5/30/16 Last week of school! Summer is here!

Holly receiving Outstanding Band Student 2016

It's been a busy fun week.  Your sisters are now officially in done with 6th and 8th grade.  WOW!!!!  Katie starts seminary and grades officially count next year as a 9th grader!!!!  Just a few short years and she will be graduating from H.S.  Time flies!

Monday I worked for Santa Clara City as clerk because their clerks both had kids graduating Monday night from Vista school.  It was kind of interesting and fun to step in and do my job at another location.  It went very smoothly and was good.  Dad and the girls hung out with Uncle Ben and Aunt Laura and made cookies while I worked and then at 7 p.m. we met at Pizza Factory and had dinner together.  

Tuesday evening I got to do it all over again in my own court.  

Holly waiting for her name to be called

The girls had their last piano/voice lesson for the summer as Dawn decided to take the summer off of teaching. I have thought about finding another teacher for the summer because they are doing really well and loving it and they have so much free time.  So far I haven't tried too hard though.  Holly of course would rather not but Katie would love to have lessons. 

Tuesday I went to Fossil Ridge and Holly got an award for outstanding band student of the year.  They didn't give out certificates for grades but she had all A's and one B+ so she is doing really well.  She also read all the books for book club and got a party for that.  

Thursday morning YW group went to the temple

Wednesday was the last day of school and they were out super early.  So summer has officially arrived!!!!  Katie spend the evening at a friends house in the fields.  So this is really weird.  Last year she went to a friends house who had a pool and a 6500 Sq ft home out in the fields. This year she has a new friend and gets invited over.  She gets there...same house!!! Her other friend had moved next door and sold the home to her new friend.  Anyway they had a great time and I guess this house is pretty awesome.  She said they have bb court, pickleball court, golf putt putt, pool, ping pong, foose ball.  WOW!  It is a million dollar home.  She is hanging with the rich folk for sure!

Wednesday evening we played pickleball again.  We've been going kind a late and playing till the lights go out at 10 p.m. It is really fun. 

Dad doing silly bowling, backward granny shot

Thursday we were supposed to go to duck creek but the weather forecast called for cold and rain and yucky so we cancelled (changed) our reservation and will try again in July.  I had already arranged to have 2 days off so I took them off anyway and we had a stay-cation.



Thursday started out with a trip to the temple for YW to do baptisms and then a trip to Kneaders for temple toast. 

We took the girls bowling at the Dixie bowl.  First we did a regular game and then we did a silly bowling game -- you remember that -- we had to bowl left handed or granny style or whatever.  When we arrived there were quite a few people there but after not very long they all left and we had the whole place to ourselves.  We are NOT bowlers but we had fun trying!

Holly and Katie waiting for their next turn to bowl

We then went to iceberg and got burgers and shakes and fries.  Yummy!!!!  

Then we went to the DI and Katie found an outfit.  Told the girls they could each get something but Holly didn't find anything she wanted.  

The girls and I then went to the dollar cuts and got our hair trimmed.  Katie got bangs, Holly and I just got trimmed.  Wouldn't even know just our hair is a little healthier feeling now. 

Aahhh Matey, pirate shot in silly bowling
must cover one eye while bowling

Friday we took a road trip out to Kanab and then on to Paria.  We had to take a dirt road back about 5 miles to the Paria river.  The road got pretty rough toward the end.  The views are beautiful.  We got out and walked along the river.  There was a little water in the river so dad splashed the girls and they walked barefoot awhile.  The weather turned shortly after we arrived and we figured we better not stay because our little care wasn't meant for the uneven roads.  The trail was a little slippery like riding on snow but we made it out ok.  Our car was so muddy!!!  We found a restaurant there called Big Al's that serves burgers and fries and ate there before going to Paria and then stopped at Three Bears creamery and shared shakes afterward.  Three Bears is so cute!  Loved all the bears and sayings around the restaurant.  

We home teach the Long's and they had invited us to Sonny Boys in Hurricane at 7 p.m.  We had told them we didn't think we would make it but timing worked out perfect to get a car wash and then arrive right before 7.  So we had a nice dinner with them and their brother and wife and a little lady from Japan who has been staying with them this week  We had a nice visit for about an hour and then headed on to pickleball till the lights went out again!

Not sure what today (Saturday) has in store for us but I think the family wants to rest a little!  

Katie enjoying the Paria river and getting a little mud

Beautiful skies and scenery

No wait...storm coming in!

Photo bomb in back!

Uh oh, better run...dad has a rock and lots of water
to splash on you!

Photo doesn't quite show just how muddy car was

Can see a little better the amount of dirt and dust we
brought out!

