and watching the photo shoot.  I think Jackson cooperated more than usual as to not make a scene. 

What a perfect looking tree.  Thanks kids for helping pick it out.

Halloween

This year, Halloween was on a Wednesday, so our ward put the youth in charge of carnival type games.  The Beehives were in charge of bowling.  We had cups turned upside down, and if the kids knocked them over, they would get the candy that was underneath them.  They really enjoyed it.  

 Maren, Paige, Kyla, Karissa, Aliza

 It was nice to sit back and watch while the girls were in charge.  Shelby was Batman.

 Karissa and Aliza putting the candy and cups up.

After the carnival, Amy and I took the kids around the Saddleback neighborhood and they got some exercise while they ran down the streets.  At one house, they had to do a trick before they got a treat.  Jackson did a back flip and got a gourd and candy, Aliza did a high five and got some toilet paper and candy, and Maren said she didn't do anything and got a banana and candy.  They liked that house.

   

Aliza's First Deer

Well, Aliza is a true Hunter now.  She went out with Sam and Jackson, saw her deer and shot.  She hit it right in the heart.  It didn't even run, it just dropped.  

Sam was laughing because both Aliza and Jackson got "scoped" when they shot their riffles.  The funny thing is that Sam got "Scoped" a week later when he was out by himself.   Jackson didn't get his deer when he shot, but got one in a later date.