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Saturday, October 6, 2012
Fall 2012
We have had quite a fun Fall and thought we should share some of the happenings.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
End of Summer
I think that most of my blogging time will be spent updating their blog, "The Best 2 Years". If you are interested, you can check it out there.
If you check here and don't see updates, that is why. Sorry, but I am SO proud of my kids, all of them!
Saturday, June 9, 2012
More Random Pictures
Just wanted to get these all posted, since it is my day to catch up. This has taken ALL day!!!! No wonder I didn't do this during the school year. Think this will do it though.
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Catching Up
Wow! It's been a long time! Julie made me feel bad about not posting in forever, so here is my attempt at catching up. However, things go from Current to Christmas.
Rex graduated, which makes me so sad. He also was named Player of the Year for Football and Valedictorian. He got accepted to BYU and leaves this Wednesday. Rex has also been called to the Washington, Kennewick Mission and he reports to the MTC on August 29th.
Riann was Prom Dutchess, she is so beautiful and sweet. She finished dancing which made her very sad, but she made hard decisions and opted for a better environment than what was offered. We couldn't be prouder of her. Such a sweet girl.
Kale finished her second year at EA. She had a fun year but is just about ready to get out of the Thatcher scene and head onto something else. She will return this fall, but this will be her last year. She and Riann plan on moving to Salt Lake and going to school up there next year.
Mandy continues at BYU-Idaho. She is nearing completion. She will graduate in about 1 1/2 years with her Elementary Education degree with Special Education, Reading and Early Childhood endorsements. She will be VERY qualified for teaching. She hopes to teach Pre-School. She has a special connection with really small children.
Raddon is almost as tall as I am and his voice is beginning to deepen. He will be in 8th grade this year and plans on playing football again.
Steve and I are enjoying more time together. He misses his calling as bishop, but I think he is enjoying more freedom to work with his horses again. And I just love the free time I have in the summer!!
Leon went home the day after graduation. We learned a lot from him and wish him great success.
Rex graduated, which makes me so sad. He also was named Player of the Year for Football and Valedictorian. He got accepted to BYU and leaves this Wednesday. Rex has also been called to the Washington, Kennewick Mission and he reports to the MTC on August 29th.
Riann was Prom Dutchess, she is so beautiful and sweet. She finished dancing which made her very sad, but she made hard decisions and opted for a better environment than what was offered. We couldn't be prouder of her. Such a sweet girl.
Kale finished her second year at EA. She had a fun year but is just about ready to get out of the Thatcher scene and head onto something else. She will return this fall, but this will be her last year. She and Riann plan on moving to Salt Lake and going to school up there next year.
Mandy continues at BYU-Idaho. She is nearing completion. She will graduate in about 1 1/2 years with her Elementary Education degree with Special Education, Reading and Early Childhood endorsements. She will be VERY qualified for teaching. She hopes to teach Pre-School. She has a special connection with really small children.
Raddon is almost as tall as I am and his voice is beginning to deepen. He will be in 8th grade this year and plans on playing football again.
Steve and I are enjoying more time together. He misses his calling as bishop, but I think he is enjoying more freedom to work with his horses again. And I just love the free time I have in the summer!!
Leon went home the day after graduation. We learned a lot from him and wish him great success.
Monday, October 17, 2011
25th Anniversary and my Birthday
Steve and I celebrated our 25th Anniversary in August, but as part of our celebrations we did the Grand Canyon...which you know was the most grueling experience of my life! But Steve loves it, so that is ok. So this last week we spent a week at Disneyland, which is my favorite place in the world. I love it there. It was a win-win type thing for us this year.
On Saturday, the 8th we drove to San Diego to check out some places for the big Shumway Reunion that we are in charge of this year. Then on Sunday we went to church, then went to the Mormon Battalion. You need to see it, the Church has done an amazing job! After that we drove up the coast, stopped at Oceanside for lunch at an awesome place called Grubby's, and then continued to my Aunt Maxine's who lives in La Harba. She had pie waiting for us. I love her. She has always been so nice to me and I wouldn't go to California and not visit. Unfortunately we lost my Uncle Dick last Spring to Cancer and she is now living alone, but she is doing great and I am proud of her.
After that we drove to Burbank to visit Bill. We spent all day with Bill and Melinda on Monday then went to my niece Hannah's volleyball game that night. Later we drove down to Anaheim.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday we went to Disneyland! Awww...just to be able to go and do whatever we want for 3 whole days in Disneyland was the best thing we have done in a long time, and Steve was a fantastic sport about it. We went to see every show, ride every ride that we wanted to and go in every little shop and building we wanted.
