June

BIRTHDAYS-
I love that Mike and I celebrate our birthdays so close together.  His fell on a Sunday, and it just happened that his 2 sisters were in Utah and able to come with their families and help us celebrate.  We had a cookout followed by a rousing game of beach volleyball.  It was great fun.  I love when Teresa and Brad's kids are around because they're always up for games.

For my birthday, I started off the day with a hike to the windcaves with a new friend in my ward- Millie, then I prepared lunch for 4 friends (I count Lindsey as not only a niece, but also a friend!) and enjoyed that on the backyard patio.  It was lovely. Cam and I then went to the matinee of "Captain America- Winter Soldier" since he hadn't seen it yet, then Mike and Mom joined us for dinner at Olive Garden.  When we got home, Bundy was over working on our sprinkler system, so Cam played with the girls for awhile while I enjoyed sitting on the swing chatting w/ Kylee.  It was a wonderful way to turn 53. 

MISSION CALL!
Cam submitted his mission papers on June 5 and has his call on June 18th!  It was like a dream because we didn't expect it so soon, so only checked the mail as an afterthought on the 18th as he and I were ready to drive to SLC for him to drop me off at the airport for me to go to Ft. Collins to stay with Kylee for 6 days.  When we made the shocking discovery, we changed our plans for shopping and lunch on the way to the airport and instead assembled those we could in 1/2 hour and opened the call.
                                                                                    (These were his mission application photos)
I was so nervous that I couldn't even imagine how he felt.  The anticipation was so fun and it was so exciting when he read the words "Illinois, Chicago mission, Spanish speaking."  He doesn't leave until November 5, so our hopes of him leaving in time to get back into fall semester 2016 were dashed, but that's OK- everything happens for a reason.  He was very happy to discover he'll report to the Mexico MTC so will get to experience living in Mexico for 6 weeks.  It was a great, great event, and I'm so happy that his friends Tyson and Parker, my friend Janae, Mom, the Skeens and Bundy's were able to be there for the occasion- as well as Brody on Skype from Switzerland, Ky on speaker phone from Ft. Collins, and Jess on facetime from Lubbock (or so I thought at the time....)

 (the photo in the bottom right is perhaps hard to read--- it's just all our guesses for where he would go- no one guessed it right!)

FT. COLLINS-
The excitement continued for the rest of the day as Cam, Tyson and Parker dropped me off at the airport, and although I was scheduled to arrive in Denver at 7:20, I actually didn't get there until 10:30!  There was a big rain storm in Denver, so our plane had to land in Colorado Springs and wait for it to pass.  Imagine my surprise when Kylee finally picked me up (and there's a lot more to this story- if you haven't heard what it is, I'll be happy to tell you in person... it's too long to go into here) and after we drove off, being surprised by Jessica who had been hiding in the back of Ky's Subaru.  I swore I wouldn't allow myself to be surprised by her this year, but she did it again!  I was completely shocked, but so happy that she could join us for 6 days of girl time in Ft. Collins, then come to Logan with us for another 4 days.  We had such a productive and fun time and I feel so blessed for the time spent with my 2 wonderful daughters.  We helped Ky organize her nursery as she hadn't taken the time to go through and put away everything she had gotten from 2 baby showers.  She had made a "little" chart full of stuff she wanted to get done before the baby comes, and we helped her get through a lot of them.

Of course much of our time was spent shopping for, thinking about, talking about, and eating what we all love--- food! It was even more intensified with an 8 month pregnant woman in the mix!  Ky treated us to some decadent desserts at The Chocolate Cafe one night in Old Town, and another morning we ate out for breakfast at a cool place in Old Town. 

Two of Ky's best friends, and a girl from her ward threw her a darling shower one night that was very well attended.  She has certainly been spoiled by her many friends, family and co-workers.  What a great thing showers are for first time mothers!

We did some shopping, went to a movie, watched a couple movies at home, went on many walks and a hike (not Ky) and did some deep cleaning and organizing.  We tried to be at Ky's beck and call!

