Memorial Day weekend

The girls and I decided to spend this past weekend in Spokane with my best friend Karen and her family. It was great to finally meet her kids Jakob and Sydney. We all went out to Jakob's Riverfront Park to ride rides and just have a good time.

On Sunday the girls and I went to Rathdrum to go to church. It was really great to see everyone in my old ward. Most people looked at me like they knew who I was but couldn't really remember until I told them I was a Mitchell. I got to see lots of old friends.

The girls really enjoyed seeing my old high school and some of the towns I used to live in. I couldn't believe how much things have grown out there. Of course it has been eight years since I was there. We also made a trip out to the boardwalk in Couer d' Alene. It was a little windy and chilly out by the water. The girls really liked looking at the boats.

I am glad that we were able to go and see everyone. I really miss everyone and everything.

R & R

As most of you know Alex was home from Iraq for a couple of weeks. He was able to come home for the girls' springbreak. It was great having him home. We surprised him by meeting him at the gate at the airport. I think he was more surprised to see how big the girls have gotten since the last time he saw them. They both have grown a couple of inches while he was gone. While he was here we went to the mall a lot. Shocking because he hates the mall and really hates spending money. As you can see we had our family pictures taken. My neice Brandi took them for us. I think that they turned out great.

We sprang the girls from school on Friday and spent the day at the zoo. They were surprised to be pulled out of school for that. It was a great day. The girls got new cameras from daddy and had a blast taking pictures of all of the animals. It was a great day.

Yesterday we decided to go to a hotel and spend the day by the airport since his flight was going to be so early in the morning. We went to the Bulwinkle Family Fun Center. It had everything. We got to go on go carts, bumper boats, play miniture golf and play a lot of games. The girls said it was the best place ever. That was until we went out to dinner at a steak house. It is the place where they give you peanuts to snack on and you are able to throw them on the floor. Sam thought that was the coolest thing ever. It really doesn't take much to impress that girl.

But like all good things Alex's stay had to end. It was a sad night for us all. Alex had to leave around 3 am and ended up waking us up in the process. There were a lot of tears and I know that there are going to be more. At least this time we only have to wait around four months til we see him again. Then we move.

Sun, Surf and Sand

Happy Memorial Day to everyone and especially to my family members serving in our military. I love you Alex, Michael and Dad. The girls and I really miss having Alex at home with us but we know that it is all part of the job.








The girls and I along with a couple of my friends went to Ocean Shores for the day. It was sunny but a little cool out. Of course that didn't stop the girls from getting wet. They had a great time trying to jump over the waves.

My friends Ash and Chris had a ball playing in the sand with the girls. They did everything from building sand castles to making sculptures. Here's one of a octopus that they all did.....

We walked around and looked at all the little shops that they had. I had to get my salt water taffy while I was there. My friend Ash and I found a bunch of medieval toys and were playing with them in the store. It's great to act like a kid some times. We also walked along the beach to look for shells and other interesting things. Sam kept picking up all of the dead crabs. The farther we got down the beach the more it looked like D-Day except with crabs. There were crab parts everywhere. It was really sad and gross.

We all had fun and even got a little sun. Some more than others. Hope that everyone is well. We will talk to you all later.

Sam's Big Night

Sam had her first orchestra concert a couple of weeks ago. As most of you know she started playing the viola this year. It was a great concert. They show cased the new elementary students, the advanced elementary students, junior high kids and high school players. Then they all played the last song together. Ozzy Osborne's Crazy Train. It was really good. Sam is having fun playing the viola but she has decided that she wants to try the trumpet next year.

Happy Mother's Day

To all the mothers I know Happy Mothers Day. I hope that everyone has had a great and memorable day. Mine started great. The girls made me scrambled eggs and toast for breakfast in bed. Then they let me sleep in. They really wanted to make sure that they love me by telling me over and over that today was all about me. Of course Alex would say that everyday is all about me. At least that's what I tell him.

We had a great ward activity Friday night. It was a talent show. Both of the girls performed. Ashely played her flute and Sam played her viola. They did an awesome job. Ashley is really loving playing the flute. I think that Sam is going to give up the viola and take up the trumpet next year. She really wants to play the tuba, but thank goodness the school doesn't offer it.

As most of you know Alex is gone for training. He will be gone for a total of 16 months or so. We don't know when we will be able to see him again. The girls seem to be handling it well. We have had a couple of melt downs usually at night. We are going to try to keep busy. We all get out of school in a few weeks. I'm going to be taking a online class in the summer so I will be home with the girls.

I will try to keep updating this more often. Hope everyone is well. We will talk to you all later. We love you Alex.

I know that it has been a long time since I last posted. The girls have been going on from one sport to another. We had just finished up with soccer. They were amazing this year. The team had won 3 out 6 games. That is 3 more than last year. Ashley loves playing goalie and is great at it. I thought that we were going to have to visit the ER this season. She loves to dive for the ball while feet at still trying to kick at it. Sam is all for action and that is why her fave spot is forward. She scored two goal in the last game. I know that this is going to be the it sport for them both. Who new that my calm, sweet Ashley could be so aggressive.

Ashley had a band festival last month. There were three elementary schools, one of the junior high bands, and one from the high school. All of the elementary kids played together. It was really great. Ashley loves playing the flute. She has picked it up so well. I know that she got the musical genes from my side of the family. I just wished that they didn't skip me. Sam wants to join the band next year. She was scoping all of the instruments to see what she wants to play. She has her heart set on the tuba but since they don't offer it on grade school level she'll just have to settle for playing the trumpet. I think that i will have to invest in earplugs.

Alex will be out processing this next week and then he will be home on leave for three weeks after that. For those of you who don't know Alex is deploying later on this year. He has some training that he has to do in Texas and Kansas and then he will be going to that great big desert. He will probably be gone for 16mo. I don't know if he will be able to make it home for leave while he is gone. We did find out where we are going to when he returns. FT. Benning Georgia. My in-laws are ecstatic that we will only be about 20min away from them.

As you can see I got to meet Peter Facinelli, the guy who plays Dr. Cullen in the movie Twilight. He was great and he said that he loved my shirt and asked to sign it. He is now my most fave actor. He stayed at the PX for 12 hours to make sure that everyone was seen and had whatever they brought signed. How many actors do you know would do that?

School is going great for me. I received my first 4.0 this last quarter. I was so excited that when I found out I had to call my mom. I knew that she would appreciate it as much as me. I do have to go back to school today while the kids are on spring break. Thank goodness Alex is home to watch them. Well that's all for me and my house hold. I don't know when I will be able to update again but I will let you all know when I do. Take care.

Hello everybodeeeee

ashley had her first band concert last month. she was able to have someone sit by her during the concert. i was in class that night so sam sat next to her so alex could take pictures. i did get to suprise her by showing up to the concert because i had gotten out of class early. she was so excited to see me and i was glad that i didn't miss out on her first concert.

other than that not much is going on. we did find out that alex will be deploying this year. we don't know when yet or where he is going. i will keep you all posted on it when we get the information. the girls and i will stay here in washington since i have to finish school. i will try to write again soon. it most likely won't be until soccer starts next month. talk to you all later.

the girls started basketball this year. they are having a great time with it. ashley is really aggressive on the court and sam is a little timid. totally oppisite of what you think they were. they have played three games so far. they won the first one but lost the last two. it doesn't really matter just as long as they are having fun.