HIGHLY QUALIFIED....AGAIN

ALISA

Passed the math exam to be qualified to teach math in Secondary Schools

It is not easy to get a teaching job these days and just as hard to keep one if you have not taken the exams to be qualified to teach your subject. When I started teaching, all that was needed was a college diploma and a teaching certificate to teach Elementary 1-8 or Secondary 9-12. A teacher who has been teaching math for the last 20 years will now have a number of years to take the state test to become highly qualified, or they will be out of a job. Harsh!! Terrifing for many older teachers.

Alisa is hoping to teach math, or science, in the fall. She is highly qualified to teach both subjects, so we'll hope she lands a job.

MEMORIAL DAY 2011

MEMORIAL DAY 2011

IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE SERVED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA MILITARY TO ASSURE OUR FREEDOM AND FREEDOM FOR OUR CHILDREN

IN SPECIAL REMEMBRANCE OF THOSE MEMBERS OF OUR FAMILY WHO SERVED

in FIVE WARS

Thomas Earl Stevens Army WWII Father

Peck Stevens Army WWII Uncle

R.L. Stevens Marines WWII, Korea Uncle

Robert Davidson Air Force WWII (Chuck's Uncle)

Thomas Merrill Stevens Army Brother

Contacted tuberculosis during basic training and was confined to a military hospital until the end of the Vietnam War. Never deployed

Samuel Andrew Stevens Army Vietnam Brother

Helmut Carl Brenner Air Force Vietnam Brother in Law

Jonah Brenner Army Afghanistan 3 deployments Nephew

Roy Ernest Montgomery Army Iraq 1 deployment

Presently Activated Fort Bliss El Paso, Texas Son in Law

SPRING.....THE FLOWERS ARE BLOOMING, BUT......

Macy

A vision of Springtime in April

SLC

Charlie walks across spring green grass in March

Scottsdale

Costco hanging Baskets

No doubt raised in a Hot House

Verbena, wave petunias, and a tiny trailing white Flower

Beautiful spring green Grass

However, tender annuals froze last Wednesday

The daffodils are hanging around due to the cool wet Weather

Lovely Lavender Verbena

Our weather is crazy cold in Heber and wet, wet, wet. As I type it is pouring rain and the skies and mountains are cloudy. The weather has not been above 60 degrees for more than a day or two all year. When the sun does come out, we rush outside to do some yard work...I feel like we live in Seattle. Strangely enough, I don't mind. I turn on the fire in the office and snuggle in for the afternoon. During the 35 years I taught, I often dreamed of doing just that...nothing.

BALL GAMES AND DANCING

Nicole

Clogs with the Idaho Rhythm Dance Company

Spring Performance

Nampa, Idaho

Chuck and Nicole

We were excited to watch her Perform

So were her Parents

Nicole's dance Group

They performed at two different Times

Hayden

Off to school in the Truck

He usually walks to school with Nicole

Plays on a Little League Team

Shortstop

A very fast Runner

Steps on home plate to Score

Blake

A happy little Boy

At three years old, all he can do is hang out at other's Games

But.....his day will Come

Does this sound familiar to any of you last Children?

Brendon

Plays Little League Baseball

Shortstop and Pitches

Has all the Moves

Takes a Swing

Pep talk from the Coaches

Brendon between 1 and 7

Chuck and I traveled to Boise last Wednesday to watch Brendon and Hayden play baseball. Both games were at 6:00 which is a challenge for parents. Alisa and I watched Hayden's game and Joey and Chuck watched the first several innings of Hayden's game and then moved on to Brendon's. Alisa and I stayed until they called Hayden's game for gale force winds and flying sand. At one point Hayden's hat sailed off into the outfield. It started to pour rain just as we all reached the car. We drove to Brendon's game in time to pick up Chuck who was soaked to the skin. Brendon's game was cancelled as well. But, not before we were able to enjoy his enthusiasm for the sport. Chuck says that Brendon is an excellent player and I can attest to Hayden's skill and love of the game.

The next night we attended Nicole's Clogging recital. It was amazing. She was adorable and had all of the moves and steps down pat. Clogging is a cross between tap and a country stomp...very fast and exciting. The older dancers were something to see. If you have the opportunity, I highly recommend that you see a clogging performance.

It is always fun to visit with Alisa and her family. She and Joey have their hands full with all the activities and responsibilies of raising their family. Alisa is teaching part time at Brendon's school. Nicole and Hayden go to a school around the corner from their home and Blake attends preschool two days a week.

Thanks for the invite!

FOUR PIANO PLAYERS

Aubrey and Macy

Parker and Summer

Last evening we attended the spring piano concert for these Children

It was held at the Whitmore Library in Sandy, Utah

Macy played Ode to Joy

She has taken lessons for two Years

Aubrey played "We're All in This Together"

From High School Musical

She has taken lessons for 4 Years

Summer played "Just the Way We Are"

by Bruno Mars

She has taken lessons for 6 Years

Parker played the "Feather Suite"

from Forrest Gump

He has taken lessons for 8 Years

This family enjoys music and are always willing to share what they are Learning

It is rewarding to observe the results of their many hours of Practice

We thank them for inviting us to their Recital

PS They were phenomenal!!!!! By far, the best of the evening!!!!! And......without question, the best looking and most well behaved!!!!!

COUNTRY KIDS

Macy, Aubrey and Summer

Thank you Chuck for taking this Picture

Macy, what beautiful eyes you Have

Summer

Sitting on the edge of her newly planted Garden

Aubrey and Summer

Before Church

Macy's Garden

Aubrey

Also planted a Garden

Macy on the slide with her Lizard

Macy before Church

Summer's Lizard

This picture reminds me of Parent Trap

Summer and her Lizard

Summer, Aubrey and Macy were here for the weekend for a little country fun. They planted gardens, caught lizards, and played with the neighbor children. Parker now attends parties on the weekend. They were all here on Sunday evening for dinner. We enjoy spending time with our grandchildren and their parents.

THE SHEEP ARE BACK

Ewes looking at Me

Each spring, around the first part of May, several semi tractor trailers pull up just east of our property and off load hundreds of ewes who are at the point of giving birth. Over the next several weeks they have their lambs and roam all over our property and that of our neighbors. They are protected and herded by two huge, white shaggy Great Pyrenean sheep dogs. Herders, on horseback with rifles slung over his backs, cross our property several times a day to keep an eye on things. They have a sheep trailer parked over several ridges and live very much as they have for hundreds of years. They do not speak English, but communicate well with their friendly smiles.

Generally, we would be incensed and annoyed at the arrogance of complete strangers turning their sheep onto our land, but it is so interesting to watch the show, that we turn a blind eye.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHARLIE

Happy Birthday Charlie

Today you are 7 years Old

You are at the end of your 1st grade Year

You are very Athletic

You swim, ski, play soccer, and you have had a great season playing Little League Baseball.

You are always ready when you are the next player up to Bat

Your Dad loves you and is interested in every part of your Life

Your Mother loves you and takes good care of you and your brother and Sister

Your family loves You

Charlie, Poppy and I love you and wish you a Happy Birthday. We enjoy watching you play sports, taking you to school and picking you up. We like to watch you play with Skyler and Jack. You are a good brother and a good example for them. You work hard to be a good student at school and are obedient and respectful to your teachers. You are helpful to your parents and show that you love them and respect them by being kind to your family.

BEAUTIFUL PERSON AND PERFORMER

Skyler

Continues to dance Competitively

Recently competed in Las Vegas

8 years Old

Takes three dance classes a week for two Hours

She loves to Dance