Another Family Picture Session

Christmas Family Picture

It was fun to talk to Elder Huff for Christmas.  We also got to 'meet' his companion.  Logan sounds great and seems very happy.  He is eating well (has gained 15 pounds), and teaching many.  We love him.

Logan

My Logan is growing up.  Next week he graduates from seminary, then the next week he graduates from high school.  He started working last summer as a window washer, and will continue with that job this summer.  He was accepted to BYU, and will defer his acceptance until winter semester 2018, because he will be out of town.  Just this week he got his mission call, and will serve in the North Carolina Charlotte mission.  He reports to the MTC on October 7th.  Last week we went to his last band concert, and as I sat there listening, and watching him play the clarinet, I was thinking to tell him that he should raise his stand and sit up straighter for the next concert.  Then I realized there was no more 'next' concert.  Then I realized that I have mostly finished raising him.  I don't have much more time to teach him what he needs to know.  I hope we've done a sufficient job.  

No more car seats

On August 2nd, 1997, we put a newborn car seat into our car.  From there we have had infant car seats, forward-facing car seats, and booster seats in our car.  Last week we took out the last booster.  That's it.  For the 1st time in over 17 years, there isn't a car seat in our car.  Our baby turned 8.  We had quite the party for our Easton.  It started when his Aunt Elizabeth came to town, and ended when his Aunt Suzanne and cousin Emily left town 6 days later.  For his birthday, he got to have orange rolls for breakfast, a Lunchable for lunch at school, then we tried out a new place, the Pizza Studio, for dinner.  He even had jalapenos on his pizza.  That evening  he was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by his brother, Logan.  A lot of family and friends came to support Easton.  That night we enjoyed Ewok cake (thanks to Elizabeth) and some game-playing.  For his birthday he got a set of scriptures, and he has been very diligent in reading them.  He even bore his testimony in church today, about how he loves the scriptures and feels the spirit when he reads them.  The 8-year old Easton is funny, missing a front tooth, tall, smart, and loving.

New Job

So, I started a new job yesterday.  Actually, it's not really a new job, just a new baby.  I've babysat before, and there is nothing like spending the day with a newborn for me.  Her name is Olivia.  We're going to be friends.  She's sitting here on my lap just being mellow.  Good times.

The year of big things

So, we're ready for the year of big things.  Summer went by too fast, but it always does, so maybe I'm getting used to that.  With school starting, we begin the year of big things.  Lauren started 6th grade, which now means she's in middle school.  She likes it, but wishes she had at least one class with Eliza.  Here's hoping it happens next year. Logan is a senior.  That's all I have to say about that.  In October, Easton will turn 8 years old and be baptized.  In January we will have been in our house 10 years.  In June, Logan will graduate from high school, and possibly have his mission call by then.  In July, Lauren will turn 12 and graduate from Primary, and Logan will turn 18 and be ready for a mission.  In August, David and I will celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary.  Hopefully we make it that far.

Logan 6AM

Lauren 7AM

Easton 8AM

1st Annual Reunion

This year David's family decided to have a reunion.  So, we did.  His parents and all their children, most of the in-laws, and plenty of grandchildren and great-grandchildren attended.  We started on the 24th of July, in St. George.  We drove down that morning, had lunch with Stephanie and Rachel, then the kids went swimming.  The first night we got together for dinner and some fun 'minute-to-win-it' games.  We sang a few songs, ate some food, did a craft, etc.  On Friday morning, our family and some of Rachel's family went with Curt & Kami on the boat.  We all tried this new 'surfing' thing, and I really liked it.  I liked not having my foot (or feet) in a boot(s).  It made the wipe-outs less painful.  Then we went back to the pool at the resort, hung around, then met up for ice cream.  On Saturday, we went to the pool again. We all met at Chuck-a-Rama for lunch, yum yum.  Then David, Cindy, Ed, Myles, Courtney, Clay & I went to the St. George temple to do some sealings.  Cindy brought some of their family names, so that was cool.  I have always wanted to go to the St. George temple, since my parents were sealed there.  That night we all met up for pie (then more swimming).  On Sunday we all checked out of the resort.  Most of us went to Sacrament Meeting in St. George, then some of us went to Ed & Dolores' for lunch.  Then we drove home.

