Nathan’s Futsal League

Nathan joined a futsal league this winter.  It's an indoor league on a half basketball court using a heavier type of soccer ball.  Since the court is so small, and the ball so much heavier, the whole game is quick and technical foot skills, keeping the ball contained within that half court.  Its definitely tough, and works the speed of footwork, and has definitely served Nathan well in his off-season.  Though it’s been a fun winter of futsal, Nathan favors the big grassy soccer field where he can test his speed skills and run across the field saving plays and scoring goals.  He is looking forward to spring soccer that will be starting up soon!

Tall Oak Gala 2025

 The Oak Farm Tall Oak Gala was once again a highlight of the year within the Oak Farm community.  The theme this year was “Through the Looking Glass,” an Alice in Wonderland experience.  It was all about imagination and exploration of children and the Gala committee did an amazing job at decorating as though we were inside of the Alice In Wonderland world.  Some people went all out with costumes and attire to match the Mad Hatter, Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum, the Queen of Hearts, and even Alice herself.  We were’t sure what to do with the theme, nor did we have a ton of time to plan ahead.  So Nate and I were fancied up in our best dress and we thoroughly enjoyed the company, the bidding, the music and the dancing.  The silent auction included many classroom projects.  We won some of them and got ideas to recreate others.  

Owen’s class created tree stumps with mosaic tops for sitting around the campfire.  They also made a wine cork piece of art. 

Nathan’s class used their bodies to spell “Life, Laugh, Love” in both English and Spanish.  We did win that item!  

Dawson’s class spent several months individually taking a digital camera and walking around campus taking photos of scenery that brought them peace.  They put those photographs onto a refinished table and chairs and painted epoxy over the top to seal it together.  The photographs tell quite the story from each child, as well as experiences from the classroom as a whole.  We bid on this and won it!  We plan to put it at the lake house.  It’s a little bit busy of a piece, but when sitting down at it, there will be no shortage of conversation and thought as we can thoughtfully examine and converse about all the photographs covering the piece.  I’m excited for this one.  

Kaylee’s middle school put together a button art that when standing far away looks just like the Middle School Farm.  They also helped their teacher Crystal design a seed artwork that also is a depiction of the original barn on the land, all made out of different shades and sizes of seeds.

 

Jazz Fest 2025

 

Jaxton is a member of the Garrett High School Jazz Band for the third year in a row.  He loves it.  Since he is a senior, the music Mr. H chose showcased Jaxton’s skills and talents on piano and keyboard.  He had multiple solos in his performance and ran the show!  We went to Northside High School to watch Garrett perform, and they did phenomenal.  The after school group has worked hard together and put on such an incredible performance for us.  The band stays to watch all the other schools perform and receives instruction in a clinic with a famous jazz artist.  Following that, awards are given to certain bands and specific kids.  Jaxton earned an award for his solo performances!  Way to go Jax!  Another item for your incredible music resume!

Pinewood Derby 2025

The Pinewood Derby is always a fun day.  Lots of preparation going into race day. Owen and Nathan both worked hard on their cars.  Nathan’s was a bright green slick car with a white stripe called “Striker” to go with his Striker soccer team, and his number 33.  Owen named his car Max, multi-colored and complete with the Imagine Dragons sitting in the driver seat.  This year both Jax and Cooper helped the boys get their wheels on, and Nate helped with weights and alignment.  Unfortunately both cars did not perform great, in fact they were last place in every heat…. Still a fun day.  Owen’s car won Best of Show for the Wolves Den of 2nd graders, probably due to the Imagine Dragon’s driving his car.  All great fun!  

Owen's Car: Max

Nathan's Car: Striker

Wolves Winners

Webelo Winners

Webelos

Wolves

Kaylee’s Semi-Formal

The Middle School had their annual Semi-Formal Dance with a glow-in-the-dark disco theme.  Kaylee and her friends spent a lot of time planning the theme, creating a music playlist, and designing their outfits, shoes, hair, nails and evening plans.  Kaylee had a large group of girls come to the house to get ready for the evening, using her wall sized mirror in her room.  We captured photos of all the fancy ladies before transporting them in the Big Van to dinner at St. James Restaurant and then on to the disco night.  

Kaylee says: 

Semi formal was a lot more crowded than last year! It was a great turn out. Almost every song that was played, us girls would make a circle and jump and sing to the beat. By the first hour, my legs were already hurting! Songs that had a dance (wobble, cupid shuffle, I love my body, etc) were the most fun. Later on, I went on Monicas shoulders, and Bailey went on Abis shoulders it was so funny. Then they put me up in a stunt! Whenever a wrap song came on, we would be screaming the lyrics. Totally not cuss words aswell wink wink! Then the slow dance songs… oh boy! I had a feeling that Will was gonna ask me because he kept staring at me during the slow dance songs. So, I stayed far away from him as possible but, he asked me. I said no, and I could tell he was upset. But oh well! I still invited him to dance with us girls during the pumped up songs and he seemed to like that. After the dance was over, we went to Baileys house. We stayed up till 3am watching movies, talking, and playing games. Definitely one of the best nights!

Grandma and Grandpa’s visit

Grandma and Grandpa Hutchinson from Utah came to visit for a week in January.  We enjoyed having them here.  They got to experience 2 snow cancellation days turned shopping days!  And got to see lots of kids activities.  We love you Grandma and Grandpa!

Solo and Ensemble 2024

Jax performed in the District Solo and Ensemble festival.  He performed a piano solo “Ballad” by Chopin because it’s a piece we was really wanting to learn. He earned a gold rating.  He encouraged his buddy Andy to perform as well.  They are like 2 peas in a pod as far as piano goes.  They like the same classical music by Chopin.  And they both are so talented.  

Jax then performed a marimba trio with a could 8th graders from Garrett, Brady and Graham.  Of course they also did a superb job and earned a gold rating. 

Owen’s Book

Owen wrote a story about his broken arm experience back in February.  Here is his storybook:

Jaxton’s Simplx Internship

Jax was able to secure an internship with Simplx on his short school days, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1-5pm.  We’re excited for him to get a little experience into the family business, find out what Simplx is all about and get some hands on experience. 

Here he is at the residential education day, learning in devices and programming and talking to “customers.”