If you have ever been to Disneyland and haven't experienced some of this action, then shame on you! These guys are hysterical!
We also loved the parade...everything Disney does is so good. Those drummers at the beginning were amazing...right?!
Anyway...that was our trip and we loved it. Steve and I just laugh when we are together. Laugh and laugh and laugh...so fun!
On Saturday, the 8th we drove to San Diego to check out some places for the big Shumway Reunion that we are in charge of this year. Then on Sunday we went to church, then went to the Mormon Battalion. You need to see it, the Church has done an amazing job! After that we drove up the coast, stopped at Oceanside for lunch at an awesome place called Grubby's, and then continued to my Aunt Maxine's who lives in La Harba. She had pie waiting for us. I love her. She has always been so nice to me and I wouldn't go to California and not visit. Unfortunately we lost my Uncle Dick last Spring to Cancer and she is now living alone, but she is doing great and I am proud of her.
After that we drove to Burbank to visit Bill. We spent all day with Bill and Melinda on Monday then went to my niece Hannah's volleyball game that night. Later we drove down to Anaheim.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday we went to Disneyland! Awww...just to be able to go and do whatever we want for 3 whole days in Disneyland was the best thing we have done in a long time, and Steve was a fantastic sport about it. We went to see every show, ride every ride that we wanted to and go in every little shop and building we wanted.
If you have ever been to Disneyland and haven't experienced some of this action, then shame on you! These guys are hysterical!
We also loved the parade...everything Disney does is so good. Those drummers at the beginning were amazing...right?!
Anyway...that was our trip and we loved it. Steve and I just laugh when we are together. Laugh and laugh and laugh...so fun!
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Leon, Soccer & Cousins
I just compiled these pictures for Leon's mother and sent them to her and thought I better get them posted here before I lose them! We sure love Leo!
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Friday, September 23, 2011
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Leon... and the fire
We were finally able to pick up our exchange student. His name is Leon and he is from Brunswick, Germany. He is kind and polite and funny. He is very smart and I hope he is enjoying his time here.
Yesterday we went up to the mountains to get some firewood and he worked so hard that he got blisters on his hands. What a nice boy! He is 12 days older than Riann and they seem to be good friends already. We went to Rex's football game on Friday night and he didn't seem to enjoy American Football too much. We also watched the BYU game yesterday and I think he was bored to tears. He says there are too many breaks for him. He likes soccer too much and will play on our high school team.
We also got a look at the results of the fire. Devastating, and so sad. All the underbrush was burned away though and the grass is now a brilliant green, so in a way it is beautiful. So the following pictures are of Leon and the mountain.
Rex and Leon. Rex is explaining how to use and ax.
Kale couldn't be outdone by anyone. She did pretty good! Better than I could have done!
And Mandy did pretty good herself
Taking a much needed break
Good job guys! That's a lot of work!
Our Beautiful mountain
This is just so sad!
:(
However after all the rain, it is still beautiful
After all the work Leon got to try out the 4-wheeler, I think he liked it :)
Yesterday we went up to the mountains to get some firewood and he worked so hard that he got blisters on his hands. What a nice boy! He is 12 days older than Riann and they seem to be good friends already. We went to Rex's football game on Friday night and he didn't seem to enjoy American Football too much. We also watched the BYU game yesterday and I think he was bored to tears. He says there are too many breaks for him. He likes soccer too much and will play on our high school team.
We also got a look at the results of the fire. Devastating, and so sad. All the underbrush was burned away though and the grass is now a brilliant green, so in a way it is beautiful. So the following pictures are of Leon and the mountain.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
It's Over
So that's it, it's all over...Steve got released as our Bishop today. We have such conflicting emotions about it. It is going to be wonderful to have him around so much more, but I will miss the blessings our family has received for the past 5 years. Heavenly Father has truly taken care of our little family and loved us. We will miss the associations we have been blessed to partake in, our friends have become more like family than friends. The Allen's and the Walkers are our best friends now. So grateful we were able to develop deeper relationships with these wonderful people. There aren't any better people in the entire world.
I am grateful to our ward family. I love you all so much. We put our heart and soul into Steve's calling and you have all become dear to us. Thank you for putting up with us! Don't you think Bishop Gleave will be amazing? He couldn't have picked better counselors, and they have wonderful women to support them. We are in great hands. I'm glad they are willing to serve in these positions. Thank you again for all your prayers, as Sister Allen said today, we could literally feel your prayers and it sustained us!
