Sunday, June 26, 2011

Shay's Birthday 2011

We got a good picture of Spencer.

What do teenage girls do? Yep that's right. They lay in bed and text. That is why they have those grins that say "You caught us!"


Uncle Ky and Devree are eating delicious corn on the cob. We reminisced how Ky grew wonderful corn a few years ago.

We caught Skyla as she was trying to get in the fridge.

Locey being his self.


Dane went to a Cub Scout 3 day camp called "Frontier Fun". Each boy got a 'coon skin cap. He had lots of fun and I got to be with him for one day.

Happy 14th Birthday Shay! It seems like yesterday he was our Shayby Baby!

He is bleary eyed but he loves his breakfast in bed and his Hoops and YoYo card.

Here is the card.


He is excited to get his MP4 player. He lost his one that he got for Christmas. This is bigger and fancier.
Shay got ordained to a teacher today. We are so proud that he is making good choices and even if he didn't win the Freshman election, he is turning out to be an outstanding young man. We love you Shay and are so proud of you.

Shay wanted his friends to come to the church to celebrate his birthday. He is sad because Preston beat him at chess.

We had a few families join us for some games and cake and ice cream. Shay requested a chocolate cake with cream cheese filling frosted with chocolate frosting. It turned out pretty good but the cake was a little bit crumbly. I like my cake very moist.






Shay messing with my camera. His "self portrait".


Dane took a close up of Devree.

Shay playing his game.


Devree practicing a FULL smile.

Dane's self portrait.


We went to Lake Tahoe yesterday with Todd because he went up with the Scouts. The water was so FREEZING but what a beautiful day with the clear blue sky and bright sun surrounded by snow capped mountains. Shay and Isaac still jumped off the rocks into that FREEZING COLD WATER. As soon as we got there, one scout came over with blue lips and goose bumps on top of goose bumps and said "Oh if you go on the other side, the water is warmer!" I almost laughed at him. Devree stuck in her toes and that was it. I waded in but that was it for me. Everytime we go to Lake Tahoe, I cannot get over how truly beautiful it is. There is just no other place like it on this earth. Our family truly enjoy all of the seasons that Lake Tahoe has to show us. This week challenge yourself to do something truly "summerish". It is, afterall, the 4th of July weekend!





































Sunday, June 19, 2011

EFY at Fresno

Dane and I went to a Fresno Grizzly baseball game.






We went to Yosemite where the falls have not been this good with the snowpack since the 1960's. This is Bridal Veil Falls from several miles away.


A picture from the tunnels.





The falls were all amazing. Too many people there though.



From the parking lot. Dane and I got so wet just from the spray.






So wet!

We went to see a cute little family that moved from Dayton. Lily is not too sure.

Leah, Brian and Lily in their beautiful backyard. It was lovely to have a visit with them.

Playing in the cousins pool at 7AM!


Uncle Ky found out about a free scuba class so Shay, Skyla and Dane got a class in a 12 foot pool.



Dane was like a fish and loved it. Shay was an old pro. Skyla loved it too but had trouble with her ears not popping in the deep end.





Shay and Devree got to go to a stay-at-home Especially for Youth in Fresno. We were hoping to go with cousins but the cousins had a Youth Conference at the same time. Stay-at-home means from Monday-Friday the kids are at the conference from 9am and get picked up at 9pm every night. The EFY took place right at the temple/stake grounds in Fresno. We came to see cousins in Visalia on Monday night but decided to stay in a close by hotel in Fresno for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights.

Shay's 8th Grade Promotion

Father and Son activity to fix the broken truck.

Still smiling inspite of the hours to fix it.


Devree busy doing homework.

Shay quickly trying to have dinner so that he can get in line to promote.

A better view of where the area is set up next to the track at the Middle school. We got there early and brought our comfy lawn double seater because as we told others that saw our set up "This is our 3rd time around for this".


Shay coming down the the aisle to "Pomp and Circumstance" with a lot of High School band members helping out the 6th and 7th graders.


Afterward Shay is happy and Mason is happy too.

