Madeline

Nineteen years and two days ago, a beautiful girl was born to our family.  She grew into a beautiful, sweet and wonderful young women who loves her family and the Lord.  We are so grateful she came to our family and feel so blessed to be her parents.  Madi, we love you.

We Lost.

Yes, we lost the soccer game on Friday.  It was such a sad event.  Our team actually was better than theirs.  I think our team suffered from the jitters (our first state tournament game) the first half.  Anyway, we had a great season.  We are so proud of Hillary.  She had a great game and a great season.

Halloween FHE

We spent a fun and eventful family home evening with our wonderful friends, The Hickens.  We first sang a rousing rendition of , "This is the night we've waited for. . ." (Family Night), then we enjoyed a well prepared lesson by Austin about the Trojan Horse and how unlike the Trojans who allowed the horse into their city walls, we should be on guard against forces that will destroy our shield of faith.  He then likened that, somehow, to carving out the guts of a pumpkin and not letting it affect our faith?  (I can't remember how that part worked or if it did.)  The dads were in charge of the pumpkin carving.  Then we decorated and ate sugar cookies and delivered them to about 7 families that we knew.   Hillary had to leave early for her play practice and Madi went to enjoy Homecoming Festivities at USU.  

As we delivered our pumpkin cookies, we sang Pumpkin Carols.  Ya, I know, weird.  But it was so fun and a lot warmer than in December.  It actually was fun to watch people and their reactions to us.  We had many selections, some better than others.  Pumpkin Wonderland was a bomb, however, Pumpkin Bells and our rap--Great Pumpkin is Coming to Town were fabulous and fun.  The kids decided that their favorite was the rap, with Austin and Melanie as the beat boxers? and Chelsea and Dustin as the rappers, with Brandon and the moms and dads as back-up/support.  

LOGAN HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER

Hillary's soccer team won a hard-fought victory last Friday as they beat Judge Memorial (last year's state champs) in the semi-final game.  The final score was 5-1 and Hillary had two assists and sang the national anthem at the beginning of the game.  It was such a fun game to watch and we are so proud of the whole team and are so grateful to the coaches and the positive way they motivate and teach the girls.  Their next game will be on Friday at Alta High School at 11:00 am.  We will be there with our Logan High red and crimson on!  Go Grizzlies!!!!

Homecoming 2008

      Last week was homecoming at Logan High School.  As a student body officer, Hillary was busy all week preparing the activities for the students.  

     She and her friends each bought a pair of "mom keds" as we like to call them and decorated them with sharpie markers and then wore them all week and to the dance under their beautiful prom dresses.  

     Since Madi was the homecoming queen last year, she was at the Friday night game to give the crown to this year's queen, Sara Huppi.  She felt a little awkward being back at high school again.  And if any of you know Madi, you know she would rather just fade into the background and not be the center of attention.  But, she was only out there for a few moments and then it was over.  Here she is in the second to last photo with the king from last year, Joe Pauni.

More High School Musical pics

High School Musical

Can you say 'big hair'?  Wow, I thought I had seen the last of that hairstyle when I wore it in 1983.

Hillary was in High School Musical this past week.  She had so much fun playing the "mean girl", Sharpay.  The whole cast was terrific and they had a great time together. She loved being the goofy one and making people laugh. 

Yes, I am computer Illiterate.

    I ACCIDENTLY made a new post on Madi's blog--madelinefromparis11.blogspot.com today.  I don't know how I did it, but I did because I am computer illiterate.  And I don't know how to undo it and I am too lazy to do it again on my blog.  And so if you want to see it, you will have to visit her blog.  Thank you very much.

--Our Family Vacation to San Francisco--

     We spent a lovely, wonderful vacation in San Francisco from the 22nd to the 26th of July.  We enjoyed the weather, even though it was really cold at some times.  

Remember that quote by Mark Twain; "The coldest winter I ever spent was the summer I spent in San Francisco."  I understand what he meant, however, that fact didn't take away from the wonderful vacation we enjoyed. We saw the Bush Man and the sea lions and the Island of Alcatraz at Pier 39. We went to:  Fisherman's Wharf, across the Golden Gate Bridge, Muir Woods (very tall redwoods) & freezing Muir Beach, the Oakland Temple, Lombard Street (the most crooked street in America), China Town, Union Square, Half-Moon Bay Beach, Ano Nuevo State Park (we saw many elephant seals up close and personal), a San Francisco Giants vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Game, and we met up with Wayne's cousin, Robin and her wonderful family.  It was really fun and exhausting and although it's not always easy to please three teenagers at the same time, it was a great family memory! 

SUMMER

     We have had a eventful and fun week.  Sandi and Phil came for a working visit from Coeur d ' Alene, but we still fit in some time for fun. Sam and Angie came by after part of the day spent jumping of the cliffs at Porcupine Dam.  Wayne put his portable gas fire together and set it up in the back yard with help from Phil and walah!  We enjoyed s'mores. Yummy.  Nan, Tom and Amy came by, Chris and some of Madi's friends.  It is so fun to have a house full of people.  I love summertime!

Celebrate Chad!

We enjoyed a fantastic evening last night as we celebrated the finish of many hours of hard work for my nephew, Chad.  He has finished his residency and is now, officially, a full-fledged doctor.  We are so proud!  As cousins, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, mothers, grandmas and dads, we gathered to celebrate his accomplishment and have a great family home evening. We had a few hours of fun together but it didn't seem long enough.  None wanted to leave.  Luckily, we have a reunion planned in August!

PEND ORIELLE RIVER FAMILY REUNION

     We recently returned from our family reunion which was held  in Washington State this weekend.  It was fun, enjoyable, and beautiful.  Family games were played, bubble gum was chewed and hoola hoops were hooped.  Teenagers were rescued from jetskis, cards games were played, naps were taken, and hugs were given. Fireworks were lit. Mothers and grandma were worried.  Beanbag horshoe games were played. New t-shirts were worn.  Jumping pictures were taken.  Kayaks were rowed.  Three-legged races were won and lost.   Jet-skis were driven.  Great food was prepared and eaten.  Cousins, and aunts and uncles and grandma and grandpa were loved.  And great memories were made.  We love our family!