Mark Hill 5th Grade Year

Mark had a challenging but rewarding 5th grade year. He was blessed to have Mrs. Friedman teach him this year. It was her first year teaching 5th grade GATE and she loved it as much as the class loved her. Mark enjoyed the many science sections, including anatomy and physiology (they learned about the respiratory and circulatory systems), and the advanced math (which Mark still felt was not very challenging). Mark did not enjoy writing, but his writing improved greatly, although his penmanship is still atrocious (thank heavens for computers and keyboards). Mrs. Friedman enjoyed teasing Mark about his love of science and chemistry. She commented that he could be a real "know it all" but he is so sweet and humble in the knowledge he shares, that he is not the least bit condescending (kind of like Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter stories). Mrs. Friedman gave Mark high marks for his hard work and knew he tried his hardest to please her. She was also extremely patient with Mark-junior (AKA Brent) who would often come flying into the classroom unvited but full of so much energy, he took over the class, even when he was supposed to be patiently waiting outside the classroom! The class got along very well together and had a sad "Goodbye" at the end of the year as they all go on to separate middle schools.

Mark with his dear teacher Mrs. Flossie Friedman and her terrific husband Mark Friedman. We are so grateful for the positive, encouraging influence she had on Mark both in 3rd and 5th grade. We were very lucky to get her twice! She and Mark will become grandparents this summer to a very lucky, special child! Hooray for them!

Mark's 5th grade class (including class mascot - Brent!)

Mark at his first football game in September 2009. He is on the Irvine Chargers Clinic-Gold team. It was a dreadfully hot first month with many games being played in 90+ temperatures! "He ain't heavy...he's my little brother Brent" Mark giving Brent a ride, as he so often did this year.

Mark and his favorite sister Jocelyn.

Mark playing at the Fall piano recital.


Mark impressed the parents at TMA and his "nerdy" Primary teachers Sean and Rachel Sumsion by going dressed as an Apple iPhone for Halloween! Sean is attending UCI Medical School.


Family Thanksgiving hike....we hiked to the top of lookout peak at the Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center for Boy Scouts. Blake and Brent brought along their favorite dinosaurs.

Going on a bike ride with the Webelos den. Mark biked the full 10 mile loop around the Back Bay in Newport Beach area.

Christmastime at Disneyland....we're in shorts and t-shirts while the castle is draped in magical icicles!
A fun family night at Disneyland at Christmas. Jocelyn got her Minnie Mouse Christmas hat for her birthday.

Playing legos with Blake and Jocelyn...Mark's favorite way to pass the time during the Christmas holidays (other than playing basketball and riding his bike and scooter).
Christmas wishes came true -- everyone got a new scooter from Santa Claus!


Santa even remembered to send refills for Mark's beloved gumball machine! Last time he had accidentally let them fall out of his sleigh while flying over Australia, but fortunately Aunt Hillary just HAPPENED to be working in Australia at the time and stumbled upon them one day while walking to work!


New Year's Eve....we had the Gordons and Chubbucks join us for a fun BBQ and lots of playtime with the children. The kids put together their own picnic under the stars!

In February Mark ran for Student Council president. He had the best prepared speech and presentation of all the candidates and received praise from many teachers and parents that he deserved to win the election. He lost to another 5th grader but learned a lesson in keeping a positive attitude despite disappointment. His class elected him to be a Student Council rep, so he enjoyed attending the weekly meetings and participating in the Student Council activities and fundraising efforts.

Enjoying sledding and snowball making with the Gordons. It was so warm that we had to shed our jackets after lunch!

In February Mark and his Webelos Den from TMA bridged over from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. All the members of his den joined Irvine Troop 36.
Finally...the football team party! Here is the team with Coach Steve Morini!

Mark and Jocelyn ham it up on the California Screamin' rollercoaster ride! They love to go on this rollercoaster over and over and over...

TMA 5th graders on the bus ride to Orchard Hills for a school tour. Great group of kids (and parents) - Mason Reynoso, Joanna Chou, Meghan Marshall, Jared Machado, Emily Sumner, Hannah Dulaney, Gianluca Allesina, Adam Mings.

Future Orchard Hills students from TMA! (Mason Reynoso, Mark, Meghan Marshall, Joanna Chou, Emily Sumner)

Mark standing under the Texas flag and state project he did in April and May. We enjoyed researching the history of Texas, which is as fun as California only a lot more colorful! Grandpa Woodward sent Mark some great historical anecdotes to share. I was proud of Mark completing this project 100% on his own!

Mark next to the anatomy buddy he drew during physical science. I thought it was so terrific that these 5th graders were already learning about anatomy and physiology! They were lucky to be taught by Tyler Onderdonk's mother Flory Aguilar, who is a full-time doctor.

Last day of 5th grade!! Mark with best friends Noah Gordon and Mason Reynoso (Brent calls him "Big Mason"). Mason will be attending Orchard Hills with Mark in middle school.
Mrs. Friedman's graduating 5th grade class! Last day of school!

On to Middle School and 6th grade!! Now Mark is an official "pre-teen"!

Jocelyn Hill 3rd Grade Year

Jocelyn's 3rd grade teacher Mrs. Debbie Mulligan. Jocelyn loved being in Mrs. Mulligan's class because she focused on writing and expressing creativity in many ways. It was a wonderful year for Jocelyn!