So our final picture of Shay's promotion. We are really proud of you Shay. You are an awesome kid, son and brother and we look forward to your high school career because we know you will be unique in all you do.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Memorial day onward into June

On Memorial Day, many in the ward met to have a Bowling party. It was very fun.


Brian, Julie and Jessica played. I didn't get a shot of Cameron, Andrew and Sam. They were too busy playing.


Hannah, Josh and Krista played.



Katrina, Preston, Issac and Shay all got hungry and so it was dollar day for fries!



Sariah, Madsen and Dane having fun with Leslie peeking behind.


Devree, Dane and I played next to the Evans. Our team of 8 included the Larkins and the Ericksons. Maple who is 4 years old came in 2nd at 105 points while Devree whipped us all at 115 points. We are so glad we had the bumper guards up!


Emily holding I think Connor. Todd played next to us with the Halvorsens and the Clarks.


Todd and Shay having a great time.


Alex and Sarah brought 2 friends. Monica hugging on Tyus. He was happy hugging on his mom and not running around. Tyus was one of the Early Childhood children that got lost for a short time at school. We finally found him on the playground.


The beloved Jones family are moving to Wyoming. Barry (with hat on looking down) is Todd's twin, or so we say. Because their birthdate is the same. But Barry always tells Todd, he is older. Wayne and Jen were the hosts in their beautiful back yard.

Brandon was not cooperating to have his picture taken sitting between Elder Humphrey and Elder Carlton who found out he really did break his leg about 5 months ago. Elder Carlton is finished with his mission and goes home in a few weeks to have surgery.


Jeanni, Vahndra and Glenda I was able to catch. Vahndra has a very nice camera.




Meghan came and joined her Mom. I asked Meghan and Dane's class to sing at the first of my Sunday School class today. All 7 of them sang "Scripture Power" so beautifully. I really appreciated it.


Laton tackling Dane on the trampoline at the party.



Wow Dane is still on the bottom but somehow Laton got "X"d out. Ha! Ha!




Ford, Oakley and Connor all hanging out in the back yard at the party.


Raquel, Jaidyn and Noah having fun.


Noah looks like he doesn't want to acknowledge that Jaidyn has her arm around him.


Travis is showing his new fashion called "The Cowboy Shorts".



More jumping on the trampoline. So much a blur.



Devree had a sleepover to celebrate her 17th birthday a month early. Because her birthday is July 3rd, many of her friends are not in town. One of her friends is allergic to gluten and so therefore we have the candles stuck into Rainbow Sherbet ice cream. I can't believe my only girl is turning 17!


She is getting a good blow on. Here is a great picture to show you how her face has been affected by the cancer. After 3 months, we heard from the doctor in North Carolina that says Devree would be a good candidate for his procedure to get her smile back. He warns us that it won't be as good as before. Now to find the funds to be able to do that. Some friends already are coming up with some good ideas for fund raisers.


Here are most of the girls that came to help Devree celebrate.


Manny dropped by too. He misses Noble and says he has 4 letters he has written to Noble and hasn't sent yet.


Rock Band was a big hit at the party.


More Rock band.


Elena and Devree got the red eye look as they were cheering on Rock Band.


Dane wanting to be part of the party.


Manny showing us that he wants to grow another beard.


Dane had his last official game and had a pizza party and trophies were handed out.


Gavin was a great little Giants player but he would not smile for me beside the cute cake.


One of Dane's great coaches. He and his father were always so positive and helped each of the players excel. The team has only lost one game and we don't keep score. Ha Ha!




As you can see our week has been fun filled. The going away party for the Jones' was at the same time as Devree's party. We are winding down school. This next week is our last week and boy are we having lots of things planned for summer. We still haven't found out about Shay's Freshman President campaign. Maybe when Shay promotes from 8th grade on Wednesday, they will announce who won. This next quote is exactly how I fell "Those who honor the calling of righteous parenthood will find their souls refined, their hearts purified, and their minds enlightened by the most important lessons of life." Elder Bruce D. Porter (of the seventy) Ensign, June 2011 Pg.12
We hope this week is a wonderful week for all of you.