Mother's Day

Mother's Day this year was really nice! On Saturday evening we had Ryan, Nathan, Claire and Norah, Scott, Johnny and Sarah, Amy, Daren and I. Claire made shishkabobs and we had a barbeque. Ryan made a fire and later we roasted marshmellows and made smores. I had a little mishap with overflowing yellow cake that we had to throw out and clean up but other than that it was a lot of fun.
The next day Shara, Ben, Gracie and Clara, Jeanette, Aaron and family, Amy with her two friends Amanda and Elise, joined us and made dinner for me. We also celebrated Sarah's birthday (which is on the 10th of May). I have the best family in the world!

On Saturday Amy, Daren and I drove to Logan early in the morning. We went to the Spectrum first for a commencement address there and were able to watch Ryan with all the other graduates. Then we went to the Fine Arts Building and met Scott and Nathan and watched Ryan walk with those in his college. It was a nice day! After we went to lunch together. We are proud of the great job Ryan has done!

I am going to start adding to my blog on a regular basis. A week ago we had some of the family come for conference weekend. It was a lot of fun! Amy and her friend Elise came on Friday evening. Sharla, Ben, Gracie and Clara also came Friday. Saturday morning Scott joined us and Saturday evening Johnny and Sarah. Sunday afternoon Jeanette, Aaron and family came in time for dinner and in the evening Nathan, Claire and Norah stopped by. It was great! Here are a few pictures.

We had a way-fun Halloween party a week before Halloween. (We had it early because Johnny and Sarah were leaving for Arkansas--but we missed Nathan and Claire in St. George and Ryan in Logan). Here are some of the pictures. Also, for Halloween Daren dressed up as a absent-minded professor. Here is a picture of him.

We had fun on Labor Day last Monday. Johnny brought Sarah on Sunday evening and Monday morning Sharla, Ben and babies came; Nathan, Claire and Norah; Jeanette, Aaron, Brandon, McKayla, Alana, and Amy, Dad and I were also there. Everyone went hiking except Dad and I who stayed home to babysit the babies. Then we had a barbeque when everyone got back. It was fun to have those that could come be here. We missed Scott and Ryan.

The new babies

Sharla and Ben had their babies and I have been busy trying to help. Here are some of their pictures.

Camping

From Thursday to Saturday morning we went camping. We went to Pioneer campground close to Hyrum in Cache valley. Johnny, Scott, Amy, Daren and I went. Everyone else had other commitments and could not break away. We had a lot of fun. Scott was a master at roasting marshmellows and perfected a chocolate-filled giant marshmellow. Amy made perfect roasted hot dogs (pig-in-blanket kind). Johnny went fishing a couple of times and caught a fish which he let go. We did a little hiking (Scott and Amy hiked up the mountain), Dad and Amy went for a long walk-run and we spent time at Porcupine Resevoir. Johnny, Scott and Amy went on a raft to the other side and did some cliff-jumping. Dad kept the trailer working great and I tried to keep us well-fed. We plan to go again this summer and hope everyone can come that time.

It is time to haul hay again. Thank goodness for Dave, Christy and the girls! They were a big help. Jackie (Sarahs friend) helped today. And of course Amy! We are so glad that there is only one field to harvest instead of three with one of them being huge. It will make the summer a little less overwhelming.

Father's Day

Yesterday we celebrated Fathers Day. We enjoyed a dinner together and after different kinds of pies. The boys played tape ball. I am including some pictures. Notice the intensity on their faces. We missed Nathan, Claire, Norah and Ryan.

Last Thursday Amy graduated from high school. I no longer have any children in public schools. That means no more back-to-school nights, parent-teacher-conferences, lunch money, and everything else that goes along with that. I have mixed feelings. I am grateful that all of my children have graduated from high school and have done as well as they have but I am pretty sad that everyone is growing up and leaving me.

We had a great day with Amy. Here are a few pictures. She went to the senior bash which lasted all night. Congratulations Amy!