On Labor Day weekend, we escaped a brutal 100+ heat wave in Orange County for the cooler temps at Mammoth. Here is the family hiking at Rock Creek near Mammoth over Labor Day weekend.

Hiking Devils Postpile in Mammoth National Park with big brother Mark. Jocelyn has amazing endurance and can hike, climb and run for miles on end without tiring. She is not fast but she is steady and constant. Even as a little toddler, she would walk the 3/4 mile from Disneyland's exits to the parking lot without asking to be carried. One day I expect she will run a marathon with me!



First day of 3rd grade! Yea!

Jocelyn fixed her hair with cut barrettes for her first day of 3rd grade in Mrs. Mulligan's 3/4 GATE combo class.

Jocelyn at her table in 3rd grade. She was happy that her good friends Jessica Duong and Rebeccah Huang were also in her class. Both of these girls come from loving, sweet homes and have very talented mothers. Jessica's mother is extremely artistic. Rebeccah's mother teaches a Chinese pre-school in her home each day.


Jocelyn and her brothers Mark (5th grade) and Blake (1st grade)

Jocelyn is always bouncing on the trampoline with her brothers! She is the one who wrote to Santa Claus in May 2009 asking for a trampoline and one week later moving neighbors offered us their brand new trampoline. Her prayers and Santa Claus letters are always answered!


Jocelyn's soccer team coached by Craig Shipcott. Then had a great season and almost went to the final championship game. The girls played really well together.


Jocelyn has always been Blake's biggest fan. Here she is cheering for him as he celebrates the end of his soccer season.


In October 2009, Jocelyn and Mark's favorite babysitter Sara Anderson departed on her mission to New York City. Sara is the daughter of our Bishop David Anderson and an outstanding young woman. She has been attending BYU. It is a real honor to know her. She was the only babysitter who understood how to comfort and discipline Mark and Jocelyn when Boyd and I would go to the L.A. temple and be gone for 6 hours. We love her and so do our children. We have encouraged Jocelyn to plan to be a missionary like Sara!


Jocelyn dressed as 60's girl for Halloween!


Jocelyn made this darling "Bat-dog" costume for Kathryn's dog Fluffy. Jocelyn adores dogs and is always so sweet with anyone's dog.


Jocelyn fulfilled a dream by attending the Diary of a Wimpy Kid book signing event in Santa Ana. The line was HOURS long, but she endured it to meet the author Jeff Kinney.



Jocelyn with author Jeff Kinney....one day she will be a famous author, too!


In November, Mrs. Mulligan gave Jocelyn an award for Creative Writing. Mrs. Mulligan told us that last year she read a creative writing contest entry from Jocelyn and was so impressed by her lengthy, detailed stories that she requested to have Jocelyn placed in her class this year. Mrs. Mulligan spent a lot of time working on writing with her class. We were so happy for her positive impact on Jocelyn and her constructive comments that helped Jocelyn improve her story structures and writing.

In December Jocelyn made Christmas socks to give to children at a shelter in Santa Ana. She is so excited to go to Activities Days each month. She loves to express her creativity!


You know it is Christmastime when Disneyland is decorated galore but my children are still wearing shorts to school!


Fun Christmastime visits to Disneyland with Rachel Silverman. Rachel became a great friend to our family and a kind protector to Jocelyn when some unkind 5th grade girls were bullying Jocelyn. But Jocelyn and Rachel handled them just fine and did not even tell us about the incidents. That shows how confident Jocelyn is. She is never intimidated by anyone and knows that she is an awesome, talented, beautiful, funny, sweet child of God!


Riding the Davy Crockett canoes at Disneyland. Brent loved sitting next to Jocelyn who encouraged him to row very hard. But then he ended up splashing Blake with water, so those two had a few paddle-entanglements.


On Jocelyn's 9th birthday (December 7, 2009) she was Rockstar of the WEek in Mrs. Mulligan's class.


Jocelyn won a "Write On" award at TMA for her creative Christmas Wishes entry. She wished for a new laptop and a new scooter.


Page two...

Wow...Santa got Jocelyn's letter! Here she is happily unwrapping her new Compaq laptop so she can write her stories and create her fun videos.


Santa brought all four children new Razor scooters, just like Jocelyn asked for!



In February Jocelyn enjoyed sledding and making snowmen in the mountains along with the Gordon family. Here she is riding a sled with Elise.



In April Jocelyn was thrilled to attend her friend Audrey Robertson's baptism at the Irvine Stake Center.

In May Jocelyn performed in our stake's production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" She wore a beautiful white gown and looked like an angel singing with the children's chorus. (I wish I had a better quality camera that could have capture her. This is the only photo that was somewhat viewable.)


Jocelyn and I went camping with the Young Women to San Onofre (near San Diego...and right next to the Border Check station and Coastliner railroad tracks) over Memorial Day weekend. Here she is roasting marshmallows.

Jocelyn hiking the beach at San Onofre. She hiked the full 5 miles with a big smile on her face and excitement for ever new rock or shell she encountered. She was a great example to the rest of the young women!


In June Jocelyn's class performed "TMA A History" which Mrs. Mulligan wrote by creating new lyrics to famous 80's rock songs and having the children sing and dance. I helped decorate the stage with the hundreds of hanging stars and signage.
Jocelyn played the part of a modern day TMA student who goes back in history to find out what life was like waaaayyyyyy back in the old days of the 1980's.