Memorial Weekend

 This years Memorial Weekend has been much different than in years past.  This one has had a lot more work, and a lot less play.  I guess that's not a totally bad thing. . . Friday I helped Jake rearrange his room, something he hasn't wanted to do for several years.  He decided he was ready for a change though but this configuration was the only one he would consider, so we had to take the headboard off his bed (because the closet door wouldn't open with it on) and build up the area behind his pillows with old blankets so he can now put his pillow back an extra foot when he sleeps and has more leg room in his bed.  We bought him a floor lamp since his night stand wouldn't fit by the side of his bed, and he's all set.  He's so excited about it he's flipping out!  Haha (hence the trampoline shot. . .)  That night Mike and I went with Mom, Jamie and Rachel to my 4th production of Les Miserables.  I love that musical, but I have to say, I was a bit disappointed in this one.

 Saturday was a work outside day for most of the day for me and Mike.  Although since he got to bed so late because of Les Mis, and is coming down with yet another cold, he went back to sleep after getting Cam up for the paper route, and slept til 10:30.  He made up for his lazy morning by working until late outside getting the garden planted, lawn edged, volleyball net up, and several other projects.

 I got ambitious and cleaned out the garage refrigerator,  bought and planted some annuals, and made a batch of chocolate chip cookies.

Sunday we four went for a lovely 2 mile walk along the Logan River Trail near the Logan River Golf Course.  Mike and the boys had never walked along that trail, and they loved it.  The river was very full, and overflowing in some areas.  It was fun.  Came home for milkshakes and a viewing of Kung Fu Panda.

 This morning we hosted a breakfast for Mom, Gary,  Ann, the Romneys and Searles.  It was quite tasty if I do say so myself.  We had buttermilk pancakes, sausage, breakfast egg roll, hashbrowns, and granola/yogurt/fresh strawberries.  Too bad the weather was freezing (we actually woke up to SNOW) when we went out to Clarkston to the cemetery so we only stayed about 5 minutes.  It seems like that's the case most years on Memorial Day.  Enjoyed visiting with the Von, Rick and Andy for awhile, then Mike, the boys and I went to Kung Fu Panda 2.  Very enjoyable movie. We all really liked it.

Tomorrow the first day of our summer vacation starts!  Yee haw!

Everyone's together!

 We had a wonderful week all being together the first week of May when Kylee and Brody got into town from Arizona, and before Brody, Jessica and Brad left for the summer to go sell security systems- Brody to Oklahoma, and Jess and Brad to Texas.  We managed to coordinate our schedules to get together for an hour to have some family pictures taken.  Since it was during finals week for Jess and Brad, and the night before Jake's AP history test, an hour was seriously all they could spare.  Luckily Stacie was a pro and we got it done.  Thanks Stacie for doing such a great job, and thanks kids for fitting it in to your lives!  I'm happy with the way they turned out.

 

 Saturday night we grilled Salmon burgers outside and the kids had fun playing on the trampoline, which we had just set up that day- the latest ever because of the cold, wet spring we've had.  The boys left to go hang out with friends, and the 6 adults played a new fun dice game.

 (I'm not sure the tramp has recovered from having all 6 kids on it at once!)  Earlier in the day, I convinced
everyone (except Jess and Brad who spent the day with Brad's family) to go on a hike with me.  I always love getting out in the mountains and getting some good exercise.  Although it's too early for the canyon to be very pretty, it was still great to be out and enjoying being together.  And finally a day with no rain!

 I always look forward to Mother's Day.  It's my favorite day of the year.  Mike and the kids are at my beck and call all day, and I don't have to lift a finger to do anything!  It's great. Thanks Mike and kids for always making my day so wonderful. And you know the best part about it is getting the sweet cards you always give me.   We visited Mom and David before going to the Weyerts for dinner and visiting with all of Mike's extended family.  It was fun to be with everyone.

(the picture of the girls makes me laugh.  If you know Jess at all, you know she's the baby lover, so for anyone else to hold a baby instead of her, she gets a little testy.  haha)

This week has been a lot different than last with the absence of Brody, Jess and Brad.  Kylee was in SLC for three days having foot surgery, for a pain reliever study.  She's back now but has to hobble around in a boot up to her knee for 4 weeks.  I live for fun family times, and am so glad we were able to have the week together that we did.

Baseball, Easter, and Arizona

This spring has been a wet one, and because of that, Cam's baseball games were canceled right and left, leaving him to have about 4-5 games a week to play now.  We finally had a warmish day to enjoy on Wednesday as he had a doubleheader at home.  It's so much fun watching him play high school baseball!

 We had a wonderful Easter Sunday.  After church and a nice FHE, we joined the Ericksons, Skeens, Searles, Petersens and Bundys for a fun progressive dinner.  We started at our house for appetizers and a game, then went to Carol's kindergarten class for the main course and games, then to the Skeens for dessert, an Easter egg hunt, and the Royal Egg Joust.  It was a great day.

 Last weekend, Mike, Jess, Brad and I took a quick trip to Arizona to see Brody receive his MBA from Thunderbird.  I'm so glad we went.  We had a great time together, with Ky and Brody and with Brody's parents.  We flew in late Thursday night (I want to point out Mike's traveling bag of choice in the top right picture. Since we weren't going to check our bags, I told him to use one of the suitcases with wheels.  But he thought his duffle bag would be good enough, but he came to regret his decision as he had to carry it like a baby when it got too heavy to carry by the straps.  When will he ever learn to listen to me?) and got settled into our motel in Glendale. On Friday, we went to the graduation, then out to lunch, a movie, a diamondback game, then to Ky and Brody's for cake and ice-cream.  On Saturday, Brody spent the day with his family, but Ky joined us in Mesa for the day attending the temple (with a fun surprise run-in with Jordan and Jake as they were leaving the temple), visiting our friends the Frosts and Hoffmans, and having lunch with Paul and DeNae at Tia Rosa's.  It was a quick trip, but wonderful to see Brody graduate, see our friends and family, and soak in the 80 degrees for a couple days.  It was especially great knowing we'd be seeing Ky and Brody in Utah two days later.

Since Ky and Brody are only in Logan together for this week, (Brody's off to sell security systems in Oklahoma for half the summer, then he'll be in Ghana, Africa for the second half finishing up a class for his MBA- Ky will be living with us and working for Mike and at Hamiltons) and Jessica and Brad will be leaving soon to go to Houston for Brad to sell security systems,  I wanted to get a family picture taken since we all won't be together again until Thanksgiving. We called on Stacie to do it on short notice, and she did a great job!  Here's a peek at how they turned out. I'll post more once they're edited.  I love my family and am so proud of them!