Milestones

This week has presented us with a few milestones. After 15 years of getting up super early to either teach or to get kids out the door to seminary, WE ARE DONE!!! Thursday was Travis' last day of seminary. Then Friday Travis finished his years at high school. This is him just before he left to give his senior oral board presentation. What a good lookin' kid. He managed to keep straight A's all through high school, even taking extra challenging classes. Needless to say we are extremely proud of him. But even more because he's a really nice, respectful, fun person. (Lynn is dreading having to let him go away to college. There goes his sports buddy!)

Then last night Jaime's Ellie was baptized. That's another milestone - to have a great niece baptized. I do have Warnick great nieces who've been baptized, but because Evan and Lyn's kids grew up with ours, this feels particularly personal. There was Jaime last night in a beautiful purple dress, gorgeous and gracious, and HER DAUGHTER WAS GETTING BAPTIZED!! It really struck me, and I sat there during the baptism remembering all the fun times we had with Jaime, Scott, and Julie when THEY were little.
Wasn't it just yesterday when Jaime and TJ were busy playing hospital?

Wasn't it just yesterday when Scott was making cookies at my house with my kids, then selling his baggie of cookies to his sister (Niki) for $.25 and a Book of Mormon?!

Wasn't it just yesterday when Julie and Jena were modelling every chance they got? When they filled the stock barrell with water and dirt and took a mud bath (I don't think Auntie Lyn has forgiven me for that still)? When they got the video camera and did a long documentary all about themselves? What wouldn't I give to watch that now?!

It's a bitter-sweet thing to watch everyone growing up. It's so awesome to see these "kids" becoming amazing parents, capable professionals, and responsible leaders at church. It's so great to see how the gospel is blessing their lives, and how they are blessing the lives of all those around them. We sure love you guys! (Pass the tissues.)

Our Trip to Utah

Lynn and I went to Utah the end of May so we could be at Trevor's wedding. Travis had some big things going on with school, so he flew out for the weekend, then drove home with us. While he was out there he met with a counselor at BYU to get some advice on which classes to register for. It was very helpful.

Sometimes we miss taking some pretty important pictures. For example, we didn't get a single picture of Trevor and his bride - just the two of them looking at the camera - or say us with them. Alas. It was a beautiful wedding and reception. Of course Logan and Shaffer are drawn to any water anywhere! If there is the tiniest puddle, they will find it, plash in it, and throw anything not bolted down into it!

We were happy to see Lynn's siblings and their families! Just not enough time to visit as much as we'd like. Never that!

I stayed in Provo to help Jena and Josh move, and Lynn went to Logan with Lovelle so he could be at the reception there. It was absolutely gorgeous! Can you believe these stunningly beautiful girls? Siera and Lauren. They get their looks from their Grandma Velle. Landon is practicing for his future family (though they look like the perfect little family, Landon and Lauren are actually cousins, not husband and wife).

Who's the cutest boy? I am.

On Saturday we hiked to the Wind Caves. This was a 1.8 mile hike straight up the side of the mountain. OK, maybe not STAIGHT up. Jessi and Rich were kind enough to go at my slow pace, and they kept me from giving up several times! Some of the group actually ran part of the hike, and Jena and Jessi carried the boys much of the way. Josh finally got a turn at carrying (none of us wants to give the boys up when they ask for us!!!).

During our wonderful time together, Lynn and I spent as much time as we could with Logan and Shaffer. Lynn has a new ipad, and the boys loved playing the simple games they could on it. How can they be so smart?!

We made yummy things from Jena's new recipe book Our Best Bites. Great recipes! Eating is such a fun part of any get together!

And what would a family get together be without lots of game playing?! Lynn and I just LIVE for the times when we can be with our children and grandchildren. They are the golden highlights of our lives.