Lauren, Becca & Aubrey

Mama w/Easton

David resting

Logan about to try

Logan after trying

 

Lauren about to try

Pool time

Kids in our condo

Cindy, Lisa, Curt, Becky Stephanie, Rachel, David
Dolores & Ed

Becca, Aubrey & Lauren

Scott, Logan, Matt & Easton

Lauren's 10 year old trip

A million years ago when my niece turned 10, my parents decided to take her on a trip.  They continued that tradition, taking the grandkids on a trip when they turned 10.  When my mom died, my dad continued the trips.  Logan got to go to Las Vegas for his 10 year old trip.  His desire was to stay in a cool hotel with a pool that had a slide, and go to a medieval dinner.  So, he stayed in the Excalibur, and had a great time doing many of the child-friendly activities available in Las Vegas.

When my dad asked Lauren where she wanted to go for her trip, she chose Sea World.  Then, unfortunately, he died.  So, David and I decided to take Lauren (before she turned 11) to Sea World.  We informed Liz (Lauren's step-grandmother) and she also came.  She actually took Lauren to Sea World on their own,

while David and I went to the USS Midway.

David the pilot

Rozanne overlooking cool statue

That night we ate Mexican food in Old Town.

Old Town San Diego

Then we went swimming in the hotel pool, until 5 bajillion boys got in.  The next day we took a surrey ride in Balboa Park,

Liz and Lauren surreying

Lauren, David & Rozanne taking a break

then went to the San Diego Zoo.

Scary monkey types

That night we visited the Mormon Battalion Visitor Center.

Lauren and another boy ready to join the battalion

After our journey with the Mormon Battalion

 The next day we drove up to Long Beach and had lunch with the Steeles (minus Emily and Ryan).  Then we flew home, and Liz came with us.  On Sunday we rested.  Logan took Liz to church in the truck, she wanted to have him take her for a drive. Monday, Liz treated Lauren, Easton and me to fun times at Liberty Park.  We rode the pedal boats and the ferris wheel.  Lauren and Easton rode the big swings (twice) while Liz and I watched.  Then the kids played in the water features.

Mom & Easton

Liz & Lauren

Lauren, Liz & Easton admiring flowers

Lauren & Easton cooling off

We got some frozen custard on the way home.  That night Liz requested In-N-Out for dinner, and we happily complied.  The next day she flew home.  Lauren really enjoyed her trip, and the fun times we had even after we got home.  It was a great start to our summer vacation.

May happenings

Easton got to play a little baseball with the most unorganized team ever.  He did learn a few things, and he even hit a few balls.  

Easton was able to sing in a French choir at school this year.  His final concert was in May, the same night as Logan's final band concert for this school year.

Logan is much more confident driving the truck, and even picks up Easton after school . . . one less trip for me!

Lauren had her first paid babysitting job in May.  She and her friend went to watch a little girl while her dad was busy doing yard work.  Lauren was so excited and had a great time.

We are all looking forward to summer vacation.  Logan is supposed to get a job . . . let's hope for success in that department.

Failure

Such a failure.  I am on the computer for hours every week, and I can't even make one measly post a month.  April was lovely.  We had some rain, some nice weather, a titch of snow . . . all very spring like.  My sister came to visit, we took a little road trip to Rexburg to pick up Kelly. We had all the fun Easter festivities.  The Friend magazine had a cool little picture program for the week before Easter, and Lauren, Easton and I did that every night leading up to Easter Sunday.  Craig came for the weekend and that was fun.  We miss him in the Summer.  Next Fall we'll have Craig, Bret and Jessica in Provo and hope they will visit often for general merriment and partying.
A friend lost her baby in April, and it brought back many of the memories of burying a child.  The timing, however, was fitting as we celebrated the resurrection of our Savior.  I substituted a Primary class on Easter Sunday and the lesson suggested talking about a loved one who had passed away.  I told them all about Dallin and how excited I am to see him again.  Craig found Easton's future wife in that class, we'll see if it all works out.
Now it is May.