Still have off Monday for the holiday and then again next week to go see Taylor and Kennedy sealed in Provo. 

I got some ads to purchase bedding and towels from a company for your dorm room.  I wouldn't mind buying from them except in order to get a really good deal you have to purchase 2 sets of sheets and blanket, pillow, 2 sets of towels, mattress pad, I think there was more, can't remember.  Not sure we would probably buy all that is in the set.  Plus I think it would be more fun to go to Ross or walmart or whatever and let you pick out your own when you get back.  Do you have any thoughts on this? They say your bed there is an X-long and you have to get special sheets for that but I know you can choose that at the store.  They had quite a few to choose from -- if we do decide to buy from them do you have a color preference? They had pretty much everything...gray, blue, red, black -- patterns, plains.  I dunno...still trying to decide.  Plus they were selling mattress pads and shower totes etc.  I'm just not sure what you'll need!  It would definitely be more convenient to just order the set and have it delivered here, just probably a little more pricey. 

So that about sums up our week. 

I have been listening to 2014 conference talks lately (I was going to listen to most recent conference but I still remembered them and I was kind of bored so I decided to go back a little ways and picked up October 2014.  It's been really good -- I don't remember most of what they were saying but they have all been very inspiring great talks. 

Love this sign found on the bathroom door at the
Three Bears Cremery in Kanab, Utah

Bishop Dean Davies gave a great talk about the law of the fast and caring for the needy.  I have to admit I really struggle with fasting.  I get shaky and uncomfortable and I really don't enjoy it.  His talk states that the law of the fast is one of the easier laws to keep with the greatest rewards

Andy Bear

Katie and lil bear

Kissing the bear

Can't resist kissing the bear!

Isaiah then went on to list the wonderful blessings promised by the Lord to those who obey the law of the fast. He says:

“Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rearward.

“Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. …

“And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:

“And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought.”5

These are great blessings and they make me want to try harder to fast and not let my physical body keep me from the blessings available by following the law of the fast. I want the Lord to answer Here I am when I need him because I have tried to follow his commandments. 

So have a wonderful week and let us know about the lessons you are teaching and learning and what's going on there.  Love you!!! Mom

5/23/16 Finals week...sports, band, school!

Shelly, Katie & Holly in Zion NP

Grandpa & Suzanne headed home on Monday morning to Riverton.  This started the very busy week for dad.  Dad had to record a show Monday morning and left Wednesday for baseball playoffs up in SLC.  He was hoping to return yesterday fairly early but they got some rains that flooded the fields Saturday morning moving all the games back to Saturday night.  So instead of being done about 3 p.m. he wasn't done until almost 10 p.m.  Very exhausting week for dad but Pine View came out on top so that always makes it fun when the team you're covering wins big!!!

He will head home today when he wakes up and hopefully be home by early afternoon today.  

Katie played her sax solo on Tuesday and did a great job.  (I missed it but Gma recorded it so hopefully I'll get to send you that in a separate email.  We'll see if I can figure it out!)

Wednesday the girls had YM/YW and we signed permission slips for Katie to go to youth conference (what?!) and both girls to go to girls camp.  For youth conference this year they rented a big house up in SL area and are going as a ward to temple square and stuff up that way.  Elder Snow is going to give them a tour of the family history library so that's pretty awesome and cool.  Not many kids can get an apostle for their youth conference.  There will only be about 20 total so it should be a very neat experience. 

Dad left for SL about 8 p.m. after we played pickleball and had dinner so that was nice -- we at least got Wednesday in before he left us for the week!

Thursday after school I took the girls to zion and did the emerald pools hike up to the top pool. It was the first time the Riley twins had been to zion so they really enjoyed it.  The hike was pretty steep and we had to climb over rock steps and things.  Certainly wouldn't call it an easy hike for sure.  I think it took just over an hour to get to the top but we were moving at a pretty good pace.  The shuttle stops running at 8:30 p.m. and we were afraid we'd miss the last shuttle so we went right up without stopping.  Once we got there we ate dinner and listened to the frogs -- they were talking to each other really loudly.  It was cool!  Going down was pretty fast -- probably 1/2 hour is all.  

Friday Katie babysat for the Johnson's so they could go to the temple and the Riley twins came over and spent the afternoon and evening.  We cleaned the car and the garage floor a little.  .I went outside and worked on the garden (I needed to add some dirt to it. The kids hung out and played and then we watched a movie. Nice quiet evening.

Saturday we did lots of chores -- mopped, cleaned kitchen, washed windows, mowed lawn, took out the trash, laundry etc.  Then we went to walmart and shopped a little to get stuff to make manicotti and lasagne for today.  The girls and I went to the WCCC and they swam and played together (no friends came and they had fun together!!!) and then Katie went to another stake dance while Holly and I watched Despicable Me and cooked in the kitchen all evening. Holly and I had a nice time together. 

