And We Have A Winner!

You're looking at next year's Senior Class Secretary.
Congratulations Beffers!

Ten Years later.

13 years ago when we moved into our home, 
our backyard opened up into a huge, spacious field. 
Three years later it became a school.

Last night we celebrated Spring Creek Elementary's  
ten year anniversary.

There was lots of singing by the choir (Will is on the far right, middle row).

They announced the winners of the Spring Creek essay and song writing contests- Will was so desperate to win an African drum that he wrote a song!!!!

He was one of three winners! And now that the drum is in our home, I'm not sure if that actually was a win....

We had cake and cupcakes and many of our retired teachers returned to celebrate with us. That's Bethany's second grade teacher, Mrs. Dorton, in the middle, and Elijah's second grade teacher, Mrs. Peterson, on the right.

It really was a great night.
Happy 10th Anniversary, Spring Creek.

P.S. And just a  little movie trivia: Spring Creek is actually the "hospital" you
see from the outside in the movie Forever Strong.

Hope.

In a day and age where American exceptionalism 

is generally scorned and trodden upon, 

I love that Utah still loves and celebrates 

the most free nation ever to be established on this great earth.

Last week, Will participated in a program called Hope of America, where dozens of schools around the state sent their 5th graders to perform, sometimes cheesy, but always inspiring, patriotic songs.

The Marriot Center was filled to the rafters.

 There was a wonderful feeling of love and

 enthusiasm for what we have.

It also buoyed up my hope that we might be able to hang on to it.

It did my heart some good.

So if you haven't done so in a while,

read a little something about George Washington, 

 Thomas Jefferson or Abraham Lincoln. 

Remind yourself why this country is not only great,

 but divinely founded for God's purposes. 

No matter who leads this country, 

He is always in charge.

  

Just When I Thought My Heart Couldn't Take Another Election...

Beth's running for Senior Class Secretary.

Really? More Birthdays?

With both sides of our extended families close by, it seems as if we are celebrating birthdays every week. 

If not every week, for sure every month. 

This month happens to be the first time in many,

many years that brother and sister were in the 

same state for their birthday. 

Kind of awesome.

Michael turned 46, and Laura 40-something :)

We had Chantilly Cake, in memory of Liliha Bakery back there in Hawaii. Sooo good.

Dad's birthday card was a tribute to the only joke the kids can remember him ever laughing at when they were younger. It was an epic moment in their childhood. (He had to go to the Bat-room.)

Oh, the contrast in gifts....

Zoey and family came to celebrate as well.

Zack wore a tribute to his favorite show...

...and honestly, I was just trying taking a picture of Malia when these goofballs crashed the shot!

So Happy, Happy Birthday Michael and Laura.

May this year bring much success and happiness.

We Love You!

Up next month?

Grandma Tomi, Judie, and Will!

Michaela Comes Home Tommorrow...

...and instead of going back to the ice cream store, we have talked her into staying with us this summer.
We miss this girl. 
We kind of want to her to be around for a little while. 
I remember distinctly when I was in college  and I realized that my family was never going to be the same. 
We were all going our different ways and that part of family life was over.
I didn't like it then, and I don't like it now. 
And so, this summer, it will be 7 of us once again.
For a little while.
I'll take what I can get.  

I found this picture on our old computer. I have no idea when it was taken.

A Letter To My Dad on the Day After His Birthday.

Dear Dad-

I know we just saw you, but we didn't get to spend a whole lot of time together...you know, you have an ice cream store and all.

