The Magical Land of Oz

Clear back in February, Evan came home wanting to try out for the school musical.  Since our other kids had never been involved in a musical in middle school, I wasn't sure what to think.  He seemed very confident, so I didn't want to squelch that, but I also told him that since he was only a 5th grader, others with more experience may get chosen instead.  He was set on trying out for the part of the scarecrow and said that if he didn't get that, he would be happy to do stage crew. Nathan had just participated in tryouts for the high school play so he helped Evan work on the musical selection and we all gave him advise on making sure he spoke clearly and with feeling.  

He went in to the tryout after school one day.  I stood out in the hallway and waited.  When he came out he said he kind of messed up one of the speaking lines, but that his musical part went well.  He had learned the part with a recorded track, but when the directors asked if he wanted to do the tryout with the track or try it with piano accompaniment, he opted for the piano.  When they asked him if he would take another part if offered it, he said that he wanted to do the scarecrow part but would do stage crew if he didn't get that part.  Pretty gutsy answers, I thought.

Bottom line.....he got the part!!!  He was so excited.  He had to learn 90+ lines and even had a little solo in one song.  By all accounts he did a great job and many people approached him and said so.  It was super fun that Stephanie and Em were here to see it along with Nate, Grandma, Steve, and I.  Janelle's family also made the trip down from Massachusetts to see him in the play.  Even the cub scouts came to see him.  Pretty cool!!!  Way to go, Evan.  You were a super Scarecrow!!!

We are so proud of you!!!!

Cowardly Lion, Dorothy, and the Scarecrow

The program

Dorothy meets the scarecrow for the first time

Near the witch's castle

Tin woman, Dorothy, Cowardly Lion, and the Scarecrow

Talking to the Wizard of Oz

With Emily and Grandma after the first night's performance

His cub scout friends....Payson, Destin, Carter, and Tennyson

A cast group shot

Nathan, Steve, Evan and Alan after the final performance

Proud Mama and Papa with Evan the Scarecrow

And with his directors......they all did a super job!!!

Mission Call

Well, the day finally came!!  Nathan had submitted his mission papers around May 20th so we were hoping that his mission call might arrive in the mail by early June.  Stephanie was in New Jersey visiting and Janelle and family were scheduled to come to see Evan in a play at school on June 2nd so we thought all those people might be here when the call came.  Well, we were looking past the mark, I guess.  In fact, with Jimmie's party and everything, we didn't even think to check the mail on Saturday.  Didn't think in a million years that the call would come in a week and a half.  Someone happened to go out and get the mail on Sunday and there it was.....the big envelope from church headquarters!!!
Nathan was super excited just to finally know where he would be going.  So, we called people and set up a time to open the call.  Aaaaand......

Nathan will be serving in the Russia Yekaterinburg Mission!!!
So exciting.  We'll miss you Elder Foulk.

Jimmie's Second Birthday

On Saturday, May 30, we celebrated Jimmie's birthday.  We were exited to have not only our family, including Stephanie and Karsten visiting from Seattle, but also Jim's extended family.

Since Daniel Tiger is his favorite TV show, that was the theme.  Emily did a great job of making everything darling.


A big welcome sign and a trolley made from the wagon.  It was a big hit.

Some special pudding cups displayed on a trolley from a cardboard box.  So cute!!

Jim's cousin, Michael, carved this Daniel from a watermelon...crazy talented!!

Jimmie on one of his great presents...a quad from Mom-mom, Tina.
It was a very full day with lots of great people.  Happy Birthday, Jimmie!!

Flags

For Memorial Day, each year, our scouts have gone out to our veteran's cemetery to help hundreds of other scouts put flags on all the graves.  Steve and I had never been and we thought it would be a neat thing to go watch and help with.  It was!!  Pictures cannot really capture the amazing view of all those graves with flags waving above them, but it was breathtaking.  Good job, boys!!

Evan and Nathan posting the flags

Some other boys helping as well

Documenting the event

Nathan helping out

Our ward's contribution to the effort.....Whites, Foulks, Scheimreifs, Malones, and Brother Reeve

One view of the cemetery

Statue of Liberty

In early May we got to take Evan to the Statue of Liberty.  He had never been, so for his birthday in March, we gave him tickets to the crown for the three of us.  It was a gorgeous day and we had a wonderful trip.  We probably took too many photos, but hey, it's the Statue of Liberty!!!

Evan and Steve waiting to board the ferry from Liberty State Park

Evan and I at the ferry landing with the New York skyline in the background

Evan on the ferry approaching Ellis Island, the first stop on our journey

Evan wanted me to take this as we approached Ellis Island.  You can't see him very well, but you can tell he was excited to see that statue in the distance.  :)

Docking at Ellis Island

This is such a fascinating place to visit.  So much history!!  We were able to tour a lot of it but at a pretty quick pace.  There were some areas of the museum that had still not been restored since hurricane Sandy did substantial damage to the facility several years ago, but many of the exibits were in place.  Evan learned a lot here.

Evan took this shot of Steve and I on Ellis Island.  We took several shots with Evan in them as well, but they were fuzzy.  I guess Evan is the best photographer!!

Dad and Evan with Lady Liberty in the background

Mom and Evan in front of the museum

Views from the ferry......Magnificent!!!

And another

Taken from down below on Liberty Island

Evan and I at the pedestal level of the statue

Photo taken looking down at the tablet that Lady Liberty holds.  This one was taken out of one of the openings in the front of the crown.

Steve and Evan inside the crown...I love this shot!!!

Also looking down from the crown

The three of us inside the crown...

notice the inside of the statue showing her beautiful wavy hair just above our heads

Evan checking out the view from the crown.  He had been a little apprehensive about the climb up and the tight staircase the get there, but once we arrived.....he LOVED it!!

A look down at the staircase.  There are upward and downward stairs that wind up into the crown.  It's a little tight, but well worth the effort.

On the way back down we caught this shot of the eye of the statue from the inside.  Pretty cool!!

Dad and Evan looking out from the pedestal

Looking from the pedestal up at Lady Liberty's face.....wow...we were just up there!!!

A pretty amazing view

Look closely and you will see Evan just under the little roof shape below the statue.  

He wanted us to go down and take a photo of him with the statue.  Another nice family joined in the photo as well.  :)

There he is!!

This is Evan and Steve in front of the original torch. 

This is on display in the museum in the pedestal.  The current torch is made of 24-karat gold.

A little map of Liberty Island in the visitor's center

Evan standing next to a cast of Lady Liberty's feet.  This was made from the same mold as the original.  Those are some big feet!!

We loved our visit to the statue.  We learned some new things and had a great day with Evan!!

Happy Late Birthday, bud!!

Em's Family

We were excited to have Emily and her family move in with us for a few months as they transitioned into life back in New Jersey.  Having these sweet little grandchildren here to enjoy every single day is such a treat.  Here are a few pictures from just after they arrived from Utah.  

Jimmie with his daddy

Lorelei getting a bath in Grandma's sink

A close-up of Lorelei on Grandma's shoulder.....fast asleep

Jimmie in Grandpa's chair watching....probably Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood.....his absolute favorite!!

Sweet Lorelei

Just relaxing on the couch

Emily and Lorelei after church on Sunday

Shortly after moving here, however, Emily and Jim decided that their troubled marriage needed to end.  Jim moved out on June 11 and Emily and her kids will be living with us for the foreseeable future.  We are happy to have them here and just hope that as they proceed with the divorce, things will be decided in a fair and agreeable manner.  It will be tough....especially on the kids....but there is plenty of support here and we will make it work.  Love this sweet family