It's hard to believe that when I look at my last post that three weeks has past.  We celebrated Caleb's 15th bday by spending time at Berven's pool.  Which was really fun as we were able to be online at the same time as Stetson was emailing and so we emailed a pic of the gang at the pool.  I guess it might have been a little mean as it was at the time 115 degrees and he said he wished he could go swimming.  But he said he enjoyed seeing everyone there.  The picture of Wayne's truck on the long stretch to Eileen's cabin is my favorite part of that drive, probably shouldn't have taken a picture, but I did.  I love that place right there, it seems to go on forever.  And the cows just seemed to not get out of the way, Wayne was able to get by, but they didn't for me.  Time certainly goes by so quickly, and yet crawls in some instances, too.  I have been crazy busy at work preparing for the annual Summer Splash party and Dr. Feller is incredibly busy, which is because he is indeed the best orthodontist in town and it's birthday season at our house, as well as Quest and trying to finish the Book of Mormon.  With the rest of life and things just don't slow down.  However, not complaining.  I figure being busy is a blessing.  So, here are a few pictures of our adventures of the last few weeks.  I have had the pleasure of speaking a friends granddaughter's baptism yesterday, an experience that reminded me to remember the importance of my own and to take a moment and write down what is important in our lives.  To stop and help out a friend when they had the unfortunate mishap of hitting a moose on the way to their cabin in Flaming Gorge that made their truck unable to drive so we went and got their other car from their garage to take up to them and then were able to spend the weekend up with them at the dam on the boat.  We went tubing and fishing and just had a great time.  We went to the fireworks at the NSL golf course with the usual group of friends and saw the new movie the Lone Ranger as a family.  Caleb, Wayne and I put up the flags which seems to be a tradition that we do just about every holiday.  We are just lucky and grateful for the blessing we have.

Happy Birthday from the pool gang!

 They certainly slowed my progress

My favorite stretch on the drive to Eileen's cabin.

Happy Birthday Wayne, 49 and holding, wish this is what I gave him, but nope!

Early, but happy to be out on the boat to go catch some Kokanee Salmon  

Success!

 Doing his duty, without a word of complaint, and it was 6:30 a.m.

Yesterday I did the Color me Rad 5K.  What is it?  I'm not really sure myself.  You meet at the Salt Lake City Public Library.  You wear a white shirt, you start at 8:00 with 100's of people you start running/walking and you get chalk dust thrown at you at various stations throughout the race.  And it's all for a great cause for the arts, I guess.  I was really quite fun.  Mainly, I did it just because I can.  I've been doing this trying to get in better shape and health thing for what seems like forever.  But I can say that it is so much easier.  Today, I don't even feel sore.  That's a great accomplishment.  We really didn't even run that much, but we walked pretty fast, and we got really messy, and it was fun.  I went with two gals from work, Brianne and Lacee.  Next year we are going to try and convince more to go and the real test is in September the Dirty Dash...that's the real fun.  Here's great picture to show what it's all about.  It really was a great way to start the day.

Well, with Stetson leaving and Bridger returning I decided it was time to take family pictures one last time as a family of five.  Who knows what two years will bring.  It may bring nothing, it may bring change, but for now we will document what our family is at this point in time.  I am so proud of my boys.  They are great young men.  All of my life I just wanted to be a mom.  I hope that I have done my Father in Heaven proud.  They have learned how to work hard, to serve others, to be kind, to honor their priesthood and to make wise and good choices.  They are normal boys too, don't be fooled.  They have given me days where I was glad the day was over.  But, I do miss those carefree days of going to the park, the pool, the zoo or just playing in the backyard in our kiddie pool and watching the hours pass by.  I was never one who wanted my kids to grow up or wish it away.  It goes by so quickly.  I know to everything there is a season.  And that's ok, but, sometimes, I do miss it.  I am so blessed, and I realize that on a daily basis.  Especially when I look at these pictures that hang on my walls.  Enjoy...

Well, it's done.  Elder Clayton is there.  Wednesday we loaded up his bags and headed down to the Provo MTC for him to start his journey as he begins his mission.  I had such a hard time holding back the tears.  I think to be honest it was just too fresh in my mind after just getting one home.  To send another so soon is so difficult, and yet he is so excited and ready.  How could I not be happy for him.  You will see by the look on his face that he knows this is what he has prepared so hard for.  We will pray for him every day and watch as he grows in faith and stature as we witnessed the growth in Bridger.  It truly is remarkable and an incredible thing to witness, but still hard.  I love these boys and it is so hard to not be able to hear their voices and text or call them whenever I want to.  However, I certainly would not want them to not go.  This is what you teach them their whole lives.  They have listened to stories from their dad, grandpa, uncles and cousins of their mission experiences and now they can have their own to live and tell that will affect the rest of their lives.  Here's some of the pictures of the drop off.  Now the countdown begins.  To be honest, I think I just didn't want to have to start all those firsts over again, but it's all apart of it.  I'll be just fine...

 This is the hardest thing of all...

This hug has to last two years, I had a hard time letting go...I'm not going to lie...

There he goes...

Sending Another

 Stetson had his good friend Bishop Sansom take his missionary photos and as I was there, he said let's get some of the both of you.  Not the best day for me due to my flat iron dying that morning, but oh I'm so glad I have this treasure.  I love this boy!!!  He is the sweetest and most caring young man.  And is going to be an amazing missionary.  I know that when I am missing him, I will look at this picture and know that he is happy.  This is what we teach them to do.  And he will come home a totally different person than he left.  And, I guess that's ok.  Good luck Elder Clayton, Heavenly Father will bless you and us while you are away.  However, I can still miss you like crazy!

 

How could anyone turn down this smile???



Many have asked to see the video of his return at the airport. Click on the link, Welcoming him home, then enter the access code:  elderclayton   Here it is:

Welcoming him home!

I'm so glad we did it.  Worth every penny.

Enjoy...

Elder Holland says it BEST!

I have always loved Elder Holland and the messages he shares.  This is one of my all time favorites.  It was given at a time when I had lots of changes in my life and was hoping and wondering if it would all work out.  It's true.  Trust in God and believe and good things will come.  Sometimes our prayers are answered in messengers.  This was one of those times.  

Thank you Elder Holland for knowing exactly how to put it.