I am grateful to our ward family. I love you all so much. We put our heart and soul into Steve's calling and you have all become dear to us. Thank you for putting up with us! Don't you think Bishop Gleave will be amazing? He couldn't have picked better counselors, and they have wonderful women to support them. We are in great hands. I'm glad they are willing to serve in these positions. Thank you again for all your prayers, as Sister Allen said today, we could literally feel your prayers and it sustained us!
Friday, August 5, 2011
Whew!
Okay, now I know it has been forever...for some reason this summer has gone by so fast and it seems like I haven't had any time to get caught up. And Julie let me know it, so here is somewhat of an attempt to do just that.
June was full of way too much excitement for us. It started out with the Dance Festival. 7 Stakes were here, 1000 youth, and we were fortunate enough to be able to be on the cooking crew. It was super fun. Rex and Riann were able to participate and had the best time. Rex learned the Waltz and Riann learned a dance from the 50's. So cool! The kids in this area are so neat, and I love being around them. We will be in good hands in the future.
During this time, the dance festival, our state experienced the biggest fire in its history, and it got to within 2 miles of our home. 2 days after all the kids went home from the Dance Festival we were evacuated from our home. It was a disturbing and scary experience, one I hope to never relive. Steve stayed here to help burn victims and to help protect our home, but the kids and I went down to the valley with the Sorenson's and stayed at a nice hotel. This is an image of the smoke creeping across the sky right above our house.
Super Scary!!!
This is a huge helicopter in a smoke filled sky, carrying thousands of gallons of water to douse the fire
They were finally able to get the fire under control and we were able to return home! That was a happy day!!!
July came and with it came Rex's 18th birthday. When did he get so old? He only has 1 year left until he leaves on his mission. Boy am I going to miss him!
Grandpa Bill, Melinda, my Grandpa Bill, my brother Steve and his wife Jenny and their two kids, and Julie all came for the 4th of July. We had so much fun! We rode horses and visited and played games and watched as the fire works started little spot fires of their own. Steve was able to be one of the Inner Circle Pyros this year and was able to help with the firework show, which was the best ever!
July also brought my rim to rim hike in the Grand Canyon. We knew it was going to be HOT, so we decided we wanted to do an all night hike during a full moon. We started on the north rim at about 6:00 pm and I drug myself out by way of the south rim (I'm pretty sure Steve could have just jogged right out...he is in disgustingly great shape!) at about 7:00 am! It was a LONG, HARD hike, and I am glad it is over. 24 miles....uggghhhhhh! It was beautiful though and now that it is over I am glad I did it. Next time however, I am going to be in a lot better shape!!! This is us right before we went in...notice the smiles :) Who does stuff like this?!
was
We had to take a shuttle over to the North Rim, which is 5 hours from the south rim. On the shuttle was a family who had just done the same thing that we were about to do, only they had taken 4 days to do it. Anyway, they had the best time and Steve and I decided that we really needed to bring our kids and do a hike on the south rim. So, during Christmas break we are going to do the 17 mile hike on the south rim...the kids are thrilled :)
Now it is August, and it is my last day of summer :( I start School on Monday and I am just heartbroken about it. I love summer more than anything and now it is over. It has been a wonderful one though with lots of good memories made. We just found out that we are possibly going to have an exchange student living with us this school year. He is a young man from Germany and we are all super excited to meet him and get to know him. It is also our 25th Anniversary, and we decided that we needed to do something we both liked to do, so our Grand Canyon hike was the first thing, and in October Steve and I are going to Disneyland for 3 days. I'm grateful everyday for this man who decided to marry me 25 years ago...I love him more now than ever and still consider myself the luckiest girl in the world!
June was full of way too much excitement for us. It started out with the Dance Festival. 7 Stakes were here, 1000 youth, and we were fortunate enough to be able to be on the cooking crew. It was super fun. Rex and Riann were able to participate and had the best time. Rex learned the Waltz and Riann learned a dance from the 50's. So cool! The kids in this area are so neat, and I love being around them. We will be in good hands in the future.
During this time, the dance festival, our state experienced the biggest fire in its history, and it got to within 2 miles of our home. 2 days after all the kids went home from the Dance Festival we were evacuated from our home. It was a disturbing and scary experience, one I hope to never relive. Steve stayed here to help burn victims and to help protect our home, but the kids and I went down to the valley with the Sorenson's and stayed at a nice hotel. This is an image of the smoke creeping across the sky right above our house.
