School starts . . .

Well, school starts tomorrow. I can't believe how fast the summer goes. Each year seems to be shorter and shorter. I do feel rested though - and that is a good thing. Aleena finally got her braces off. YEAH! After a zillion years. Her smile is beautiful. She has the perfect teeth of the family that's for sure. Chad was made a supervisor at Quicksilver this past week. That is really super. It will be nice to have on a resume. He's working as many hours as he possibly can. He's all smiles today and teasing Kenna and I about having to get up and go to school tomorrow. The bum! HAH! Kenna made the Volleyball team this week. WHEW! They cut half the girls. So - our life is volleyball for the next few months. (What am I kidding -- our life is always volleyball.) There are 750 freshmen at Boulder Creek. UGH! That's incredible. And, way too many. I know our lives are heading for another turn in direction. It's exciting --- are we ready??? Here we go, ready or not.

20 years !!!

Kenneth & I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary this week. Where does the time go??? It's funny. It seems just like yesterday that we made that huge wonderful step towards making our family. Yet -- so many things have happened to us, memories that we've created ..... Of course that all takes time. We are so fortunate to have come through this past 20 years intact and still in love, still friends. We love to be together. No matter what it is - even doing nothing. One of our favorite things to do is drive . . . all alone (aka no teenagers giving each other a hard time !!) Sometimes we talk - often we don't. But, we just enjoy each other's company and the peace of being together. I love him! I'm so lucky. He treats me so well. We get along amazingly. It's not perfect -- but it is wonderful !!!

Beach : Then and Now

It meant so much to me to have my Mom at the beach with us this year. One of my best memories of her is when we were in Galveston Bay in Texas. I was a teenager, I don't remember how old exactly. But, we were there together. It was my first time (I thought) at the beach and she and I went out and she taught me how to "jump" the waves. Later as I was talking to Diana she reminded me of this great picture (honestly the first time at the beach) in 1968. I was 3. By the way -- Mom was the same age as I am now. WOW !! Some things don't change . . . I'm still pretty cute & sassy . . . . and my Mom has great legs !!! :o)












1968



















2009

Carlsbad California

We just got back yesterday from our 8 day trip to Carlsbad California. This is the 15th year in a row that we have gone. Unbelievable!!! This year some of my family was able to come for a few days. My sisters Diana, Sherle, and Robin as well as my Mom came. (That was so fun !!) We were there for 2 and 1/2 days by ourselves before the chaos arrived. Diana had 4 of her kids, Sherle had her daughter and 2 of her grandkids, and Robin had her son. That made for a HUGE bunch. That's truly the way to do it. And -- it was so much fun to have babies on the beach again. (Wasn't it really just yesterday ?!!!) They were there for another 2 and 1/2 days. Then we had 2 more days alone to unwind before we came home. It's funny - yesterday morning (the 4th of July) we were outside eating breakfast and I was "chilly". I almost moved into the sun. Then I thought, "Are you crazy??? In a few hours it will be 40 degrees warmer." And it was -- we got to Blythe, got out of the truck, and was hit by a brick wall --- HEAT!!! Are we nuts to live here or what??? But - we got home to our beautiful, air conditioned house and we are truly grateful to be home. This will probably be our last year all together. (Chad will be on a mission next summer.) I know our lives will be heading into a new era so - I am relishing every memory and moment that I can.

Enjoy these pictures!! There's a bunch of them,

but it's so hard to choose.

Our beautiful sunset.

Grandma and the kids.

Girl cousins: Cori (holding Peanut), McKenna, Autumn, and 'Lena.

Boy Cousins: Jaron, Adam, Chad, and Michael

(friend Sam on far left).

The big HOLE the boys spent the whole day digging.

Sisters: Pam, Diana, Mom, Sherle, and Robin.

Uncle Ken & Ian 'Lena on her 22nd birthday!!

SURF'S UP !!!

Here are the rest of the pictures in a video. Just press the arrow. Turn up your volume for sound.

Summer Happy .....

Yes - we're dreaming of the beach and wishing we were there .... right now. Thought I'd get my "fix" by changing the background of the blog. We will be there, soon. We leave in a few weeks. Not soon enough if you ask me. : o)

WOW! What a week.

Well, it's taken me a whole week to recover from last week. I knew it was going to be busy and I hoped I would get through it somehow. Now that I'm on the other side of it -- I wonder what the big panic was all about. Isn't that how it usually is??

Our week started with Chad's Seminary Graduation, Sunday night the 17th. That was Ken's birthday and we also had a big Volleyball end of the season picnic. We were really proud of Chad for graduating seminary. He said that it was because of his exemplary attendance. (I realize that his attendance got much better the last two years when he didn't have to rely on me getting him there and he could drive himself. You'd think it would be the other way around. : 0)

Then Chad graduated on Monday, the 18th. Graduation was at the Cardinal stadium. It was HUGE !! But, it was very fun. Aunt Robin, Diana, and Sherle came. That was a hoot! And Grandma Virginia, Uncle Kirby & Chip were there also with Chip's girls. He was well represented and we hollered like a wild bunch.

Wednesday night was Mc Kenna's promotion. I took a half day off school so that I could take her to lunch (RIBS ---???) and to get her nails done. She did her own hair. It looked better than her friends that paid to have someone do theirs. She was really beautiful! I'm so proud of her. She's a straight A student -- and very busy with Volleyball.

Friday night, the 22nd, Aleena graduated at the stadium also. I was so nervous about her. It is such a big place. I was so afraid that she would get lost. But, she did GREAT !! They let Chad get her down to her room. They also gave him an armband so that he could go directly in to her at the end when it really got chaotic. Grandma Virginia was there --- AGAIN !! (Poor Mom - we really wore her out this week.) Aleena's Dad and stepmom, Analisa were there too. As well as her brother, Josh, and baby sister Natalia. She looked gorgeous! And, did so well.

Amidst all the family excitement, school got out on Thursday and I ended another year of teaching. WHEW !! And, we survived!!

Chad's Graduation

Chad with friend, Chris.

Why does Mom look so happy????

Mom with sisters, Diana,

Robin, and Sherle.

Dad with Grandma Virginia