Well today I have to teach the family relations class all alone since dad's in SLC!!! WAHHHHH!!!  It's the finance one so that was the plan all along but now I really have to do it all.by.myself!!!

Hopefully it goes well!!!

So that's our week.  This week is the end of school and it should be pretty mellow.  The end of the craziness is in sight!!!!!

Here is your spiritual thought from my lesson: 

Zion National Park, on our way to Emerald Pools
Shelly, Katie, Holly

 The payment of tithing is a commandment, a commandment with a promise.  If we obey this commandment, we are promised that we will ‘prosper in the land.’  This prosperity consists of more than material goods -- it may include enjoying good health and vigor of mind.  It includes family solidarity and spiritual increase.  I hope those of you not presently paying your full tithe will seek the faith and strength to do so.  As you discharge this obligation to your Maker, you will find great, great happiness, the like of which is known only by those who are faithful to this commandment.

I also attached a little testimony on tithing.

I hope you are doing well. Love you!

We are so proud of you and all you have accomplished and continue to accomplish! Keep up the good works!!!

xoxo mom

05/16/16 Birthday week and Laurito's visit

 May 16, 2016

Grandpa Ray Laurito and Grandma Suzanne

Andy, Katie, Holly & Dallas, chilling at Griffin's

Gma Griffin, Kay and Randy Phillips

WOW this weekend went fast and thank goodness I had an emailed reminder or I might have not written.  So Sorry!!!!!

Gma and Gpa Laurito have been staying with us all week so our schedules are a little off! 

This week we have stayed busy doing all the usual stuff plus two!  Monday I went to the chiropractor because I've been having a sore neck (the opposite side from earlier this year).  We had our usual Monday night pizza and then played pickleball late in the evening.  It's getting too hot to play earlier in the afternoon, darn it!

Tuesday I was fortunate to get off by 6:30 p.m. so I was able to have dinner with the family and hang out for the evening!!!  Laurito's came Tuesday evening and we visited a little.

Wednesday the girls had young women's and we went and played pickleball while my dad and Suzanne walked the path down at Sullivan park.  Afterward Gpa Laurito tried pickleball.  He's never played before but he did pretty good!  He just had surgery a month ago on his prostate so I was a little nervous but he did just fine!

Thursday evening Gpa Laurito offered to take us out for dinner.  Since my birthday was Tuesday I got to pick.  I picked Dickie's. What a fiasco!  We went to the Dickies here in Washington and it smelled really burnt in the restaurant.  We waited outside for the grandparents and when we were all ready we went in and the guy at the counter said he was closing the place down because he was the only one working and everything was burning in the back.

So we drove across town to bloomington Dickie's to find two very slow workers.  We stood in line for close to 1/2 hour before getting food.  And there was only a couple of people ahead of us!!!!  The food was great but holy cow, makes me not want to go there again for awhile!  twice!  We had a nice visit and good dinner once we got it!!!

Holly and Katie swimming at Linda's pool

Friday evening we went to see Miracles from Heaven with Laurito's and Marlee.  That was a real tear jerker movie and had a good message.  I think everyone really enjoyed it.

Dad's ending his season so he's working all the time so he wasn't around much Friday and Saturday.

Saturday we mostly hung around the house and then I took the girls swimming for 2 1/2 hours.  Pretty mellow Saturday. Dad and Suzanne spent the evening visiting her brother and his wife.

Sunday we sang in the choir and Dad gave a great lesson on Forgiveness. It was ward conference and we got to see Sister Turner, Brother Condie, Brother Melessa, President Lewis.  It was nice to see our old friends. Brandon Condie wants to come when you do your report.

Holly & Emily (Linda's granddaughter)

 Our lesson this week was really struggling and not coming together. Dad had gone through it a couple of times and also felt like there really wasn't much to it.  I read three different books and 2 ensigns Saturday evening (not cover to cover..you know searching for supplement to the lesson) and couldn't find anything.  Sunday morning at 8:33 (I was supposed to already be at church for choir) I googled and found something.  I went and printed it and then forgot it on the printer. Luckily dad was able to get my text and grab it.

Charity and Linda Hill

As we were reading it we realized it kept referring to a supplemental guide that went with it.  Which I hadn't printed.  We were able to find that online and read it on dad's ipad.  Dad was able to take that print out and give a really great lesson on 3 hours sleep and 30 minutes in sacrament meeting.  He's pretty amazing.

