John's Hair

About the time the above picture was taken (November 2010) John informed me he wasn't cutting his hair until after the football season the next fall.  That would mean about a year with out a hair cut.  Yikes!!!

I think he and a lot of the boys on the team thought the long hair helped, you know, a Sampson thing.  They did win the State Championship so what can I say?  It's time for a hair cut!

He got the hair cut, alright.  December 2011.  With this cut I wished for the long football hair back.

The next cut came in April 2012.  Are you kidding me?  Where did this kid come from?

Now, May of 2012, finally, after a year and a half of no cuts or strange cuts, I have my boy back.  I love that kid!

Senior Fun

Last weekend Dan and I had the opportunity to take John and 7 of his friends to Lake Powell.  We wanted to do something memorable with John as he is graduating from high school in a couple of weeks.  This trip was a pleasure.  The company was wonderful, scenery spectacular, and the rest was needed.  I was especially pleased because the kids were nice, helpful, funny and good.  There was no drama.  Everyone was friendly and kind to everyone else.

Our group on the Angelene

Lots and lots of water fun

Jumping off the roof of the houseboat

Heading into a slot canyon

We only dared enter this place on a day without rain

We could all chose the height we wanted to jump

We built a big fire

Me and my man in our raw beauty (uugh)

Defiance House indian ruins

I like this pic because you can see the group on the boat as well as John and Bretton climbing down the rock wall

Our last morning, the kids still sleeping as we head back to Bullfrog.

We talked about taking this group to Powell again in a few years when the boys are back from their missions but realized it probably won't happen.  By then some may be married or going to different schools.  Things will never be the same.  This was a fun way to celebrate years in high school.  From here on out things are going to be a lot different for these kids.

Another Graduation

After Mark, our oldest, graduated from high school in 1998 Dan and I each took a deep breath and braced ourselves for what was to come.  We were about to begin helping our 1st of 6 children get a college education.  We also planned on supporting 4 boys on missions.  How would we do it?

Now, it's 2012.  With Tom's graduation today, 4 of the 6 have graduated.  Karen has only one year left.  Four have completed missions including a daughter.  John begins college in the fall and also plans to serve a mission but I see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Thomas and Megan.  Megan had to talk Tom in to walking today.  We're so glad she did.

It's been a pleasure helping Tom with college.  He's a good student and a wonderful man.

Megan's good family came up from Springville for the event.

My parents never tire of graduations.  They support as many as they can.

Battered Husband

Dan and I went on a snow shoe adventure up Cottonwood Canyon in Logan Canyon.  See all the snow on the trees?

Dan was very good at hitting the branches just as I went under them to give me a  nice snow shower.

One time I saw my chance to get back at him.  He went under a pine tree covered with snow.  I put up my ski pole to give the tree a nice whack.  I swung as hard as I could.  I MISSED THE TREE!  My ski pole hit the back of Dan's head straight on with all the power my arms could muster:-(  

I am such a loser.  

I love my husband.

He fell to his knees.  I'd given him a nice bleeding bump on his head.

He was kind.  He forgave me.  We still had a good time the rest of the trip.

On the way back he was well enough to...

slide down the...

frozen river.

I did not try to batter my husband.  I'm glad he's okay.

Love that man.

Last Homecoming Dance

I've had 6 children go through high school and high school dances.  It's hard to believe, but last night was my last child's last homecoming dance.  For me, it's bitter-sweet.  Be what it may,  I'm going to try to enjoy all these lasts this year.

This picture cracks me up.  Boys together, girls together.  

Hartmans set a beautiful table in their beautiful backyard.

John and his lovely date, Shay.

I'm always grateful when his date chooses a modest dress.
I'm also thankful when her hair is longer than his( hehehe)

The whole group.  

 I'm go excited for my son, John, to enjoy these times.  He'll never have another homecoming dance but he's got many many exciting and wonderful times to look forward to.  This momma is going to try to enjoy them right along with him.

Making Memories

Every family has something or a few things that define them.  They may be close relationships, consistent scripture study and family prayer, regular family home evenings, laughter, hard working, service oriented, scholars, musical, social with lots of friends, athletic, world travelers, hunters, campers, bookworms and on and on.  I think one of the things that defines my family is fun outdoor activities.  (Another is that we are all stinkin' hot but that is another post haha) The one regular, consistent outdoor activity we do is Lake Powell.

Meet the Angelene, our house boat.  We've been a part of this house boat (owning it with 16 other families) since 1995.  Since then we've spent at least one week and sometimes two weeks a year on it.  It's our home away from home.  This is where we've created countless family memories.  We've had tons of fun and a good share of problems while on this boat but the times we've shared and the bonds we've strengthened are priceless.

Below are a few of the memories from this past week on the Angelene.

Sunsets

Water sports

Cliff jumping

Hiking and exploring

There are a lot of other things that I wish defined my family.  There are a lot of things I could have done better as a mom but I am grateful for Lake Powell and the memories it's created with my family.