Matthew's school held a 1st grade performance in which they sang songs, recited patriotic responses and hosted Matthew Shaps as a headliner. The title of his written piece was called, "Who I love and Who Frustrates Me in My Family." We were extremely proud!
Little Miss Lauren, too debuted at her school
singing "You are my Sunshine" for the kindergarten graduation.
Preschool was a cinch... Kindergarten here I come!
Matthew was chosen as the Program
Hander-Outer.
Mom poses with one of her favorite student aides. Derek will go on to do great things... Good luck!
Another 2 great girls ... Congratulations!
Although Lauren has not gone through First Communion, she found my old veil and dons it regularly. I rubbed some olive oil on her forehead in the form of the sign of the cross. She should be good to go with that! :)
On our first weekend of summer, we took the kids to Boulder City to ride a train and to go to Hoover Dam. It had been about 8 years since Larry and I had been back and what a HUGE difference a few years makes. I don't estimate very well, but the lake is down at least 40 feet. Of course you can see the line of demarcation in the rocks but if you look way in the back, you can see little white specks... those are the boats. It gives you an idea of just how low the water level is. 
We are standing on the State Line... Arizona and Nevada for you geographically challenged.
Matthew and Lauren take a look down the Dam - river side.
In the recent years, the traffic over the Dam has become ridiculous... plus with terror threats, Arizona and Nevada decided to build a Dam Bypass bridge. The picture doesn't do it justice... it was spectacular and absolutely mind blowing in it's construction and engineering.
Another shot of the Dam Bypass.
Lake side
We also took the kids to the Southern Nevada Railway Museum.
We saw some great old trains... some that have been around for over 100 years and others that helped transport materials and goods to the Dam during construction in the 1930's.
We sat in the open air cars and took a 45 minute ride through the hills of Boulder City.
Although it doesn't look like much in the way of scenery, it was a beautiful ride!
Lauren was ready to stay on the train all day!
We love trains!
Lauren atop the Knott's Chicken...
Snuggled in... the hide-a-bed wasn't too bad this trip.
