Hiking With The Boys

While I had Zack and Brayden when went on a fun hike.  Zack loves to hike and Brayden not so much.  We all ended up have fun.  We sure missed having Toph with us for the fun weekend but he was off having fun with his friend at his cabin in Island Park

 They love to play in the pond

 Showing off their muscles after climbing the rock

 Brayden climbed up and slid down this hill and loved it

Zack loves to float thing down the water

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Fun With The Grandkids!

WEEKEND WITH THE GRAND KIDS

Josh and Cami were nice enough to share the boys with us for UEA weekend.  We had so much fun! They came on Thursday night, that night we just played around the house.  Friday morning I let them play a little Sponge Bob video game and then we were off to McDonald's for lunch. Dawson came with us to play with the boys in the play area.  We were going to go to Pumpkinaze but when we got there we found it didn't open until latter, so we went home.  Big Papa took the boys to Costco and they loved eating all the samples but we really went there to buy the video How to Train Your Dragon.  Then they went home and Big Papa watched it with them and they all loved it!  Then we had dinner and then off to Dinosaur Park for a night of Trick or Treating among the Dino's. It was great fun!  Saturday we all got up ate breakfast and went out to do yard work.  Josh would have been so proud of his boys out there pulling out all of the flowers, working so hard.  Then we took it all to the green disposal, they thought that was great.  After lunch it was out to Buddy's World the farm.  Lance was great with the boys and let them have the full farm experience.  They sat on a donkey, fed the cows and horses, gathered eggs from the chickens, picked tomatoes and pumpkins.  It was so much fun and they loved it!!After that we came home and off we went to the movies.  We went and saw Alpha and Omega.  Then we picked up some KFC and went home to eat dinner with Big Papa.  We all went for a long walk with the dogs then played outside.  It was such a beautiful day outside that even at night it was still warm.  Sunday we were eating breakfast and Brayden said "Nana I'm bored" I guess I needed to do a little entertainment with our meal.  The boys were so great at church, I was so proud of them.  After church we played outside, watched videos and played board games.  Tomorrow it off hiking and maybe the Treehouse.  I can't wait! We have had such a great time.  Thank you Josh and Cami for letting them come and play!   

I couldn't be prouder!!

Maegan and Dan both graduated this year, they both double majored and had a minor.  They both graduated with honors.  They are so smart, I really am so very proud of both of them.  Now they have a little time off from school so they are going to Samoa this month to visit Dan's grandparents who are temple presidents there.  After that we will have them just a little longer and then off to medical school in Missouri.  I will miss them very much but I am so excited for this new adventure in their life! I love you both way to go!!!!

Tell your family you love them everyday!

Ron's best friend Mike Lee past away last night very suddenly. I received a call from a friend telling me that she had heard that Mike had died. I was having a hard time comprehending it. He was a little younger than us and in good physical shape. I was sure that she had gotten some bad information. It was about 10 pm, and I didn't know that I could call his wife, and my dear friend, at that point, what would I even say?
At 1:30 am my phone rang, I answered to crying on the other end. Then the simple words, Lydia, Mike's dead. I talked and cried with Lori for a while. He was playing church ball and his heart just stopped. They tried to do CPR, but they just couldn't revive him. How and why do things like this even happen?
He has a special needs daughter that is Toph's age, he also has twin 11 year old boys. He was such a great Dad and husband. A kinder and more compassionate person you will not meet.
As Ron and I have been trying to deal with this loss we have really realized that life is just too short. We don't have time for anger over silly things. We just need to love each other a little more. Make time for that which is important, and get rid of the fluff that has little meaning. Take time to serve others, don't judge, and just make sure that those you love know just how you feel. This was definitely our wake up call.

Happy "19" Kimmy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIMMY!!!

For Kimmy's birthday today she wanted to have a princess tea party. So we did. All of her friends dressed up in their prom dresses(happy to get to wear them again) and we had a fancy luncheon. We got out the china, had little sandwiches and everything. Of course all of the girls got a tiara. They had so much fun. We had a photographer come and take their pictures, then they went to the junction bowling in their dresses. I don't think girls ever out grow wanting to be a princess.
I have very mixed emotions today. I'm so excited that she is growing up and have so many fun adventures ahead of her. But I would also love to just have her be my little girl forever. She moves to New York for 6 months on Wednesday. I know this will be a great experience for her and she will have a wonderful time. Not to mention she will grow up and become independent. I will just miss her so very much. Thank heavens for skype. I love you Kimmy, Happy Birthday little sister!

HAPPY 8TH BIRTHDAY!!

My Zackery on December 17th turned 8!

He is such a fun little boy. He loves everything to do with nature. We love to go on hikes together and explore. He loves bugs and animals, he is always catching bugs and storing them in containers. He is very creative, you give him paper, glue, stickers, markers and he is going to make something wonderful. We are so happy he is part of our life!

Boating, one of our favorite family activities, he is a little fish.
Being creative, he carved his pumpkin all by himself this year.

Hike to Waterfall, he loved this adventure.

We gave him a skateboard for his birthday.

Here he is with his all of his pads and helmet. Cami told him the pads went over his pants, but he liked it better this way.

Zackery we love you very much!!!!!

EAGLE SCOUT

We are so proud of Toph!! He has worked very hard to achieve this great award. Over the past three years he has earned 26 merit badges, passed off several requirements and went to several camps, both in summer and the winter. There is no easy road on your way to Eagle, just a lot of hard work and determination. He is a great son and so fun to be around. He is a good example to all of us. We love you Toph, way to go!!!