King's Family Fun Night

 Tanner leaves sooner than we think!  I have set a goal to provide as many "Family Nights" before he leaves.  We handed out the invitation to all the kids and VIP guests.  We told them we would text them the location at 2:00 pm on Saturday, March 26.

 We had an opportunity to stay for one night at a hotel (2 rooms and a fully equipped kitchen).  Jason and I arrived early and made our favorite meal of tostado's and located up the room with snacks.  We were waiting for their arrival.

 We stayed up all night playing games, watching movies and talking.  It was a great simple get away.

I love my family!

SKILLS USA - 1st PLACE

Tanner and his film partner Isaiah competed in Skills USA for Television (Video) Production.  This is Tanner's third year attending.  The teams receive a theme and strict rules. They have two hours to storyboard and film and then another two hours to edit.  It's quite a production attending this two day conference at the Salt Lake Community College.  On the last day is a very, VERY long awards ceremony.  It's loud with many teenagers and college students wearing red jackets or blazer EVERYWHERE.  Tanner's first year his team was disqualified, last year his team took third place and this year, his team took FIRST PLACE!

It was so much fun watching his excitement!  He won incredible gifts and a trip to Kansas City, Missouri for Nationals!  This is a fantastic opportunity and fortunately the national championships is before basic training at Fort Benning!

1st Place!

Great way to end his senior year!!!

Off to Kansas City, Missouri June 19-24, 2011

Missy's 35th Birthday

Happy Birthday Missy!!!  We have no photos to share of her birthday because we did not do anything.  Our lives have been so busy we have not seen each other in person for the past few months and we only live less than 10 minutes away.  Isn't that so sad when life becomes so busy!!!  We have left messages with each other and chatted a bit on facebook.  Yuck!  This will change in two more weeks when I am done with US Adult Figure Skating Championships!  I MISS MY SISTER!

Jasmine is Hooked!

 She turned on us!  Jasmine is hooked on Call of Duty and now joins the boys!!!

Parent Teacher Conference

I have waited 13 years to FINALLY receive the most incredible Parent Teacher Conference concerning Tanner.  (It was worth the wait!)  Tanner has changed so much his senior year.  He is so kind, ambitious and determined to not only become a great man but a great leader.  I appreciated every word from every one of his teachers.  Since he started kindergarten, I dreaded Parent Teacher Conferences with Tan Man.  It was often negative and also entertaining.  Comments I have received from teachers over the years:
"I admire the mother of Tanner King.  He never stops moving!"
"Mrs. King, he is not safe...just last week he stuck his head in the open area of the rolling chair and got it stuck!" (I knew this because the principal had called me!)
"I don't think your son likes me" Tanner's response, "I don't.  You are an awful teacher!"
"How do I keep him still?"
"He makes me nervous."
but for his last Parent Teacher Conference, I was told:
"What a talented young man!"
"Mrs. King, I had him in my class as a freshman and he was a menace...I was so not looking forward to having him again as a senior but to my surprise, he has become my friend and I enjoy our conversations!"
"Tanner is a leader not only to his peers but to the teachers." (Seriously???, even I questioned the teacher if we were talking about the correct student!)
"Tanner has not been easy to have in a class over the years, now I don't want him to leave."
"I am so proud of Tanner."

Yes, today was a very good day for Tan Man's mom!  I will treasure today!

Jasmine's 18th Birthday

Sweet Jasmine turned 18!!!  She is Taylor's girlfriend for the past few years.   We love having her around!  Tanner and Jasmine will graduate in June from East High School.  They are growing up so quickly!

Taylor turns 20!!!

Can you believe it??? Taylor is 20!

He is doing great! Happy, cute girlfriend and great job. We have all traveled a very long road with our Taylor. We just love him so much!

Tanner's Big News

Jason and I are proud and honored to share the news that Tanner has enlisted in the U.S. Army. He will begin Basic Training on August 8, 2011 at Fort Benning, Georgia. Tanner will attend a 14 week course and then we are told stationed at either Germany, Hawaii or Korea. This is a new adventure for Tanner and our family. We are excited and look forward to be a part of the Army family and Tanner serving our country.

Tanner's 18th Birthday

Yes, it official...Jason and I are no longer legal guardian of child #2, just parents who love him forever!

Family Birthday Dinner

Missy and Chris joined us!

Another fabulous cake decorated by the kids!

I can't believe he is 18!!!

Mo's Turns 23!!!

Mo came home from the Christmas holidays just in time for his brithday! Jordan made his quite colorful cake with loads of candles.

Christmas Morning

It was a great holiday!

Christmas Eve

It was our first Christmas home in this house. We had not celebrated Christmas in Utah in over 9 years! It was wonderful to spend the holidays with our children as they are growing up fast!!!

The kids stayed up until 3:00 am and play Monopoly.

We also stayed up and watched "Little Women".

However, we deeply missed my Dad and wished my Mom and brother were with us!

Zoo Lights

After Junior Champs, it was nice to spend some family time and enjoy the holidays!

Taylor, Jordan, Courtney and Jasmine

I just love this man!

Fun Times!

2011 U.S. Junior Figure Skating Championships

This has been my project for many, many months!

I placed the bid over a year ago and spent the next 12 months planning, organizing, recruiting to welcome over 300 of the top Juvenile and Intermediate figure skaters in the country.

Karen McCauley (SLFS Vice President) and I getting the event ready!

The last day! Bob Weston (SLFS President) and myself during the Awards Ceremony. It was a successful event that involved the entire family. Jason announced, G-MA was the hospitality chair, Jordan skated in the opening ceremony, Tanner and Mo was involved with the Competitor's Party and much much more! It was a rewarding experience!!!

It's a Little Snow Storm

I love Utah!

Thanksgiving with the other King's

Spending the holiday with Mo, Nate and the other King Family!

It was great to spend time with Tom's son Roy. He is 5 years old and full of imagination!

Julie and Roy

Uncle Tom and Jordan Thanksgiving Day

Tom and Julie came to Sundance, Utah to cook a fabulous Thanksgiving meal. It was fun to spend the holiday's with his family.

Shortly after dinner, everyone was ready for a nap! Mo and Nate joined us for the holidays.

Getting Ready for Christmas

Mo came home from his last game of the season...(they lost) but he came home to Christmas Cheer!

It was fun to open the Christmas boxes. We have not decorated in over 6 years or least drag all the Christmas decorations out. It was going to be our first Christmas home in Utah for over 8 years! We decorated early because Jordan was competing in LA the end of November along with Thanksgiving and getting ready for Junior Championships!

Mo always comes in handy!