Projects!

We have been busy with some projects!  Noah was cast in "The Taming of the Shrew" at the Jr. High!  He is Tranio... for those familiar with the Shakespeare play.  As his mother, I was required to make his costume!  Though I do enjoy sewing, I am NOT my sister Linda!  Following patterns are not my favorite thing... but I really had a fun time with this one (don't let Noah know, I am using my hours of work on his costume as leverage!)

Doesn't he look thrilled?  Wait 'til he adds the tights!

Brad called last Saturday and said Cami was spending the day with her sister and asked if he could spend the day with us... well... he had a great plan to build a bike ramp with Ethan!  After 3 trips to Lowe's and 5 hours of hard work, they created a masterpiece!

On the right is an old picture of Tyler going off the same rock hill when he was about 13~

For the past several days, we have been the popular house in the neighborhood!  Thanks, Brad, for the amazing idea!!

Happy Anniversary!

It's been 28 years!  It's hard to believe... since we are still in our 20's ;)

Thanks for the beautiful flowers!

Also... for taking me to see my favorite singer (besides you!) at the 

BYU Homecoming Spectacular!

The BYU Men's Chorus

(James sang with them 30 years ago!)

BYU International Folk Dancers

(I danced with a Ballroom Dance Team all through High School... we hosted the Folk Dancers at a festival in Las Vegas...  Our team also studied with their director many years ago!)

Young Ambassador's!

Brian Stokes Mitchell singing "Impossible Dream"... amazing!  We first saw him at the OC Tanner Gift of Music at the Conference Center two years ago.  We had never heard of him before but he sounded familiar, he has the most beautiful voice!  He has been in several shows on Broadway like Man of La Mancha and Ragtime.  We cried through every song he sang that night.  He also sang "Through Heaven's Eyes" from Prince of Egypt.  When we got home we looked at our Prince of Egypt Soundtrack and realized that's where we had heard his voice before!  He was then invited to sing with the Tabernacle Choir in their Christmas Concert that year.  We weren't lucky enough to get tickets that year...  We did get tickets as he was a featured guest in the 24th of July Concert with the Choir this year.  Then BYU announced he would be singing at the Homecoming Spectacular... on our Anniversary Weekend!  Wahoo!!!  Everyone who hears him falls in love with his voice and personality.  He has become a favorite here in Utah, and he seems to love coming here too!

Finale with all of the performers...

We had a wonderful time.  We are so lucky to be able to see such amazing talent on a regular basis.  We love the power of great music!

Conference!!

"We Thank Thee Oh God For a Prophet"

 What a wonderful weekend!  Conference weekend is always the best weekend of the year!  A spiritual feast... great food... great company!  We had so many "favorite" talks!

On Friday, I was at Target and got a call from my husband... "I just got an interesting phone call... a nice young man with an asian accent, from Ben's mission, just called and asked if he could spend the weekend with us.  He will be here in an hour!"  We are so grateful to have gotten to know Eric!  He is filling out his mission papers right now!  This was his first visit to Utah and he LOVED going to the Conference Center for Conference!  

 Ethan loved playing pingpong with him and said "When Eric was here it felt like Ben was here!"  It was a great memory!  There was a 3 day pingpong tournament going on around here!

Of course Ethan had to build the traditional "pillow mountain"!  (Every pillow in the house and as many blankets as I will let him use!)

Brad teaching the brother's knots and lashing...

So grateful for a wonderful, spiritual, family filled weekend!

Kalvin!

 We love this boy!!

Since moving to Nebraska he has become a true Husker Fan!!

He and his Dad at the football watch party on Husker Field!

After "Skyping" last week I said "I love you Kalvy!"  He knows that means it's just about time to get off the computer with Mimi and Papa... He looked right at us and said "I'll be good, I'll be good!"... he hoped that meant we wouldn't get off the computer with him... He melts us!

Here he is with his "girlfriend" Paisley...  When I saw this picture I couldn't believe how much he looks like his Daddy! His profile and curls look exactly like Tyler did!

Mimi and Papa love you and miss you!

It's time for some good news!

Estimated time of arrival: April 15, 2012!!!!!! Wahoo!!!!

What really matters

  We have had a tough couple of days.  James has served as a City Councilman for the past 12 years.  That is now coming to an end.  He has worked tirelessly for our community.  We have been blessed as a family for his service.  He has been a great example to all of us.  He leaves a legacy of hard work, integrity and honesty.  He has accomplished many valuable things for our city over the years.  We have made wonderful friends who have influenced us for good!
  EJ came home from school with this note for his Dad!  Such a good boy... just what we needed!

    I planted a pink rosebush when my Mom died 2 1/2 years ago.  I noticed today that it is in bloom...
I think she is telling me everything is going to be just fine!

 

September 11th

What a sobering day it has been remembering the tragedy that happened ten years ago today!  We had the privilege of attending a 9/11 Memorial Service hosted by our Lehi Firefighters.   What a fine group of men and women who keep our community safe.  We are so grateful for their efforts and sacrifice.  Several of them went to New York after the attacks to help the firefighters there at Ground Zero.  A big THANK YOU to all who sacrifice so much to preserve our freedoms and keep us safe!

(James and EJ were even on the news tonight!)

Earlier this summer, we were able to take Noah and EJ to Washington D.C. ( I will post more about that trip soon ;) One of our favorite museums was the Newseum!  There was a whole wing dedicated to the remembrance of 9/11.  We were able to see the radio tower that was atop one of the twin towers, all mangled and twisted.  All the pictures were heart wrenching.  It was an experience none of us will ever forget.

We are so blessed to live in this free land.  I am proud, today and always, to be an American!

Happy Birthday James!

Happy, happy birthday to the best guy I know!  There is no one I would rather be on this crazy ride of life with... I love you! Forever and always!

Happy Birthday Papa!!

First Day of School 2011

    It was the first day of school for most of my boys last week. 

Tyler graduated from Utah Valley University last spring.  He took his sweet wife Kelly and our Grandson Kalvin to Nebraska where he started Law School!  We are so proud of them!

Tyler has worked very hard and is thrilled for this opportunity!

Go Huskers!

Brad and Cami returned from Maryland where they spent the summer working HARD!  They both started back at school at UVU!  

Noah started 9th Grad this year!  He is enjoying his first experience with Early Morning Seminary and he is loving it!  We look forward to great things from him!

Ethan is excited to be starting 6th grade... (How can my baby be in his last year of elementary school?)  He has an AWESOME teacher.  Ethan is such a good boy and brings so much happiness to our home.  He notices the details about everything... and loves to tell us all about everything!

And last, but not least, my dear husband started school in the Executive Master's of Public Administration Program at Brigham Young University!  He is so excited and I know he will do fantastic!  Now just to find time for homework along with City Council, a re-election campaign, work, church calling, family... 

I am so proud of them all!  I am grateful you each understand the value of education!

I.love.you