Camping Fun

We went camping Monday (5/25/09) through Thursday (5/28/09), on Cedar Mountain, near Mammoth Cave. It only took about 1 1/2 hours to get to our camping spot from our house. Still, it seemed as if it were worlds away! My brother Quinn, and his son, Aidan camped with us. We camped on private property belonging to family of friends of his (Esplin's). The 40 acre property had outhouses and running water on it, along with a nice fire ring and pavilion. It was perfect. While there: we explored mammoth cave, finding spiders and bats; fished and played along mammoth stream; played horseshoes, cards and other games; saw antelope and deer in our camp; ate lots of "good" food - Dutch Oven biscuits, cobbler and cookies, s'mores and more!!! I amazingly resisted every bit of junk food! We went on some nice drives, checking out the area. Cameron helped Trevon build a fort, and catch a chipmunk. Squirrels were also around us. Cameron and Trevon slept in a tent, while the rest of our family stayed in the tent trailer. (Quinn and Aidan slept in their own tent). The nights were very cold, but sitting around the campfire made it all worthwhile. The flu bug caught Cari on Tuesday night, but she was able to sleep most of the night. We had a wonderful time and it was a great way to start the summer break! On Friday, Mike took me out on an overnighter, away from the kids. We saw the movie "UP" in 3-D, and went shopping and out to eat. We stayed the night at the new Holiday Inn Express, between home and St. George. We enjoyed it so much that we booked a suite for a couple of nights next month - for the entire family! It was a GREAT week!

Joy School Graduation & Other Achievements

School is out for the summer! We are all pretty happy about the "break." Elise is really excited about starting kindergarten. At her Joy School Graduation, she sang four songs with her peers. Then she received a report card and a special certificate. I got a little choked up (not a big surprise), as I led the kids in their songs about joy. I've taught Joy School for the last three years, and now, I'm going to have a break, and miss it - until Corban is old enough to do it. This last week, I called the Elementary school principal, and nominated myself to sit on the School Community Council. They decide how to use bond monies for the school, among other things. If I am accepted, I'll serve on the council for a two year term.





All of our school aged children did very well at school this year. They really try to excel and do their best! I was pleased with their achievements. Cari and Trevon both received the Seminary Letter for the New Testament course of study as well. Sadie had a perfect 4.0 Grade Average. Her school voted her "Most Likely To Teach At H.I.S!" That's what the golden apple represents.




Along with the ending of school, we have fought the flu bug at our house. It seems to have started with Cameron. Elise and Corban came down with it next. We had Elise sleep outside our bathroom door one night so that she could quickly make it to the bathroom if she needed to. Thankfully, the worst of it only lasted a day. Unfortunately, its Mike's, Sadie's and my turn to go through the YUCKIES! Mike lost 4 1/2 lbs. overnight due to it all. We hope that by Monday we all have our strength back and can enjoy the coming week together as a family.

I LOVE YOU GRANDPA!

This picture was taken when Elise was a baby, almost five years ago. It was just before we moved to Hurricane, Utah. We really enjoy where we live, but we miss being close to family. I hear that Grandpa has "No Power" these days and that he is pretty bored. I hope that he looks at these blog postings and enjoys seeing what his great grandchildren have been up to. I hope it helps him pass the time in an enjoyable way. I also want Grandpa to know that I love him very much!

Fathers and Sons Outing

On May 15th & 16th, Mike, Trevon and Cameron went to the annual Fathers & Sons Campout with our ward. They had it on the Stout's property on the lower part of Kolob (in Zion's Nat'l Park). Mike was in charge of dinner for the 50+ people that came. They had hamburgers and homemade French fries (Mike claims were better than In-N-Out's)!!! The boys expolred the area and rode on a zip line. They had a fireside. Dale Johnson spoke about honoring the priesthood and shared some personal experiences he had, serving in the Army. Then, they ate donuts and went snipe hunting! They slept in the bed of our truck. In the morning, they had a breakfast of pancakes, scrambled eggs and bacon. The boys explored a very old log cabin before heading home.




Mike and Trevon were only home long enough to drop off Cameron and their camping gear. They spent the rest of the day hiking Pine Mountain. It took them until 6pm to reach the top, as the trail was undetectable in many places. Then, they hurried down the mountain, getting home around 9pm. They were exhausted and thirsty, but very satisfied! I was glad to have everyone safe and sound and home!

Music Makers

This last week was filled with band and orchestra concerts, and a trip to Salem, UT for Cari, for State Orchestra. At Trevon's band concert, he was awarded a certificate for being The Outstanding Student In Symphonic Band. He also received a soloist recognition certificate. He plays the trumpet in Jazz Band and the Baritone in Symphonic Band. He played solos in each one.






Sadie was made first chair violin and received a certificate for individual achievement. She earned what is called the Karate Strings Black Belt. To earn this award, she had to pass off the two octave G Major Scale, and a number of pieces, (some in front of her teacher, and one as a solo, in front of her class).





Kristi just finished her first year of orchestra and earned a prize for logging the most practice time. We love listening to our children practice and perform. They always try their best and make us happy.

