Hailey's High School Graduation

She did it!   She graduated.  Where did the time go?  I remember when I used to put her in the baby swing and she would stay there for hours.  That was the only way I got anything done.  She won't fit in that swing anymore.  But boy are we proud of her and all she has done over the years and all she has accomplished.  WAY TO GO HAILEY!!!!!!!

Jumping for joy.

My two girls graduated the same year.  Don't they look like twins?

Proud momma!

Proud parents!

Her graduation was at Energy Solutions where the Jazz play basketball.

Here is her name in lights!  Your 5 minutes of glory.

They did a slide show on the JumboTron and there she is with her Bell Choir.

Walking in - can you spot her?

All the graduates after they walked in.

After she got her diploma

Wow she did it. Watch out world, here she comes!!!!!!

Emily College Graduation

EMILY"S GRADUATION!!!!!!!!!

After four years of hard, grueling, sleepless nights our oldest child graduated from Brigham Young University Idaho.  Yes, we can't believe it either.  We are so proud of her and her accomplishments.  She deserved every bit of recognition, and pats on the back that she received that weekend.  A highlight in a parents life.  Thanks Emily for never giving up and enduring to the bitter end.

The night before the graduation they had a reception for the family's of all those graduating in her Interior Design program.  Each student had a table to display their floor plans and design boards of their many assignments. Below is Emily's talents on display.

The hospital that her group designed.

More of her great work.

The reception was at a local church and they had an ice cream bar.

Each graduate received an award that was voted on by their peers.  This is what Emily's group awarded her with.  They were spot on to her personality.  That is her to a T. They know her well.

The proud ma and pa.

The proud family.

Emily helped design the decorations.  She created the back drop in the above and below pictures.

Yes ma is proud!

This is her group of friends that helped get her through the last four years.  They were a great support to each other and were there through thick and thin.

The proud graduate on the big day.

The proud parents.

Brothers and sister are proud too.

The friends again.

Inside the BYUI Center waiting for graduation to begin.

Friends again after graduation.

Emily receiving her diploma.

The professors that were there for her all four years.  Some were liked more than others.

Yes friends again.

The whole Interior Design graduating class!!!!!

Congratulations Emily and good luck in the future.  May all your hopes and dreams come true.  We are so proud of you!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MY MOM

My heart is aching as I write this memory of my mom who passed away on May 30, 2014.  She had suffered a stroke a few days before and we watched her fade away. Her body did not want to give up. I know she is in a better place and I know she is with my dad and her family.  That brings me comfort, but it doesn't make me miss her any less.

When I was growing up she would introduce me to others as the "baby" of the family.  I used to get so tired of that title.  But after having kids of my own and having my own "baby" and having that special bond with him I appreciate that title even more.  I would not trade that title for anything.

When I moved away from home for the first time I went to BYU.  When she took me to Provo and I had to say goodbye to her I thought my heart would break.  I didn't think I could survive without her. But I had family that helped me get through it and were there to support me and I knew I would see her again.  Again I have those same feelings when I was watching her fade away.  I did not want to say goodbye to her and it hurt so much I thought my heart would break.  But I have my family here to help me get through it and are here to support me and I know I will see her again.  I am thankful for that knowledge and for the plan of salvation that our family will be together again.

My mom had some unique qualities that I admired in her.  When I was growing up I didn't appreciate them and probably got annoyed by it, but looking back I wish I had this quality.  She loved to talk.  She loved to catch up with everyone she came in contact with.  We were always the last ones to leave church.  We always took longer at the grocery store than we needed.  I am sure I spent many hours sitting in the car, pacing the aisles of the grocery store or tugging at my moms leg.  She deeply cared about others and wanted to visit with everyone.  She always ran into people she knew no matter where she was at.  If she didn't know somebody she would find someone that knew someone she knew.  Whenever I moved to a new area she would always ask me if I saw anybody I knew at our new ward or in our new neighborhood.

I cherish the moments and times I spent with her, but regret the time I didn't spend with her.  I feel like there are so many more memories and so many more experiences that I would love to share with her that I will miss out on.  That really hurts.  I will miss sharing the weddings of my children and showing off my grandchildren to her.

I miss her everyday and think about her often.  Mom thank you for being the wonderful person that you were.  Thank you for being an example to me and to my children.  Your memory is close to my heart and I love you.

The "Y"

When I was a student at BYU a 100 years ago one thing that I wanted to do before I graduated was hike the "Y".  So two room mates and a room mates boyfriend decided to attempt this rite of passage.  Since we had never been there we didn't know where or how to begin.  We didn't talk to anybody before so we drove toward the bottom of the mountain and parked our car.  For some reason we didn't see any kind of path. So we just decided to start climbing.  We looked where the "Y" was and just started heading in that direction. So up the mountain we went.  We climbed for what seemed like hours and climbed what seemed like "Mt Everest".  One of my roommates complained the whole way and was cussing our roommates boy friend for making us go the hard way.  But we finally made it.  I wish I could remember how long it took us.  After making it to the "Y" we were surprised to see others coming off what appeared to be a trail off the side.  We were like "oh, there is a trail?" So we decided to go down the "trail."  So much easier and so much better. But we were proud that we made it up the hard way and proud of what we accomplished.  So since that day a century ago I decided I wanted to attempt it again and go up the trail this time.  My kids wanted to attempt it as well.  So that day and time finally came.  We made sure to find the trail this time and go the easier way.  It was quite a steep climb, but as I looked at what I figured was the path we went so many years ago I couldn't believe I made it.  My kids looked at what appeared to be the path we went as well and couldn't believe I made it.  I am so glad I tried it again and that I made it and didn't collapse at the top.  Here we are at the bottom of the trail. Bob was out of town so he wasn't with us.

Can you spot Andrew?

This is how you are suppose to go.

Hailey, this is only the first switchback?!!
I had to stop and rest a few times.  I am so glad they had resting spots along the way.

Yes another resting spot.  Hailey is yelling at Evan to slow down and to tell him she is tired of walking.  Emily is taking a much needed water break.  Myra is making sure her hair still looks good.  Andrew is looking at all of us and can't believe he lives with these people.

We can see the "Y".

The altitude is getting to Emily and Evan.

Hailey is saying "you stink, but I still love you."

WE FINALLY MADE IT.  We had to make our "Y" arms.

Thumbs up we did it!!!!!

Andrew is very talented.

Yes Evan made it too.

The girls climbing down the "Y" on their butts. Not brave enough to do it standing up.

The view from the top.  Absolutely fabulous.

The crew before we headed back down.

Yay! We are almost done!
So much easier going down.

Hailey wants to go again.  After completing this great accomplishment I am so glad I did it the right way this time and went up the trail.