But I have been thinking about something for awhile now and I kind of want to share it with you.
I am remembering a conversation we had 10 or 15 years ago. The timing of it and the reason for it escapes me, but I remember what you said to me. It went something like this:
"At my age Brenda, I don't expect to get much better than I am right now. I am pretty much who I am and I don't foresee any big changes. " 
It kind of made sense to me. You were valiant in your service to the church and your dedication to the Lord's work-a Dad anyone would be proud of.
But somehow in the last few years, between your devotion to the temple and the refining fire of your calling as a Patriarch, you have changed. There is a softness around you that I can only describe as someone who has truly put everything on the altar. Someone whose only desire is to do the will of the Lord.
And I love how everything temporal in your life has a spiritual purpose, for you, but mostly for your family.
Even your ice cream store.
I want you to know that of all the blessings in my life,
I count my goodly parents as one of the greatest.
My gratitude for the life you have led is inexpressible. It continues to bless me, but now, it especially blesses my children.

I love you.

Happy Birthday.

Brenda

Another Goodbye.

 Yesterday, our neighbors of 10 years left us.

It was a sad day.

Darcy and I have teamed up in several callings ... 

...and Will and Hayden practically grew up together.

We knew it wasn't going to be easy.

So Will decided to throw a surprise going away party for Hayden. It seemed like a good way to ease the pain of parting.

So we decorated....

 The boys made some heartfelt signs....

 (This one apparently displays the shock of Hayden leaving!)

 And then Will brought Hayden and the boys together.

After a brief treasure hunt, they ended up at our house for pizza,

 and a few games.

This little group loves to be together.

Hayden (and family) will be sorely missed.

But like Will said,"There's always Saturdays!"

Til Saturday then.

After 6 years of attempts...

 ...a Labit car finally won a Pinewood Derby.

I don't know who was more thrilled, Will or Dad.

Spring Break...

As part of Spring Break this year, we headed to Park City for an over-nighter with lots of cousins.

Despite its rocky beginnings...(that's all you need to know) it turned out to be a lot of fun. The plan was for the boys, well some of them, to go skiing/snowboarding at The Canyons, while the rest of us shopped the outlets. First of all, the "outlets" are really just a big scam, don't you think? There is nothing discount about them. But nonetheless we shopped. 

The boys found many ways to keep themselves entertained:

We eventually met up with the rest of the group and spent the evening eating, swimming and visiting.

Lot's of fun.

Cody, Jordan, and Brady.

Aunt Alicia

Angie, I think, but it's hard to tell with that fabulous disguise...

 Julie and Steve.

Dinner for the adults was at Squatters, while the kids had pizza back at the hotel.  

Yes, we left 14 children back at the hotel...

Alicia and Matt

Will and Jake.

 

The majority of time was spent in the pool. 

We almost had it to ourselves (can't imagine why...)

Riley with Elijah in the background doing who knows what....

I am thinking the hotel was kind of happy to see us leave.

And Today, He Donned a Cardigan...

Imagine my surprise when I glanced in Hannah's room 

and saw this...

Easter On A Sunday.

 

Hannah and Will took care of the Egg coloring this year. Saturday found everyone gone but them. Much thanks to Grandma Tomi for hard boiling those puppies!

And obviously those eggs were promptly turned into Golden Rod Toast fixuns...

For Easter dinner, we headed to the Backus'. The Neeley's were in town so we had a bucket load of extra cousins to celebrate with.

We also got to celebrate Brady's 18th birthday. He is anxiously awaiting his mission call.

Ashely brought her roomate, Rachel.

Michaela was down for the wedding of her friend and joined us as well. I find it very disconcerting that Michaela's friends are getting married! How is that possible?

Brady and his mother (my sister).

Thank you Steve for being the only one who looks okay with me taking the picture.

Daddy daughter moment...

...and Michaela and Lindsey.

And somehow I missed pictures of Tyler and Camille, Janis,  Matt, Riley, Avery, and many others. I'm sorry, but they probably aren't!

And even though Easter seemed crammed in there right after St. Patrick's Day, I love the extra effort to ponder the Savior's great sacrifice together as a family. My love for Him is so hard to express, but every day I thank my Heavenly Father for the blessing of repentance. That in my imperfection I am still able to qualify for His grace and love through the Atonement. I love knowing that I am His daughter. It means everything to me.

Happy, Happy Easter.