I guess the other point of that story is that we were both praying to find something for our lesson and although it didn't come as early as we'd have liked or as easily as we would have liked, we were guided and able to find what we needed before we needed it and deliver a great message.

Sunday we had dinner at mom's house (meatballs and rice...so delicious!) with Randy and Kay, Laurito's, Griffin's and us.  Dallas and Mck(she had to leave for work).  It was a nice evening and we talked after dinner about church and life etc. 

So we are finishing out the school year now only 8 days left!!! Katie has a concert tomorrow night which she has a solo on her soprano sax and she's pretty excited about that.

Hope you are doing great !  Love you!!! Mom

5/8/16 Mother's Day

The school year is winding down and with that comes all kinds of fun stuff.

  Monday I had to go to District Court to testify in a DUI case.  Got over there and they said, sometimes you just have to show up and then they realize they can stipulate to what you were going to say.  So I got to run across town to get sent home!

Tuesday both dad and I worked but Holly had a band concert.  Thank goodness for grandparents who live close and love the girls.  The Griffin's were so good to go and watch Holly's concert and take pictures for us and then take the girls out for dinner afterward.  I think they all had a wonderful time and enjoyed the evening.  Sad we didn't get to attend but so cool to have someone who loves them available to help out!!!

Wednesday was an exciting day for Katie.  She was awarded a certificate for her 4.0 grade point average, perfect attendance and given a surprise -- band student of the year certificate. So proud of these two girls as they continue to work hard and excel in so many areas of their lives. It's a lot easier to parent when the kids are doing what they should be and doing it well. Thank you girls!!!

Holly on the trumpet

Wednesday the girls learned first aid for girls camp while Dad and I went and played pickleball with the McAllister's.  We've really been enjoying that and played Monday, Wednesday and Saturday this past week.  We've kind of got a standing thing going but I'm afraid as the weather heats up we'll have to make our games later.  It's going to be too hot in the afternoon's very soon.

Friday evening Chauntel Clark had a graduation party to celebrate graduation with her associates and high school all at once.  Way to go!!!  The girls went but Andy had to work and I wasn't feeling well so I stayed home.

Katie was awarded certificates for excellence
on May the 4th (princess leah hair-do)

Saturday got up and cleaned and did laundry and all the usual Saturday stuff.  First week without soccer games in awhile so it felt good to just get in and actually clean up without interruptions.  Dad was covering the Iron Man so he was gone early and all morning.

Cute characters at awards assembly at PVMS

 Bob Paxman died and they asked us to help with the luncheon so from 1 - 3 p.m. the girls and I spent over at the church serving lunch.  We got to eat there too and it was yummy!

About 3:30 p.m. AJ pulled up and popped in unexpectedly from Provo to surprise me for mother's day and my birthday!  How cool is that?! I hid under the desk and told Andy to tell him I was gone for the weekend.  He didn't buy it. After I came out I teased him and said what if I wasn't home?!  And he was totally not worried and said...you NEVER go anywhere, I knew you'd be here!  Ha!

AJ, Dallas and Dad went to the Zion Lions game and had a nice boy's night out while us girls chilled and watched a movie together.

Waiting for her name to be called

Sunday was Mother's Day so Dad didn't make me help with the lesson (yeah!!!) and of course did a great job.  He's such a good teacher.  Darryn Taylor gave his farewell (heading to Canada on a mission!!!) and after church we went to their house and had treats out on the front lawn.  There was tons of people there and it was a nice get together.

We went to choir practice and then got our skype call from Bryce!!!! It was so nice to have the whole family together if only for an hour.  It was a nice visit and Bryce looked great!

Afterward we had yummy pulled pork sandwiches and side dishes.

I got a package from Bryce for mother's day/birthday and it had picture printed and in an album from the mission and something that was probably a really nice thoughtful delicious treat.  Unfortunately the mail and the St. George heat combined to have this delivered to the house:

Bryce sent home a treat for Mother's day

Receiving award

Anyway, all in all it's been a good and busy week and we are looking forward to the completion of school in a couple of weeks.  There are another couple of weeks left before things settle down and get quiet at our house...right...

Upcoming plans: day after school gets out May 26 - May 28: spend the weekend at Duck creek in a cabin - just us and the girls.
June 2 - head up to Provo for a weekend -- Taylor and Kennedy get sealed in the Provo Temple Friday June 3!!!
June 15-18 Katie to Youth Conference
June 22-25 Girls camp for the girls, couples vacation for us old folk
June 30 - Park City for 5 nights, 6 days with everybody

THEN it will be quiet...for less than a month. And then Bryce comes home August 1 -- girls start school about 10 days later and Bryce 20 days later.

It's a good kinda busy!