Jackson runs for student council

We got an email from the school saying they were going to do student council applications online for 6th graders because of the pandemic. I asked Jackson if he was interested in running, and after thinking about if for a few days, he decided he did. The application process consisted of him writing a short essay on why he thought he would be a good candidate. After being approved, he moved to the first round of voting. There were 34 candidates and all of the future 6th grade students were able to vote online. The first round of voting narrowed it down to 15 candidates and Jackson made it though. Because he made it to the next round, he was asked to create and submit a video. Then, all future 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students were able to vote online and the top 6 would make it as student council members. 

Jackson came up with the idea to learn the Napoleon Dynamite dance pretty quickly and I am so glad because I had no idea what to do! He worked hard and learned the dance and I helped him film it all. We filmed the dance over at our old stake center. Sean then edited the video all together and added the music and I thought it turned out so awesome!

Photo we used for the online voting:

Cute Molly trying on Jackson's costume while we were filming

We submitted his video and the voting took place over three days. We found out results the following Monday and...

HE WON!!!!

He was really excited and we were all really happy for him. I am proud of him for having the guts to put himself out there and for working hard on his video. We had a lot of fun working on his video together and it provided something to do with our extra time at home. Jackson's friend Eric also won, which he is excited about. Let's just hope these kids can go back to school this fall!

Lots of hiking!

With travel being sort of limited and less options for other entertainment available, we have turned to the great outdoors even more than usual, which is already quite a bit for our family! We've enjoyed taking several hikes over these past few months. We are lucky to live somewhere with such varied terrain and with so many trails nearby. I am so glad our entire family enjoys hiking. It is one of my very favorite things to do together. Here are some of the hikes we've taken (in addition to the other places I've already posted).

Big Springs Trail above Vivian Park

I took this picture of Bode right before he leaped across the stream onto a little island. He made it to the island, but lost his footing and did a backwards somersault into the water! haha

Bear Creek Trail above Mutual Dell

Silver Lake  

This was the most gorgeous day for a hike. Hardly anyone around and so beautiful! The kids loved climbing on the big boulders and skipping rocks at the end.

Northfork Park Waterfall with the Heinholds in Eden, UT

Scout Falls with the Grays

This is one of our very favorite hikes and the earliest in the season we had ever hiked it. It was by far the most water we have ever seen at the falls!