April, also, in bullet points

• Summer has arrived in Las Vegas. E.A.R.L.Y. it's supposed to be in the low 80s but we've been 90+ now for almost 2 weeks (I think. I could be exaggerating, but if so, it's only because it's heat-induced exaggeration). 
• Abby had career day at her school. Brandon was a trooper and went into try to explain complex divorce proceedings to her Kindergarten class. It was hilarious! I think my favorite questions were: "Are you the president?" "I watch Judge Judy. Do you know Judge Judy?" "Do you shock people?" After a lot of effort by the adults in the room we figured this last question out- the kid was asking if Brandon was packing a taser. He was very disappointed to hear that Brandon carries no weapons, but was quickly cheered to see that he does carry a lap top and TWO cell phones with him at all times. Abby was so proud of him. So was I.
• Abby got her first black eye. She ran into an eye-level doorknob. 
• I accompanied my first vocalist on the piano. I was sweaty, shaking, and overall magnificent. 
• Abby sported a mohawk to crazy hair day at school. 
• I was asked by a friend to come to an event at springs preserve and volunteer. She works for the water authority in town and I was supposed to get people to give me their email addresses so they could be sent a survey. I am so glad I don't do customer service. I do not take rejection well. 
• We had a surprise party to send off a dear friend, Ardis Anderson, to her new home in Gilbert, AZ. It was a super fun night but for a super sad cause. 
• I was able to volunteer at cub scout day camp along with Brandon and Abby. We were helping to run the field games. Low point? I wasn't issued a whistle or blow horn which is really the reason I volunteered. But the high light was the Aids Research charity kickball game being played next to us by 30 and 40 somethings in costume, wigs, and wings made from tin foil. They even brought a DJ. I think it was a real encouragement for our cub scouts to stay in school and go to college.
• We also had a projector party at our home. We're trying hard to figure out how to make our back yard into an outdoor movie theater. Our first attempt was noble, but not exactly successful. 
• Pinewood derby was this month. Abigail came with me to help set up the pizza table and run the event. At the end when all of the cub scouts were getting their awards, she turned to me and pouted that it wasn't fair she wasn't called up to get a trophy since all the rest of the kids in the room were...couldn't really make that one better for her....
• We attended several birthday parties. They were great. I think I have now bounced, slid and climbed on every inflatable bouncing apparatus in the southeastern las vegas area. There was a week where we had pizza and cake every day. It was a good week. 
• We threw a farewell party for Elder Manu. He was a great friend and missionary and we were sending him home from the South Pointe Ward. We did a Las Vegas theme complete with a bar serving Mocktails. The most popular was the Manu Colada (think virgin pina colada). I had one after the party was over. It wasn't that good. I'm sorry to the roughly 200 guests I served it to. I think my favorite line from that night came from my new friend Nick, "Jamie, you have more people in your house right now than I have facebook friends."  
• Went to my first Tapas restaurant. Pretty much my favorite thing ever. 
• Niece Makena turned one. We sure do love our cousins around here. For an example of how much we love them please see below:

The entire month of March in bullet points

• Abby fell in love with Phantom of the Opera (see above as she dances to "Think of Me"). She wants to be Christine for Halloween. She also asked if she could go see it playing at the Venetian. (The tickets are like $100/person.) When I told her it was a little expensive, and was she sure she really wanted to see Phantom, she asked if we could go see it for her birthday instead of having a party. She's committed! But how the heck are we going to get a child's size small Christine costume?
• We stopped eating meat and most dairy. Cah-Ray-Zay! But we feel really good. We watched the movie Forks Over Knives and it was a game changer.
• I tore my meniscus in my right knee and am officially benched for the Salt Lake City Marathon. Part sadness, part relief.
  

• For a primary activity, we took our senior primary on a 3+ mile hike to the temple (see above). It was full of whining, fatigue, and the Holy Spirit. I think my favorite moment was when we crested the hill, saw the temple, and started walking down to it while singing "I Love to See the Temple." In the middle of our profound moment one kid walked squarely into a light pole. That just about sums up primary in general. I also loved there was a drug bust going on the street in front of the temple. That about sums up Las Vegas in general.
  

• And of course, lots of fun with friends! Abby has a wonderful Daisy scout troop with fabulous leaders. She was able to go to Build-a-Bear and had a great time. Lots of play dates. Lots of dinners with friends and bonfires. And of course birthday parties! (including my nephew Logan- 1 year already??!)
  

March was a great month!