15 Fabulous Years!

Where has the time gone??! It certainly doesn't feel like we've been married fifteen years! But, when I consider that our oldest child has 8th Grade Algebra, which happens to be the same class Jug and I first met each other in, reality sets in! (Don't get any ideas Kaycee!) It is easy to do the math and see that Jug has been a part of my life a lot longer than he hasn't...and for that, I am very grateful! If you would have told me 15 years ago, standing under this apple tree in my parents yard, that our 15th wedding anniversary would have been spent chasing 5 kids to tackle football practice, dance class, soccer games, baseball practice and mutual I'm not sure I would have believed it! However, here we are living it! It is a good thing and there really isn't anything I would change! Happy Anniversary Jug...thanks for all you do, I love you!

Princess Academy Graduates!

Miss Payson, Chelsea Cooper, lives in our ward. She hosted a "Princess Academy" for the girls in our community as a Fund Raiser to help with her expenses for the Miss Utah Pageant.

The girls were able to participate in a variety of "princess" activities, including a mini manicure,

a horse & carriage ride (Reed and his friend Burke were the assistants for this...look at them being perfect little gentlemen!),
and...they even got to have a visit with "THE" Fairy GodMother! They also enjoyed a yummy princess luncheon and a cute little program. I had a good time as a "hostess" at the event.
It was a fun day for all of us! Good Luck Chelsea...we think you are great!

And they're off...another school year is underway!

Ahhh...the bitter-sweet first day of school! It is always such an emotional roller-coaster of a day for me! Who can deny the excitement that comes with FINALLY being able to wear the "new shoes", aniticipating the bus ride, seeing all of your friends again, the new schedule, a locker, playing on the "big kids" playground, or eating school lunch for the FIRST time!
But, watching my kids climb on the big bus and ride away, knowing that there will be no "need" for mom for a whole SIX hours, sadly symbolizes what the future holds. Every year seems to come faster and faster!
Coleman is in 4th grade this year, and Janey is in 1st Grade...what's considered "real" school around here!
Here's our two Mt. Nebo Junior Highsters...Kaycee is in 8th and Reed is in 7th! Good Luck to you all! We'll hope for a successful year for EVERYONE...maybe I'll even get my laundry room cleaned!

A week to remember...part 2!

When my parents went to the Holy Land for 3 weeks when I was 4 years old my grandma came and took care of me and my six older siblings. She kept a journal of all the things that went on while my parents were away. Many of the entries started with the saying: "When the cats are away the mice will play."

I think that saying would apply well to what went on with our four children who stayed in Utah while we were gone to New York! They spent time with Grandpa and Grandma Flinders, "LeisaFirth" and her family in Logan, the David & Lisa Flinders Family in Pleasant Grove, and were chauffered by Pops (Grandpa Jacklin.) There was never a disappointed or lonely phone call...only lots of giggles and "everything is going great" conversations! Many thanks to all of those who cared for and gave our children their own "week to remember!" And they definately will, because this week taught them that sometimes you don't get what you expect in life...sometimes you get something better!

I guess they had been teaching Cael the song about "eating apples in his oatmeal" and apparently Abbie inspired a change in the lyrics! He is so cute!

A week to remember...

Who would have guessed that Jug and I would have been greeted by scenery like this when we arrived in Syracuse, New York? We were definately pleasantly surprised at the very picturesque drive we had as we made our way to Cooperstown, New York where Reed was playing baseball with his team the "Salem Hawks".


Cooperstown Dreams Park hosts a week long baseball tournament for 98 teams from all over the country every week of the summer!!


Reed played great baseball, leading his team in batting with a .650 average for the tournament!


He managed to squeeze in a double in every game but one!






And made great efforts defensively as well...


...even despite the size difference! (Who knew there were so many 12 year olds who were already shaving and had deeper voices than Jug?!)



He even managed to find a little time for fishing!


We visited Doubleday Field...where they believe the first organized game of baseball was played in 1839...in a cow pasture owned by Abner Doubleday.

As well as the Baseball Hall of Fame.

And enjoyed a piece of authentic New York "Pie"!

After the baseball tournament finished up, we left Cooperstown and traveled 2 hours west to visit the Church History sites in Fayette and Palmyra.


Starting with the Peter Whitmer Farm where the church was organized in 1830.


We then went to the Palmyra temple where Reed and I did baptisms for the dead with Jug baptizing us! (That was a very neat experience!)


The Palmyra Temple sits on Joseph Smith Sr.'s original 100 acre farm.


We also visited the Hill Cumorah, the Martin Harris Farm, and the Grandin Building where the first Book of Mormon was printed.

But, without question, our highlight of the trip was visiting the home where Joseph Smith lived when he questioned what was the "true" church...

and following his steps as we went into the sacred grove where he received his divine answer.


Despite all the heartache and effort of whether to make this trip, having this experience etched in my memory for life...is priceless! And in telling Reed he is one lucky kid, as I frequently did on this trip, Jug and I realized we are one lucky set of parents! We love you Reed!

Future What???!

So Janey was invited to participate in the Salem Hills High School Cheerleader Fund Raiser Camp. It ran every morning for one week and they ended by doing this little performance at the beautiful new high school gym for their families.

AND...they also participated in the Salem days parade!

Much to her Dad's chagrin she loved every minute of it!!

But don't worry Jug...Janey's starting soccer this month!! Go Skyhawks!! Go Janey!!

Girl's Camp 2008

Here are a few random shots of Kaycee's girl's camp experience this year. It was a Stake Camp at Bennion Creek in Spanish Fork Canyon.

I was happy to be up there for part of the time with the girls. We are lucky to be in a ward that has a fabulous group of young women.

It was a nice camp spot...complete with a pond. Yes...Kaycee retrieved the watermelon Sherri Oldham floated out there!!



And she even got a little Dutch Oven 101 from the good bishop!! Good leaders, good friends, good times!

Fishing Fun at the Cabin

One of our family's favorite things to do in the summer is to go to Grandpa's cabin!! It is nestled in the beautiful pine trees of Manti Canyon. It offers all of the usual outdoor activities including a nice reservoir to fish at! This is a great place for beginning fishermen to feel very successful! I can remember going here when I was my kid's ages and having my dad cast the line and then letting me reel the fish in! (He would conveniently hand me the pole...after hooking the fish...and ask me if I could feel anything tugging on the line!) But eventually, I learned to cast, catch and clean the fish all by myself. It is so fun sharing this same tradition with our own children!


And watching them help each other!

Kaycee is getting better with her casting!
Abbie is looking out for the "deers and bears".
Janey has overcome her fear of the flopping fish!
Coleman decided this one wasn't worth keeping! We mostly catch and "release" which is half the fun for him!

It often turns into a group project....landing the big one!
And everyone has their opinion of what needs to happen next!
But once we have conquered the quest....
everyone is happy!!