First Day of School and Changes

It's the most wonderful time of the year...yeah right? School seemed to start early this year. Perhaps it is that it took Summer forever to get here and with the start of school, Summer is officially over. No more late night/sleep in mornings. To be perfectly honest I really enjoy being on a schedule and routine. However this year it came much more quickly than I wanted it to and I wasn't ready to go back.

This year is Caleb's 7th grade year at South Davis Jr. High. When did he grow up. I can hardly believe that I will no longer be entering the elementary schoolany more. I have to say I'm a bit sad. I have spent many hours there on the PTA boards and in the classroom. And I loved it! My boys thought it was awesome that I was involved in many aspects of their elementary experience. In the JR. High and High School it isn't so accepted and "cool" to be at the school. To be honest, not walking someone to school this last Monday doesn't really seem like school has started. But, it has. Stetson is a Senior at WX and so far enjoying it. He is a great student and has some hard classes, but hoping to get a scholarship and so it is necessary to plunge in and getter done. He has become quite fluent in Spanish and I appreciate him translating Bridger's letters.

If forever had a season it would have to be Fall. I do love the cooler weather, the amazing colors and jacket weatherthat this season will bring. Go Wildcats and Spartans. This year has only just begun...

Stetson on his way. Driving himself and being a Senior...unbelievable

Feel like I'm sending him into the lions den. Jr. High is such a growing and learning experience. I hope he and we survive.

Our Annual Neighborhood Campout

We seriously live in the best neighborhood. Each year several of our friends and neighbors load up our trailers, tents and river rat tubes to go to our annual campout. It is held at Perception Park which if East of Pineview resevoir on the way to Monte Cristo. It is a great place where there is a covered pavillion, plenty of room for several families and a great river for all who want can run it on tubes. It's a blast. This year did not disappoint. With the wet winter we had, the river ran faster and I think a little colder than in years past. We had so much fun. It's wonderful to just sit back, relax and laugh with good friends and just enjoy the beauty of the outdoors.

We cook breakfast together and a great Dutch oven meal that some will come up from home and spend an evening with us to just eat. Scones have become a tradition and this year as it was one of our friends b-days we did a huge spice cake with apples in the DO. We travel with the STP's (same 10 people) so everyone steps in and works to make it so easy and fun. In fact, one of our cute friends said to me that it is his favorite day of the year, that's what makes it all worth while. That's awesome pal, because we are already looking forward to next year and it's been booked!!!

Bountiful Handcart Days

Every year to celebrate and remember the pioneers coming into the valley, Bountiful holds their Handcart Days. This has been a tradition for so many years. I remember going to the parade as a kid, I remember taking my boys to the parade and now it seems like every year for the past several I have been able to be in the parade. Not my favorite, not going to lie. With my calling it was asked if we would once again march in the parade. We are not given a budget so we try and come up with something that is memorable, worthy of being in a parade and inexpensive. This year we used the theme to expand on how our stake has over 60 missionaries serving currently throughout the world. We announced in every ward, prayed and crossed our fingers that someone would show up to carry the flags and signs to represent each missionary serving. We were amazed truly grateful at the over 80 kids that showed up. It was a wonderful site to see these kids wave the flags for our missionaries. I guess your mind moves in different directions when you have one of your own serving. We used the theme of, "Going Forward in Faith" It was awesome. I am so blessed to serve in the Primary and hope these children realize how proud we are of all who leave the comforts of home, family, friends and everything that is familiar to go and teach those children of our Father in Heaven who have not been fortunate to hear of the message of the restored gospel.

More Trek Pictures

All is Well

Being a member of the church brings many fun and exciting things for the youth.  This past week the youth of our stake were taken on a trek to experience a little bit of what it was like for those who came to a land where they could worship freely.  Although the trek is only a reenactment it does help them to have a little understanding of what we all take for granted as they leave the real world behind for a few days.

Stetson was put in a wonderful family.  The Sansom's an amazing couple were his Ma & Pa.  They are so much fun and have such an energy about them I knew he would have a wonderful experience.  Stetson had a young man named Nicholas that was put in their family.  Nicholas has special needs and Stetson immediately felt a love for him.  It was so great to hear Stetson say, "he's such a great kid, so loving and has a so much love for everyone."  Thank you so much for allowing him to experience what it's like to put someone else's needs first.  It is something they can only learn on trek.

Here's some pictures of his journey.  And just like the song says...All is Well!

 Resting after a long day of walking

 Still smiling! 

Didn't know they had sunglasses as they crossed the plains.   

Happy Birthday Wayne & They Really Do Come Home

This past week we also celebrated Wayne's b-day.  Although when you get as old as we do basically the only celebrating we do is go out to dinner.  Wayne loves Macaroni Grill so that is where we went.  We wrote a little message to Bridger as we all feel of his absence especially as we always go as a family on b-days.  Although he wasn't there with us in person, he is always with us in our hearts and thoughts.  And we always talk about what we think he is doing at that exact moment.

Today was a wonderful day.  We went to Cedar Hills to see the missionary that trained Bridger report his mission.  Was it strange that we had never met these people before, nope.  I felt like we had a very strong connection and common interest and so we went.  This handsome young man was the one human being that had seen Bridger last and I wanted to just hug him and ask him how he was doing.  How was his Spanish? It answered all my questions and I was very proud to hear Elder Petersen say what a hard worker he was, how his Spanish was getting really good and how much he loved our son and brother.  And bonus, he sent home letters to each of us and bracelets for the boys to wear just like all those in Honduras wear.  It was a wonderful day.  Do I still miss him, yep!  Did I shed tears again when I read the letter he sent home thanking me for just being his mom, absolutely.  But wouldn't trade it for anything!!!

 Two awesome dads who didn't know each other until their son's met and are now best friends from the MTC.  We love this family and consider them one of the blessings from Bridger's serving a mission.

 The whole gang, Morgan came with us, too.  It was fun to have another girl with us.  This is something we never have, but hope she comes around more often.

 Elder Josh Petersen, yep another one  this one with an "e" n.  Bridger wrote home how this is the missionary he will want to become.  He was a great missionary in Bridger's eyes.  Thank you so much for training him and showing him how it means to serve all the way to the end with all your heart, might mind and strength.  Welcom Home Elder Petersen!

 Jaden, Caleb, Elder Petersen and Stetson

Two dads who miss their boys, but glad this experience has brought us together as forever friends.

Another Teenager, Happy Birthday Caleb

13 years ago today, at 8:08 p.m. weighing in at 8 lbs 8 oz. Caleb Wyatt was born.  Two months prior to his arrival we had lost my sister, Jody to cancer.  Caleb was a wonderful reminder of all that is good in the world and how precious life is.  We all witnessed a smile as I am certain my sister brought him down to us as my entire family was all there.  He has always been so full of life.  Always smiling and very loving.  Hard to believe my baby is 13, however he will always be my baby.  Caleb we love you so much.  Welcome to the wonderful world of being a teenager, get ready pal, it's a wild ride.  Happy Birthday!

 Who would have ever thought we'd share the experience of braces together.  We both have the best orthodontist in town.  Thank you Dr. Feller, we're on our way to perfect smiles.

 Hoping for a IHome to charge his ITouch that he bought with lawn mowing $$$

 These are posters I made for him in Kindergarten and 1st Grade VIP days.  They have hung in his room for all these years and he took them down this week.  I have to admit I was sad.  So here's one finally showing.  He was a darling little guy.  Click on the picture so you can see them a little larger. 

Look out Jr. High, here he comes!!!