Cruisin' the Boulevard Car Show

We had a great time at the Bountiful Car Show. Carson loved watching all the old and new cars "cruise". We ate lots of good food...hot dogs, pizza, sno cones, watermelon, creamies, and popcorn. They all got their faces painted, which turned out really cool! The kids all got to take a turn rock climbing, even Ben. They all made it to the top...well Ben gave it his best...he rocked it for a 3 year old! We were really happy to see our cousin Davis and his grandma there too. It was a really good time for a really good cause!!

Maddy climbed so dang fast I only got one good shot of her~

Way to go Benjamin!

We had an eventful spring and our summer has been just as crazy. We had Maddy and Charissa's birthdays~end of school projects, programs and activities~ well let's just show you a little of what we've been up to!
Maddy celebrated her birthday by taking two of her friends for a night of bowling, pizza and fun! We even had fun matching boas and socks. These girls were a riot! Can't believe Maddy is 12~ And she is now onto a new chapter of her life starting with her sixth grade graduation!
She has shown great strength in overcoming challenges! She has worked hard and gone from hating and struggling with math to saying it's her favorite subject! Awesome Maddy~ She is excited to be a part of the Young Womens program and going to girls camp. She has also been rockin on the softball field and pitched everygame...pictures to come soon! She even made it to the All Stars again this year~

Charissa took Grandma on her French class field trip to La Caille. They had a great time and ate some interesting food. Charissa wasn't brave enough to eat the snails but grandma sure was! Charissas French class has been her favorite part of school this year! She celebrated her birthday with a trip to the mall with a close friend. Is she a teenager or what? Charissa also has grown and developed her talents. She performed with our ward in our Stake Roadshow. She was one of the leads and sang a duet with another young woman. While I watched her perform I was left speechless and couldn't stop smiling. I was so proud.

Anna and I had a fun time working on her County report. She chose Weber County because that's where I go to school and where our cabin is! She put a lot of time into it and did a great job~she also did great in her Utah program. She is going to miss fourth grade, she loved her teachers and her many friends. I am soo proud of her and her many accomplishments this year...and way to go Anna on getting all 4's!! Her favorite thing about summer is sleeping in! She can sleep in til noon~and she is very proud of that!

Carson finished a great year and here he is in his second grade program. He has really grown this year, academically, socially, and he continues to be an all around great kid! He is with friends everyday~it's been great for him! Between friends, baseball, and battling Bakugans, watching Bakugan, earning money to buy more Bakugans...he stays busy!

Here we are at Grandma and Grandpas mission farewell..notice we even have Uncle..I mean Elder Randall in there as well~

 We had the opportunity to go down to the MTC with Grandma and Grandpa and say good bye. They were only there for 10 days and then we got to enjoy them for another couple weeks and then they were off!

Mom and Dad are busy in Ukraine and adjusting well. I am so proud of them and soo happy they have this opportunity to serve! I will have to post more later about their journey and the experiences we as an entire family have had!

I have been born of goodly parents.

I have been blessed with a great heritage on both sides, with ancestors that have been role models to me throughout my life. As a result of my great ancestors I have parents who have loved me and taught me so many things. These are just a few of the things my parents have taught me....

*how to love everyone even my enemies

*how to pray and pray and pray with real intent

*I became a believer on their word, then one who knows and has a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ

*how to develop and have faith through adversity

*how to forgive, especially those who are hardest to forgive

*they taught me how to work hard

*that life is not fair

*to recognize the blessings in my life and focus on those blessings

*to find answers in the scriptures

*through their example...how to be "equally yoked"

*to never give up...they never have given up on any of their children...and I am soo grateful for that!

*respect others- especially our parents, grandparents and ancestors

*to love ice cream, cookies, and chocolate milk

*how to say I am sorry

*how to laugh

*to love music, especially hymns

*how to sacrifice

*recognize the endless possibilities

*how to give and give generously

*show affection

*how to learn and to teach

*to be honest in all my doings

*to use failures as opportunities to grow

*the power and blessings in temple worthiness and temple attendance

*honor traditions and create new ones

*how to find clarity, balance, focus and confidence :)

*how to live an abundant life :)

These are just a few of the many things I have learned from my parents. Now I know they're not perfect..nobody is...yet they are continually striving and finding ways to grow and create a legacy for their family and I think that's pretty amazing. They are about to embark on an amazing adventure~one they have planned for since they were first married. I am even more proud of them today then I have ever been. I wish I could share with the whole world all they have overcome and will conquer in efforts to serve their mission. I won't~ but will share the joy and gratitude I feel for their faith, hope, perseverance and courage. I look forward to the blessings that will flow into their lives as they become servants in moving forward the Lords work here on the earth. I could go on and on and list the ways in which they have individually blessed my life through their goodness.They have been my greatest support throughout my life, even when I was difficult to support. We are grateful to be apart of their forever family.

I love you mom and dad!!