So, It's Been a While....

I'm sitting here waiting for the Locksmith to come and make a new key for the car Lucy drives when she is home (notice my avoidance of the term "Lucy's car.") I've lost the one and only key somewhere in my house.  Which tells me, instead of sitting here waiting, I should be somewhere else cleaning out and organizing.  But I digress.  I thought it might be a good time to quickly post on my very, very neglected blog.  As you see, in my last real post, Will turned 12.  Yeah, well, he's 15. It seems too much time is passing without having accomplished what I would like.  A case in point: I just glanced over to my right and this is what I saw

March 28.  It's April 8th.  How are there so many things in my life that are behind, or not happening?  I have to get with the program.  And now, after watching four sessions of my church's bi-annual conference (which is a highlight of my year) I have so many things to add to my list of important things to do... 

I will not be discouraged.  I will just DO IT.  

So here is a blog post.  It's not imperative, or even important, but it's something I've had on my list that I can now say I've done.  And to make it more worth your while, I just have to show you what Will, our 12 year old in the last family post, looks like today.  Good lookin' guy.

Maybe I should keep this up.

And We Had a Party!

So, we don't throw big parties for our kids every year. But this year, being the special year that is was for Will, he got a party. We decided on a movie theme and had a movie outside in the back yard.

We set up a concession stand where we served all the regular theater treats!

Hot Dogs, Nachos, Popcorn, Drinks, and candy were enjoyed by all!

Karen insisted on M&Ms to go with the popcorn.

A homemade, birthday cake, too! Karen had fun making a popcorn cake, but it was much more fun to eat!!

The cake really lit up the night with twelve candles on it! And all those boys singing "Happy Birthday" woke up the neighbors!

Will Turned Twelve

There was a very important event that happened - in March. Will turned twelve! Turning twelve is important for a couple reasons. One, you get a cell phone, which is very cool, but not as important as the second, which is you receive the priesthood. In our church worthy young men, at the age of twelve, are ordained Deacons in the church. There are important responsibilities that come with being a Deacon. We are sure Will is up to the task and are excited for him to take this step.

Here are some photos that marked this great day.

Opening presents is always entertaining with Will!

While opening his gifts, a phone started ringing - and ringing - and ringing. He had to search around for it, but finally found it! It was for him - literally!

Will also received a new suit to wear to church. He will look fantastic passing the sacrament.

Mom made a delicious chocolate cake and we at the whole thing.

We love you, Will, and are so lucky to have you around. You make us laugh and you have a kind heart. Thanks for always being willing to hug and kiss your mom, even at school. Happy Birthday - last March!

For Mom - You asked for it!

Recently my sweet Mother wrote on my Facebook wall, "Your mother is waiting for an update on your blog!!!" Okay, so it's been a while... but I've been busy! So, just for you, Mom (since you are my only reader) I'll provide you with an update of the goings on at the Scholl house since last I posted. If (as PW says) it makes your skirt fly up!

Here we go:

Parker has been to visit a couple times. One of my favorite things in the whole world is when Parker comes to visit. The kid makes me smile.

Cutest kid EVER

The new Prosper High School opened in August. It's amazing. Truly. And to think there are just under 1,000 students attending this incredible facility.

This is the "arena" - Check out the Jumbotron!

Football season in Prosper - GO EAGLES!!

Lucy rocks as a "flyer"

The traditional "After Game Breakfasts" are fun. Karen decorated donuts for the Sophomore Breakfast one week.

Pep Rallies every week. The BLACK OUT Pep Rally was super fun!

The Prosper Pirates had a great season, too! Molly is a natural!

Karen's High School friend, Bonnie came for a visit! We even made the evening news!

Bonnie is as cute and sweet as ever!

Homecoming festivities include All The Single Ladies going to the dance together. Pictures beforehand at our house!

I guess short dresses are "the thing" now. My Gunny Sax dress wouldn't cut it today.

Lucy and Sarah - the beauties!

Karen catered the Sci-Tech Discovery Center Opening Sponsor Preview Party!

It was a morning event, and the opening exhibit is Grossology! It made for some fun food!