BACK IN LOGAN-
We drove to Logan on Tuesday the 24th, and enjoyed a cookout at Second Dam w/ the Bundy's that evening.

The next night we helped celebrate cute Lydia's 5th birthday.  Lindsey went all out (no surprise there) for her Phantom of the Opera themed party. 

Other things we did before Jess had to leave to go back to Texas were:  going out to lunch with Freda and Stacie, worked out, went to the temple, did some shopping, watched a movie, had several cook outs, and played Rook.  I also helped Mike do some yard work all day on Saturday.  I planted flowers, spread bark, and cleaned the patio.  Our yard is finally looking amazing!

Another bit of excitement resulted from the lure and capture of a squirrel that had been destroying some items out on our back patio.  First he chewed a huge hole in a blanket, then a beach towel, then finally a pillow.  I didn't know for sure what was causing the damage, until I saw him (or her?) sitting on top of the pillow chewing away.  So with the help of the Skeens cage, we caught the critter (after several failed attempts where he somehow got to the food but didn't get caught) and humanely (although I really didn't want to because I was so mad at my ruined things) released him into the wild. 
                    (The bottom left pic is some delicious snowcones me and the girls got at Daysie's snowcone shack.  Delicious!)

Monday night we had the Lakes, (who had just arrived in town for their summer visit) Mom, Skeens and Searles over for dinner, kickball, and beach VB.  It was a great evening.  What's better than family, summertime, good food and beach VB?

ELDER JENSEN-
I'm ending the month the best way possible... with pictures of my missionary!  From top left around:  Jake and Elder DeMille on P-day- Jake burning a shirt on hump day- the hump day shirt Grandma Freda sent him- doing service at a members... it involved a leaf blower... (was any work accomplished??)
I asked Jake for a vertical picture of him to put in a frame and this is what I got.... he cracks me up.

Happily I got this one as well... I sure miss this boy.

MISC-
I did a makeover on the cushions and pillows on this swing we've had forever.  I've been ready to get rid of it at several times over the years.  It's found the perfect home now, and I couldn't love it more!
Before...

and after!

My BFF Janae went to London and brought me (among other things) this delicious bar of chocolate.

Cam was following me home from a store one day on Jake's scooter, so I took this picture.

May

This month is dedicated to Cam since 20 of the 28 collages are about him!  So before we get to him, lets talk about the ones that aren't about him.... I always love to start off the month with new pictures of Jake.  And since I somehow forgot to put any in last month's post, I'll include those here.  Starting in the top left and going clockwise: *Jake and Elder Stamos at a Zone activity.  They became friends while serving in the same group of 4 Elders in Seattle last summer.  * Hiding behind a cool tree *being in Washington has turned him into a tree hugger :) *he's so proud of himself for liking a chicken ceasar salad!  Wow- he's getting brave... *in this weather, they still have to ride bikes!

His dedication to Captain America: Winter Soldier on April 4 the day it came out.  Bottom left is with Victor, a recent convert- who also loves the Captain.

*At the development where they live, *at a nearby lake with his current companion Elder DeMille, *with Elder Stamos at a zone activity where they played ultimate frisbee *showing his turf burn from the zone activity *pondering the meaning of life.

*Last Sunday the family Jake and his comp were having dinner at sent me the top 2 pictures.  *with Victor and his family *his district.
Skyping on Mother's Day!!!  It was wonderful.  We had all 8 of us on at once, and I loved every second of it.

Jake's hump day was on the 22nd.  I can't believe how fast his first year went.  From what I've heard, the second year goes by even faster.  I will have to experience that to believe it, because somehow I doubt it.  I sent him about 45 pictures of people (and things) holding happy hump day signs.  Here's a small sampling.  He loved it.

*the pictures I sent him for hump day.  *wearing the shirt Freda sent him that he received in the mail on the 22nd!  *burning a shirt (and tie since he didn't do that on the 6 month mark) to commemorate the day *how he marked his planner for the event. 

