Just the Boys

The boys went on a trip to Fish Lake this past week. They spent Thursday through Saturday together - camping, fishing, and having fun.

On Thursday they set up camp and fished, catching a couple of fish before having some dinner (hot dogs, sour cream and onion chips, lemonade, and pie for dessert.

 

 

 On Friday, they went to the lake and rented a boat for the day. They caught about 70 fish (20 Trout (Rainbow & Splake), 50 Perch and a few Chubs), using lures and then some bait to help the kids. Cameron caught the biggest fish (about 15 inches) AND the smallest fish. He was really excited that he got to drive the gas-powered motor boat. They ate lunch at the lodge.

 After going to the lake, they did some fishing on Seven Mile Creek, near camp. Trevon was a die-hard fishing. He caught about 20 Brook Trout.  Cameron and Corban fished, played in the creek and then ended up in a rock splashing war.

 A  view of their camp:

For dinner they made Dutch Oven Chicken and Potatoes. Trevon did a little more stream fishing - until it got a little stormy. It sprinkled on them both nights.
Saturday they spent all morning fishing on Seven Mile Creek.

Trevon's Graduation

We had a GREAT week celebrating Trevon's graduation from High School. I think it was mostly enjoyable because of all of the love, support and visiting grandparents that were present.

Grandpa Matheson was able to attend a Scholarship Award night with us a week before graduation and we were glad to see him. On Friday, May 18th Gandma and Grandpa Ferrin arrived.  Saturday brought Papa and Grandma Beutler. Trevon had asked Papa to keep an eye out for a car for him to buy. It was quite a surprise to him when he arrived with this pickup. Trevon was SO HAPPY and couldn't believe it. He couldn't stop smiling (he's STILL smiling about it). The boys set to work on getting it all cleaned up: 

 Trevon wrote Papa a check for the truck. We took a picture of this, being the biggest purchase he has ever made and the first car he has bought.

Sunday night was Seminary Graduation. Trevon had the privilege of speaking at it. He talked about commitment and encouraged his classmates to be committed to God throughout their lifetime. It was wonderful to hear his testimony as he shared it. It made me want to be a better person too. He earned straight "A"s for all four years of seminary and received a 4 year diploma. WAY TO GO TREVON!!!

 On Monday night Grandma Connie arrived. We enjoyed all the time we had together with all our loved ones. We played pickle-ball, ate good food, went shopping, played games and visited throughout the week.
Tuesday, May 22nd was the "BIG DAY." We ate sub sandwiches and such before heading over to the Burns Arena in St. George for the graduation ceremony. Trevon and Sadie played in the Symphony Orchestra.

 Trevon has some really great friends and he was happy to celebrate with them too!

He eventually made it to his family for congratulations!

 

With Grandpa and Grandma Ferrin:

 With Papa and Grandma Beutler:

For some reason, all of my pictures are not uploading (frustrating) - I have so many more photos 

of graduation that I want to share and hopefully I will be able to add them soon.

We returned home to find the mountain on fire, near our home, adding to the "awe" of the night.

 We ate dessert (Apple Betty AND Strawberry Shortcake with vanilla ice cream)

before Trevon headed out to "Grad-Night."  Corban and Connie watch as he opens a graduation gift.

Trevon is a High Honors Graduate and was able to earn an Honor Diploma. We are so pleased with the young man he is as he always strives to do his best and stand for the right. We know he will continue to work towards the goals he has set for himself. This fall he will be moving to Orem to attend Utah Valley University for a year before serving a two year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Spring Piano Recital

On May 21, 2012 Sadie and Kristi played in a Spring Piano Recital. Kristi played "House of the Rising Sun" and Sadie played "Hungarian." It was so nice to have Papa and Grandma Beutler and Grandma and Grandpa Ferrin in the audience with us!

Mother's Day

I feel like my Mother's day began on Saturday because Mike had off of work and our family was able to spend the day together. To me, Mother's days are family days. The boys got home from their activity and washed the cars. Then we loaded up and headed to St. George to watch Cameron play soccer.
WHAT A CAR FULL!!!