Eyeball Bagels were a hit!

Fruit kabobs were perfect with the color scheme!

A Rube Goldberg machine was built for the ribbon cutting ceremony!

Lucy participates in Dress Up Days almost weekly!

Twins Day with Sarah!

Decade Day - guess which decade.

Molly gets in on the Dress Up Days, too! Will - not so much.

Cute as a button for the school Sock Hop!

Ashley's college roommate, Kristin, got married and Ashley and her other roommate Bridget hosted a brunch at our house the day before the wedding. They did a wonderful job!

Ashley made darling little quiches! Yum.

As always, we have a lot of fun with the kids - when they're around.

Ashley visited THREE times this fall!!

Drew makes an occasional appearance. Sometimes he even brings Rachel along! He's always good for a laugh.

This is the view we usually see of Will. He's always running around.

We were blessed with an additional member of our family for a short time. This little guy hung around in a basket for a couple weeks while Lucy pretended to be a mother. I'm worried about her parenting skills. She left him at school once, and in the car a few times.

Karen and Lucy had a fun girls night out at the "So You Think You Can Dance" show.

We had so-so seats, but a GREAT time!

Karen has had a great time with gable boxes lately. She's easily entertained.

She packaged these S'more Brownies in gable boxes for her friends at Thanksgiving.

And got her Christmas gifts packaged and mailed to the cousins in these cute ones.

Just a few more to go....

We're really lucky to have family living nearby.

It was wonderful for Molly to have someone to invite to "Special Person Day" at her school!

Thanks for coming Aunt Carollyn!

And for coming to Lucy's Pep Rally, too!

That brings us through last Friday! And, that's probably all you can handle right now anyway. This was a good exercise for me (Karen) as I've realized I really need to take some photos of Will. And maybe Jon, too.

This week was very eventful, too, so I will do my best to find some time to post those happenings before Valentines Day. If you've managed to stick around long enough to get to this point, and you've done more that just look at the pictures, and are actually reading this, leave us a note and let us know you've been here. Don't be a stalker - make yourself known! It makes us feel like we have friends - or at least family members, and gives our blogging purpose. Thanks.

Continuing Education

"Back to school" is sooo overused. But alas, it's true. They're baaa-aaack. Parting is such sweet sorrow.

We had our "back to school" breakfast.

Name pancakes! Just in case you forgot how to spell your name over the summer.

No Seminary on the first day! But Lucy is still tired.

Will and Molly are excited and ready!

The traditional first day photo. Picking out what to wear the first day is always a fun challenge! Everyone looked so cute!

Molly picked out her skinny jeans with a little bling on the pockets and a super cute plaid shirt with a little sparkle in it! Her new pink and white backpack is fun and sporty!

Will was looking like a middle school hottie with his MEK jeans and embroidered shirt. He has his locker supplies ready to go, too. This is his first year with a locker!

Lucy tried on several outfits before deciding on this ensemble. She looked beautiful and just like a sophomore!

After breakfast, we loaded up the car and were off to THREE, yes three different schools! First stop was the elementary school! We all walked in with Molly. It was a little sad to see her going to school all by herself. William was always so good to walk with her and make sure she got inside safely over the past three years. But she's a big girl and is doing GREAT!

Molly and Mrs. Bainbridge!

Next stop - Prosper High School. The NEW Prosper High School. It's an amazing campus. First of all it's HUGE. It's also state of the art everything. Lucy was excited to go to school to just be inside this wonderful facility. Lucy's friend, Emily, joined us on day 1 and they were all too kind to pose for the photo in front of the school. NO, I did not walk them inside.

Lucy and Emily

The Middle School starts last, so Will and I made our way through the traffic to his school. The Middle school is only one year old and is really a beautiful campus, too! Will was excited, but nervous, too about all the things that come along with sixth grade! Lockers, combinations, changing classrooms, getting lost, etc. I have all the confidence that he will do great!

Looking so cute with the new haircut, too!

After leaving them off one by one and breathing a sigh of sadness and relief I went straight to the gym. The school day was over before I knew it and I ran around town collecting my favorite people in the world. I missed them!