Jake made it !!!!!! He graduated from High School,Seminary and only needs to have his
Eagle Scout Court of Honor!
Where to begin??? Our Summer vacation to Hawaii was a much needed break. We took Josh, Jake, Ivet(Jake's girlfriend), Kaycie and Haylee. The weather was nice and ocean very inviting. Unfortunately Reagan got a real bad ear infection about 1/2 way thru the vactaion and was out ofthe water for about 4-5 days. He was not able to go scuba diving, which is the biggest reason we vacation in Hawaii. He went out on a snorkle cruise to Molokini, but stayed on deck and read a book! He enjoys just being on the water! We did have a couple of really nice days snorkling, cliff jumping and body surfing before his ear hurt so bad he went to the urgent care!
Where to begin??? Our Summer vacation to Hawaii was a much needed break. We took Josh, Jake, Ivet(Jake's girlfriend), Kaycie and Haylee. The weather was nice and ocean very inviting. Unfortunately Reagan got a real bad ear infection about 1/2 way thru the vactaion and was out ofthe water for about 4-5 days. He was not able to go scuba diving, which is the biggest reason we vacation in Hawaii. He went out on a snorkle cruise to Molokini, but stayed on deck and read a book! He enjoys just being on the water! We did have a couple of really nice days snorkling, cliff jumping and body surfing before his ear hurt so bad he went to the urgent care!
We went to San Diego for the 4th of July with Chuck & Shawna and Chucks family. They were out for Damon's Blessing. We made it to both Sea World and the zoo as well as the beach and really enjoyed our view of the fireworks from our current favorite spot at the marina next to Sea World.
Kaycie went to girls camp the week of July 21st and had a wonderful time. Reagan went up on Wednesday and spent the night and I went with him. The camp was wonderful! The theme was Rising Generation-Defenders of Freedom.- The stake did an outstanding job of presenting firesides and such to explain and teach the importance of the freedoms we enjoy living in America and the responsibilities we have to keep this nation free!!Yes, Tomorrow Haylee will be 12 years old 
I am still trying to figure out where the last 12 years have gone! I am not even sure what - if anything- I have accomplished in 12 years. I do know i have a few more wrinkles and grey hairs! She is excited about leaving primary and joining the rest of the girls her age in Young Women.
Joshua has been working at Quiznos since he got home and after our vacation also started working at the pool as a lifeguard. He has serious girlfriend, Amanda, who was taking the missionary discussions before our trip to Hawaii and was baptized the day w
e got home. Unfortunately for her, her family has pretty much disowned her and she has moved out and is looking for a place to stay. She also works at the pool and will be going to AWC this fall ----Josh is going up to BYU in 2 weeks and they are not looking forward to the separation!
Jake is working more and saving money for a car. He went out today and bought his books for
school and just about had a heart attack when he got to the register! He received a scholarship from the Choralairs and it only covered about 1/2 the cost of books. He is now depressed that his bank account has dropped and it will be that much longer before he will have enough for a car. We may have a line on a used one for him that a member of the ward is selling...we will have to take a look at it and see before we decide! Jake will also have to get used to NOT sleeping all day. That is what he likes best about summer break! We took this picture at the zoo and think we will post it on his bedroom door!
I am still trying to figure out where the last 12 years have gone! I am not even sure what - if anything- I have accomplished in 12 years. I do know i have a few more wrinkles and grey hairs! She is excited about leaving primary and joining the rest of the girls her age in Young Women.
Joshua has been working at Quiznos since he got home and after our vacation also started working at the pool as a lifeguard. He has serious girlfriend, Amanda, who was taking the missionary discussions before our trip to Hawaii and was baptized the day w
e got home. Unfortunately for her, her family has pretty much disowned her and she has moved out and is looking for a place to stay. She also works at the pool and will be going to AWC this fall ----Josh is going up to BYU in 2 weeks and they are not looking forward to the separation!Jake is working more and saving money for a car. He went out today and bought his books for
school and just about had a heart attack when he got to the register! He received a scholarship from the Choralairs and it only covered about 1/2 the cost of books. He is now depressed that his bank account has dropped and it will be that much longer before he will have enough for a car. We may have a line on a used one for him that a member of the ward is selling...we will have to take a look at it and see before we decide! Jake will also have to get used to NOT sleeping all day. That is what he likes best about summer break! We took this picture at the zoo and think we will post it on his bedroom door!Those kids that will be attending school here in Yuma will start on the 18th. 
Josh can move into his housing on the 23rd, and school starts after labor Day. We MAY take the girls up with us on the 20th-24th and hit Lagoon before their summer hours end. If the girls come they will still have the wonderful opportunity to attend the first couple of days of school and get all their schedules worked out before we go. I will insist that they get their homework assignments to work on on the way!
Josh can move into his housing on the 23rd, and school starts after labor Day. We MAY take the girls up with us on the 20th-24th and hit Lagoon before their summer hours end. If the girls come they will still have the wonderful opportunity to attend the first couple of days of school and get all their schedules worked out before we go. I will insist that they get their homework assignments to work on on the way!It is really hard for me to come to terms to the fact that of our 6 children 3 are gone from the
nest and that Jake is basically just a tenant using a room to crash in. Not to mention that the younger 2 are in jr High! It really makes me stop and think about how really short life is and the wonders of what can transpire during our short life times. I am overwhelmed again at the awesome responsibility we have as parents and that though our influence is great it gradually disapates the older our children get. I have a greater respect and appreciation for my own parents and wonder how they were able to cope with their children growing up and going out on their own. It is a real challenge for me to let go and hope that all I have taught them will help them--I am afraid for them going out in this crazy evil world-- But i know that I have done my best and I pray it was good enough.
I watch Shawna and their children and somtimes I smile to think that it wasn't really that long ago that I had my hands full with little ones so smart and eager to learn. I am surprised that I lived through it and know I don't want to go back. .matt.08.07.jpg)
I am very blessed to have all of our family living so close. I really enjoy having all of them around. I love being able to see thegrandkids everyday, if I want to. I love it when the phone rings and Alaina is on the other end asking me if she and Matt can come up and see me, or if I want to meet them for lunch, or if we can go swimming together. Then Matt will get on the phone and ask me too. I love being able to snuggle with Damon-if I can get him before someone else does.
I am very intimidated by Shawna and her creative insticts! Her blog is AMAZING! She comes up with the neatest activities for the kids, fun ideas for birthdays from the presents she gives
to the cakes she makes! She made the coolest cake for Reagan's birthday- a snorkler! (I would have loved to post a picture unfortunately Shawna was unaware that her camera did not have a memory card inserted) She made cute little ladybug invitations for Haylee's birthday and is making ladybug cupcakes for the party! She blows me away with her ability to find time to post the most awesome blogspot, fulfill her church responsibilities, be a caring mother and wife, and get all of her work done for Dominos!Ashley keeps in touch at least once a week- She and Ron work all of the time, it seems. At least ri
They wanted to have a BBQ with us last Saturday but we were in San Diego at a Padres game and stayed over night at a camp ground in Chula Vista. Hopefully we will be able to get together on Saturday for Haylee's birthday--as of right now they are not working - but that can change in at any time .
As for me I realize how greatful I am for my wonderful husband and how much I truly love and appreciate him. I am more in love with him today than I was 27 years ago! I can't imagine what my life would be like with out him by my side. I know it sounds cliche but he Completes me. He is definitely "my better half"