 

It was a HOT day, and I ended up getting a little sunburned. We really enjoyed the game, and then we went to Costco to do a little shopping. Before heading home we went to dinner together at Costa Vida.

On Sunday morning, Mike made me breakfast in bed.

 Fruit, yogurt, and almonds with some freshly squeezed grapefruit juice. The flowers were a nice garnish and it was fun to wake up to such a treat.
I love Mike and our children. They are so great and make being a mother pretty easy. I feel very blessed to have each of them in my life. They shared gifts from the heart with me and I felt pretty special on this Mother's Day.

Mike and I sang with the Southern Utah Heritage Choir this evening at the St. George Tabernacle for a fireside that was a tribute to mothers. President Clifford V. Dunn shared a message between songs and I especially liked it. I was able to reflect on the wonderful mothers in my life, and recognize that while not perfect, I too can be a good mother to those in my care. I left wanting to be a better person, and thankful for the opportunity to do so, especially as a mother.  HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Fathers/Sons & Mother/Daughter

 Friday afternoon Mike took Cameron and Corban to Kolob Reservoir to go fishing before heading to Grafton for the annual Fathers and Sons activity. The lake was choppy due to the wind and it was a little cool too, so they didn't stay long.

 Trevon met them at Grafton where they chased lizards, had stick sword fights and Cameron caught a toad. There was a big sand pile and a bunch of younger kids were playing on it. Trevon decided to play King of the Sand Hill - daring them to knock him off of it. It was fun for a while and they eventually knocked him down, covering him with sand. Someone even told him to "eat this" while throwing sand in his face. He ended up with sand in his pockets, but I think he enjoyed playing with the boys.

They had a dinner of steak, cheesy potatoes, green beans, hamburgers and hot dogs. They also had homemade rootbeer and brownies. After a short program around the campfire, they went to bed around 10p.m.
The next morning, they ate pancakes, bacon, eggs, and leftover cheesy potatoes for breakfast, with orange juice and milk. Then they headed down to the river to throw rocks and check it out before packing up and heading home.

 While the boys were having their fun, the girls had a mother daughter night (Friday) at the church. My mom stopped for a quick visit and was able to go with us to the activity.

It was great having my mom with us for the night. She and I spent most of our time tying a quilt. The girls ate pizza and rootbeer floats. There were different activities to participate in: volleyball, a parachute, painting nails, quilting, making a picture frame, and a little train that Elise rode in countless times.

 

 Oh, I have to include the Karaoke - we sang "It's My Party" on the Karaoke Machine.

 

 Then, went home and watched "Sister Act" before calling it a night. Thanks for having some fun with us, Mom!

As School Winds Down

Cameron is still playing soccer.  Saturdays are usually his game days.

 

Kristi, Elise and Corban were cheerleaders at the last game, and enjoyed kicking a ball around as well.

 

 Cari came home from her first year of college, for the summer, on her BIRTHDAY! We're glad to have all of our family together again. We had a lasagne dinner and then a white cake with cookies 'n cream ice cream to celebrate.

  This week is TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK. I am the room mom for Cameron's class this year and so I decorated his classroom door(s) like this (click on the photo if you want to read the poem):

 

 We've had a pretty great school year, with good teachers. It is hard to believe that in two more weeks the kids will be saying good-bye for the summer. It's hard to believe that we'll have TWO children graduated from high school too. FUN TIMES.


TODAY Elise's 2nd grade class put on the play "Tikki Tikki Tembo. Cari, Corban and I went to see it. Elise was part of the chorus and her costume consisted of a white pillowcase and a black sash. Who knew she could look so smashing in a pillow case! I loved watching her sing! Everyone did a great job!

The play was a nice reminder that there ARE those around us to help and lift us when we need them. I am especially thankful for my family and the support we are to each other. I am also happy to be able to help and serve those around me too. THANK YOU ELISE!