Memorial Day

A sad day for me today. I grew up going to the cemetery every Memorial Day and putting flowers on my relatives graves, then we would go to Grandma and Grandpa Taylor's house for lunch with the aunts, uncles, and cousins. We usually ate outside and it was a fun day. I got married and sometimes we went to Roosevelt for Memorial Day and sometimes we didn't. Then we moved to Colorado and I didn't know anyone in the cemetery to visit on this day. Now we have been here over 25 years and I know quite a few people who are buried here. About 5 years ago, on Memorial Day late in the afternoon we walked around and visited the graves of those we knew. 

Now that I have a son here, I would like to come and watch the Veteran's Program they have every year. Last year Landon and Megan went to California over Memorial Day because Megan's Dad was very ill. I kept the kids and they were just too young to take to that kind of event. This year Landon and Megan are both working. Time off has changed a lot from when I was in the working world. Landon earns so many hours each pay period with no difference between sick days and vacation days. Each holiday they are forced to take 8 hours vacation if the office is closed, like on Christmas. They both chose to work today. I didn't go to the Veteran's Program this year either. I don't know how crowded it is and I didn't want to take the kids by myself. It is hard for Delwyn to come here.

In the evening I went to Wal-Mart and bought these patriotic sparklers and wreath. I wished I had done it earlier in the weekend so his grave would have been more festive and decorated all day long on this holiday. That is my goal for next year.

I love you Blake, and miss you tremendously. I often wonder what you would be doing if you were still here. Going to school, I suppose, working on that Engineering degree. I pray that you are happy and doing well. It might be strange to pray for someone who has passed on, but I do it sometimes because I love and miss you so much.

DC Swimming Banquet

The swimming season went by so fast!! All the boys receive participation certificates. James Lees, Ryan, and Gabe Quintana.

Something made them all laugh. It was a fun team and Ryan really enjoyed this year.

The team captains this year were Will Byrd, who is behind the podium, Adrian Schissler who is speaking, and Jordan Fluery. They give out Captain's Award and Ryan got the Iron Fist. Apparently there were a couple of practices where he got really close to the lane lines and punched the swimmer who was in the next lane. More than once.

Profe got a little emotional explaining to the new swimmers and parents about the Blake Palmer Memorial Award. This award symbolizes team unity and goes to someone who is a friend and supports everyone on the team.

This year's recipient is Jordan Fluery. I was impressed that he came to B Leagues to cheer the boys on. It was a bit of a drive (it wasn't held in Castle Rock) and lasted for a about 3 hours. I thought that was so nice of him! It made me think of Blake and how he would probably do the same thing, even though Blake wasn't a team captain.

Jordan wanted to take the microphone after he was presented the award.He was a little emotional at first too. He was a freshman when Blake was a senior and wanted to share some memories. He remembered Blake giving him rides to meets. The swim team is small and they don't always have the budget for a bus and so the older boys that can drive take the younger ones. His last memory of Blake was a bunch of boys were going to the fair, but they didn't have money for rides, so they went to the fountain across the street at Plum Creek. They put soap in the fountain so it was full of bubbles. Blake took off his shirt and stood on the top rock and beat his chest like Tarzan! I can so see Blake doing that and everyone laughed.

Swimming bros!

Another name added to the plaque. Profe expressed to me how hard it's going to be in future years to put into words how meaningful this award is. This is the last year the boys will know Blake, the seniors were freshman when Blake was a senior. Ryan will be there for two more years, and then there won't even be a family connection. Profe did a good job presenting the award and I  have no doubt he will be able to do a good job in the years going forward.

Ryan and his awards! He lettered! I was so proud of him! He worked hard this season to improve his times and was really dedicated. He was only a couple of seconds off making A Leagues for the 50 free.

Adrian and Ryan have become good friends this year, and Ryan is going to miss him a lot.

These boys have fun together and love their coach.

A more serious picture.

I'm thankful for this coach! He means so much to our family. The end of another great swimming season!

Lincoln's 2nd Birthday!

Lincoln is turning two! He is a sweet boy who likes to snuggle. He has the cutest little wave. He holds his hand stiff and turns it from the wrist. He loves to go outside and quite often he gets my hand and leads me to the front door. His favorite foods are pancakes, strawberries, and cheese. And of course he wants to do everything Dagny does!

His birthday was actually Thursday. Landon and Megan gave him a cute playhouse and had cupcakes. We are having a another little party today. I thought it would be fun to put some dinosaurs on his cake and he loved them!

Because he had cupcakes a couple of days ago, he knew exactly what candles were for and was a pro at blowing.

Austin's family gave him these golf clubs.

Claire shows all the kids how to do it!

Of course all the girls are very interested in the presents. 

It wouldn't be right to not get some clothes for your birthday even though kids think that's boring.

