New Friend

Davis has been wanting a dog for so long.  He wants a dog to go fishing, hiking, and swimming with him.  He wants a dog to play with and hang out with.  I hope he found all those things in his new dog, Joey.  It has been a long process of finding the dog that felt right.  Everything about this one just worked out and I think they will be great friends.  He has the most amazing built in puppysitter in Gator.  She is right at his beck and call for when he needs help watching Joey.  I think he will be a great friend for both of them and I even think he will make their relationship stronger together.  They are either best friends or worst enemies, but the best friend has really come out today as they've worked together with Joey.  As much as I hate to say it, because I just really really didn't want another dog, I think Joey will be a great part of the family. 

Memorial Day

Farmington was our first stop.  We visited Grandma Johns and Aunt Bev.  Davis still remembers a little bit about my grandma and aunt, but Gator doesn't.  That is sad to me, she remembers the Easter Egg Hunt at grandmas house, but that is about it. 

Then we drove to Layton to visit my mom.  The only way my kids knew my mom was sick with cancer.  She still tried to be a grandma, but it was always hard on her with her health.  We all have some good memories of her though. 

 And Kaysville was our last stop.  Grandma Jones loved her family, and everyone felt it! 

We had dinner in Kaysville at Stewarts.  Ryan & Christine took the dog when Krissy & PJ had to give her up, so everyone was happy to see Suzy again. 

Summer Sundays

I've said it before, but my favorite time of the week during the summer is Sunday evening.  I love being able to be with my family not dreading going to work the next day.  We finally did some yard work, so we had a hot dog roast for dinner and relaxed in our hammocks.  It was nice and cool, and so much fun. 

 

Too Many Ends

I'm struggling with all the things ending right now.  I know the saying "one door closes, so another door can open", but I just don't like change, especially when it means my kids are growing up and moving on.  Owen graduated seminary and high school, Davis is done with Jr High and along with that had his last choir concert, and Gator has chosen to be done with soccer and try something else (she is thinking swimming).  I've come to grips with Owen graduating, I'm not happy about it, but I've accepted it.  And even though I hate Jr High and think it is just a terrible awkward time for most students, I am very sad I will not have a buddy at my school next year.  Davis is excited to start High School, but I still haven't come to grips with the fact that he will be in High School.  Gators coach was amazing, and perfect for her.  He decided that it was time for him to be done coaching, and we could find another team and try out for other clubs, but I left that decision all up to Gator and she decided that although she will miss soccer terribly, she wanted to try something else.  So lots of change and even though I say I don't like it, I know it is life.  I'm excited to see what is next and see what these amazing people accomplish.
Us after Seminary graduation and some of the senior activities during senior week. 

After Gator's last soccer game, which she didn't even get to play in because of pneumonia. 

From the first day of Jr High to the last, Davis has changed quite a bit.  Both the boys sang in choir during Jr High, but didn't keep that up during High School.  

Gator didn't seem to change a whole lot this year.  She grew, especially her feet, but she looks pretty much the same.  She likes to do her hair the same way on the first and last day.  She's even holding her back pack the same way. 

 

While at work

Owen is done with school, and today was Lagoon day and Davis didn't want to go so while I was at work, they were posting all these pictures. 

These kids and their animals

My kids love animals.  Any kind, just animals.  Gator got invited to go ride horses and she was thrilled.  She did so well, and I couldn't get her to leave without a promise that she could come back.  Krissy and PJ got a new dog, that unfortunately they couldn't keep, but she was cute and the kids loved meeting her.  And more fishing for Davis. 

 

Field Trip

It was a rough change on Gator to switch schools this year.  She made a couple good friends, but she still missed Kanesville so much.  I hope 5th grade is a good year for her.  I took the day off today to go on a field trip with her and the 4th grade.  I feel bad because I volunteered all the time when the boys were in elementary school, but since I work now, I can't.  I am grateful I have such a great boss that allows me to put my kids first and be to all of their things. 

High School Graduate

No matter how cliché it sounds, I just can't think of any other way to describe this day, but to say how did this happen?  How is it that Owen is a high school graduate?  He's ready to move on and be an adult and serve a mission and go to college, but I can't say that I am ready.  I knew it would be exciting and sad at the same time, but I just wasn't ready for how exciting and how sad.  It is definitely an emotion I've never experienced, can't say I like it.  But, here we are with a high school graduate and an amazing, successful, awesome one at that!!

Best Weather!

The last few days we have been in an awesome weather pattern.  It has been rainy and cloudy with lots of thunder and lightning.  I love this weather.  Tonight we went for a little walk.  I was hoping for a rainbow, but I didn't see one tonight.   

Mothers Day

I had a great Mothers Day weekend.  I love our Heavenly Father's plan and that it paired me up with these three awesome individuals.  I feel blessed every day not just on Mothers Day.  Saturday we spent the day shopping for a few things that were needed, but I've been putting off.  Davis needed church clothes and shoes, Owen needed a belt and some tennis shoes.  Gator just likes to shop and she'll always find something she "needs" even if she really doesn't.  I hate shopping with every fiber of my being, but it needed to be done.  After shopping we went and got lunch.  It was so fun to spend the day with them before I had to go home and do laundry and grocery shop while the boys took the opportunity to scatter with friends.  That is okay, I had a great morning.  Sunday was also a good day spent with family.  After church we went to Kaysville.  I got a new hammock, so the kids and I used the 3 perfect hammocking trees in Stewarts front yard and relaxed for a couple hours until everyone came over for dinner.  My favorite part of summer (well at least summer food) is BBQ burgers.  So yummy!  We then went to the cemetery and met my family at my moms grave where she had planted a 4 leaf clover for us to find in a patch right by her headstone.  I've never seen a 4 leaf clover and I know it was from my mom.  Dessert at the park completed our weekend.  Owen is always teasing me that I love to fly kites, but he got me a new kite for Mothers Day and it was breezy enough for a few minutes for me to fly it.  As we drove home we got a little thunder and lightning.  It was an awesome weekend full of many of my favorite things!!