This is a huge helicopter in a smoke filled sky, carrying thousands of gallons of water to douse the fire
They were finally able to get the fire under control and we were able to return home! That was a happy day!!!
July came and with it came Rex's 18th birthday. When did he get so old? He only has 1 year left until he leaves on his mission. Boy am I going to miss him!
Grandpa Bill, Melinda, my Grandpa Bill, my brother Steve and his wife Jenny and their two kids, and Julie all came for the 4th of July. We had so much fun! We rode horses and visited and played games and watched as the fire works started little spot fires of their own. Steve was able to be one of the Inner Circle Pyros this year and was able to help with the firework show, which was the best ever!
July also brought my rim to rim hike in the Grand Canyon. We knew it was going to be HOT, so we decided we wanted to do an all night hike during a full moon. We started on the north rim at about 6:00 pm and I drug myself out by way of the south rim (I'm pretty sure Steve could have just jogged right out...he is in disgustingly great shape!) at about 7:00 am! It was a LONG, HARD hike, and I am glad it is over. 24 miles....uggghhhhhh! It was beautiful though and now that it is over I am glad I did it. Next time however, I am going to be in a lot better shape!!! This is us right before we went in...notice the smiles :) Who does stuff like this?!
was
Now it is August, and it is my last day of summer :( I start School on Monday and I am just heartbroken about it. I love summer more than anything and now it is over. It has been a wonderful one though with lots of good memories made. We just found out that we are possibly going to have an exchange student living with us this school year. He is a young man from Germany and we are all super excited to meet him and get to know him. It is also our 25th Anniversary, and we decided that we needed to do something we both liked to do, so our Grand Canyon hike was the first thing, and in October Steve and I are going to Disneyland for 3 days. I'm grateful everyday for this man who decided to marry me 25 years ago...I love him more now than ever and still consider myself the luckiest girl in the world!
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Procrastinator
Yep, that's what you can call me! Although we have been pretty busy, and my email account that is linked to this blog did get hacked...so you know. Still, just an excuse.
So what has been happening...hmmmm. Mandy turned 21, Raddon turned 12, we have a sweet girl, Eleise, living with us, there are only 48 days of school left, it is Spring Break, and its now March Madness time...
Raddon received the priesthood and is now a Deacon. He enjoys passing the Sacrament. All he has wanted from the time he was about 6 is a suit. I kept telling him that he would have a suit when he goes on his mission, thinking that eventually he would forget about it, but he never did. We got him a suit this year, and I have to admit, he looks pretty darn handsome each Sunday. Funny kid!
He was also chosen to go to All State for Choir last weekend, so we went down to support him. Great time...I still can't believe my baby is in Middle School!
Here is the gang right before they performed.
Fun, cute kids!
As mentioned it is Spring Break here and tomorrow we leave for Page where we will host a Hamblin Reunion at Lake Powell. Should be pretty fun. The Hamblin's are a pretty cool bunch to hang out with. A little nutty though!
BYU has made it to the Sweet 16, first time since 1981. Its about time. Jimmer is quite the guy, and fun to watch. This is the best time of year...better than Christmas!
Happy Spring...make the most of it!
So what has been happening...hmmmm. Mandy turned 21, Raddon turned 12, we have a sweet girl, Eleise, living with us, there are only 48 days of school left, it is Spring Break, and its now March Madness time...
Raddon received the priesthood and is now a Deacon. He enjoys passing the Sacrament. All he has wanted from the time he was about 6 is a suit. I kept telling him that he would have a suit when he goes on his mission, thinking that eventually he would forget about it, but he never did. We got him a suit this year, and I have to admit, he looks pretty darn handsome each Sunday. Funny kid!
He was also chosen to go to All State for Choir last weekend, so we went down to support him. Great time...I still can't believe my baby is in Middle School!
Here is the gang right before they performed.
As mentioned it is Spring Break here and tomorrow we leave for Page where we will host a Hamblin Reunion at Lake Powell. Should be pretty fun. The Hamblin's are a pretty cool bunch to hang out with. A little nutty though!
BYU has made it to the Sweet 16, first time since 1981. Its about time. Jimmer is quite the guy, and fun to watch. This is the best time of year...better than Christmas!
Happy Spring...make the most of it!
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