Class of 2010 -- Davis High Graduation June 4, 2010

Makel graduated last Friday. She has been looking forward to this day since the beginning of January. She is ready to move on. Most of her childhood friends and her best friend are going to attend the University of Utah this fall. Makel is enrolled in the pre-nursing program at the U. After she completes that she will apply for nursing school at the Uof U, Westminster and BYU. Makel has her CNA and has been working as an intern at Ogden Regional Medical Center on "B" days from January to the end of May. It is bittersweet for me as a Mom. I am happy for her because I can see she is ready, but sad because it is life-altering. She is doing alot of good things with her life and I am proud of her!

Davis High Homecoming 2008

Makel was asked to go to Homecoming this year. The guy who asked her is in our ward and is the group of friends that she hangs out with alot. His name is Joseph James Martinez (JJ). He asked her by making a big ball of carmel popcorn and inside the popcorn was a big easter egg with a whole bunch of letters that were cut up. She had to unscramble his name with the letters that he had highlighted in red. We were all standing around eating the popcorn and helping her unscramble the letters. She had a alot of fun.

End of the summer fun.

The summer break is officially over. But just prior to school starting for the kids we tried to jam in a few more fun activities.

I had the opportunity to go to Miller Sports Park and race a souped up Mustang. I and eight other drivers took turns leading the pack at which we could go as fast as we were comfortable driving. I was hitting about 105 mph on the straights and about 90 mph on the turns. Pretty scary at first but quite exhilarating by the time we finished. We drove for about 45 minutes but it seemed to go by pretty quick. The last 3 laps we were able to sit as a passenger with a professional at the wheel and he opened it up. We were going as fast as 120 mph, what a rush.

We also had the opportunity to take Makel and Kirsten to the Cheryl Crow/James Blunt concert. It was fun to see the girls swoon when James Blunt started singing and the girls made fun of me drooling over Cheryl. Needless to say we had a great time listening to some great music. (sorry the pics don't tell the real story)

And Finally, we took the family to St George and did some back to school shopping, swimming and we went and saw Les Miserables at Tuacahn. We all had a great time but to be honest the kids are always singing their favorite "Les Mis" tunes and it is getting annoying. We will see how much they will be singing when all that homework starts rolling in. But until then you can probably guess who is the miserable one.

Sharpay the Bunny

We have a neighbor who has been selling bunnies. Kirsten has always wanted to have a pet and has begged Gregg and I to get her a kitten. But, much to Kirsten's dismay Gregg has always told her no. So, when our kids found out about these bunnies, they have begged us for a bunny and Gregg has always told them no until they wrote the following letter:

Dear Dad,

Me, Natalie and Jared all want to have a bunny for a pet. Here are 10 reasons why we should have a bunny.

1. It will teach us responsibility.

2. Love (Natalie's reason).

3. It will fertilize our garden.

4. It can eat our old vegetables.

5. We have never had a furry pet (by Jared).

6. We will pay for the bunny.

7. We will stop complaining for a bunny.

8. We will take care of the bunny.

9. It will make us more happy.

10. It is an outside pet that is easy to take care of.

Love, Kirsten, Natalie & Jared.

P.S. After you read this note please respond. Do not respond rudely like: No, whatever, or you don't deserve one, etc.

Needless to say, we gave in and now have a pet bunny. I have to admit she is a cute bunny. I think we better get her fixed because both of our next door neighbors have a bunny and one of them is a male.

Vacation to Nauvoo

Twenty Two years ago, I went on the church history trip with the seminary program. I told myself back then, that someday I wanted to bring my own family to Nauvoo. The desire was fulfilled these first ten days of June. My kids were old enough that they could endure the traveling and remember and appreciate it. We were able to see alot of church history. We went to Independence, Missouri and toured the visitors center and saw the Church of Christ Temple and the temple site where a new temple will someday be built in Missouri. We then went to Liberty, Missouri and toured Liberty Jail, where the Prophet Joseph Smith was in prison for four months. After that, we drove to Adam-ondi-Ahman. Even though this was a huge field you could feel that it is a sacred place. Bruce R. McConkie stated "Sacred indeed is the whole region for what has taken place and what will take place in its environs." (The Millenial Messiah P. 588).

We also went to Hannibal, Missouri which is the birthplace of Mark Twain (author of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn). We were able to ride on the Mississippi Riverboat and go on a dinner cruise.

Since Nauvoo was the main destination, we spent 4 days there and were able to tour all of the historical homes and shops. We also went to the Temple where Makel & Kirsten were able to do baptisms for the dead and Gregg and I went through a session. The Temple was beautiful. Makel & Kirsten will tell you that it was their favorite part of the vacation. Even Natalie & Jared will tell you that Nauvoo was their favorite because they participated in pioneer pastimes and fun activities that they had for younger kids.

My personal favorite was Carthage Jail. I loved Nauvoo, but the feeling that I felt while we toured Carthage Jail was undeniable. I have a stronger testimony of what Joseph and Hyrum Smith sacrificed and went through. After leaving Carthage Jail, we picniced along the Missippi River on our way back to Nauvoo.

After we left Nauvoo, we drove to Winter Quarters and then up into South Dakota where we were able to see Mt. Rushmore and go to a lighting ceremony. We also took to the Flintstones Village (which was very lame but Natalie and Jared seemed to enjoy it).

We had a good time and were able to see alot of church history which I hope my kids will remember.

Teenagers

Makel just turned "sweet 16" on April 26 and Kirsten turned "13" on May 1. We had a surprise birthday party for Makel at our house with a group of her friends. Thanks to her friend Ashley, we were able to pull it off nicely without Makel knowing. They had a lot of fun. The following morning they went to the Bountiful Temple to do baptisms for the dead.

When you have two teenage daughters whose birthdays are 5 days apart, you have to do for one what you do for the other. Kirsten was able to invite a group of her friends over and have a party as well. Its hard to believe that I now have two teenagers. They have both have a good group of friends who they like to spend time with quite often. Friends are always welcome at our house to come and hang out.

A weekend in Florida

Gregg left for a business trip to Ordando, FL on Monday, April 7. On Thurdsay, April 10, I flew down to Ft. Lauderdale and was able to spend time with Rich & Sharon and Chad & Angie. We had a really fun weekend. It was fun to see where they live and Kiara and Indigo's school that they attend. We went on a fun bike ride, went out to dinner at "Flannigans" and spent most of the day on Saturday on the beach (the pictures that I took of Gregg didn't turn out very well they looked white). I am now hooked on the game "puzzle planet" after playing it with Chad & Angie and Sharon while staying at Rich & Sharon's and I received a new nintendo DS for my birthday from Gregg!!!

On Sunday, we went to church with Rich & Sharon and had a nice birhday dinner at Chad & Angie's. Thank you Rich & Sharon and Chad & Angie for a fun weekend and a good 40th birthday!