Mother's Day

I love Mother's Day. I love being a mom. I guess it helps that I have wonderful children who make my life so fulfilling. Today, I was awaken with breakfast in bed, made by "the boys." They served me a plate of scrambled eggs, hash browns, pancakes with blended strawberries, and the best, slushy cold orange juice! It was a delicious start to my day! After eating, they each presented me with their homemade cards and gifts. A rose, a paper bouquet, colored pictures, and this poem (by Cameron):
The important thing about my mom is...
She helps me.
She gives me stuff.
She takes me to the store.
She likes me.
But the most important thing about my mom is...
She helps me.
I love the homemade gifts! Mike wanted to get me a new nightgown, but I talked him into getting me a basketball instead. I want to learn how to really handle the ball well. Life is for learning, and this will be one of the things I choose to learn this year. Mike also surprised me with a new pair of Ray Ban sun glasses. WOW! I was thrilled. He said that because I "brighten his life," I needed them. He is such a good husband! We dressed and went to church after lunch. I sang "A Mother's Eyes Reflect the Love of Heaven" in our Sacrament Meeting. During Relief Society, I was given a bouquet of flowers, that had been used to decorate the table for our lesson, all because a hidden star was under my seat. Another pleasant surprise! The young men of our ward presented the ladies with pie and ice cream. I let Corban eat all of mine. We also received a gospel art book. We ate a roast that we had cooked in the crock pot when we returned home and I got a picture with my children, and the bouquet. They are so beautiful to me. I love being a mom!

Cari's First Date

On Saturday afternoon, Cari was asked out on her first date! You couldn't wipe the smile off her face if you tried! Wil Wixom, took her on a double date. They doubled with his brother. After picking up Cari and answering questions from her very protective dad, they headed to the movie theater to see STAR TREK. After the movie, they bought some Cookie Dough "FAT BOY" ice cream bars at Lin's grocery store. They took their ice cream to the city park where they ate and talked before going home. Cari had a lot of fun on her date and looks forward to doing it again.

Thursday Night

Cameron has T-ball every week. These pictures were taken on his game Thursday! He likes being apart of the team, but says that he really wants to play football.























Cari had a band concert after Cameron's game. It was held outside of her school. The choir sang as well. It was the beginning of MANY concerts we will have in the next couple of weeks.

Paper Airplanes

I hate to admit it, but I don't know how to make a simple paper airplane! Mike is the expert in that department. On Tuesday, Cameron really wanted me to make him some paper planes. So, while I worked on making one, he made a paper runway. He had a book of planes that the looked through, marking the different kinds of planes he wanted me to make. I think he had eleven picked out! He waited as patiently as he could, telling me, I was doing it wrong and that it was taking way too long! When I FINALLY finished my masterpiece, he insisted on painting it. He really liked how it turned out and I was happy that, in the end, he was smiling!

Mother/Daughter Night

On Tuesday night, the "girls" headed to the church house with me for a fun mother & daughter activity. We each brought a purse with us, that was used to play a game. If an item was called out, and you had it in your purse, you got a prize! Everyone's purse was weighed, and we all thought the heaviest purse was going to be the "winner." However, the contest was actually for the person with the lightest purse! There was a relay game (using a big purse of items), and we made a scrapbook page for our picture. Oh, I just remembered . . . Cari wants me to get the recipe for the cupcakes they had to eat. I never tried one, but the girls LOVED them!

Sweet Sixteen

Our Cari is officially sixteen! With this birthday comes the privilege of driving and dating. She is anxious for both. Her dad is not as anxious! On Saturday, I took Cari shopping (well, she did the driving) and she was able to find three new shirts and a pair of new jeans. I reminded her that summer would be here, and HOT. She politely reminded me that she is a jeans wearing girl! We went to Costco and she found some conditioner for her hair that she really likes and wanted. After taking our groceries home, I took her to lunch. She chose to go to Wendy's . She ordered the nuggets, fries and a strawberry shake. I ordered a healthy salad! Then, we went to Hurricane's new Wal-Mart store to purchase some items for her birthday cake. She tried on more clothes there, finding a shirt she liked. These were her birthday gifts. That night, Elise helped me make her cake: a butter yellow classic with chocolate frosting. She also helped me clean up!



This (Sunday) morning, Cari slept in. We decorated the house with streamers and banners. Because it was Fast Sunday, we didn't make her breakfast in bed. She opened her presents (sharing what she had bought the day before). I also gave her a Paul Mitchell hair product that you use when straightening your hair. She opened cards/gifts from her grandparents and enjoyed each one. She also received a phone call from each of her grandparents. Her Young Women leader gave her a gift card to Dairy Queen and a friend brought over some fragrant lotions and sprays. I think she felt very loved!



After church, I made her her favorite dinner: Beef Stroganoff. Then we sang her HAPPY BIRTHDAY and ate cake and Cookies & Cream ice cream (well, I chose not to. I actually haven't had ANY sugar for 2 weeks now). We love Cari and are so glad she is a part of our family!