A truck with a man, a tent, and a dog! 

Landon does the unpackaging.

Let the fun begin!
Happy Birthday Lincoln! We're so glad you are part of our family!

Claire Plays Tee-Ball

Claire is playing tee-ball this summer and I was so excited to go watch her play! It brought back memories of when the boys played. Baseball is also my favorite sport! I like to watch it and play it. I went to three games during the season and these pictures are a combination from these three games.

Claire is one of the older kids on the team, so she is more coordinated and follows directions better than some of the kids. Austin has played catch with her at home and she is pretty good at throwing and catching. She played first base today.

She is really good at guarding the base.

Camille had a great view of the game!

Claire's cheering section.

The coach makes sure the tee is at the right height and gives Claire some tips on how to bat.

And she gets a hit!

Making sure she knows how to get to second base.

Claire played shortstop this time.

She is ready!

Watching kids learn how to play is so fun! They don't always know what to do after they hit the ball. Sometimes they run toward third base instead of first and sometimes they just stand there. Sometimes they chase the ball when it comes to them in the outfield and sometimes they watch it roll right past them. They practice once a week and have games on Saturday. They got a lot better after the first game.

I took Dagny and Lincoln to one of the games.Whenever the crowd would clap and cheer, so would Dagny.

There is a big grassy area right behind the field and Lincoln was just happy to run around.

Good job Claire! It has been fun watching you play and improve your skills.

Mother's Day

The best thing about Mother's Day when you have a missionary is being able to talk to them. I have been counting the days!  And things are so different from when the boys served their missions. Now there is Skype and Facebook Messenger and we can see Britta instead of just talking to her on the phone. She wanted the whole family to be here, and we were except for Wade, who was working, and Kimberlea. Denya called on Facebook Messenger and was able to join in. Britta has really missed the nieces and nephew and really wanted to see them. They were a little shy at first and had to warm up to her.

Britta saw I was taking her picture and her hair was covering her name tag. She wanted me to take another one so we could see it.

She told us about the delicious pear ice cream in Sweden. I have a hard time imaging pear ice cream, but she says it is the most popular flavor. Her apartment complex is mostly older people, but it is a really nice place to live. She sang "I Am a Child of God" and bore her testimony in Swedish. It  sounded great and I was so, so  happy to hear her voice.

When we got home from church, these beautiful roses were on the porch!

From Ben and Myndi Mathwin, the realtors who helped Landon and Austin buy their homes! They are the sweetest people ever! We really felt a connection with them the first time we met. They are fabulous at what they do. No pressure to buy a house or get a bid in quick so you don't miss out. I feel they truly care about their clients and want them to be happy. They have turned into friends, and this was so sweet of them!

Austin and Melissa and girls gave me these flowers! They are so beautiful and don't look nearly as pink in the pictures as they really are. They are so vibrant! They have silver sparkles mixed in them too.

A BIG, BIG surprise was this Mother's Ring!!! It is so beautiful and I absolutely love it!! I have always wanted one, but didn't think I would ever have one.It is engraved with the words, "All Eternity" on the inside of the band. I am so happy and will treasure this forever!

 I got these cards from Austin's girls and Denya. They were very nice. Denya has a way with words and always writes such nice messages inside. I felt very loved!

Austin got a guitar for his birthday and he brings it on Sundays when they come for dinner. Some of the songs he plays are, "Hey Jude," :American Pie," and "I Walk the Line."

Landon gets his out and plays as well. It is so fun!! 

I have such talented kids and love having music in our home.

On this Mother's Day I am grateful for my own wonderful Mom. She is my hero and I want to be just like her. She is so loving and giving to all, especially her family. She quilts, reads, gardens, works in the temple, and tends her great grandkids two days a week. She has a strong testimony and is one of the most Christ-like people I know. I'm so glad she is my Mom!

I'm also thankful that I am a Mom to 7 fabulous kids! When I was a little girl, I just wanted to have a lot of kids and be a stay at home Mom, and I got what I wanted. My kids bring me so much joy and happiness. They are truly my greatest blessing.

Spring Band Concert

The spring band concerts are always full of lively music.  My favorite song of this performance was"Forbidden Friendship," from "How to Train Your Dragon." I really like the chimes at the beginning.

Ryan hasn't enjoyed the band season this year, and he isn't going to be in band next year. I have mixed emotions about it. There is a feeling of pride when your teenager is on the field with the Marching Band. I love watching the performances! They look so sharp marching and playing their instruments, and I'm sure the students feel a sense of accomplishment. It is a huge time commitment and if you aren't enjoying it, that's a lot of time to be miserable. I also feel that music is one of Ryan's talents. He is going to try choir next year, so that will be a fun change and I'm glad he's still doing something musical.