Another graduate...

The traditional Block U picture...ya, you can't tell who is who...Receiving her diploma (at the practice so you can get a close up shot)This is Shannon and her good friend Sarahher walk in partner was CameronThis is a pic of her just after she graduated for "real" taken from way up in the stands....Happy girl with her diploma....at home after it was all over...

It truly seems like just a few weeks ago that Brad was graduating from Higley High. Now Shan has joined the ranks of High School graduates. It has been a huge year of change for her. She moved 700 miles away from the state she has called home from the day she was born. Moved to a small town (with no shopping she would want me to add...) and started her senior year with a smile on her face....ok, maybe not a big smile... She is an amazing young woman. She was able to adjust and make lots of friends. She had her ups and downs but continues to climb ever higher to achieve her goals. Although I think she would have liked to graduate as a Williamsfield Blackhawk, she will forever be a Uintah Ute.... Rock on Class of 2011!! Love you Shan!!

Birthdays birthdays birthdays!!!

May is a big birthday month in our family. My sister Susan is first, then Brother Mark, then me, then Nephew Keith, then Michelle and another nephew Gio.

It also coincides with end of the school year, graduation and all such parties along with memorial day coming up at the end and then throw in Mother's day and there you have it a very busy month!

Spencer made my cake this year and was very proud of himself. Our family isn't too big of a fan for cake so we usually have "deep dark chocolate cake" for almost everyone's birthday since that is the only one we seem to like. However I do love angel food with sherbert in the middle so that is what spencer made for me. Then it is frosted with cool whip and put in the freezer. De-doubly-ishis!!! It was very nice to have both my sister's stop by and wish me a happy birthday, that hasn't happened for ummmm about 24 or more years so it was fun.

This year was Michelle's "sweet 16". She must have everything cause she couldn't think of a thing she wanted to get for her birthday. except things that were way too expensive so I had to reach into my resourceful imagination and come up with something fun. She had fun having family come over for the cake and such. She tried a popcorn cake this year, something that we had when I was growing up. I'm not sure if she LOVED it but it was fun to try. She is a huge popcorn fan so why not?

I have to say it makes birthday's a lot more fun when there are more people to share them with. Thanks family!!

Happy Birthday Brad

The birthday box....ready to go!

Due to the loooonnnnnggg way this package has to travel and due to the not so perfect mail system in Uganda, it is necessary to send a package about 2 months prior to the time you want it to arrive....thus, even though Brad's birthday isn't until July 17, we sent his package off yesterday.

When we sent his Christmas package we sent it about the 2nd week in October (ya, try finding Christmas stuff that early, I know the stores get it out crazy early...but not early enough to send a package in the middle of October..) and he got it right around Thanksgiving.

As you can see from the pictures, this box isn't all that big. However it is the biggest flat rate box that the post office has. You can stuff this box as full as you can get it up to 20 lbs and they ship it for the low price of $58.00! ya, not to cheap! We are however getting quite good at filling it to the brim and even a bit over. Every left over nook and cranny is stuffed with candy so there isn't a spare inch. The first one we sent was around 13 lbs. The Christmas one was 19.5 lbs and this one was 16.5.

We were able to stuff this box with basket ball shorts, about 8 ties, a journal, book, pens, scripture pencils, drink mix, candy bars, note book, cake mix, candles, balloons, watch, cards, letters, laser light/flashlight and lots of love!!! (oh ya and a quart bag of cinnamon toast crunch cereal) He wanted cereal so bad so we put a little in for him. I think we will have to see if he can maybe find some there and even if it is expensive, put some money in his account so he can buy some there... a bit on the expensive side if you have to ship it....

Well, then you give the box a big hug wrap it up with lots of tape and put stickers of Jesus on it and then start praying that it will get there safely and all intact.

Lots of love goes with it....Love you buddy!! Happy 20th birthday!

Seminary Graduation

Practicing her musical number before we left.

Very beautiful....Inside and out!
ok... a little goofy But we love her anyway!!

When Brad graduated two years ago, I wasn't really freaked out because I knew that he was going to go to a year of school and then go on his mission for 2 years so I didn't really worry or fret about him going out into the big bad world (ok, I know he is clear over on the other side of the world... but that doesn't count cause Heavenly Father is keeping him safe and sound)

However, having Shannon graduate this year is just a bit freaky for me. (and Spencer too) I don't know if it is because she is our second one....or if it is because she is our first girl....or I don't know what it is but, It makes me a little crazy thinking what is in the future for her in the next 3 years. She will be going to Utah State here in Vernal for the first year (which is good cause she is a young senior....) and has already earned a scholarship and will be working at her beloved Papa Murphys. She loves her bosses and enjoys the work and they love her too so I think she has pretty good job security.

Shan was born with an attitude and it took her many years to get under control (thanks to Grandma's bribe of helping her buy a cell phone if she could be respectful for 6 weeks) But I must say that she has turned into an amazing young woman. I am so amazed at her poise, organization, spirituality, kindness, helpfulness, determination, beauty inside and out and the list goes on and on. I am truly blessed to be her mom....Love you Shan!!

Prom pics....

Shannon and Cameron

Yay Shan for being MODEST!!!!!


the guys.....

the whole group.....

Our daddy's birthday!

"One year older and wiser too?" Yay for BYU snuggies!!!!!!

Jenna had to try it on too! Guess who has used it more this past week?

Another birthday has come and gone. Spencer turned......47 this year. He is surviving in a house full of girls. I think he missed Brad when it was General Priesthood time but he ended up going with his dad and his brother Bruce. I am sure glad that he puts up with all this drama and emotion and still loves us all anyway!

"Happy birthday.....to you!"

New hair do x 2

Last week both Michelle and Rachel got their hair cut. Michelle chopped about 4 inches or so off her hair and Rachel just cut a little but got lots and lots of layers. For her birthday one of Rachel's friends gave her a "feather" treatment coupon so she cashed that in this past week so she is now one of the trendy crowd with feathers...... "bock bock" ?

I think both of their new do's turned out really cute!