I went on an awesome hike with 4 of my friends from the gym one Friday morning.  We hiked Crimson trail- my favorite hike.  
Settle in.... now we start with the month that was Cam....  The YM/YW have a night where they honor the Seniors.  Each parent highlighted their child and brought things to tell about them to display. Cam had a baseball game in Ogden, so didn't get there until the very end, so I had to give him my highlight talk at home.

Cam and his best friends were in a group for Senior Ball. He asked his good friend since Kindergarten Kennedy Wright.  For the day date they rode scooters to the Fun Park and went roller blading then went to Five Guys for lunch.
Meanwhile, Janae and I were busy at her house decorating and making dinner for that night.  They have the perfect set up on their front patio.  Even though the weather was chilly that day, with some portable heaters we had, it worked out great.  We made and served them dinner of chicken cordon blue, potatoes, fresh green beans, rolls, and temptation cupcakes.   

Before they came to the Lesters for dinner, they took pictures together at one of the girls house.  Look at this couple!  Aren't they the most beautiful/handsome couple?

Cam had a back injury during baseball season, so only played the first game of the season before having an MRI and being told he'd have to sit out all year.  It was devastating news to hear for Cam's Senior year after he worked so hard to get ready for his last year.  He was still committed to the team going to all the practices and games.  I was very impressed with him for his positive attitude and team spirit.  His doctor, Keith Nelson, gave him the OK to play in the last home game of the season- Senior night.  It was so wonderful to go watch him play and have him do so well after not practicing for 2 months.  He was also able to play in the two region playoff games the next two days, but when it came to the state playoffs, his back was really bothering him again, so he made the difficult decision not to play, so he just watched those last 2 games.  Watching Cam play sports his entire life has definitely been a highlight in my life, and one that I will miss so much.

Lindsey took some awesome Senior pictures to go with the ones she took in the fall.  I love how they turned out.

 
I'm so grateful that Cam has had great friends his entire life. That's been the case with all our kids, and it's such a blessing!

Seminary graduation. Good job Cam!  I'm proud of you for this accomplishment.

Eagle Scout court of honor.  I'm so proud of Cam for getting his Eagle!  There were many times that Mike and I wondered if it would ever happen, but when crunch time came, he buckled down and got it done.  Great job Cam!

After the court of honor, Carol and I threw a graduation party for Cam and Taylor at her school.... the last party we'll ever have there.  That's very sad to think about.  But it's for a good reason!  She got married 3 days before this party!  I'm so thrilled for her and welcome Robert to the family.  After dinner, we divided into 3 teams and did a scavenger hunt throughout the school searching for 10 pictures each of Cam and Taylor. It was a lot of fun.  We had a great idea for a picture to go on the cake. Carol found the picture of the kids when they were little, then we had them recreate it. It would have been a lot cuter if the bakery hadn't screwed it up by making the pictures so small you could barely see them, then covering over those with bigger ones, only to still be able to see the smaller ones underneath. Needless to say, I went back the next day to complain and got a refund.  It tasted good, so all was not lost...

The night of Candlelight, we went to dinner with the Lesters to Kabukis.  It was great food and so much fun to have it cooked right at our table.  

I love the tradition of LHS Candlelight. After hearing a speaker in the auditorium (Logan City's mayor), and hearing 3 students spotlight teachers from Elementary, Middle and High School, all the students and parents walk around the school (while the students hold a candle) and hear from 4 different students in 4 different spots talk about highlights from high school.  Then the kids pose in front of the lighted "L" for pictures.

The next day was graduation. I made my last T-shirt quilt which has been a favorite of all the kids.  Somehow I made it through these last days with Cam in school pretty good, but writing this right now it's starting to really sink in.  It's so hard to let go of this stage of life.  It has been the best time of my life, and I am so grateful for all the of experiences I've been through with my kids during their high school years.

So that's it.  What can I say to my baby boy.  I am so grateful to you for the 18 years you've given me to love and care for you and watch you grow and mature. I'm so proud of the man you've become, and know that I'll always be your biggest cheerleader in life.  I can't wait to see what's in store for you in the next 18 years!  Keep smiling and being the kind, loving, fun, considerate, hard working, and faithful man you've grown to be.  I love you, and remember, I'll always "be your buddy still."