Saturday morning these two found the Easter Bunny

Saturday night we dyed eggs . . . 

and Craig made some beautiful artwork.

Sunday afternoon Craig took some lovely pictures while we waited . . . 

and waited . . . 

for David!

Cars

When I married David, I knew he liked cars.  It was exciting to buy our first car together, an Acura Integra.  It was a great car, and we enjoyed it.  The next purchase was a Subaru XT6.  It was a fun car to drive, but had a few problems at first, and some bigger problems at the end.  Our first venture into SUV land was the Honda CRV.  We couldn't fit two car seats very well in the back seat of the Acura, so the CRV was a great addition.  When the Acura finally wore out, we bought our first new car, the Nissan Sentra SE-R.  David said he could keep this car for at least 10 years.  As our family grew, and Logan tired of being squished between 2 car seats, we upsized to the Honda Pilot.  I loved this car.  I felt like our car family was at a great point.  We could drive these cars for a long time.  Then disaster -- the engine decided to eat the catalytic converter in the Nissan.  David hadn't even grown tired of it yet.  Eek!  So, the guy who loves to shop for cars, had to shop quickly for a car, which we found out he doesn't really like.  Anyway, the first colorful car joined our family, the Mazda 3.  It's a fun car also, but not fun to drive in the snow.  It is probably the cutest car we've ever had.  And then, just for fun, we replaced our Honda Pilot with a Honda Pilot.  Now we don't have to buy any cars for a long time, right?  Well . . . Logan got his license and we weren't thrilled about driving him to seminary or being without a car all day, so we bought a Ford Ranger.  David has always wanted a truck, but not as his primary car to drive to work every day.  Within a few weeks of buying the truck, we had all of its problems fixed (we hope) and Logan can almost drive it.  NOW we can wait several years before even thinking of buying any cars, right?

SURPRISE!!

So, I went to visit my sister, and my other sister and niece came, too!  Fun times.  We originally planned to surprise Elizabeth, but she is so busy we couldn't make it work. Suzanne ended up telling her she was coming out for a visit. Then, when Elizabeth went to pick her up at the airport, Emily hid behind a pole, then jumped out before Elizabeth pulled away.  Surprise!  When Elizabeth suggested going to get a bite to eat, Suzanne and Emily convinced her there was a really great place to eat in terminal 5, so they should go there.  Surprise!!  I was at terminal 5.  Then we really did go grab a bite to eat.  Since Elizabeth has no kids at home, we each got our own rooms, and got to try out the luxurious new bathroom.

On Saturday we went to Target.  What sisters get-together would be complete without a trip to Target? Then we went to Strathearn Park, in Simi Valley.  We got to see some Simi history, and hear how it was going to be called Simiopolis!

Emily trying to figure out the phone booth

We also crowded into a surrey with a fringe on the top:

  Later that evening we went to Moorpark and attended a play.  We saw "The Fiddler on the Roof" and then those songs were stuck in our heads instead of the surrey with the fringe on top.

Sunday we went to church.  Then Del had to leave for a business trip.  I'm sure he was sad to leave all the women at his house, but he had to do his duty.  Some of us took naps, and that evening we ate treats and hung out.

Monday we were contemplating Griffith Observatory, but they are closed on Monday.  So, we headed to L.A.  We started at Olvera Street, then walked to Chinatown.

Suzanne, Emily, Elizabeth, Rozanne

Elizabeth, Suzanne and Emily on a bench in front of a cool pond

 Then we walked over to Angels Flight, to ride the shortest railway in the world.

Unfortunately, it was not running.

We walked back to Olvera Street for Churros, then had to take Emily to the airport.

The sunset with the palm trees was really pretty, too bad I don't know how to use a camera   

After we dropped her off we enjoyed a 2+ hour drive back to Simiopolis.

Some more of my amazing photography skills

I guess it wouldn't be a real trip to L.A. without some excellent traffic.

Tuesday morning Elizabeth headed back to work, and her friend took Suzanne and me to the FlyAway, where we caught a bus back to LAX.

It was great fun visiting and playing, and eating really yummy food (thanks Elizabeth!).

I got home just in time to pick up Easton from school, and life goes on.